Bahay ng Pagasa Child Development Center

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31v8-9

 

 

Making Balloon Sculptures for the Kids of Baliuag

 

the cappuccino club news desk

December 2011

Please click on the following link to open a PDF version of our TCC Newsletter

NL December 2011 web version.pdf

 

June 2011

I am thrilled to announce that as of June 2011 27 deserving students have been accepted into the Cappuccino Club (TCC) program. In just three short years a small dream has developed into a thriving new initiative that is empowering the youth of impoverished communities to become agents of change amongst their countrymen and women. Last month we held our second TCC retreat and celebrated the successes of the past year while continuing to sow vision for the future. Mark was able to attend this event along with Gordon and Lynette Wood, friends from NZ who have eagerly followed this ministry from day one. 

Even though we have added new student to the program each year, this is the first year that we have had to turn students away. We currently have a further 10 deserving students who hope and pray that one day they also will be given this opportunity of a life time. We await funding in order that this might be realized for them also. And so, currently we have seven partnering churches from Bulacan, through Metro Manila and across to Palawan mentoring these amazing young people as instruments of transformation.

As TCC continues to grow we are aware that a more robust structure is needed. It is soon becoming necessary for TCC to be recognized as a charitable trust in its own right, both in NZ and in the Philippines. We are currently investigating the legal frame work required to make this happen. We are encouraged that we have a committed steering committee of highly credentialed Filipino leaders who are willing to take the lead on the ground in the Philippines. We also have recognized a potential TCC Philippines Director who we hope to appoint to the role within the next twelve months.

 

June 2010 

We are delighted that over the last few months we have been able to more than double the intake of students. This month 23 students have started their studies under The Cappuccino Club sponsorship program, this is up from 11 last year. Looking back, we wonder how this has eventuated. Just a few weeks we approved the applications of all 23 students when we only had funding for 16. 

Sometimes we do things that seem a little reckless from the outside looking in. A friend once told me that he spells faith R-I-S-K, we chose to accept all the candidates simply because all were so worthy and we didn't believe it was right to deny them this opportunity. Well, within days the necessary funding was pledged, a further reassurance that God's hand of blessing rests upon our endeavors.

Check out the students page and meet these amazing young people. Their stories we trust will inspire you and encourage you. We consider it a huge privilege to partner with them in the further education and personal development.

October 2009

The Cappuccino Club Launch Event on Oct 3 was a resounding success and a huge encouragement for us personally. In attendance we had sort-term team members who were present at the birth of The Cappuccino Club concept 18 months prior. Also it was great to have Shane and Rene Wildermoth with us, missionary servants of the Philippines for 24 years. It was great to draw together 50-60 people who share our burden.

Many thanks to all who attended. We were able to contribute approximately NZD1000 to Filipino flood relief victims through an impromptu appeal, your gifts will go so far in God's hands. Today we continue the dream and ask that you will join us in seeking God for the direction of this ministry.

Over the next month or so Val and I will have the opportunity to spread the word regarding The Cappuccino Club. May he continue to be honored as we seek to serve excellently those who are poor and needy.

September 2009

Next month on October 3 at 7.30pm The Cappuccino Club will hold its official launch party. It will be held at LIFEzone, 19 Amber Crescent, Judea, Tauranga. It will be an opportunity to thank God for the dream, celebrate the present and continue to cast the vision for the future. It is an open invitation to anyone who can be in Tauranga for the occasion, we hope to see many new faces there. Email marksmithvjn@hotmail.com for further details.

Well, it's official, Val and I are planning on taking John and Yunika back to the Philippines for at least six months from February next year. We have received an invitation from a great mission group called Servants (see www.servantsasia.org) to help them for a season. We will also be looking at establishing a more robust structure in the Philippines for the future development of The Cappuccino Club.

We have received a number of encouarging responses from individuals and groups that have the potential to add further students into the program for 2010. We rely heavily on traffic across the website to promote this ministry so please refer it to your friends and acquaintances.

For those who can make it, we hope to see you next month at the official launch of this ministry.

Mark and Val

July 2009

It has finally happened! Last month 11 deserving candidates enrolled in higher-level educational institutions in Central Luzon in and around Metro Manila. The dream has been 12 months in the making and we are so thrilled that something that was a vague concept one year ago has now become a present reality impacting 11 great people who would otherwise never have the opportunity to further their education and reach their academic potential.

To think that for the cost of one cup of coffee a day (less than NZD3.50) we are able to give a young person from an impoverished background the opportunity of a lifetime. During the course of their studies they will also enter into a mentoring program in the context of their local church where they will be provided opportunities to serve their greater communities. It is important to note that we are not only helping people with their education, we are also involved in life transformation that will have a flow-on effect into their churches and local communities.

Of the 11 students currently in the program six are pursuing a degree in Teaching, three in Computer Technology, one in Business Administration and one in Christian Ministries. Two students; Lorenzo and Joanna have already completed one year of their respective courses, both have achieved excellent results academically with Lorenzo being recognized as an honors student at the Word of Life Bible Institute. We anticipate similar results with the new intake of students over the years ahead.

We are so thankful to many people who have shared our vision for this program. Bright Hope World has been a good friend to the Cappuccino Club, from the very outset they have been a source of great encouragement to us as we have pursued this dream. The opportunity to partner with BHW has truly been a huge answer to prayer and has allowed us to issue tax rebate receipts to Cappuccino Club donors.

We are also so thankful to the individuals and groups who have chosen to invest in this program by sponsoring a student. I am delighted to announce that all 11 students are fully sponsored through the year. For the remainder of the year I intend to raise the profile of this ministry and seek funding for many more students entering into the program from April 2010.

Next month we will launch The Cappuccino Club website and later in the year we will celebrate the birth of this new ministry by throwing a party here in Tauranga, details to follow.

All that remains is to thank you all for being an encouragement to us along this journey. 

Mark and Val Smith