Theron and Cathy Anderson Philippines Urdaneta Self Reliance Mission

Self-Reliance Initiative in the Philippines

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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.