18^th Anniversary Celebration

 It’s hard to believe, but this year Samaritana turned 18! Like a teenage girl becoming a woman, the celebration on May 8 was highlighted by the participation of eighteen of the women whose lives have been touched by Samaritana’s ministry dressed in formal gowns, descending the main stairs of Samaritana to be greeted and applauded by the gathered guests.

We are grateful for all our ministry partners whose participation and contributions made the evening so special: PRASIA’s music, Krystel Crisostomos’s interpretative dance, Oliver Quingco’s serenade, Patty Loanzon’s debutante cake, Dennis Zamora’s photography, a short video presentation by Ella Chavez and Lester Miranda, and the good wishes of both those who celebrated with us in person, and those who have journeyed with us all these 18 years! Many thanks, too, to all who brought or sent in special gifts in honor of the occasion!

ICAP Asian Leaders Consultation

As a follow-up to the first ICAP-Asia conference held in January 2009, from June 21-25 Samaritana hosted a consultation of regional leaders and key representatives from eight countries in Asia. Sharing of stories, prayer, worship, strategic planning, laughter and tears were all a part of the beautiful and full time for the 21 participants.

One guest emailed later to say, “How wonderful we could have deep fellowship and fun, as well as accomplish so much during planning!” What a great combination: sharing of hearts and lives, together with planning for shared ministry and mission! For the next ICAP gathering, the participants agreed to conduct a retreat in Thailand in February 2011.

Leadership Team, Sabbatical

We are grateful to Samaritana’s new Leadership Team – Leonida Bendicion, Becky Angeles, Thess Gayares and Denise Blader – for providing guidance and leadership as Jonathan & Thelma go on their 1^st sabbatical in 18 years of service with Samaritana.

The Nambus, with their daughter Katrinka, will spend the first half of the year in the US, mainly in Boston where Jonathan’s parents and b­rother and his family live. Please pray that this time will be refreshing, and that the leadership team will experience God’s grace and wisdom.

Leading the Blind

Isaiah42:16 “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths, I will guide them; I will turn their darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”

These words reminded me recently of Samaritana's trainees, young women who have been through the worst and were driven towards prostitution. Some have risen above their circumstances, but many remain bonded in darkness, like blind people groping to survive amidst the pain of isolation, hatred and distrust. But God loves each of them as He loves each of us; he has a special promise to lead them anew, enlighten them, and make their lives better in due time.

I thank God for using Samaritana as one of the means in fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. In teaching these women through literacy classes, training them in livelihood skills, among other things, we are trying to establish their new personae. We are equipping them with the much needed tools to learn to trust themselves. We are empowering them so they can become responsible and mature members of society.

But I was surprised at how this verse spoke to me as a Samaritana volunteer as well. In this community, God opened my eyes and as I helped others, I ended up being helped myself. I learned to minister to others, to appreciate all the gifts that God has blessed me with, and to offer my talents for Him to use. I began to love, trust and respect myself more as I sat at the Lord’s feet just like Mary and serve Him just like Martha. In volunteering at Samaritana, I've learned that one can serve and worship at the same time.

My hope is that my brothers and sisters in Christ will also discover this twofold path. In leading the blind, we must first recognize our own blindness and ask God for healing, then allow Him to direct us in ways that we can serve Him. When we have seen the light, we can then lead others out of darkness.

Maria Theresa A. Gayares

August 24, 2010