Ladies and Gentleman,
The time has finally come. I have graduated with my TESOL certification and I am in the final stages of preparation to teach overseas. If you are just tuning in, God has been preparing me to teach English in the Philippines for the last several years. 2018 is the year! Okay, at least I pray with your help it will be the year. I am going to spend 6 weeks this winter in Juagdon, Bohol as a preparation for the longer term mission. Lord willing, this long term would hopefully be at least 3-5 years starting some time in 2018, depending on funding.
This next year will be about creating a curriculum, determining what my duties beyond teaching would entail and raising financial support to match my spiritual and moral support. As of right now the plan is that this fall I will apply to Commission to Every Nation (CTEN) in partnership with the Evangelical Church of Christ Universal (ECCU) and House of Hope: Philippines (orphanage). I am currently in conversation with Melina Dupalco and the Cajigas family whom are currently serving in Juagdon’s community. It is my hope to come alongside them as a compliment to their existing programs.
For the up coming visit I have several goals. The first of which is to maintain the connection to the community and those already serving the people. It has been 6 years since I have been able to be on the shores of Bohol and spend time getting to know it's people. An additional goal is to find out what programs are already in place so as to compliment and not replicate. I am excited for many conversations with Melina as the outreach pastor of the ECCU and hope she is able to connect me with those who truly represent the population of Juagdon. My last goal which is just as important, if not more so than any of the others, is to listen to the people to learn what they want and need. I will arrive with ideas, but I want their needs to guide my decisions in preparing the curriculum.
Here is where I need you. There are many moving parts to this plan. YOUR PRAYER SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED IN THIS TIME OF TRANSITION! With out the prayers of the body of Christ this will be an even more difficult road to follow. I know God has called me to this place. It is a call he planted and has been watering since my very first visit in 2004. In preparation of this visit, I have a team working on gathering some needed supplies for the orphanage and its inhabitants. This will include putting together at least one care package, but more than likely 2 or even 3. There are currently 9 orphans and at least one staff member besides the Cajigas family and we want to bless the sinelas off of them! Well, they don't often wear socks so their flipflops will have to do :)
If you feel called to support this endeavor in a physical way there are several choices. You can donate supplies from the list posted to the left of this blog. You can connect with me about sponsoring one of the orphans with a Christmas package. You can sponsor the shipping costs for one (or more) of the care package boxes. Or, as the budgeted cost to fulfill this endeavor is at $2075, you can send a monetary donation to the address listed below. I am also able to accept card donations through ProPay or transfers through PayPal.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! WITH OUT MY CHRISTIAN FAMILY THESE THINGS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE! AMEN and AMEN.
Resting in HIS Grace,
Christine A. DavenportDeuteronomy 20:1-2
Blog: christineatwork.blogspot.com
Google #: 616-259-4050
Facebook: Christine at Work: An Adventure in MissionsMailing Address: (until Sept.) 3902 Mayfield Ave #1C
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
