COMPASSION in the PHILIPPINES

COMPASSION

2011

Follow the TEAM of BLOGGERS going with COMPASSION to the Philippines! Let's pray for them as they get ready and during this trip.

Bloggers

• Emily
  Freeman
• Kat
• Lindsay
  Edmonds
• Stephanie
  Langford
• Tsh
  Oxenreider

Trip Leaders

• Keely Scott
  (photos)
• Patricia
  Jones
• Shaun
  Groves

Follow the team of Compassion Bloggers as they witness and write about the ministry of Compassion International to children living in the Philippines. Follow their journey in words, pictures and video here May 29-June 4, 2011.


Here are some BEFORE leaving blog posts by some of the ones going:


"Confessions of a Poverty Virgin" by Emily Freeman


"I love how God Writes Stories" by Kat (Inspired to Action)


"Frugality as a Means of Giving" by Stephanie

What do you know about the Philippines?

GO HERE

"Challenge for Prayer

Philippines’ great economic and political potential is not yet realized despite a wealth of natural resources, deeply democratic sentiment and a well-educated population. Failures by successive governments to deal with serious economic and social issues hold back development, accelerate unsustainable urbanization and keep half the population in poverty. Pray specifically for:

a) A government that actively pursues justice and righteousness. Increasingly, committed Christians take major posts of leadership; pray that they may decisively influence the nation for good. Pray for the Fellowship of Christians in Government, which promotes biblical standards in state structures and among Christian public servants.

b) The end of corruption and graft, which has robbed the country of $48 billion in the last 20 years. A flawed political system helps maintain endemic greed and cronyism and keeps the country’s elite in power and wealth. The fact that the Philippines is Asia’s most Christianized nation – yet is the fourth most corrupt – is scandalous.

c) Recovery from the tropical storms of 2009. A series of storms battered the country, displacing millions of people, killing over 1,000 and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The aftermath revealed the need for change in a number of areas: government that mishandles disaster relief and assigned relief funds, deforestation that leads to flooding and landslides, and poverty that leads to illegal shantytowns forming in high-risk areas. There are no easy solutions, but many pressing problems.

d) Much needed reform to land ownership issues. Most farmers are landless. Changes would hugely improve the lot of the tens of millions of poor. Reform laws passed in 1988 are not implemented; continued injustices produce frustration and violence and perpetuate poverty for millions of farmers. Long-term investment into health, education and other basic infrastructures is also greatly needed, but requires commitment, huge sums and long-term vision by the government.

e) Peace in Mindanao among the marginalized, resentful Muslim (Moro) population, the government and the local “Christian” majority. Islamist factions, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, will not compromise. They claim four provinces, two with Muslim minorities, for an Islamic state. Pray for a fair, workable solution that ends the cycle of military presence, violence, kidnappings and suffering. Pray also that centuries of perceived “Christian” oppression might end with freedom and respect for the gospel." ~ Operation World