Aliya C update
Hi Family + Friends,
Hope you guys are doing well! Here's what the last couple of months have looked like. Enjoy the read!
In this update you will find:
- Local Ministry here in Perth ️
- Malaysia Outreach
- What's Coming up
Click here to access my newsletter: Journey 03
Here is a video recap of our time in malaysia: Video recap
Ways to Give:
- Tax deduction:Equipnet link
- Venmo:@Aliya-Calderon
- Bank details: Send me a message and I can send you bank details.
I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to send me a message!
With much love,
Aliya Calderon
Sierra Leone… Lion Mountains
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. - Henry David Thoreau
Preparing to land in Sierra Leone, you see a lush landscape, marshes, and beautiful vibrant communities of tin roofs that welcome its visitors from the sky to the “Lion Mountains.” Lion Mountains is the meaning of Sierra Leone, given by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra. One story describes de Sintra saying that he heard roaring lions in the mountains approaching Sierra Leone’s coast-now, Freetown, and immediately named it. The rich scenic tapestry only begins to tell the story of “Salone” identified by its residents, and you soon recognize it is a place where lions are found in the mountains.
As we exited the plane onto the tarmac, this was the realization of a prophecy three years in the making. Through prayers, fasting, correspondences, delays, and itinerary changes, God opened the door to Sierra Leone with a fervency to share His heart. The airport greeted us with the pulse of Leoneans. They are people with tenaciousness and perseverance, a prelude to the climate of the overall region. The desire and prevalence for something greater than them were evident.
The morning after our arrival, as we packed to travel to Freetown, two men amputees of the Civil War stood patiently waiting behind our vehicle for an introduction. That’s what I mean by tenaciousness. They had no idea who we were, but they received an introduction and prayer, and they asked for nothing more. Sometimes we have to wait, even when we don’t know exactly what we are waiting for.
Our “open door” to Salone was initiated with an invitation by Pastor Victor Babatunde Harding to participate in Royal Kingdoms Ministries 2021 Divine Speed Conference. Pastor Victor is an evangelist at heart and has spent most of his time witnessing the Good News. Through correspondents, he learned our hearts for the Gospel message to be released to the Leonean people. This conference offered teachings/preachings, prophetic words, healings, deliverance, and God’s undeniable love during our ministry time. We witnessed those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness receive their fill. There were times when the presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable. You wanted the moment to stand still, for you knew you were drinking of the well that never runs dry. It was for all of us. On the mountain, God wanted his vastness to be known. He is an unchangeable God who specializes in changing the impossible.
We would also have an opportunity to fellowship with one of our own Liberty church plants-Jubilee Sierra Leone. Under the pastorship of Jeremiah Nathaniel, Jubilee Sierra Leone is constructing a church and school in a primarily Islamic community. Formerly Islamic, Pastor Jeremiah’s heart is to reach the souls in the community with the love of Christ richly dwelling in him. He is so determined; services are conducted as piles of red clay dirt rest at the back of the church. God is faithful to finish what He starts. Pastor Jeremiah also has desires to build a church and health clinic in the Lungi area.
God topped off this beautiful mountain experience with an impromptu invitation to visit Samaria Mission Church under the leadership of Bishop Yusef Bangura. His servant’s heart is evident in his desires for Sierra Leone. Bishop Yusef is dedicated to supporting pastors, including those living in the most remote areas of Sierra Leone. He shared the story of one pastor who walks seven miles to his church to share the Good News.
This is the gift of missionary work to share and partner in revealing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, surrendering your hands/feet/hearts to God as his instruments of mercy, grace, hope, encouragement, correction, truth, authenticity, faith, and the greatest of these-love.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news of peace and salvation….” Isaiah 52:7
Although we spent most of our time in the physical building, God created and set “divine appointments” on the beaches, restaurants, hotel lobbies, hallways, and even sidewalks.
The Lion Mountains is a place constructing and deconstructing mountainous ranges. Those we partner with hope to create a place where the Lion of the tribe of Judah roars the loudest and mining the mountains produce treasures unseen. With a yes, God can and does exceedingly and abundantly beyond all we can ask or think…Eph 3:20
- Written By Dreama Cole
Finishing Strong in 2020
Delight in the resourcefulness of a little, dignity in suffering, joyful in endurance; it comes from the midst of our adversity that produces a testimony of the power and strength beyond human capability. It is through these things that we are refined; and by the mercies and faithfulness of our God that ushered us through and will do it over again. I so believe.
The year 2020 came with much challenges around the world; and so as in our local community in Samar Philippines. Yet the faithfulness of God remained. His marvelous works continued to be evident in the midst of all the challenges. His provisions overflow. His protection keeps us safe and secure. His favors open new doors of hope. The little He makes plentiful.
We are ever grateful and thankful of the Lord our God for His mercies and compassion for His love endures forever!
What else is there that which we can’t overcome in Jesus Christ? So Lord help us! Help your people oh God near and far; with what is to come! For you alone know our tomorrow. Shield your children oh God by your love and Grace.
We are every thankful and grateful for Liberty Church family, for their continued support to us and ZLC ministries. God bless you all.
Written by: Audie and Elizabeth Southerland - Liberty Sent Missionaries to the Philippines
Below are pictures from their Christmas events; food, clothing and cleaning supplies were distributed to many communities.
Missions Update December 2020
FLOURISHING During Covid in the Philippines
Cure Foundation Update
FLOURISHING During Covid
Greetings from Cebu!
We hope and pray that each of you is safe and well as your read this update. For us here at Rancho ni Cristo, it has been a season of challenge, stretching, and growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us many things, and we have certainly learned a lot through our time in quarantine. One thing that we can say with confidence is that through it all, God has been faithful. We are so grateful for the partnership that we have with Liberty Church. Your support has been a lifeline that has allowed us to weather the storm that this pandemic has brought.
Thanks to your faithful support, we have been able to provide restorative care to 33 girls – 2 of whom were referred to us in the middle of the lockdown last May. We are also expecting 3 more within the next month.
Here’s an overview of what we’ve done over the past few months:
Spiritual Care
In April, we celebrated the Resurrection Sunday in a special way. We divided the girls up into groups, and they re-enacted the Resurrection story in our local language. They studied the scriptures, made their own costumes and props, and even painted backdrops. It was a busy week of preparation. We also held Communion for the first time in our church service here at Rancho.
We started small group bible studies for the girls, using the Alpha Course as a jumping off point. The girls enjoyed the videos and discussion questions, and many were able to overcome their fear of sharing their opinions. The highlight of the 12-session course was the Holy Spirit ministry weekend. During this weekend, we taught on the person of the Holy Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit, and the change that He brings in our lives. We had powerful worship, and many of them asked for prayer to be filled with His presence. Since then, several of them have had breakthroughs in overcoming fear, anger, and frustration.
One of our recent adjustments was to convert our Wednesday night prayer into a worship and soaking night. We teach about the importance of sitting at Jesus’ feet and just being with Him – taking time to listen to His heart and letting Him minister to us, rather than just presenting our prayer requests to Him. During these times, we also taught the little ones to ask God for visions and pictures – revelations of who He is and how much He loves them. We now have a growing gallery of drawings of angels and homes in Heaven. The older ones have told us that they feel relieved after spending time just meditating on the Word and worshipping.
Psycho-social Care
Because both of our Social Workers were on-site, they were able to take a group of girls through a 12-week course in Game-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is a program that uses structured games to help girls share their experiences, teach coping skills, and give them a safe space to express themselves. At the culminating activity, several of them shared that they were thankful for this experience because it showed them that they were not alone, and that their stories can be used as a testimony of God’s healing and forgiveness.
Because our girls have not been able to have their regular monthly visits with their families, we have implemented video calls instead. This has helped ease the feelings of separation and homesickness.
Educational/Recreational
While the opening of schools nationwide was delayed (from June to October) due to the pandemic, we simply kept on going. Because our school curriculum is already module-based, we were uniquely prepared to continue the girls’ schooling with minimal interruptions.
We were able to proctor their year-end exams in May, and are happy to report that one of our girls completed Junior High School! This student is the recipient of the first-ever Joseph B. DiSarno Scholarship Award – covering the tuition fees for her Senior High School. She is now enrolled in an international school and attending a mix of online and modular classes.
During school breaks, we had Water Olympics, Master Chef, crafts, puzzles and many other fun activities. They even learned how to use a sewing machine to make masks and make cleaning rags out of scraps of cloth.
Campus Development
We cleared the lower field of our property to prepare the ground for planting, and also cleaned and rehabilitated our fishpond. We are proud to say that the tilapia that we stocked are almost ready to eat! Our garden is now a small farm – producing fresh eggs, ducks, corn, papaya, bananas, squash, okra, eggplant, and many more. It’s still not enough to provide for all of our consumption, but it has helped to reduce the amount of money we spend on food every month.
We have a new Reflection Hut – built entirely out of bamboo from our property – where the girls like to sing Karaoke and have their bible studies.
The kitchen building is finished, and the library/clinic is nearing completion. We are also building a guardhouse and laundry shed. These projects will complete the government requirements for the campus.
Other
With the arrival of our new clients, we have had to hire additional staff and open our 6th cottage. We hired 2 houseparents and 2 teachers in September. All four have now been trained in Trauma Informed Care. Next month, we will hire 2 security guards to provide 24/7 coverage. This will complete the staffing requirements for our DSWD Accreditation.
It has been a challenging year, but thanks to YOU – we have been able to continue the work of rescuing and restoring lives. Thank you for enabling us. Thank you for helping us to set them FREE!
Jolene Van Oost
“One thing that we can say with confidence is that through it all, God has been faithful”.
