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 PhP 15,000.00 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 The Navigators, C.P.O. Box 2851, NIA Road, Diliman, Quezon City 1100. Kindly inform me also at +63 916 5591792 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.

If you have questions or would like to know more about us and our ministry, please send us an email. We'd be honored to have you join our support team.

Jun and Susan, like all Navigators staff, are self-supported missionaries that trust God to provide financial partners for their ministry. If you'd like to assist in helping them continue this vital work, you may give online by clicking the button below: