The Humble Church Receives a Great Blessing: Banaybanay UMC Women Expressed Appreciation to the United Methodist Women (Now United Women in Faith)

Banaybanay UMC is a humble church amid the rice granary. As a rice granary and highly agricultural area, the primary livelihood of most people is rice farming. Agriculture is a modest sector in society, but it is the reason why people live and those involved in this sector do not gain that much income.

Aerial View of the Municipality of Banaybanay, the rice granary of Davao Oriental

Here in our church, the active women range from 46 to 70 years old. They are composed of some retired teachers, retired workers from government agencies, barangay functionaries, but the others are mostly housewives or assist their husbands in planting, maintaining, and harvesting rice in their farms. 

The meager earnings of the women made it hard for them to give much to the church, especially during the season of waiting for the harvest. They say the period of waiting is also a period of crisis. They can only give their tithes during harvest time. They compensate by giving through in-kind or material means. Given this situation, it is difficult to initiate or sustain their projects in the church. The first livelihood project of the women in Banaybanay UMC was the Peanut Butter Making. Due to the insufficient funds, the project was not stable because they relied on their own pockets to contribute to the capital. Suddenly, a blessing came from the United Methodist Women, a capital of 5,000.00 to fund the livelihood project. Since then, the project became regular, and it has no longer been a burden to the women to contribute a certain amount just to keep it going.

Deley Valladolid is one of the women who participated in this project ever since it started. She shared that seeing the women of the church being more active especially when the peanut butter making has become regular encouraged her to express her faith through enthusiastic participation in the church ministries. In the previous years, it felt burdensome for her to contribute an amount for the capital given that she is a housewife who only relies on harvest income. She is grateful that the United Methodist women’s support to the project has somehow eased her burden and because of that, she has become more passionate about serving the Lord. 

Mrs. Deley Valladolid (housewife) together with her husband, Emeterio Valladolid (farmer/maintainer)

Lita Robel admitted that she was on hiatus from the church for a couple of years. Despite not going to the church, her connection with the women never stopped because sometimes they would cook the peanut butter in her home. When the project was continued and became stable, she was encouraged to go back to church and commit to the project. The women immediately nominated her as Treasurer of the local women’s organization of the church. She is now managing the finances of the women’s organization, especially the expenses and income from the Peanut Butter Project. At present, she is not just committed to the project but all the undertakings of the church, along with the other women who are frontrunners in the church ministries. For her, the help of the United Methodist Women was an unexpected blessing. The support nudged them to be goal-oriented. According to her, having a goal as an organization strengthened their ties and challenged them to make their organization self-sufficient. She also acknowledged that her faith increased because they did not expect or pray for such monetary assistance to come to them, and God gave them this grace out of the blue through the generosity of the United Methodist Women.

             Mrs. Lita Valdez Robel attending to a customer who is buying from her store

The income from the project also made it possible for them to have their first-ever retreat and recreation at the province of Bukidnon last January 9-11, 2022. Bukidnon is distant from Davao Oriental and because of their earnings, what seemed impossible for them to do before became possible. Before, it was unattainable for them to ever hold a retreat outside Davao Oriental due to their measly income, but it was all made possible because of this project. The retreat gave them a refreshing start for 2022, deepened their connection with each other, and continued to kindle their fire in serving God and the church ministries. 

Being with them from the time the United Methodist Women gave their support and being hands-on in making the peanut butter with them, I noticed a significant improvement in them individually and as a group. They became selfless that they are not after what they can get from this project but how they can help the church and others through this venture. Moreover, they became more participative in other ministries. Mrs. Yasay, one of the recipients said, “We are grateful that the UMW noticed us.” It is a nice realization that God is indeed watching over us despite being a humble church in a modest province, and we became more confident since we were chosen out of the many groups or churches. When I reflect on the story of God giving attention to the women of our church through the United Methodist Women despite our simplicity and anonymity, it reminds me of the verse from Romans 9:16: “It does not depend on human desire or effort, but God’s mercy.” We did not work for it, or we did not even ask for it, but in God’s mercy, His favor was upon us through the UMW. Despite the pandemic, our organization is thriving and growing, and the members are getting more equipped, confident, and maturing in faith. We owe and dedicate our victory to the United Methodist Women. I am reminded of a quote by Camille Pissarro: “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” The help shared by the United Methodist Women now Unioted Women in Faith to the humble church of Banaybanay UMC is not only a blessing to the church, but for sure, will bless the UMW even more.

Article Contributor: Theresa Eleanor Paano-Barrientos

Photos by: Charrypie Castillo for the United Women in Faith

LIVING THE TALITAKUM EXPERIENCE

 Helena Tampubolon

 Recipient 2009-2023 Indonesia

Talitakum is a community of young women  that aims to empower, support, strengthen each other .  Talitakum is the first community   that  touches and impacted my  life as young woman and brought good  experiences.

Talitakum teaches us to be independent and strong women. teaches us to strengthen each other ,to respect each other, to support each other .  It teaches us to have a positive impact on others.  Each session in the talitakum program has a purpose of how to empower young women and provide strength for young women to their lives.

We have the Rivers of life where we are remembering beautiful moments , painful moments of  our life Journey since birth to present.    It opens our hearts and minds to the direction where life lead us , going with the flow of life , hustle with struggles and overcoming life challenges.

I participated with Talitakum since 2009 and I saw it was good.  . Deaconess Ibu  Emma Cantor  always led us to discover our talents, capabilities, our strengths  and she always bring a good team to share in leadership capacity, skills building and recently the economic development ,  . All the trainers have a good session.

Talitakum gives me the opportunity to follow Global Justice Volunteer  2010 in Philippines. a very good program where participants from countries in Asia gathered for immersion  and resiliency in the midst of poverty and Human rights violations. 

One thing I remember in me is I am at GJV  and Talitakum is  because God wants me to be in GJV  and Talitakum, God wants to shape my character, God wants me to learn to surrender my life to Him. With a very deep state of grief at the time, I tried to make peace with myself. I try to deal with myself and I learn to accept all the decisions of God.

Talitakum is not just an activity to spend with ordinary things, but Talitakum a training that shapes my character and myself become a useful woman for myself, useful for my environment, and being a strong woman.

I have learned how to have faith to see the experiences in life specially when i have to strong when my father passed away and began my own bisnis. I had a lot of competitors in my bisnis. But i knew how God works in my bisnis. Im just focus to teached kids and mission to have communication with the kids or students.  This is the talent that God has blessed me with.

I have used this talent in Talitakum,  The Rivers of Life is  is also an art venue into journeying our lives.   We make arts to represents the phases of our journey,  I teach participants in clay art so they can put arts into their life experiences.  And it was good.  Therapeutic and fun. 

In the 2023 Talitakum , I was able to share my experiences and talents to 25 young women , whom life experiences touches my heart and inspire me to keep doing arts as medium for  therapy and fun.

Talitakum is an experience where women  support women.

Almost 10 years im working with art and clay for kids and adults. Many experiences i had learned. I know God always beside me to protect and helped me. God is good all the time . All the time God is good.

Thank you Talitakum, I am very lucky to be part of Talitakum training. I am happy to be in the family of Talitakum. I will always contribute to my talitakum training where there is a chance for me.

United Women in Faith

Women Leadership Development and Economic Empowerment Seminar, Venue-Hebron UMC, Nepal

The two-day seminar evidently stood out since it wasn’t a dreary lecture or a preaching session. The participants experienced a sense of physical, mental, and spiritual engagement. They were particularly happy to receive refreshments during the ice break and snacks following the presentation, and the meal itself was great. The program began in the morning at 9 am and went on till 4:30 pm. 9 am, to ensure that the majority of the participants, who have children, could drop them off at school and return home before sundown.

With the support of calming music to start, Emma Cantor, our missionary guided the participants through a ‘shibashi’ meditation, which made them feel calm and inspired. Participants have never engaged in shibashi of this nature, which relieves stress. Women felt peace and relaxed because women in Nepal normally are over-stressed by responsibilities. Emma focused on economic empowerment, leadership skills and living a healthy lifestyle, Sabina on spiritual disciplines, and I, Mina, on spiritual leadership from biblical women figures. Additionally, we had visitors from the YWCA, Druopati, and Jyoti, who shared their stories and challenged the attendees with Scripture. The United Women in Faith sent a bag with its emblem and mission statement to the participants.

The participants’ expressions:

Tsering Sherpa-Lay leader:

My desire to continue serving the Lord has been rekindled by this seminar. During the “shibashi” exercise, I laughed so much that it gave me a happy and peaceful feeling.

17 years prior to getting married, Tsering served as a pastor and evangelist in very distant hills. “I traveled for hours carrying the gospel over rivers, through jungles, over stiffs, and up and down mountains. However, after getting married and relocating to the city, my husband and I began raising 12 orphan children. However, because the donor stopped providing financial support, the orphanage only operated for four years. The only option left was to entrust the children to the care of a church pastor, who kindly let them keep in the church rather than sending them to various orphanages. The children are now adults; the oldest has just started working after finishing his bachelor’s degree, while the youngest is a high school student. As I continue to show them my love and care and as a member of the same church, the kids refer to me as “aama” a mother.

My perspectives have been transformed by this seminar. My husband departed for a job abroad shortly after the orphanage closed, and he hasn’t been back since. Nevertheless, he sends money for my son’s education, food, and rent. After twelve years, I have endured a great deal of suffering, but I am grateful for God’s grace and the support of the church family. Despite my weak physical condition, I desire to continue serving the Lord with the same fervor and zeal but in a new way.

Mani Sunuwar-Pastor:

“I’ve never attended a seminar like this, so I want to thank Mina and her team for inviting me. This was special because it caused me to carefully consider the calling and obligations I have been bearing. This seminar felt like something God had intended for my life’s renewal and comeback. My husband made the decision to accept the pastoral call, but four years later I had to step into his role as he went to be with the Lord forever. As an ordained pastor with two young children, I was forced to work part-time in an office to help pay for my kids’ educations and support my elderly in-laws. Now I understand why my husband urged me to pursue my M. Div. even though I was a staff nurse by career. He passed away quietly after the family’s daily prayer time and after saying a particular prayer for my children and me. He knew he was going to his father’s house.”

Pastor Mani is a young, active woman who is awaiting the results of her Bachelor of Law program. She arrived with her church worker on the first day. She had such a fortunate experience that she asked for my permission to invite two more participants the following day from her church. Sabina and I were also asked by Mani to speak at the upcoming women’s conference.

Srishti Gurung-student (Sunday School Teacher):

The group’s youngest participant was Srishti. “I’m returning home today feeling grateful, inspired, driven, hopeful, and loved. I was depressed and hopeless before coming here. My aunt was the one who urged me to attend the seminar. My reflection on the wonderful plans God has for me was stimulated by the teachings, group discussions, exercises, and testimony sharing.

Srishti’s father is a church pastor and her mother has blood cancer. With a monthly salary of $120, the pastor struggles to care for the three children while also undergoing cancer treatment. Srishti started working on the building sites at an early age to help support the family because of the family situation and the fact that she was the oldest daughter. She even took a few years off from attending school, but her quest for knowledge drove her to persevere and complete her upper secondary education. After the program, Srishti stated that she wanted to study Bachelor of Theology but the money problem was the main obstacle. Therefore, we as women leaders have decided to support her financially for 4 years of studies.

History of United Methodist Women in Nepal

The UMC Nepal had its first women and youth conference in Chitwan in 2011 under the leadership of Emma Cantor. The participants were from the 32-34 churches of UMC Nepal and it was a huge spiritual awakening. We had 150 people in each group at the conference, and the majority of the young people are currently working on a church mission. One of them, who gave his life to Jesus for a mission in the Chitwan conference, is at Hebron UMC. He even finished his B.Th. and now works at a Christian hospice center while willingly supporting the church.

We held a seminar and leadership development program in 2013, and young women Sunday school teachers in 2014. For the program’s training, Emma Cantor used the FAMA instruction book as her primary resource. Women participants at UMW are involved in ministry, therefore the investment has never been in vain.

The fourth seminar, which just concluded (23-24, 2023), was a huge blessing for the attendees, who are appreciative of the chance to attend. Participants were thankful and overjoyed for the seminar. They are being re-charged to actively move further as a women leader to make a difference.

We appreciate Emma Cantor’s efforts and her passion as a UWinFaith Missionary and passion to Nepal especially for Nepali women. Additionally, the UMW-Asia invited Sabina Thapa and Alisha to Manila for 2 months of gender training. I also had the privilege of taking part in GJV in 2011 and a facilitator program in Manila in 2013. Jesus said to the disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest”. Harvest is plenty means there are a lot of opportunities therefore, United Women in Faith Nepal can work out with planning and prayers to reach out with the Name of Jesus and bring a difference in the lives of many women, youth, and children.

Core Group member of United Women in Faith, Kathmandu, Nepal:

1. Mina Moktan Thakali (D.Min)
2. Sabina Thapa (M.Div)
3. Tsering Sherpa (Evangelist and ex-pastor)
4. Dipa Lama (M.Div)
5. Charmeli Rai (B.Th)

Leadership Seminar in Itahari, Nepal

This event was organized for the Itahari,  Eastern Part of Nepal. The core group leader/coordinator is

Alisha Gadhanar, who a young clergy woman, attended a one month gender course at the Institute Of Women’s Studies through the guidance and support of the United Women in Faith. The training Alisha attended is based in Manila .

What is the future of women clergy in Nepal?

1. Perspective shifts—accepting oneself (self-esteem), love oneself as woman of God

2. Empower to be competent and assume leadership positions

3. Influence their society and family

4. Empower other young women.

Planning 2023-2024

1. Young Women Conference (Age 16-35) (October 2023)
2. Young Men and Women Studying Together  on  Gender Issues (Age 20-35)(April 2024)
3. VBS (Vacation Bible School) (Age 5-15) (April 2024)
4. Teenagers Seminar (Age 12-18) 2024
5. Women’s Economic Empowerment
6. Leadership development (continuing)

BANAYBANAY COUNTRY TEAM PARTICIPATES IN THE PHASE THREE OF THE LEADERSHIP, ECONOMICS, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUIRES KNOWLEDGE ON PROJECT DESIGN AND MONITORING

The United Women in Faith visited the Banaybanay UMC Women (Country Team) for the Phase 3 of the Leadership, Economic, and Skills Development on June 13-14, 2023 at Banaybanay United Methodist Church, Purok 2, Barangay Rang-ay, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

The activity commenced with a morning devotion by Rev. Theresa Eleanor Paano-Barrientos, Administrative Pastor of Banaybanay UMC and Coordinator for the Peanut Butter Livelihood. She zeroed in on “Spirituality in Giving and Paying it Forward” with Luke 6:38 as her reference text. She emphasized on three points: “If you want the favor of God, give cheerfully;” “If you want the praise of God, give sacrificially,” and “If you want the abundance of God, give liberally.” She concluded with these words, “We see God not only gives, but he gives left-overs for us to share. Give and it will be given to you. Trust and obey him and see what he will do for you. Pay it forward, & be amazed of how God can provide for you.” The devotion focused on gratitude to the United Women in Faith for helping out the Banaybanay Women in uplifting their economic and leadership capacities and to challenge the Banaybanay Women to pay it forward especially when the Peanut Butter Livelihood will reach greater heights.

United Women in Faith Regional Missionary Emma Cantor and Hannah Abadilla facilitated the Group Sharing about the updates on the Peanut Butter Business. The primary concern for the group was selling out the products since there is no stable place or person to bring the products for vending. But the good news is, the initial capital given by the UWF already gained profit more than what is expected.

Sir Dennis Batoy, PhD of the Asian Social Institute equipped the participants on Project Design and Monitoring. He stressed on the importance of Project Design and Monitoring even in a small-scale livelihood. It was good that Sir Dennis was from Mindanao because he was able to explain everything in Bisaya dialect so that the participants could easily grasp what is being discussed. After the lecture, Sir Dennis facilitated a workshop on Project Design. The participants crafted a simple and contextualized project design with the following items: Situational Analysis, Proposed Solution (Goal and Objectives), Plan of Work, Partner Organizations, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Sustainability, and Budget and Funding Plan. The most important lesson was that everything must be documented and there must be a monitoring system, regular evaluation and reporting. Sir Dennis then gave an assignment to the Country Team to make a Manual of Operations.

The second day began with a Morning Meditation through Shibashi led by Emma Cantor. After the meditation, Sir Dennis continued with his lecture. I was also blessed enough to receive some despedida messages from Ate Emma, Ate Hannah, and Pastor Erlincy as I will be assigned to another appointment, but with my commitment to support the team even remotely and offer what I can to contribute to the continuing success of their venture. The whole Phase 3 Training closed with a devotion led by Rev. Theresa Eleanor Paano-Barrientos about continuing despite separation (as I will be going to another appointment and the UWF team will be returning to Manila) because Jesus through His Holy Spirit will give them the wisdom, power, and success you need and will never leave them. She quotes, “Separation is the beginning of a new journey, not the end of a relationship.” The only requirement is to have a heart that is willing to serve. That is why, Christ must always be put first and topmost, love for each other must be the main ingredient, the desire to serve and help others must be our primary motivation. We must prioritize good relationships with one another.

The Banaybanay UMC Women expressed how grateful and blessed they were to receive such training that they never would have imagined they could ever participate in. They were challenged to take their livelihood more seriously and wholeheartedly, applying the principles and learnings they gained from the Phase One down to the Phase Three training.

My Banay-Banay UMC Women’s Peanut Butter Story

By: REV. THERESA ELEANOR PAANO-BARRIENTOS

I have been working with the
Banaybanay UMC Women and the
United Women in Faith since 2020. But
my engagement with the Banaybanay
UMC Women started in June 2019,
when I was assigned as their
administrative pastor. In the first few
months of ministry, it was a
painstaking adjustment. There were
not many members who were
worshipping in the church, let alone
women. But I have noticed that the
women were the main cooks and were
assigned to facilitate the events,
including the aftercare. Much later,
when I was getting the hang of the
ministry, we started the manianita
ministry. My companions were women,
and we were only four at that time.
When I also started the shut-in
ministry, I was also accompanied by
women. By then, I realized that the
women of this church had huge
potential and just needed something
to boost their leadership.

18

As luck would have it, United Women in
Faith (formerly the United Methodist
Women) found us. When United
Women in Faith Regional Initiatives
Missionary Emma Cantor was looking
for a livelihood project to support,
Banaybanay UMC Women Peanut
Butter was suggested. At that time,
peanut butter making was only done
by women when there were events like
Women’s Society of Christian Service
(WSCS) assemblies. Since these kinds
of assemblies happened only twice a
year, they made peanut butter twice or
three times a year, or when there were
also other events. The reason they did
not regularly make peanut butter was
because of a lack of capital. Their
capital for making the peanut butter
before came from their own pockets.
With a modest livelihood, it was not
easy to contribute to the capital. The
United Women in Faith was also
looking for a writer to write updates
about the peanut butter livelihood
they were going to support. My name
floated, and it was timely because I
was the Administrative Pastor of
Banaybanay UMC then.
Honestly, I was apprehensive about
being assigned to Banaybanay UMC.
Prior to being assigned here, I was
assigned to city churches, where the
practices, ministries, and characters of
the members were different. It was my
first time being assigned to a church in
the province, and an Ilocano
congregation at that.

I kept asking the Lord in my prayers why He
placed me in this church, and sometimes I
cried my heart out because I felt the church
and I were a mismatch. I admit the
adjustment was rough for the first few
months, but it was the women and some of
the youth who helped me get the hang of the
ministry in this place. I felt it was not a
coincidence but God’s intervention that I was
chosen to be the writer of UWF, and UWF
chose Banaybanay UMC Women Peanut
Butter to support. God purposefully placed
me in Banaybanay UMC for a reason, and I
know the women were one of my missions.

One of the reasons why I was so
passionate about this project is
because it reminded me of my
late grandmother, Cipriana
Caterial Paano, who used to make
and sell peanut butter. Her peanut
butter was my favorite. After she
died, we never got to taste
homemade peanut butter except
for those commercial ones we buy
in stores. When I first tasted the
peanut butter produced by the
women in Banaybanay UMC, it
reminded me so much of the
peanut butter my late Anma used
to make. It heightened my interest
in giving my all-out support to
their income-generating project;
however, we lacked in the
financial aspect, so we could not
produce them as often as we
would like.
When the UWF gave us capital for
the peanut butter production, this
paved the way for the active
participation of the women. It was
the starting point for their
commitment to church ministries.
These women started
spearheading witnessing
ministries like the manianita and
ministry to the shut-in. Some
became lay servants in the
church. I am so grateful to see the
growth of these women, not just in
their financial capacity but also in
their faith and commitment.

They also improved significantly in the
leadership aspect. When I first came, these
women were not that active in the church
ministries; in fact, some of them were not
going to church regularly. Upon starting the
peanut butter production, they could not
move on their own accord. They were
dependent on my decisions and leadership,
but now they have learned to take the
initiative to decide for themselves without
me having to nudge them incessantly.
Before, they would only make peanut butter
according to my instructions or wait for my
decision regarding how they manage the
project, but now they can decide for
themselves and think of ways to improve
the workstation, the recipe, and marketing
without me constantly guiding them or
spoon-feeding them what to do.
Because of this livelihood, they have found
something to be busy about, and they can
finance themselves when there are
activities in the cluster, district, or annual
level of the WSCS. One of them told me that
making peanut butter helps them release
the stress they acquire at home.
When I am with these women as they make the peanut butter, although my
contribution is only preparing their snacks and meals and helping in the
packaging, talking with these women in the process of making the product also
gives me a good mood and helps me forget some of the things that bother my
mind. I find it a relaxing and joyful experience to converse with them. I am
grateful that UWF found our church and me. Banaybanay UMC is one of the
many churches in Mindanao and a humble church. It is not popular and not the
kind of church that gets a lot of attention because there is nothing incredibly
special about it. But when UWF noticed us and helped the livelihood grow, the
regular production of the peanut butter allowed the distribution of the product in
different places in Mindanao.

21

PHILIPPINES
United Women in Faith

When people come to our church when we host activities, they get fascinated
upon seeing the peanut butter workstation and when they taste the product.
Some would say our peanut butter is better than any other peanut butter they
have tasted, especially those displayed in stalls, pasalubong centers, and stores.
We did not ask for this blessing to come; it just came to us by the grace of God
through the UWF. We did not go searching for this financial support; the blessing
came unexpectedly, and it had me thinking that indeed, God notices where no
one notices, and God uplifts the humble. This fact strengthened my faith and
inspired me to do more ministry. These humble, hardworking women are the
reason why God showered His favor upon us.
I am also personally thankful for the chance to be part of this team. I also got to
make connections and friends outside Mindanao. Like I previously said, the
church I am assigned to was not popular, and even I was an unknown pastor
outside my conference. But because of this, I got to meet Ate Emma and Ate
Hannah, and they both introduced me to the people they know in Manila and in
different places. Both Ate Emma and Hannah are enthusiastic about promoting
peanut butter and sharing the story of Banaybanay UMC Women. UWF paved the
way for me to expand my circle.

Whichever angle I look at it from, it’s a
miracle how we got this far. I will carry
this story in my heart, and it will forever
be embedded in my soul. It’s
unfathomable how the UWF found us
and how much growth occurred in the
Banaybanay UMC women within two
years. This project has given new hope
and joy to the hearts of the Banaybanay
UMC women. I am blessed to be a part
of this unimaginable story. As one of the
women said, “Wala gyud ko nagdahom
nga makaabot ang in-ani nga blessing
sa amoa.” (I never expected that such a
blessing would ever come to us.) I am
confident that, as an itinerant pastor
who gets to be transferred anytime,
when I leave these women for a new
assignment, they will be able to
continue what has been started
because they are now more capable
than ever.

A Safe Space For Children

Luke 1: 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 

Pastor Lumen, or Mrs. Iluminada Cantor, PhD, is currently the administrative pastor of
nine community churches in the northern district of Zambales. She is now 71 years
old and is already a retired faculty member from the Ramon Magsaysay State
University. She was the Vice President for Student Affairs when she retired from
academic work, but her ministry work continues to thrive up to the present.

PHILIPPINES
Regional Initiatives in

One of the mission areas of
Pastor Lumen is a place called
Dolit in Brgy. Palanginan,
municipality of Iba, province of
Zambales. When she retired from
the university, she bought a
place in Dolit. But this is not a
typical retirement house; she
envisioned it to be a place of rest
not just for herself but for the
children in the community as
well. She wanted it to be a safe
space where the children could
come around to sing, draw, play,
pray, and listen to stories about
Jesus.

Most of the mothers in the community
stay home to tend to chores and take
care of the children, while most of the
fathers are the ones who work for a
living. Having a safe space and a
children’s ministry in the village helped
the families in the area.
When United Women in Faith—Asia and
the Pacific visited the mission area, we
taught the children self-care, good
sanitation, and love for the environment.
The children enjoyed it very much. Their
joyful laughter is music to our ears. We
also brought simple things to reward
their hard work and simple food to share.
Pastor Lumen reminds us that “when we
share about Jesus, it is important that
we do not just nourish their spiritual
being. We should also nourish their
physical being, and at the end of the
day they will feel happy and blessed.”
During our visit, we fell in love with the
ministry in Dolit. It is a simple yet selfless
offering of time and resources. Pastor
Lumen, though already advanced in age,
continues to use her time to reach out to
children with whom she can share the
stories of Jesus. Even the expenses for
her mission work mostly come from her
pension or the gifts she receives from
other people. Through this ministry,
many children are blessed. Whatever
good thing is brought to them, they
receive it with grateful hearts.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

“All of the things that we started
seem impossible. In our tribe, it is
impossible even to dream,”,
Lodema said as she started telling
her beautiful life story.
The Dumagat tribe is a group of
indigenous people living in the
Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges in
the Philippines. They have a rich
culture and a deep sense of love for
the land that God, whom they call
Makidyapat, has given them. They
believe that the land and all the
natural resources are God’s gift to
them, and they have the
responsibility to protect them.

In the earlier days, they were nomadic,
moving from one place to another. They
live by hunting, gathering, and planting.
Every wild boar that they get from
hunting and every grain of rice that they
harvest will be divided equally among
every clan of the tribe. They have a
group of elders that lead their tribe and
guide their young ones. The male elders
that mentor the boys are called
Kaksaan, while the female elders that
mentor the girls are called Gemot. They
practice a communal way of living.
The elders of the tribe were not able to
go to school. Back then, no one was able
to have a formal education, and no one
even dared to dream of going to school
and finishing college. Moreover, women
in their tribe usually marries at the very
young age. They are usually expected to
take care of the children, do house
chores, and till the land. When Lodema
had the chance to go with her parents to
the lowlands, she was both surprised
and challenged by what she saw.
“I saw the difference between our tribe
and the people on the lowlands. How
come they could read? We were so tired
carrying sacks of bananas and sweet
potataoes (kamote), but they would
just exchange one can of sardines for
our products. I know that our effort is
not worth what they are giving us. But
we cannot do anything… We cannot
read, we cannot count… But worse, we
are afraid to try to learn these things.
Then in my heart began my deep desire
to learn and go to school,”, Lodema
recalls.

Lodema shared that in their tribe, when one
wants to do something important in his or her
life, he or she would have to ask the
permission of the tribal elders. For Lodema
and the other children to be able to go to
school, they would first need the permission
of their elders. Lodema and the other children
expressed their desire to go to school, but
many of their elders discouraged them. Some
said, “We are already experiencing many
difficulties here; it is better for you to help
your family till our land. Our food is scarce;
how can we even provide for your studies?”
While others said, “Our life here is quiet and
peaceful; we should be content. Why do you
have to go down to the town and study with
those from the lowlands?”
Thankfully, their grandmother, Nanay Loida
Doroteo, spoke to enlighten the whole tribe,
saying, “Our tribe will not be forever like this.
We should be able to read and write. We were
not able to learn these things because we
were afraid. We were so afraid that we
couldn’t even dream of having a better life for
our children. We should start to have
education, self-confidence, and faith.”

Finally, the tribe allowed them to
go to school. Lodema was only six
years old when she started going
to school. Some of the children
who were sent to study for grade
one were already 13 or 14 years
old. Lodema was the youngest
among the first batch of more
than ten children that their tribe
sent to study at the nearest
elementary school to their
community. They would have to
walk together barefoot for one
hour and cross 13 rivers before
they arrived at their school. They
would have to walk again for an
hour to go home. At first, when the
Dumagat children did not have
school supplies, they would use
leaves as their paper and
charcoal or bamboo as their
pencils. Later on, they would
exchange products from their
community (fruits and
vegetables) or they would work
odd jobs (like washing dishes in
the school canteen) so they could
have the school supplies they
needed.

Lodema persevered in her studies. By
grade 5, all of her batchmates from their
tribe had already dropped out of school.
Many opted to help their parents and work
on their land to provide for their families.
Some were arranged to be married early.
Their tribe decided that Lodema should be
sent to the town proper to finish
elementary school. She had to live away
from her family and mountain home.
Everything was new to her, but she
continued to pursue her dream. Lodema
was the first one from her tribe to finish
elementary school, but no one from her
tribe attended her graduation. Her tribe
didn’t know that there is a celebration
when one finishes her studies. Moreover,
her tribe told Lodema that it was already
enough that she finished elementary
school. She should go home and help their
tribe. Again, Lodema pleaded with the
elders to continue studying in high school.
They allowed her on the condition that she
would provide for her studies.
All through high school, Lodema worked
hard and studied even harder. Her
perseverance and hard work paid off as
she finished high school. To her surprise, her whole tribe went to her graduation to
show their support. She was so happy. By that time, their elders had told her, “You
taught us to dream. Go and live our dream; continue studying.” But by that time,
Lodema felt very tired, and she wanted to go home already. The elders continued
to convince her to study, but she stayed in their village to help there instead. The
elders devised a plan to push her to continue studying; they told her that if she did
not continue to study, they would arrange for her to be married instead. True
enough, Lodema chose to continue studying. But the next problem would be
where to get the provisions needed for a college education. Moreover, she
doubted if she could indeed finish a course in education to be a teacher. She
worked to save for her studies while earnestly praying to God.

One day, Harris Memorial College (the school
where United Methodist women aspiring to
be Deaconess study) had an outreach
program in Lodema’s village. They had a
Christmas gift-giving activity among the
Dumagat tribe. They asked the tribe elders,
“How come no one finishes college education
in their village?” The elders told them about
Lodema, who is struggling to finish her
studies. Their tribe hurriedly introduced them
to Lodema, and to her, it was God’s answer to
her prayers.
Lodema was very thankful to God. At first,
Harris Memorial College assigned Lodema to
do community service for her tribe for a
whole year. She experienced going around
their village and teaching other Dumagat
how to read, write, and count. One time,
Lodema was able to teach one of the oldest
member of their tribe how to write his name.
He was so happy and very much thankful to
Lodema. “That experience inspired me to
finish my college education. I saw that I
could really help a lot if I became a teacher. I
have to do this for Makidyapat and for our
tribe,”, Lodema shares.

PHILIPPINES
United Women in Faith
Regional Initiatives in

When Lodema finished her
community service, she entered
Harris with a full scholarship.
She took up a course in
education to fulfill her dream of
becoming a teacher. For four
years, she studied and stayed at
Harris. She didn’t go home
because that might make her
more homesick. Instead, her
family would visit her at school
on special occasions.
Although she is a full scholar,
she insisted on doing house
chores and planting in the
garden. She also struggled to
learn many new things, like
using the computer, playing the
piano, and singing in front of a
lot of people. Her Harris family
had realized that their “Ate
Diday” would learn a lot from
the school, but they would also
learn a lot from her. Because of
that, they all went into a
community immersion in their
village for them to learn not just
about “Ate Diday” but about the
whole Dumagat tribe and their
Sierra Madre mountain home.
When “Teacher Diday”
graduated from college in 2016,
a jeep full of her whole tribe
went to her graduation proudly
wearing their traditional
clothes. It was a triumphant
moment for the Dumagat tribe.

The United Women in Faith—Asia and
the Pacific has been helping Lodema
since she was studying at Harris. They
saw in her the potential to be an
empowered female leader with a deep
faith in God. She attended their
seminars and leadership training.
When they had an opportunity, the
UWiF sent Lodema to be an exchange
student in Cambodia and Singapore.
Along with regional missionary Emma
Cantor, Lodema had the opportunity to
speak at conferences. When she gave
a speech abroad, she shared her story
to inspire other women and members
of indigenous tribes. Despite the
hindrances of being a poor woman
from an indigenous tribe, she was able
to reach her dream of becoming a
teacher to help her community. She
testified to the international
community that indeed, when you
place your trust in the Lord, nothing is
impossible.
“When we were young, we thought
that airplanes were large birds with
glowing eyes. I never imagined that I
could see one up close, much less ride
inside it. When I shared with our elders
that I rode an airplane, they were very
happy. They told me, ‘What God did to
you, He already did to us too. It is as if
we experienced it ourselves,”, shares
Lodema.

PHILIPPINES
United Women in Faith
Regional Initiatives in

When Lodema graduated from college,
her tribe asked her to return to their
village and teach them. Going back to
her home, she experienced many
difficulties in teaching her own tribe.
They only had a nipa hut for a
classroom, and they don’t have any
school supplies to use. One of their
elders advised her, “You yourself are
from the mountains. Whatever we
have here that God has given to us,
use it so you can teach us.” Lodema
and her students then used materials
that can be found in their
surroundings, like leaves, stone,
charcoal, and bamboo.
Lodema continued going around the
Dumagat communities in their area to
teach. After some time, they decided
to put up Paadalen E Denomagat,
which means “School Where
Dumagats Go”.

“I realized that I was always busy all
those years. I did not even attend
worship services on Sundays because
I thought that I should be teaching and
helping my community every day.

Lodema experienced state persecution,
and this was very challenging for her.
That time, she could not go back to
their community because her own tribe
feared for her safety there. But it was at
that moment that she had the time to
reflect and strengthen her faith in God.

God has always been calling me, but I did not
listen,”, Lodema admitted.
But as the saying goes, when God closes windows, He opens doors. While Lodema
was staying in the lowlands, new local teachers were able to teach in their tribe.
Today, she is the administrator of four Dumagat schools in their area. Lodema
was also able to lead the construction of a “Dumagat Dormitory” in the town
center where members of their tribe who are studying in high school or college
could stay for free. This building will also be a commercial center where their
products from the uplands can be sold. Moreover, they have built a church in their
community and have continued to strengthen it.

Now, Lodema could freely go
back to her community. And
recently, she volunteered to
enter the ministry and learn to
be a pastor in their local church.
Now Lodema would really fulfill
her dream and God’s call to be
a teacher, not just of numbers
and letters but of the word of
God. Indeed, nothing is
impossible for the Lord.

PSALM 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield, in whom my heart trusts. I am helped, so my heart rejoices; with my song I praise him.

Indeed, the hearts of the women, youth, and children
of Nepal rejoiced in the training and fellowship that
they attended last December 11–18, 2022 in Itahari.
The week-long event was led by the United Women
in Faith (UWiF) Asia and the Pacific, headed by
Regional Missionary Emma Cantor. Workshops on
leadership development, gender and health, and
economic empowerment were held. More than a
hundred people participated in the activities (30
women, 35 youth, and 50 children).
The participants from the Nepal United Methodist
Church expressed their gratitude to the Lord for using
the UWiF to bless them with their presence and
seminar. They summed up their learning experience
with three simple but meaningful words: HAPPINESS,
CHANGE, and HOPE.

“I have seen the happiness in the eyes
of women during our seminar,”, shares
Alisha Gacchadar, one of the Christian
women leaders in Nepal.
She explains that they are very happy
because many women in their country
never had the opportunity to learn and
go outside of their homes. Even
women church leaders or pastor’s
wives don’t usually have the
opportunity of a learning experience
that will help them in their life and
ministry.
“Even after the seminar, I have been
receiving phone calls from the
participants telling me how happy
they are and how they are using the
things they have learned,”, continues
Alisha.

The participants also shared that the
training helped them change the way
they think about themselves. They had
the time to reflect deeply on who they
are in God’s eyes.
Alisha said that she and the other
women participants realized that “God
did not make a woman for her to only
work inside the house. God made
women to live their lives, make
families, and make society beautiful
with their presence.”

The participants said that no one can
imagine the world without a woman. They
discussed the important role of women in
their family and in our society. They
challenged each other to make meaningful
changes in their lives.
“We women need to empower ourselves.
We have to come out from the four corners
of our square room,”, Alisha calls on.

The participants concluded that the seminar
has given them hope to learn more things
which will be helpful in their life and ministry.

They recognize that the society is male-dominant that is why there should be
more opportunities for women to learn. They are hoping there will be more of this
kind of seminar that the UWiF conducted. They are even suggesting doing this
seminar every four months. In her closing remark, Alisha told us, “Please keep
praying for our ministry in Nepal.” Amen to that.

• 

• 

• 

A WOMAN LEADER’S JOURNEY

EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND EXPERIENCES FROM THE LORD

Jennifer Ferariza-Meneses has
been serving as the executive
secretary for the Board of Women’s
Work of the Philippines Central
Conference of The United Methodist
Church from 2013 to the present.
Her faith, education and
experiences shaped her to be an
empowered woman leader. She
dedicates her life to serving the
Lord by being an instrument to
empower other women leaders as
well.

Jennifer is one of the women leaders
from the Philippines that the United
Women in Faith helped finish their
studies. Her program of study is a
Master of Science in Pastoral
Sociology. A Master of Science in
Pastoral Sociology is the study of how

faith should be rooted in the socio-
cultural context of people’s lives. The

role of a pastoral sociologist is to

support the transformation of socio-
cultural structures for the deepening of

faith. Thus, the program is designed to
form sociologists who will contribute
effectively to pastoral tasks.
This program has been one of her
guiding directions in her work with
women and the church through the
Board of Women’s Work. She was
given an opportunity to be equipped
with skills, talents, and competencies
to serve and work better for and with
women, youth, and children.
She said that the Board of Women’s
Work strengthened the existing
programs and also built new
programs in partnerships with the
different women’s groups and
organizations of the United Methodist
Church in the Philippines, such as the
UMWSCS, the deaconesses, the
clergywomen, the clergy spouses, and
the United Methodist young women.

Over the years, the United Women in Faith
have been a constant, faithful presence in the
life and ministry of the United Methodist
Church in the Philippines, particularly among
our Filipino women.
The vision of the United Women in Faith to
empower women, youth, and children in the
margins, which translates into programs and
ministries with her mission partners across
the Methodist global connections, is indeed a
living testament of God’s love, hope, and
grace.

The United Women in Faith,
through her regional missionary
initiatives in Asia and the Pacific,
and the women’s leadership in the
Philippines Central Conference
have been partners in nurturing
the leadership of women and
youth by supporting their
continuing education and
professional development.
“Serving with the Board of
Women’s Work as one of the
mission partners in the Philippines
of the United Women in Faith has
given me an opportunity to
further my study and a space to
grow as one of the Filipino women
leaders of the UMC in the
Philippines,” shares Jennifer.

Through the leadership development
initiatives of the United Women in Faith,
Jennifer was humbled to be part of the
various programs and events organized and
sponsored by the organization.

UNITED NATIONS COMMISION ON THE STATUS
OF WOMEN (2015, New York City)
One was her participation in the 2015 United
Nations Commission on the Status of Women
in New York City. She was part of the United
Methodist Women’s international delegation
then.
“My participation taught me the value of
global connections and international
solidarity among women—how important our
respective women’s work is in the local
setting and in our home countries in
pursuing gender equality and women’s
empowerment through this United Nations
platform.
I witnessed how huge United Women in
Faith’s work is in her global advocacy and
engagement through the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women,” recalls
Jennifer.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE BY THE UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
(2018, Philippines)
Jennifer shares another very important event in her life as a leader. It is also an
important event in the lives of women in the Philippines. It was the Leadership
Conference event organized by the United Women in Faith on January 2018 through
the Regional Missionary Initiatives in Asia and the Pacific under the leadership of
Deaconess Emma A. Cantor.

“It was very memorable and historic for me
because, for the first time, we met in person
some of the leaders and executive staff of
the United Women in Faith. Their presence in
the Philippines was an expression of the
historical relationship and partnership
between our women in the USA and the
Philippines. It is an affirmation of our
fellowship and sisterhood as women of faith,”
Jennifer stated.
The leadership conference event was a
thanksgiving celebration of women’s
leadership and missions as they continue to
fulfill their tasks as leaders in their
communities.
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH ASSEMBLY
(2018, Ohio)
The United Women in Faith has also given
Jennifer a chance to attend the 2018 UMW
Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, and this year’s
Assembly through the virtual platform.
“The UMW Assembly 2018 was indeed a very
memorable and powerful experience for me,
as it was my first time attending and I was
overwhelmed witnessing the community of
around 6, 000 women and sisters on that
side of the globe gathering, praying,
resisting, and celebrating. I couldn’t believe
that I was there,” recalls Jennifer.
For her, her experience was so powerful that
she returned home full of inspiration and
excitement to share with other women what
she had experienced in the Assembly. She
returned to her work with more passion, love,
and renewed commitment.

25

ASIAN YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Jennifer’s current leadership engagement for
the Asian Young Women’s Leadership
Development Program was through the
mentorship of Rev. Heasun Kim, executive
director of the Scranton Women’s Leadership
Center in Seoul, Korea; also one of the
executive staff of United Women in Faith, Rev.
Hikari Kokai Chang, executive director of the
Wesley Foundation Japan; and Deaconess
Emma A. Cantor, both regional missionaries
of United Women in Faith.
Jennifer has been a part of the planning and
leadership team for the Asian Young
Women’s Leadership Development Program,
held every year in different countries in Asia.
“I am always grateful for their welcoming leadership and their recognition of the
gifts and potential of the young women,” says Jennifer.
Finally, Jennifer expresses her heartfelt gratitude to the United Women in Faith,
who helped her in her journey towards education, empowerment, and
experiences that shaped her in her ministry for the Lord and for other women like
her.
Definitely, no words would suffice to express my deepest appreciation and our sincerest gratitude to the
United Women in Faith for sustaining their active presence in our lives through their prayers, love, and
support, and for putting their faith and trust in me and in us.
As one of the many women around the globe that United Women in Faith has been helping with
leadership development, I am with you, and we at the Board of Women’s Work are with you, in
expressing and doing to preserve the legacy of our foremothers in faith and to forge courageous new
paths, wherever needed, without hesitation, amidst all the challenges of time.
Maraming maraming salamat; thank you so much for embracing and loving the Philippines.
Mabuhay, United Women in Faith! Carry on, United Women in Faith!

Thank you for the women of great Faith
that shared their stories to us and shared
their love to the world through their
ministries. We are proud to be a part of
your training to be who you are today:
women of courage and strength, as well
as compassion and humility.
May we all move forward this 2023 with
our missions to spread God’s love, justice
and peace to this world!
God bless!

Thank You!

The United Women on Faith – Regional
Initiatives in Asia and the Pacific would
like to express our heartfelt
gratefulness to God our Father, Jesus
Christ our Savior and to the Holy Spirit
that guides us for all the blessings we
continue to receive.
We deeply thank God for the
sisterhood of United Women in Faith
worldwide. We thank the UWiF for their
continuous support and
empowerment of the women in Asia.
Thank you for sharing your love, faith,
hope and resources to all of us. May
God continue to bless you to be a
blessing for others!
We also thank all of those selflessly
dedicated themselves for the mission
work, programs and projects of the
UMWiF in Asia.