Self-Reliance
Initiative in the Philippines
or,
Sunday, The Day
of Rest
When we were home in Utah, Sunday could be a pretty busy day
with going to Church, fulfilling church assignments and responsibilities. Then we usually got together with our
Children and Grandchildren for Sunday Dinner and an evening of being
together. Although busy it was a
relaxing day, a day of rest.
Now we are in the Philippines serving a mission. We have Monday off for our preparation day
when we do shopping and take care of personal things. We can also do some sightseeing or other
activities to relax. So far all our
Preparation days have been pretty busy with visiting businesses etc. and doing
what Self-Reliance Missionaries do.
Saturday and Sunday are filled with traveling to different areas and
providing training for members and leaders.
That makes Sunday anything but a day of rest. This past Sunday we left our apartment at
8:15 AM and returned home at about 9 PM.
We attended our church meetings and then traveled to San Leon where we
presented a My Path Devotional and then Back to Rosales where we held another
My Path Devotional.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints established
the Perpetual Education Fund in 2001 with the purpose of providing low cost
education loans to return missionaries outside the United States, which would
enable them to gain an education and improve upon their family situation. Recently the charter of the Perpetual
Education Fund was greatly broadened into a self-reliance initiative to assist
millions of adult members. The purpose is to teach doctrines and principles as
well as provide tools and services to help members and others move away from
poverty toward spiritual and economic self-reliance and greater conversion. The
tools and services include many new resources and training programs targeted at
self-employment, employment, career development, and education in addition to
the successful PEF student loan program in 55 countries.
If you would like to know more about the Self-Reliance
initiative visit www.lds.org/PEF
There are many things that we do here in the Philippines to
support Self-Reliance, I will explain one or two of the things we do to support
this program that is changing lives and helping people become self-reliant.
There are three main paths that we offer resources for to
help others become self-reliant. These
are Self-Employment, Better Employment and Education. We have been working very hard with the
Rosales Stake to bring self-reliance training to the local wards and branches
to make it easier for the members to participate. We have scheduled one or two My Path
Devotionals each Sunday to get this done.
In the devotional we teach that Faith requires Action. We teach that tithing is a principle of faith
and of self-reliance. I know through
personal experience that if we do as the Lord commands in Malachi 3:10
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house,
and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour
you out a blessing, that there shall not
be
room enough to receive it.
I know that if we pay the Lord first that he will keep this
covenant with us.
We teach 5 steps in My Path to Self-Reliance
1
Self-Reliance Assessment
2
What are my Strengths
3
What Work could give me the Income
I need
4
Which Self-Reliance Group should I join
a.
Starting and Growing My Business
b.
My Job Search
c.
Education for Better Work
5
Act
This past Sunday we had almost everyone in attendance join a
group and make the commitment to attend all the meetings and complete all the
weekly assignments. There is a lot of
work required for each of these 12 week programs, it is not easy. When the commitments are made and kept there
is success! People are learning how to
find a better job. Others are starting a
new business or learning ways to improve a business they already have. Education is available to most members to get
the education needed to have a better job or a business of their own.
It is so fun to teach these principles and see people being
taught by the Holy Ghost that these things are true and that they can improve
on their situation if they will Act and do whatever is needed to become
self-reliant.
I am thankful for the opportunity the Lord has give to my
wife and I to come to the Philippines and teach these truths to these
beautiful, kind loving people.
It is fun to hear about what you are doing. I'm glad you are so happy.
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