Household of Faith Christian Church & Mission DALAW 2017

By: Ryan Tejero

 

DALAW 2017 is the first missionary venture of Fil-Am church in suburban Plainfield, IL. It took about a year-long of preparation before this mission was eventually launched in from June 15-19. Dalaw 2017 covered the areas of HFCC’s partner churches in the Philippines, which included Paranaque, Cavite and Surigao City.

DALAW is an acronym that stands for Dependable Action with Love, Adventure and Willingness. DALAW is also a Filipino word, which means in English, “to visit.” As a mission, its goals include: (1) to provide medical and relief assistance to poverty and calamity stricken areas in the Philippines; (2) to empower participants to develop skills in servant leadership and engage in cross cultural experience, and (3) to enhance spiritual, emotional and behavioral growth in a fun-filled and recreational activities.

More specifically, the Missionaries will engage in mission dialogue with HFCC’s sister churches, establish and strengthen partnership with other Christian Institutions, and conduct Medical Mission (free clinic), relief-giving and feeding projects in rural communities.

Aside from the official visits of rural churches for relief gift giving and feeding the hungry with hot soup and food distribution, the Mission team also engaged in some very exciting R&R by hopping from one island tourist spot to another.

DALAW 2017 is composed of 30 US-based professionals and mission support individuals. There were 4 Doctors, 7 Registered Nurses, 1 Physical Therapist, 2 Pharmacists, and 16 support staff. Locally, there were mission supporter who also volunteered their expertise and time. There were 1 Medical Doctor, 1 Pharmacist, 1 Medical Technologist, 2 Nurses, 11 mission support staff for a total of 16 mission support staff.

HFCC members of the DALAW 2017 were hosted at the Shalom Center in Manila. The first day was to re-group and orientation by HFCC Pastor Julius Montero. HFCC Team also interviewed its student scholarship recipient, Pauline Mae Capacete, who later joined the Team in Surigao.

The following were the highlights of DALAW 2017: Metro Manila Area church visits, Mission Dialogue & Relief Giving hosted at the Ellinwood Church with Pastor Carlos; At UCCP Molino, Bacoor City – relief distribution of clothing and food items to 50 families, more than 30 youth and more than 100 Children; UCCP received P7,000 for Mission Support: P2,000 for Youth Fellowship and P6,000 for two HFCC Scholars. The Team also had relief distribution to poor families in Bacoor City, Cavite and hosted by Molino UCCP. The Team also conducted a Dialogue at the office of the UCCP General Secretary, (General Bishop); At UCCP Trece Martires City, the reception was hosted by Bastes – Burns family. HFCC Jinky and Marc Burns are based in Plainfield, IL. The Team also conducted relief distribution of clothes and food items in Trece Martires City, with Pastor Cruzada; In Paranaque, a dinner with Church Council at UCCP Paranaque with Pastor Leng was organized to welcome DALAW 2017 Mission Team; In Surigao City, a dinner was hosted courtesy of the Office of Surigao City Mayor. Another dinner was hosted by the Edillor’s Family in their Surigao City home. The Edillors are based in Plainfield, Elgin and Skokie here in Illinois. Mission Team conducted it feeding project that benefited the poor street children in San Juan – Surigao City. The activities in Surigao City ended with an evening worship service with the Youth held at the Surigao City church.

The overwhelming success of DALAW Philippines 2017 truly inspired all the families, children and adults alike, as well as the partner churches. There were more than 700 patients seen by the medical practitioners; more than 300 children were fed, more than 800 families received relief items such as rice, medicines and clothing items, and lastly, DALAW 2017 had built a strong partnership with 12 Christian churches in the Philippines. HFCC is grateful to its generous sponsors, hospitable hosts and dedicated missionaries. And to all of the households that are with HFCC, To God be the Glory! Please reach out to HFCC Pastor Julius Montero to support the church programs and ministries at (815) 919 1515.

HFCC Youth Glenn Agape Montero keeping the list of beneficiaries organized.

Mission Team conducting feeding project for street children in Surigao City.

Relief giving in Trece Martirez, Cavite

Fil-Am RNs and HFCC members Ritchie Quinones and Glenette Montero doing assessment on their patients