One Girl learns to Read

“The single most important determining factor with regard to the global standard of living, to improving agricultural and environmental practices, to increasing the Gross National Product, to improving health care, to promoting involvement and gender balance in decision-making at all levels of society - is the education of a fifth-grade girl.

- Carol Bellamy, Executive Director - UN’s Children Fund

In a shanty town in Manila, Philippines one girl is learning to read. She and her classmates are being taught using a LEI – Tagalog (Pilipino) primer/basic reader. The class typically meets in the morning so as to avoid the afternoon rains.

In today’s economy, its not who can speak that separates the haves from the have-nots. It’s who can read. Worldwide, one billion adults are illiterate two-thirds of them are women. Compassionate LEI missionaries are working diligently to address this enormous opportunity.

Everything Beautiful

“He has made everything beautiful…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Mid April Reflection

Yesterday I met a Muslim follower of Jesus. She was part of a team that is partnering with LEI (Literacy and Evangelism International) missionaries to bring the love of Christ to her people group. LEI primers/basic readers have been developed and plans are under way to begin to teach teachers in her particular language.

There are a myriad of names and faces that cannot be part of this blog post. But be aware that in the heart of the Philippines beautiful things are happening due to the compassion and faithfulness of LEI missionaries.

My friend ROB

Rob is an LEI (Literacy & Evangelism International) missionary. He and his wife have served faithfully in the Philippines for 7 years, reaching out through the work of literacy missions to shanty towns in the slums of Manila to islands to the south. They work tirelessly and stand as huge examples of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Yet for security reasons they remain nameless and faceless to the larger Christian community. They have had friends and co-workers disappear, so they work quietly and creatively seeking ways to proclaim the good news.

One creative expression has been to craft LEI formatted basic readers in 10 different languages in the Philippines. In doing so they have preserved cultures, shared the functionally critical skill of reading, and shared God’s love story to thousands.

Rob kept introducing me as his “boss” from the states. It was hugely humbling to me.

I can encourage, affirm, pray, and even give counsel, but Rob is the one who is making the difference for the kingdom in literacy missions in the Philippines. He is the culturally sensitive one. He’s the boss in this part of the world. And we at LEI are grateful that Rob has chosen to call us his coworkers.

May Rob, his family and co-laborers continue to receive God’s protection. May his anointing be upon them in ever increasing measure. May God grant them strength for the balance of their journey here on earth. Until they go from being faceless to being recognized by all in the heavenly realms.