Acts 20:35 tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive! Our Heavenly Father desires for each of us to serve as a good steward of the resources that He has entrusted us. We are choosing to heed this call by ministering to the health, education, livelihood, and personal growth of our underprivileged brothers and sisters in our ongoing Community Building Project in Angono, Rizal.
At the Bulwagan ng Angono last August 12, we mounted an eye-opening health seminar about proper nutrition for the whole family in partnership with the Angono local government unit, coupled with discipleship sessions catered to parents and children. Representatives from Bounty Fresh, our partner for our community feeding program as part of the project, also graced the activity.
In her health seminar, government nurse Precious Danugrao urged the parents to eat “go, glow, and grow” food containing the much-needed nutrients. She also advised them to regularly indulge in physical activity, and avoid developing diabetes and heart ailments in the future with healthy eating. She then encouraged the mothers to observe breastfeeding for at least the first six months of their babies’ lives, as breastmilk prevents breast cancer, is easier to digest, has the right temperature, and is affordable.
The Importance of Casting Vision
In the fifth “MOTIVATE” session designed for parents, Uplift Cares Discipleship Coordinator Jeff Castillo underscored the essence of setting a godly life vision (“pangarapin at pangitain”) in reaching personal growth. “Lahat po tayo, syempre ay meron tayong pangarapin para po sa ating pamilya.”
He shared five essential pieces of advice regarding vision. These are God having His perfect plans for each believer, our choices taking a huge impact on the future, exercising self-control, keeping in mind that every choice has its consequences, and being Spirit-filled.
“Pangarap ng Diyos na maging maayos ang ating pamilya. Pangarap ng Diyos na maging maayos ang pamilyang Pilipino,” he added. He also testified how God has transformed his family.
A person, he said, can walk in the right direction through proper life dreams. He opened up having interviewed a child who aims to be a psychologist someday. “’Pag may pangarap tayo, meron tayong direksyon, layunin, purpose, at masigla tayo,” he said.
Castillo told them that those who obey God’s teachings will experience blessings and peace, as revealed in Proverbs 29:18.
In Jeremiah 29:11, God has His plans to give each one hope and a future. “Pero kung may plano si God sa atin pero kung tinatanggihan natin, anong mangyayari? Mapapariwara po tayo. Ayaw po natin ‘yan,” he added.
A person can receive salvation only through genuine faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and not through good works, as said in Ephesians 2:8-9, Castillo added. “Upang tayo po ay makipag-isa sa Diyos, kailangan nating talikuran ang ating sarili. Aminin natin na tayo ay makasalanan,” he said.
Castillo also exhorted the parents to have faith in Jesus, and surrender their lives to Him. “Kapag nakipag-isa tayo kay Kristo Hesus, bibigyan Niya tayo ng bagong buhay, para gumawa tayo ng kabutihan na noon pa ma’y itinalaga ng Diyos na gawa natin… Yung mabuting gawa, resulta lang ‘yan,” Castillo said.
Galatians 6:7 tells us that a person reaps what he sows. “Alalahanin natin na kapag tayo ay tumatanim ng galit, aani rin po tayo ng galit,” he said. “Ang ating kasalukuyang pagpili ay makakaapekto sa ating kinabukasan… Kung hindi mo sasakyan ‘yung tamang direksyon, hindi ka makakarating sa destinasyon natin.”
He then said that we cannot choose the consequences of our actions. Right decisions can lead to blessings, but wrong choices can produce devastating effects as seen in some biblical characters such as David and Moses. “Piliin natin si Jesus, na Siyang gagabay sa atin,” he said.
Before the parents entered their breakout (or discussion) session, Castillo urged them to glorify God in all their actions. The “MOTIVATE” discipleship topics in the previous weeks were “Model,” “Open Communication,” “Time,” and “Intimacy.”
While the talks for the parents were being held, their children enjoyed hearing the Gospel at their “OBEDIENCE” discipleship sessions along with light games. Before the activity ended, the beneficiaries received health and nutrition packs, together with cooked porridge.
Lolita Borja, grandmother of feeding program beneficiaries Aljur Azugas and Princess Jelaica Castro, opened up in a casual interview that the children are now more exposed to God’s Word, and experience fun. She added that their appetite has improved, and is grateful to God for His goodness towards them.
At the Angono National High School, 121 youths attended the Elevate #NotAlone session delivered by Ms. Venus Raj, who urged them to find their true identity in Jesus.
Partnership with Bounty Fresh
Representing Bounty Fresh, INOZAVet 3rd AVP - Sales Alex Lumbera, Jr. expressed his hopes of witnessing health development among the underprivileged children in Angono.
“We’re doing animal feed formulation. And yun ‘yung segment ng industry namin. But we’re not just feeding the animals, we’re feeding the community. We’re feeding the world,” Lumbera revealed in an interview.
He also shared having personally observed the plight of severely malnourished children, whose condition is affecting their development in their tender years.
“We’re so blessed this time na parang makatulong ka, and that’s the kind of the impact na gusto ko sanang ma-impart ni Bounty,” Lumbera said.
He also mentioned that Bounty Cares Foundation, also under the Bounty Group, works with a passion to serve the community and desires to go beyond. “And I hope ‘yung value ng Pinoy na tumatanaw ng utang na loob, gano’n din ma-inculcate sana. Sana magkaroon lang ng gano’n. Reciprocity lang. Ang isa kong nakikita kasi, gano’n. We also would want to build the lives of the community, that’s helping us to grow the business itself,” he added.
Lumbera then expressed that they aim to support future community builders. “Kasi we’re not just feeding doon sa locality namin. We’re feeding, national scale. With the Bounty Group po, diba, ang laki po kasi ng sakop ni Bounty eh. Nasa operations ng Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao... Marami, ang laki ng impact na ‘yun,” he said.
He relayed his gratitude for the existing partnership, in which they provide chicken and egg items to our beneficiaries for free. Bounty Fresh donated 200 packs of ready-to-cook chicken to 38 fire-affected families in Taytay, Rizal earlier this year, and has held feeding activities at various public schools nationwide such as Sto. Niño Elementary School in Tarlac City and Mandaue City Central School in Cebu.