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.
International Ministries for Women, Youth and Children in ASIA and PACIFIC 
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