training ministry (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) graduated 27
underprivileged guys--15 in auto mechanics, 6 in wood technology and
6 in electronics repair--which is our largest class ever. Around 300
family members, church mates, pastors, former graduates, friends,
ACTION missionaries and staff witness this achievement of these young
men after 10 months of rigorous practical discipleship and skills
training. Each graduate received a tool box, certificate of
graduation along with a genuine sense of accomplishment because they
worked hard to get what they received. Some will return next week for
two more weeks of advanced training in auto mechanics and electronics.
Working Hands also includes 6 months of on-the-job-training (OJT) for
grads by paying for their salaries while they work at shops gaining
experience but this class will not be able to start their OJT due to
a shortage of funds. An OJT student earns $2 per day or $288 for 6
months of valuable real world training. Perhaps you'd like to assist
Working Hands provide this training so contact me if you're
interested.
Also due to their training in the Scriptures the guys are also
valuable workers in their respective churches. Each weekend during
their 10 months of training they returned to their churches to serve
and learn so they're able to lead Bible studies and prayer meetings
along with knowing how to share their personal testimony of faith in
Christ and lead someone to Him.
I gave the message from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 where Paul tells his
beloved church how to please their heavenly Father by staying pure
sexually, loving the brethren and working hard and not becoming
dependant on others. The message was straight and to the point and
from a few comments I received clearly understood.
The highlight for me was hearing the testimony of a '01 graduate
who's now working in Saudi Arabia as a branch manager for Gulf Oil
International as well as serving in the underground church. He hasn't
forgotten where he came from in life and who helped him get to where
he is today. He gave praise to his Savior and appreciation to Daryl
Germaine, the leader of Working Hands, and his staff. This fellow is
a living example of Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonian church.
As a point of interest Working Hands is located at our 2nd Mile
compound about two hours south of Manila. Also located there is our
Honest Hands life skills training ministry for former street boys and
Mustard Seed's sewing classroom for underprivileged girls. Mustard
Seed has the same type of ministry as Working Hands but for girls.
The compound is called 2nd Mile because we in Manila with our camps
for street kids and their families, street outreach, feeding
programs, drop-in centers and medical work is considered going the
1st Mile.
Here's a thought--it's relatively easy to reach youth for Christ but
very costly to raise them for Christ.
Jeff
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