A Visit to the Dumpsite
"I really feel the burden, and I know in my heart, that Jesus is the answer that one day these children might live in a clean home; education is a factor for that change." Robert Cuenca
Robert Cuenca P.O. BOX 11 6015, Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
PARTNERSHIP IN MISSION - SUE'S STORY
A few months ago I saw a recommendation for Philippino pastors, Robert and Sarah Cuenca on Catherine Brown's Gatekeeper's website: Catherine seeks to encourage believers to partner together in mission. The week before this, I had stood before our church passionately explaining how desperately I wanted to go to a rubbish heap in the Philippines: I wanted to see children know Jesus, because I had done something. I also knew that any connection would have to be an enabling from God because I didn't know where the dumpsite was, let alone anyone there. Because of Catherine's connection, Richard Bingham, June Lincoln, Elisabeth Bates and myself, went as a team to Cebu in February.
PRISONS AND SALVATIONS
People from the U.K. had very generously given us money to feed the dump people and to buy soap and bibles for the prisoners. So, off we went to the prison where there were 800 people in three compounds: men, women, and adolescents. I have to be honest... I was terrified: What was it going to be like? Would they threaten us? Then, it became apparent that June, Liz, and I were going to the ladies compound... alone!! Oh man! So, we all sat down - three U.K. ladies; Sarah; a trembling Bible student; and a few helpers. I desperately prayed for courage, anointing, and for words. Some others shared and I shared some of my testimony and then we realized that we were ALL sobbing. An incredible anointing of peace and Father's love had enveloped us. When we asked who would like to be born again, all responded... some for the first time!! We went on to pray for the Baptism in the Spirit and for wisdom to hear God's voice. It had been a place of such injustice... one lady, a mother of five, asked the police to take her instead of her son. One girl, who had been proven innocent, said that at least she wasn't beaten in prison. The men also saw loads saved in their prison too... and, oh yes, we gave out the soap and bibles, too!!
THE DUMPSITE
WHERE JESUS MEETS THE NEEDS OF MORE THAN 1000 BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN DAILY
We went to the dump several times. Robert says: "God alone can give hope to the poor parents and children who work everyday scavenging the garbage to find something that can be sold. They all do this to live and survive. The estimated children in this dumpsite are between 900 children, and 70 percent are not going to school. Here, you see young children scavenging day in and day out. It is because of this need that the dumpsite ministry was birthed. We struggle in finding a way to give food and to educate, especially the children, but we see you stand with us in prayers and support and we know that God is working." The toxic smoke drifted constantly across the makeshift shacks on the site making our eyes water and leaving us with dull headaches. This is also where the pigs in the "self-help" scheme live; where Pastor Robert helps to build pigpens with families at the dumpsite. The odourless pig raising is very successful, it's now copied by some people in Lapu-Lapu and the ministry is giving seminars in urban farming and plastic recycling.
Despite the conditions, the people were delightful, especially the children. Their beautiful faces smiling openly as they played in the glass littered dust... many barefoot. Children are the same the world over, boys throwing stones and girls doing your hair! (I really knew I was "in" when they started searching for lice in my hair!). Through the donations we were able to feed the under 5's, which is a project they want to continue (One 8-week-old baby was saved by weening to porridge!). We bought clothes for as many children as we could... some were naked, a reason why they couldn't go to Pastor RobertÕs school. We also discovered it was good to allow the children to choose which clothes they would like, rather than just giving "handouts" because to choose is a taste of freedom!
We were also able to provide nails for about 160 householders so they could have walls! The houses are made out of cardboard. This was after the authorities had bulldozed them, as they choose to do from time to time - even the Dumpsite Ministry houses were levelled by the city government! The poor are given three-days notice to vacate the area, and families that are not able to move are bulldozed with their houses. The poor are always the victims. When their houses are smashed, life becomes even harder.
It took Sarah and her girls six hours to prepare a beautiful chicken dinner. All the peoples' eyes widened when they saw such a feast. It is such a picture of God's love that, even though any food is welcomed to someone starving, He chooses to give us a chicken dinner!
MEDICAL CAMP
We also held several medical camps. This was when the children picked up their feet and showed us the horrible glass injuries they sustain without complaint! I have never seen so many running sores, oozing ear infections, or incredible injuries unattended - such as the little, two-year-old with half his head swollen. He had been dropped by his sister and had fractured his skull! Our nurse did an excellent job at sorting it out. We preached the Gospel a few times but mostly we lived it out among the people in the dirt. We saw many women come to Jesus who are being followed up by the lovely pastor Robert and his wife, Sarah. But, it is a long term thing that Robert and his church continue faithfully week after week. They need genuine partners who want to see the kingdom come and who will help financially.
FAIR TRADE PROJECT
Sarah and our team are looking to do a "fair trade" project. Sarah is directing the ladies on the dump with sewing. We have designed a bag for them to make that we can sell in the U.K. They get a proper wage; the church has a tithe; and less expenses, all the money returns to Robert to support the dump and prison work. The bags are excellent quality and will probably sell for £5.00 (about $10.00). I am going to call the project JUBILEE LINES because its about life-lines to set people free. Please look us up!
Sue Pengelly, England, UK sue@peng2.freeserve.co.uk
PRAYER
1. Please pray for the children as they continue to study
2. Please help us to pray that we will have more supplies of food to feed the children
3. Please pray that families will be able to buy simple house materials to rebuild their houses
[40 families need $100 each so that they can buy housing materials and build their houses again]
4. Please pray that we will have enough food to provide for the poor families from the dumpsite as well as the children
FINANCIAL DONATIONS FOR
Food
Clothing
School supplies
Housing materials
Piglet distribution
HOW TO PAY DIRECTLY TO PASTOR ROBERT
The check should be made payable to: ROBERT CUENCA, and make a note at the bottom of the check whether it is for food for the children; school needs; help for housing materials for the family at the dumpsite; or for piglet dispersal. This can be sent to:
Robert Cuenca P.O. BOX 11 6015, Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
"We will give an account of all money that is sent to us for accountability. God bless, Robert Cuenca."
BIO DATA OF PASTOR ROBERT CUENCA
I am a pastor's kid; my dad is a Presbyterian pastor. The Lord showed a vision of me with Jesus catching fish with a net. The Lord used my friend to encourage me to become a pastor, so I studied at a Spirit-filled, born again, Full Gospel bible school. There, I met my wife, Sarah, and we were married after graduation in 1980. The Lord blessed us with two children, Mark (23) and Charish (14), and they are both involved in the music ministry in the church.
1980 to 1988, we planted nine churches; 1999, a prophet prophesied that the Lord would increase the ministry in a special way by helping the poor families and children in our City. We started to plant a church in our City and extended outreach to the dump. We have been working at the dumpsite for almost five years, sharing Jesus and encouraging parents; feeding the children and helping them go to school. Every week, we also minister to the inmates in the City Jail. More than six hundred male and female inmates are ministered to with the love of Jesus. After working as Church Planter for 15 years, the Lord brought other pastors and churches to work under my ministry. With all humbleness, the Lord has blessed the Work of the ministry: there are now 48 churches and pastors, of whom I became the senior pastor, in the Apostolic Full Gospel Church of the Philippines. It is a Spirit-filled, born again church work.
We are also in the fourth year of planting a training bible school. Praise the Lord for calling us into the ministry! Thank you for being a part in touching the poor especially the children. May God bless our hearts. Praying and thanking you in the Lord,
Robert Cuenca
Mailing Address: Pastor Robert Cuenca P.O. BOX 11 6015 Lapu-Lapu City Philippines
Email: cuencarobert@hotmail.com
