This week mission communities in Mindanao welcomed the visit of Orthodox servants David and Emellee Irene Grubbs of Family Missions International, who came to teach us how they run their feeding program among some of the poorest children near Manila.
They demonstrated how they make tasty “super-food” (Don’t tell children it is actually full of vegetables, protein, and nutrients: kids just know it’s champorado, that traditional chocolaty rice porridge.) And they shared how they are able to use the opportunity to teach the eagerly gathered kids and be of service to their families.
In the past, our individual parishes have occasionally tried to launch such programs, but a small isolated group can’t sustain the effort over the long term. Now, with the blessing of Archbishop Sergey of Solnechnogorsk, an Orthodox philanthropic sisterhood is being established across the Russian Orthodox mission in the Philippines — and the sisterhood’s first project is training and coordinating nutrition programs is as many parishes as desire to participate. We are thankful for the support of the Family Missions International, and for Archbishop Sergey’s financial commitment.
To our delight, members of ten parishes have enthusiastically signed up to take part in this program. Every week, we expect to provide about 2500 healthy meal servings to kids in and near our mission communities. Please pray for us as our mission communities undertake to serve children and families in both material and spiritual ways.
David and Irene teaching at St John of Shanghai church in Santa Maria
Irene teaching at Holy Theophany Church.
David teaches about measuring children’s weight and progress. More than an occasional feeding, this is the beginning of a program of health and nutrition for our communities.
Kids like it: Father Silouan does, too!
Don’t forget vitamins!
Everyone is full and happy.
What a big crowd at St Thomas church in Kinabalan!
St Thomas group
Gr George Maximov teaching
Aria serves bowls for everyone
Preparations before the first session at General Santos City
Subdeacon John Mahinay and group
Theodote says: Have some!
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