Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I have been encouraged by family back home to compile a list of projects that are in need of funding. So I’m asking for support from all of you back home. I have been put into the position of being the eyes of the body of Christ, so I will tell you what I see (=
But first I want to remind you about what Mercy In Action is doing here in Olongapo. Christ started MIA when He directed Scott and Vicki to move from their beloved state of Alaska to start a birth center in Mexico. After a few years Christ moved Mercy In Action to the southern parts of the Philippines where a birth center was started and run for many years. This past year, MIA moved to the Olongapo area and in May 2011, they rented a temporary building to get started.
The Bennett clinic, (as we call it) is now averaging twenty births a month. As the ambulance driver, I often have the privilege of visiting the homes we return the families to, after their birth. In transporting the patients back to their houses, I can honestly say that the families served by MIA are in great need. The Midwives take time to pray with each of the mothers and share the love of Christ with them.
MIA has purchased the land where they plan to build the clinic, in the next few years. They are going to be here for the long term. MIA has been established for over 20 years, and I have personally spent over twelve months with them. I have seen the inner workings of the financial side of things as a building manager here. I have also seen Vicki (Founder/Director) give generously to so many people in need. If you trust me, John Moore, then know I trust MIA to do what they say they will do.
I will now list some of the projects that are in need of support:
Please remember that this is one of the few non-profit organizations that will put 100% of what you give to the project.
If you are interested in helping the Ehelers in any way you will have to give through their church. I can get that information if you are interested. I would like to know if anyone is interested in helping them before I ask for that information. Please e-mail me if you decide to give for one of these projects so that I can edit our web site. I know you are not telling me to receive glory – all glory to Jesus – It will just help to stay organized on my end (= Much love to you all! To God be the glory, praise and honor.
John Moore
originally posted on November 25, 2011
I have been encouraged by family back home to compile a list of projects that are in need of funding. So I’m asking for support from all of you back home. I have been put into the position of being the eyes of the body of Christ, so I will tell you what I see (=
But first I want to remind you about what Mercy In Action is doing here in Olongapo. Christ started MIA when He directed Scott and Vicki to move from their beloved state of Alaska to start a birth center in Mexico. After a few years Christ moved Mercy In Action to the southern parts of the Philippines where a birth center was started and run for many years. This past year, MIA moved to the Olongapo area and in May 2011, they rented a temporary building to get started.
The Bennett clinic, (as we call it) is now averaging twenty births a month. As the ambulance driver, I often have the privilege of visiting the homes we return the families to, after their birth. In transporting the patients back to their houses, I can honestly say that the families served by MIA are in great need. The Midwives take time to pray with each of the mothers and share the love of Christ with them.
MIA has purchased the land where they plan to build the clinic, in the next few years. They are going to be here for the long term. MIA has been established for over 20 years, and I have personally spent over twelve months with them. I have seen the inner workings of the financial side of things as a building manager here. I have also seen Vicki (Founder/Director) give generously to so many people in need. If you trust me, John Moore, then know I trust MIA to do what they say they will do.
I will now list some of the projects that are in need of support:
- PROJECT FUNDED (Priority Project) The development of the road is an essential project needed before the opening of the clinic. In the rare case that a transport is necessary, time will be of the essence. Originally we thought building a wall along the river and pouring cement was the only way, which would have cost around 20K! But after much research it was decided to cut a new road and gravel it, located near the base of the mountain and far removed from the damaging floodwaters of the river. There is a small bridge that will also need cement and rebar poured on top for extra support. The cost is approximately $2,200.00.
- (Priority Project) The power lines to the land are far too small for the amount of housing on the line, the current line is spliced in many places and at one point it has a 12-gauge piece of Romex as part of the power line! There are about 50 some odd houses beyond the Mercyland property, and when the wire to all their houses was cut for a couple weeks there was great power on to Mercyland, a consistent 220. As it is, the power ranges from 220 in the day to 110 at night. An electrician confirmed that the cause for the fluctuation is due to inadequate power lines – they are too small to keep up with the demand. We would need to replace the wire. We need a 3000 ft roll of wire, (two 1500 ft lengths) this would be a dedicated line to the land from the last transformer. We will also replace one of the rotten power poles (we have already purchased the pole we just need to install it). The total cost of the electrician and the wire are estimated to be $5,000.00
- PROJECT FUNDED There is a major drainage ditch at the base of the land that we would like to develop in order to control the yearly flooding. Also, the end of the canal needs a culvert because the water currently runs over the road. Estimated cost for cement, culvert, and labor is $700.00; the project can be completed in two weeks time.
- I know this is a high cost but it is my personal desire to have a driveway cut and cemented up to the second level of the Mecryland. This would enable the Ehelers to park near their house, cutting their long, steep walk to a mere 35 steps. Also, the harvesting of the fruit trees and hauling of supplies would be MUCH easier. There is still a lot of rock and cement work that needs to be done and now that we have the trailer they could drive all those supplies up the hill with the 4X4. This project can be done in parts, as the driveway can poured one section at a time. We would need thirty 8’X10’ (27 cubic feet) sections averaging $150 dollars per section. Rebar and cement are estimated to be $4500 total. This project may have to wait until a work team from the US arrives, as the estimate does not include the cost of labor. Several work teams are planning to come over summer of 2012.
- Landscaping and terracing of the mountain, as well as the planting of fruit trees, are needed to prevent landslides and produce nutritious foods for the pregnant mothers. Also, because of the many natural disasters that occur in the Philippines, we would like to have extra food on hand to offer to the poor. Cement and about two month’s labor are needed and are estimated to be $1,800.00
- (Priority Project) Another dream of mine would be to get Scott and Vicki a new car. They have given all their time and money for the last 20 years and have never had a good vehicle here in the Philippines. They currently share a car with Ian and Rose Penwell, an older (93?) manual Nissan Vannette. It has been rebuilt many times and will need a paint job soon. Also, Scott has a lot of hip pain and his doctor advised him not to drive a stick shift. Because the Philippines do not manufacture any cars, they only import vehicles here; the costs of cars are higher. I would like to find them a 2003 or newer Toyota or Honda. It would be around $7,000.00 for a 2003.
- Drainage on sides of land is another important project. These are long ditches on each side of the Mercyland, which drain down the hill and empty into the large canal at the bottom. The ditches are already dug, and all that remains is to cement them. (Mostly labor) cement and labor $600.00, and the time frame for completion is 2 weeks.
- PROJECT FUNDED (Priority project) We would like to build a small house for family teams on the land. The cement footings are poured and we are ready to start building. We would like to have this building finished by the end of December. The building will be approximately 15’X20’ with a kitchenette and front porch. Estimated cost is $1,200.00 and the time frame is one month. Thank you for your donation and support of this project! This home will house Jokes, the Tricey driver, and his wife Jen, a Filipina Midwife at the clinic. They have two boys, Jasper and Kenken. The bottom left side will be a storage area for tools, critical for the ongoing projects at the land, and the top is a 15′x20′ house built over the CR on the 2nd level. Pictures of the progress coming soon! Will also post pictures of the finished project.
- Labor cost to hire five workers for five days are 7,500 pesos, equivalent to $185.00 USD (this is based on a 43-1 transfer rate). We are taking the time to teach the Aeta men how to do the skilled labor. Our guys are all from the mountains (except for one) and are sadly despised and rejected by most of Filipinos being called the simple people. We Americans and Canadians eat, work and joke around with them, which was a big surprise to them.
- And last but not least I would like to see some support raised for the Eheler family. They are operating on a very small budget and I would really like to see about $500 a month raised, with a one-year commitment. Many people can do this in small amounts. As you can imagine, having four children really increases their costs: hiring a teacher, the extra food, clothing, and Visas.
Please remember that this is one of the few non-profit organizations that will put 100% of what you give to the project.
If you are interested in helping the Ehelers in any way you will have to give through their church. I can get that information if you are interested. I would like to know if anyone is interested in helping them before I ask for that information. Please e-mail me if you decide to give for one of these projects so that I can edit our web site. I know you are not telling me to receive glory – all glory to Jesus – It will just help to stay organized on my end (= Much love to you all! To God be the glory, praise and honor.
John Moore
originally posted on November 25, 2011
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