Nueva Ecija, Philippines: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives in so many ways. And one of the impacts that this caused is on the education of our children. In the Philippines particularly, the education system shifted from face-to-face to online or modular classes. This made it very challenging for the children and their parents. The parent church, Cabanatuan Church of the Nazarene, hey saw this need as an opportunity to expand and equip the ministry of Camias Church of the Nazarene in their community.
“Transforming community through education.”
District Superintendent and Senior Pastor of Cabanatuan Church of the Nazarene, Rev. Crisanto “Cryz” Colorado believes that education is important in the transformation of a community. And he thanks God for those who dreamed, believed, and partnered with them in this battle cry of “Transforming community through education.” Recently, this dream has become a reality. With the generous giving of our brothers and sisters, and through the Metropolitan District’s local Work and Witness team, Camias Church of the Nazarene, pastored by Rev. Emman Gura dedicated this student center during its 8th year church anniversary.
Computer units are available for student’s use.
This project started with very limited resources. But DS Cryz Colorado believes that God would provide. After 3 months of construction work, the building is now useable for the children. The center can accommodate 15 students at a time. Two desktop computers were set up and connected to the internet for online classes and research needs. The children and young people were so excited to witness God’s goodness in their community during the dedication, especially when they saw the computers because no one in the community owns one. Most of them only use mobile phones for their online classes and research. The senior high school and college students living in the community have also pledged to volunteer their time in providing tutorials for the younger children. This partnership makes this project a real team effort.
DS Cryz shared, “There is still a lot needed to complete the center. One room is still being developed as a library and another room will be constructed as sleeping quarters for volunteers and workers. But we praise God that our students can now start using the center.”
Another good thing that comes out of this project is, that more young people in Camias are now dreaming and aspiring to study and finish college. Next year, we will have 4 new college students. In addition, our first college student will graduate this coming June. This is very encouraging for a community like Camias. But more importantly, these young people are being called and equipped by God. One of our 11th graders, Renren Balili shared, “I want to go to Bible College and be a pastor someday.”
Truly, God can turn any situation, even a pandemic, into an opportunity to transform a community through His church. Praise the Lord!
