Seven KESI High School students are working here on campus this summer vacation. All students are required to work during the school year, but these seven requested to work during the Summer to earn money for clothes, school supplies and, of course, a cell phone. It seems like there is no life without a cell phone. Our students are also selfless as they also buy clothes and school supplies for their siblings at home in their villages. Laymen Ministries’ Staff is delighted to have the students here as it gives us the opportunity to bond outside the classroom. While working...
19 years ago, we built the first school in a native village on the island of Mindoro, Philippines. Prior to this, the natives were denied an education. Even worse, they were programed by the majority population of Tagalog and Visayan, who had moved into the native’s areas, that they were dumb and therefore school was a waste of time for them. Being already deeply in debt to the “lowlanders” who abused the uneducated natives, and having no reasoning foundation, the native parents did not see any value in education. The “lowlanders” would say things like, “your children can’t learn. They...
Since becoming Christians in 1983, my wife Moni and I have supported missionary outreach. In 1998 Jeff Reich, the director of Laymen Ministries, knew that we had sold our business and invited us to visit the Philippines and install some structure into the newly begun outreach here. We came, we saw, and we were captured by the desperate needs we encountered. 19 years later we are still here on the island of Mindoro trying to make a difference for the six indigenous tribes native to this island. Over the years, we have observed many very well meaning missionaries and mission...
In 1998, Moni and I were invited to evaluate the best way to help our indigenous brothers and sisters living around the Northern end of the Philippine island of Mindoro. We came, we saw and we were conquered by the needs! 18 years ago we had a dream! We were convinced that the best way to help this illiterate, minority group was education! Following the counsel of Matthew 28, GO AND TEACH was the priority! Alan and Maritess Branson had already begun a school for those interested in the village of Hinugasan, a hour’s hike up the mountain. The coastal...
Here on the beautiful tropical island of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines, the weather is either mild, with plenty of sunshine, a gentle breeze and constant temperatures of 78 to 90 degrees day and night, or extreme conditions, with hurricane force winds and torrential rains. These extremes are also seen in the two seasons. The dry season can extend from October to June, with not a drop of rainfall. The rainy season usually starts in June and ends in early September, with the skies blessing us with 86.5 inches of water. These extremes also extend to the surrounding South China Sea. Sometimes...
Laymen Ministries Philippines has now exceeded 15 years of service in the Philippines and has reached a major milestone … Our school year here in the Philippines begins on June 1. This June, we will be living and holding classes on top of a mountain. I like to refer to it as “God’s mountain.” The living quarters, administrative offices, high school class rooms, plus dormitories and cafeteria will all be “on top of the mountain.” The high school students and staff are excited and are working hard to make this happen. Sundays find the students working construction, finishing furniture, or...
Why is a 20’ sea container sitting on top of a remote Philippine mountain? Why is Laymen Ministries Philippines so excited about the meaning of this sea container? It all started 15 years ago when Allen and Maritess Branson started Laymen Ministries’ work with the illiterate, animist, Irayan (Mangyan) natives of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. They soon discovered the importance of education and opened a school for the native children. 13 years ago, my wife Moni and I joined Laymen Ministries Philippines. We too have remained convicted of the dire need for education. Today, God has blessed and challenged us with...