Pioneer Christian Monthly - October, 1997

A Better Life In The Philippines
Marti Van Hoeve & Tomolynn Torrance

Life in the Philippines is difficult. It is a poor country with social inequity and corruption. There exists a wide gap between the rich and the poor, inherited from the plantation economy that placed wealth solely in the hands of the landowners. There is little hope of changing things without outside help. For the area surrounding Manila, hope can be found in the committed and caring hearts and lives of people like La Donna and Dan De Vries.

The De Vries are missionaries from the Reformed Church of America. They are fully supported by the RCA, but they work under the direction of The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. The C.R.W.R.C operates in 30 countries worldwide, and can be found in some of the world's most troubled areas. Its community development programs bring hope to families in villages, towns, and urban centres in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

When La Donna and Dan Do Vries first arrived in the Philippines in 1986, their work was primarily to organize local Christian Service Groups.(C.S.G.) The function of these groups focused on meeting the spiritual and physical needs of the communities. These goals were achieved by working in conjunction with community leaders to offer workshops in nutrition, maternal health, child care, budgeting, and accounting. C.S.G. also offered help in establishing income generating projects by providing community groups with low cost loans. Traditional bank loans carry high interest rates and are normally out of reach to most communities.

La Donna has been able to fully utilize her nursing skills in this missionary calling. She has acted as the health coordinator for all C.R.W.R.C. programs. She has organized training workshops in health education for local workers. She has also written and edited health manuals to be used to instruct local mothers and to inform community health leaders about various health topics.

Dan is an agricultural expert, and he has been able to help make monumental changes here. The C.R.W.R.C. agricultural programs have provided improved methods of crop management and innovative irrigation systems. Through these programs, communities have seen marked improvement in productivity. At one time, crops such as corn, rice, or other vegetables would only yield one to two crops per year. Now these crops can be harvested three to four times in a year.

The De Vries have also been instrumental in setting up Christian Service Groups. Local leaders of C.S.G.'s serve as examples to the rest of the community. Neighbours witness the changes brought about by these leaders. They also see the caring spirit that accompanies the practical service. When the group is able to function well alone, the C.S.G. developers move on to another community in need of aid and begin the process again.

The De Vries have seen the focus of their work change over the years. They now consult directly with the organizations within the Christian Service Groups Association. Dan feels that this will be his last year in the Philippines. A national board, Kabalikay, has been set up to take over the community development work that the C.R.W.R.C. has been doing. Don will be working closely with this national community development board to assist and ease the transition.

Earlier this year, Marti Van Hoeve, a resident of Waterdown, Ontario, found herself on a six hour lay over at the airport in Manila. Marti was on her return trip home to Canada after serving as a volunteer worker on a project sponsored by Medical Missions International. She is a member of First Reformed Church in Hamilton, Ontario. This church, along with the Reformed Church in Wainfleet, Ontario, help to sponsor La Donna and Dan De Vries in their work in the Philippines. She called them from the airport, and they made the hour long drive to pick her up. They took Marti to a church service in Manila and then took her to their home for dinner. Over dinner, La Donna, Dan, and their three daughters, Sarah Joy, Anna Lynn, and Leah Danielle, shared a lot of information about their work in the Philippines. Their stories, related experiences, and photographs form the basis for this article. After dinner, the girls presented Marti with handmade gifts. Marti was then driven back to the airport in time for her flight home.

Life in the Philippines is still difficult. Social and political unrest is a daily concern. Corruption, ignorance, and poverty are the enemies that the majority of the population do constant battle with. However, hope for change is strong because organizations such as the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee have developed and implemented, with God's guidance, programs to affect that change. Individuals like La Donna and Dan De Vries have been the instruments to bring about that change. They have offered their knowledge and practical experience, as well as their faith in God's power over their lives. Change and a better life has been the result for the many people in the Philippines whom they have touched.

Marti Van Hoeve is a medical volunteer with Medical Missions International and a member of First Reformed Church (Hamilton, Ont.). Tomolynn Torrance is a freelance writer and a number of Grace Community Church (Thorold, Ont.). Both Marti and Tomolynn participate on the Editorial Committee of The Pioneer.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.