Himig Ko Handog Ko 2016: Season 5

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

-There will always be poor among us, but God, who sustains our physical and spiritual needs, will enable us to flourish and in turn serve others.I don't view this as a duty but through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, I believe that we can be compelled to help others without expecting anything in return.

This year's Himig Ko Handog Ko is similar to the first season because volunteers sang Christmas carols to the beneficiaries and gave them food packages right after-this is actually where the project's name came from. Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,Noche Buena and We Wish You a Merry Chritmas were the line up of songs this year.

Jeric Melarpis and Gladys Masilungan spearheaded this year's outreach program.We had 25 beneficiaries 23 of which is chosen by DSWD whom we have tied up with to be able to reach the poorest of the poor in our city.The other two are our members from Mauban and Padre Burgos respectively. Our more than 50 sponsors gave donations of cash and food items.Volunteers of about 12 people with the help of Barangay Parent Leaders, went to some of the cities depressed areas in the neighborhood near the vicinity of waterways Dumacaa River and Iyam River in the following Barangays;Dalahican, Mayao Crossing, Market View and Ilayang Talim.

heart heart

Season Five

groupie

More Pictures by Jay and Carlo

First Caroling Night
Second Caroling Night
Last Caroling Night

Himig ko Handog ko 2014

Christmas is around the corner and to spread good cheer, Himig ko Handog ko 2015 organizers will be singing Christmas carols again.We will sing popular Christmas songs to this year's generous sponsors.Proceeds from the caroling will be spent on buying food packages for the less fortunate people in our neighborhood.A Party and gift giving for the beneficiaries will be held on December 20th at the SB Building.

This activity started year 2012 dubbed Himig ko Handog ko 2012.The idea was to sing Christmas carols to the beneficiaries and instead of giving the carolers money, carolers give food packages.The group have guitars, tambourines and maracas for that fun filled caroling vibe.

Last year's Himig ko Handog ko 2014 was able to give Noche Buena Packages to 10 beneficiaries.This year we plan to give to about 20 families.

4th Anniversary - Four D' Boys Basketball Challenge

Invites

Friday 3-on-3 Game Orientation 

with brothers from Ilo-Ilo Church

QT together at Perez Park

Thanks to our sponsors

groupie

Zumba for warming up

players listening to Kerwin's Testimony and inspirational talk

organizers with the guest speaker and support team

Basketball challenge winners
3-0n-3,3 point shoot out, relay challenge and Half -court Dare

with brothers and sisters from around the country
Olongapo, Pasig, Las Pinas, and Ilo-Ilo

spend time together at Tita Annette's place

1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

After much preparation, the church finally launched the much awaited fourth anniversary celebration dubbed Four D' Boys Basketball Challenge.In the past three years, the anniversary themes has been designed to serve and encourage different groups like women in "Girl Usap Tayo" ,parents -"Good Enough Parenting" and the youth /young at heart "Christian Music Live!".This year,the group wanted to focus on the men and came up with the basketball challenge since many men are avid basketball fans.

Brothers and sisters from different churches together with the Lucena disciples gathered at the Cuesta Verde court at around 6 AM to set up the place, have breakfast and take the Holy Communion.Kuya Rolly's message was a continuation of the "Ambassadors" series of lessons.Different committees were set up to facilitate the program. There were about 45 guests that turned up to play in the different basketball challenges.

Our Special Guest Kerwin Mc Coy is a brother from Olongapo Church. He is holding a head coaching position in one of the top collegiate schools in the country and involved with the Olongapo City Government's sports development programs.He delivered the inspirational message about his changed life and how God is in control whatever happens-from being a promising PBL player to having to give up his dreams of ever making it big due to his ACL injury.He shared what he was like being a teenager, loving basketball and making it his "life".Many must have been able to relate to his testimony to their surprise. Kerwin together with his wife Mayee and eldest daughter Kelsey graced the event.We are grateful to them.

The games included 3-on-3 challenge which according to some of the participants, is said to be the first in Lucena. Another exciting game was the Half-court Dare in which 3 winners brought home 1000 Php each.There was also the Relay Game and the 3-point-shoot-out Game where many players signed up and tried to beat each others scores.About 16 winners brought home cash, medals and SM Gift Certificates courtesy of generous sponsors.

We are always encouraged because brothers and sisters from different places are willing to support us knowing that we are still small.Big Thank you goes out to our guests,participants and sponsors.May God bless you all.To God be all the glory!

Hope of Heaven Chronicles

Hope of Heaven is a Bible study series for urgent cases...we visited a distant relative of a disciple in this small neighborhood island in Catanauan, Quezon.It is surrounded by the sea on the North and by lake on the South.We went on the south side.It takes two and a half hour travel by van : ) you need to request for a stop over if you need to pee.They usually stop at a gasoline station 30 mins from Lucena which is Shell if your coming back from Catanuan ,and 30 minutes before Catanauan,if your coming from Lucena,which is a small gas station that I can't remember.So you can pee 30 mins before the destination ,not in the middle of the travel,otherwise you'll have to knock on houses or pee in the middle of nowhere if you cannot hold it in : )

View from the bridge - a small neighborhood with about 200 families.You need to ride a boat from Brgy 1 to get to the other side.

Welcome food- sweet deserts of fruit salad,macaroni salad,jelly, Leche Flan and soda

view from the make shift living room/receiving area

me,Tita Christy and Ate Irma

the room with plenty of fresh air from the river and sea

the river side

the "honesty store" - just get what you need but leave the payment : )

Karaoke time!!!

Coconut juice and coconut meat snack

view from the boat

happy friends

leaving the Island

We had a great time with the family,we are grateful for their hospitality and we hope and pray for the recovery of Marie.We also hope for her lasting relationship with God!

Himig Ko Handog Ko 2013

This year's program started with singing Christmas carols to our sponsors.

With one of the sponsors Mrs. Eya next to Fred

Eating and fellowship with Nanay Conching and Ate Mariz with their neighbors

afternoon snack time

fun and games facilitated by Hope Worldwide Lucena Coordinators Dianne and Jeric

toys care of Siongco Family and Japanese Students of Elaine

2013 beneficiaries

Photo Essay:He Cares,We Share - Medical,Dental,Child Abuse Awareness and Feeding Program 2013

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.473921859368149.1073741828.100786153348390&type=1
Medical & Dental Mission for 500+ kids at Lucena West 1 Elem School with partners - LA Church of Christ, HOPE Worldwide Philippines, SOLCOM Camp Nakar, Task Force Lucena, St. Augustine School of Nursing, Lucena Doctor's Association, Racquel Pawnshop Inc., PTA Lucena West 1 Elem School.