NACC PHILIPPINES
The National Association of Congregational Churches, Philippines, has a church that is located in Lupang Pangako (Promise Land), Payatas.  The Promiseland Christian Church is located within a one-kilometer radius of a huge government dumpsite.   Most members of the Promiseland Church are “mangangalahig” a term which literally means scratcher – figuratively pertaining to chickens scratching the ground for food.  A mangangalahig is one who scavenges in the dumps and sells the items collected to junkyards for a living. One year ago, a trash slide claimed the lives of hundreds of children and adults as they were scavenging.  Many children lost one or both parents or siblings in this tragedy.  The church has been a spiritual refuge and proven to be a friend to the community, especially in times of trouble.

The Promiseland Christian Church also has kindergarten, primary, and intermediate schools as part of its outreach ministry to the people in the area. 

Pastor Erlindo is the minister of the church while his wife, Esterly, supervises the school.  A number of students in the school fail to pay tuition installments because almost all of the parents do not have regular jobs.  The NACC, and its relief and social action arm, the Caring Community, Inc. help establish churches that minister to the whole person (physical as well as spiritual needs).

$245 annually will sponsor a child’s educational needs through the Caring Community, NACCC - Philippines

SEAFARER’S FRIEND - NEW LOCATION
On May 14^th, Seafarer’s Friend located in Boston, Massachusetts, left the building they occupied for 25 years and moved to a waterfront location.  For the first time in over 150 years, the Boston Seaman’s Friend Society will no longer be in the business of housing transient sailors.

The former Church Street location no longer promoted the mission ministry of Seafarer’s Friend. Most ships calling in US ports fly a foreign flag and are crewed by seafarers from various parts of the world.  Due to improvements in cargo loading/unloading technologies, ships are in port for much shorter periods of time.  Often, seafarers spend only a few hours ashore.  The need for housing has declined, while the need for onboard ministry has increased.  A location supporting the waterfront services/ministries was needed for the mission to serve seafarer’s in today’s world.

Seafarer’s Friend has a new location on the working waterfront:

22 Drydock Avenue, Room 303
Boston, MA 02210

Telephone:
(617) 426-1665

Seafarer’s new location provides direct access to passenger, and container ships across the channel.  The new office is just minutes away from the Ted Williams Tunnel eliminating travel through the heavy traffic in downtown Boston.

The move to this new location will increase the mission’s visibility within the maritime communities on the waterfront.

Contact Ruth Mahnke at the NA office if your congregation, women’s, Sunday School or youth group is interested in obtaining directions for hands-on projects that will benefit those served by Seafarer’s Friend.

Ruth:  1-800-262-1620
Email:  rmahnke@naccc.org

TRAVANCORE (INDIA) YOUTH PROGRAMS
The Travancore Church Council located in South India oversees a variety of programs for children and youth. 

·        The mission located in South India operates two schools in rural areas where Christians as well as non-Christians attend classes.  The school buildings were built with funds donated through the Missionary Society.  Traditionally, girls are not allowed to attend school after the 5^th grade.  However, the Travancore Council supports education programs through middle school. 

·        Travancore operates 12 Christian day care centers for the families of low-income farm and plantation workers. 

·        5,000 children from 50 member churches of the Church Council attend Sunday School each year.  A common curriculum is prepared for use in the churches.  Youth in the junior levels study, “The Life of Christ.”  Intermediate and senior students study, “Church History from the 1^st through the 17^th Centuries.”  

·        The Christian Youth Welfare Association holds quarterly retreats for youth to prepare them for future leadership in the churches.  Attendance averages at 500 persons. Speakers are laypersons who are directly involved in youth ministry.

·        The mission supports 5 sewing machine schools at various centers that train young girls in fabric cutting and sewing skills.  Unemployment is a major problem in India.  After completion of the sewing courses, students are encouraged to purchase a sewing machine of their own so that they can produce clothing for sale and create an income to support themselves.

Your prayerful and financial support of the Travancore Church Council would be appreciated.  Donations designated for this mission should be forwarded to the Missionary Society at the NACCC Office.