The Jireh Home, The Philippines
Every morning, if you
walk down the streets of Olongapo City, you will see children sleeping
on sidewalks, in public parks, and even at the doorsteps of night clubs
that abound in the area.
The Jireh
Children’s Home is located at Magsaysay, Castillejos, in the Zambales
Province of the Philippines.
It is 150 miles
north of Manila and provides for some of these children both physically
and spiritually.
The Jireh Home
is a part of the ministry of the Philippine Faith Mission,
Inc
(PFMI).
PFMI was formed
to evangelize, teach and disciple young people and adults in Christian
Faith. It also looked to establish charitable and educational
activities that would benefit the people of the Philippines. Having
begun ministry among the street children in 1976, the Jireh Home was
founded in 1979.
Another part of
PFMI is the Hanniel Christian Academy which provides pre-school
education, although there are plans to expand this to Elementary and
collegiate level.
Following the
construction of the children’s home PFMI saw the need for a local
church that would serve the home and minister to the surrounding
village. As a result the Castillejos Christian Church was set
up.
The home is
run by Joel & Rechel Alviar.
Jehovah Jireh –
‘God will provide.’
Throughout the
years the Jireh home has been a testimony of God’s
provision:
- The original building had many problems but by 1980 the
money and land had become available and a new home was ready for use by
1982.
- Between 1990 and 1992 God provided further funds for the
construction of a new girl’s
dormitory.
- In June 1991 the Mount Pinatubo volcano (25km from the
home) erupted, causing major damages to the home. Only 1 week later
U.S. Marines arrived, cleared away the ash and repaired much of the
damage.
- In 1993 the home flooded resulting in the evacuation of the
children and some destruction. Following this, volunteers constructed a
wall and a
bridge.
- Volunteer teams have played an important role in the
development of the home over the years. Teams from Japan have
constructed the fishpond, piggery, workshop and basketball court, as
well as carrying out maintenance work on many other
buildings.
- Since 1997 there have been a number of cottages built on
the site. The shift from dormitory to cottage type accommodation aims
to allow the children to grow in a family-like environment where they
can cook, learn how to budget, and do their chores in their own
house.
NBC Involvement:
- In 1984 Barry Cook went to the Philippines and met Joel and
Rechel Alviar. He was most impressed with the work they were doing with
children in
need.
- Following his report to the leadership it was agreed that
some regular support should be given to the
home.
- In 1997 funding was given for the purchase of 3.2 hectares
of land and a tractor to use on it. This land presently supplies all
the rice the Home
needs.
- In 2001 a team of 17 went to the home to help construct one
of the cottages. Watch the video
of the 2001 visit.
- In 2003 the church funded the purchase of more land and the
materials for a Poultry shed, which currently accommodates 7500
chickens.
Points for
prayer:
- For the children to know God’s love as they are cared for
by the house
parents.
- That the children will learn and grow in their knowledge of
Jesus as their Lord and
Saviour.
- A border dispute with the previous land owner who claims
that the Home has encroached on the land he still owns next
door.
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