Philippine Mission Update #27

BUILDING HOMES, A FUTURE AND SELF-ESTEEM

The Jimmy Carter Work Project (JPWP), March 21-27, 1999 was a huge success as it produced 293 houses in five days in six work sites throughout the Philippines. Visions of decent homes became reality for more than 10,000 local volunteers and 2,000 foreign volunteers from 32 nations who toiled together.

Ric is a member of the Board of Trustees of Habitat For Humanity, Philippines so we were invited to several functions, including a breakfast for church leaders where we just happened to sit at the same table as Jimmy & Rosalyn and Millard Fuller. Fuller, President of Habitat for Humanity, International ended his short introduction of Jimmy Carter ("Great men don't need long introductions") by saying, "...I give you my friend, my neighbor and my Sunday School teacher."

Our group of seven professors and eight students from Union Theological Seminary and several other students as well as a doctor from Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia finished our house #101 and turned it over to the Salamante family on March 26 along with a Bible signed by Jimmy Carter and all of us who worked on the house. The house dedication service brought tears to everyone as Mr. and Mrs. Salamante and their four children expressed how happy they were to move from their 120 sq. ft. bamboo shack to this new 274 sq. ft. concrete house. It is not a dole out. The partner family worked at least 400 hours of "sweat equity" in their neighbor's house construction and will be paying about $20. per month, interest free, amortization for 10 years. The payments are reinvested to help future Habitat projects.

Dr. Tan Poh Tin, was Division Medical Officer in Sarawak, where we used to live. She volunteered to install the toilet bowls in five houses with the help of Zam Mung, one of our Burmese students. Rev. Dr. Dieter Georgi, visiting professor to UTS from Germany, and formerly teaching at Harvard Divinity School, also stayed an extra week after our UTS graduation to join us for the JCWP. He delighted in building the roof trusses.

President Estrada and former presidents Carter, Cory Aquino, and Fidel Ramos worked on houses #5 and 6. Many corporate executives and several mega rich men in the Philippines, Japan and Korea, joined in building these houses and people were amazed at how humble and hard working they were. The list of distinguished people who labored and donated that others might have a decent home is impressive.

Well over 70,000 homes have been built since the founding of Habitat in 1976. Worldwide, one house is being built every 25 minutes. Habitat is about helping people realize their dreams of having their own decent shelter. Isaiah 65:21 reminds us, "They shall build houses and inhabit them, they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit." This is why the future home owners organization in Maragondon, Cavite have named their new community, Isaiahville.

At the JCWP, Caring was a leader in distributing cold water and snacks to six houses with an average of 12 workers each. We stayed up to 5:30 every evening to meet those needs on five extremely hot, sunny days of work-- Caring in the Medical & Refreshment Tent #17 and Ric helping others who were lagging because of fewer workers.

On the last day house #101 was almost complete so Ric was asked by the block leader to leave our group of 18 UTS faculty and students to be in charge of #102 to 105. Church leaders and Bishops from evangelical and Catholic groups worked on these five houses called, "Houses On One Foundation" which were sponsored by various church groups. It was heartening to see the church leaders with different theological views, working together to finish those houses--the solidarity based on our common roots and on a biblical foundation like, "In as much as you have done it unto the least of these in need, you have done it unto me."

As we were about to leave at 5:30 pm, into the house pops Jimmy Carter, all by himself--no security this time, to ask us in an anxious tone for someone to help install toilet bowls in his houses #5 and 6. The old and tired Filipino carpenter who was recommended to do the job exclaimed, "Overtime, sir?" Jimmy said, "Yes, of course, I'll be doing overtime too!" The Filipino, was a little chagrin to find out later that he was talking to a former President of the USA, one who was willing to go the second mile to see the job completed.

A new world record was set as a total of 293 houses were completed in five days the Philippines. It was exciting to work side-by-side with top people like former presidents, ambassadors, senators, CEOs of huge corporations, professionals and common people who shared a vision and faith, that people don't have to live in shacks anymore. Many stories were told about homepartner kids who no longer were ashamed to invite their friends to their homes and because of rising self-esteem were doing better in school and rising ahead in life. Wouldn't it be wonderful if each church, civic group and corporation would get involved to help lift people out of poverty as home building partners!

As you celebrate the Risen Christ this Easter, think of the rising expectations and realized dreams of the poor and needy whom you may have

helped in one way or another. Take a little bow and then vow to do even more in the future because you are changing lives for the better. We thank you for your concern, prayers and support for our work here in the Philippines.

Warm regards, Easter blessings and all best wishes,

Ric & Caring Richard & Caring Schwenk (Advance #003495)
19 Constellation St., Bel-Air 2
1209 Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
E-mail: rschwenk@STARNET.net.ph

Visit our SCHWENK PHILIPPINE MISSION web site, just click: http://www.starnet.net.ph/schwenk