The Philippines is just one of the countries in the world experiencing widespread poverty, inequality and various kinds of social injustice.  In this country, at least 30 percent of the people are in poverty and among these people, 14 percent or almost 13 million experience extreme poverty – living on less than 40 pesos ($1) each day.  These people are not just statistical figures but real people with names and faces – in fact, they live in our neighborhoods, communities, towns and cities.

I have met and spent time with them - an insider to what they have been experiencing: subhuman housing, unsanitary environment, inadequate food, poor health care, unjust treatment and discrimination, crime and attendant moral problems.

While I was doing the ministry of evangelism and discipleship with them – the Great Commission - I was reminded that Jesus also “upholds the cause of the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets prisoners free, gives sight to the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down, loves the righteous, protects strangers ... orphans and widows.” (Psalms 146: 7-9) and asks us to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ – the Great Commandment.

This is the holistic ministry that I am now leading with Community Hope Alternatives, an offshoot of the Navigator work in the Philippines.    Its mission is to empower poor communities and develop holistic-minded leaders.  We are developing programs dealing with livelihood development, educational assistance to poor children, improvement in health, nutrition and sanitation and environmental stewardship.  And cutting across these programs are our leadership development and discipleship work.  I’ll tell you more about them later.

In view of these,  I need to raise funds to cover my MINISTRY expenses amounting to P15,000.00 per month.  I am now an Associate Staff of the Navigators whose chief responsibility is to run this holistic ministry and development work.  If you decide to support this work, kindly fill up the attached PLEDGE FORM and mail to Mabini Arevalo, Jr., c/o Navigators Philippines, PO Box 2851, NIA Road, Diliman 1100, Quezon City.  Kindly  inform me also at 09165591792 or at junarevalo@hotmail.com.

Indeed, I am privileged to do the Lord’s work and more than happy to share this work with you.