This Spring there were 7 Bajao graduates from High School. All had started their education process when they were in kindergarten and now graduating from High School, we were so proud to see our programs working in this community. In discussion with these kids (along with current High School students) they all have aspirations to go onto college. We found sponsors to help with their futures along with purchasing computers to train and prepare them for college. We held several computer training classes in October of 2024, and the training will continue on a regular basis so they know how to navigate a computer. They are learning Word, excel, and PowerPoint programs. The PowerPoint program excited them the most because they could be more creative in design and animation with the practice documents. It is always amazing to watch a person see and learn things for the first time.
SERV Ministries is currently feeding close to over Bajao children Monday through Friday every week. This is a constant challenge yet the Ministry makes sure this work continues. Additionally, SERV Ministries helps these children with school uniforms so that they can attend school. The Bajao children are no longer being forbidden into the public school system and have been able to show high academic abilities.
Each year at our Kindergarten graduation, Patrick or Shari give an encouraging commencement speech. Telling the young graduates and their parents, “Someday, a Bajao will become a doctor. Someday, a Bajao will be an RN. Someday, a Bajao will be a teacher. Someday, a Bajao will be a Pastor.”
The parents would look at us in disbelief, as though saying, “You don’t understand. Our children can never achieve such high aspirations. We are Bajao.”
In 2019, our empowering statements finally changed the mindset of the parents. On a surprise visit to the Bajao village, the Department of Social Work employees spoke with the parents of our students. The parents expressed their gratitude for their children’s education from SERV Ministries.
When asked what their aspirations were for their children, the parents said, “They will be doctors.” “They will be nurses.” “They will be teachers.” “They will be pastors.” The parents had finally gotten the message! Their children can now live and realize their dreams. They too can achieve great heights and succeed like other Philippine countrymen.
The Department employees started crying and tearfully said to the SERV Ministries team, “Don’t ever leave the Bajao people! Please always keep helping them.
The public-school educators could not believe that these clean, well-behaved children were Bajao. Over time our Bajao children began excelling academically and caught the attention of the National Board of Education. Members of the Board came down from Manila to Davao to meet our children and tour their village classrooms.
Through your donations and prayers, history is being made by educating and teaching about the Lord.
Just two weeks after the tsunami in Indonesia, SERV Ministries shared and transported 500 lbs of U.S. surplus medical supplies and medicines that were stored in our home pharmacy in the Philippines. A team of four ministry leaders traveled to Banda Ache to coordinate with the United Nations Emergency Response team to provide treatment and care to survivors.
Just weeks earlier, 89 boxes of U.S. surplus supplies were packed in homes in the United States by friends and families who have volunteered consistently through the years without knowing beforehand the exact need. Your donations and prayers will provide the necessary resources to do the Lord’s work. God’s provision and timing continue to amaze us.
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