How our donations have helped Pastor Larry in the Philippines

Pastor Larry de Guzman is the only minister helping the Dumagat tribal people in the Ipo Dam area. He has now trained two other evangelists to assist him in his work and together they teach and help these mountain people.

Through Asia Focus donations, Pastor Larry has overseen the construction of a small church, LAMP (Lutheran Autonomous Mission Philippines) where the people are able to gather for worship and the children for Sunday School or Youth Worship. The little children are then given a meal after the service and this has been partially supported by the Asia Focus donations.

During the Covid outbreak in 2021, the whole Ipo Dam area went into lockdown and the Dumagat people were isolated. Their food supplies dwindled and their ability to sell their handcrafts at the nearby village, outside the dam area, was curtailed. In stepped Pastor Larry with Operation Blessing. After being granted government access to Ipo Dam, he contacted Asia Focus with his proposal to provide food relief for the needy families living in the dam area. Thanks to the generous supporters of Asia Focus, he was able to purchase and distribute rice, canned goods, noodles, coffee and sugar to each family.

 Promoting financial independence within the communities at Ipo Dam is another high priority for Pastor Larry. More recently, he sourced 3 treadle sewing machines (there’s no electricity up there) with donations made through Asia Focus. These sewing machines have increased the productivity and variety of handcrafts that the villagers make and sell at nearby markets. This has enabled them to expand their little ‘industry’ for the benefit of their community.

 However, what is most important for Pastor Larry and his pastoral assistants is the huge difference that teaching of the Gospel has made in the lives of the people up in this mountain region. He says “They (the people) now know who Jesus is and it makes a great difference. Before they were very fearful of other people, especially people coming from the cities who were ignorant, selfish and arrogant. We have learnt their culture; they saw us as good people and we were able to teach them the Gospel. This created a huge impact for the better in their lives. They help each other, care for and love other people; and love their surrounding environment, given by God to all. We thank Asia Focus and the supporters. And I thank God for the blessing that has been given to us. Without God, we can do nothing.”