In keeping with Christ’s example of a holistic ministry where spiritual, physical, and material needs of people are met, DCBC leaders have decided to explore the possibility of a livelihood program for the Tagalog service brethren. The goal is to help our brethren be more financially capable, so they may care for their families better, and serve God better.

Last June 17, the church took the first step towards establishing such a program. A demonstration on how to make dishwashing and handwashing liquid, fabric softener, and powder detergent was held at the Bonsai Garden at 10 AM right after the regular Saturday prayer meeting. With around 17 Tagalog service attendees joining, the demonstration was given by Mrs. Magdalena Basto, an aunt of DCBC member Dan Edillon. Tita Dalen, as Dan fondly calls her, is a pastor’s wife and serves with her husband at the Touch Community Baptist Church in Brookside, Cainta. She has made it her ministry to help other churches and train their members to start their own livelihood projects.

Tita Dalen made sure no time was wasted for the next two hours. She brought out the necessary ingredients for her first demonstration. Plastic containers, wooden ladles, measuring cups, and funnels were all set in place. Dishwashing liquid was first in line because the solution had to be left to settle for an hour or so after mixture. Water, dishwashing granules, iodized salt, bubble enhancers, and the rest of the ingredients were put together in two big pails. The same ingredients were used for handwashing liquid except for the anti-sebo which was not necessary.

While the dishwashing mixture was set aside to dissolve for sometime, Tita Dalen proceeded to demonstrate the making of powder detergent. This was the easiest to make because all that had to be done was to mix all the ingredients on the list. Several volunteers from the group took turns mixing by hand, and protective masks had to be worn to keep them from inhaling the dust from the powder mixture.

The fabric conditioner demo followed, and this time hot water was needed for the process. As soon as the water cooled, the ingredients were poured into it and stirred gently until completely dissolved.

Soon it was time to get back to the dishwashing liquid. Again, volunteers were called in to help mix the two big pails of the solution. Able-bodied men like Dan E., Glen I., Vic M., and Joey G. willingly put their muscles to use as they were instructed to stir the thick mixture with wooden ladles in a single direction. They had to take turns as the stirring took around 30 minutes.

In the meantime, Tita Dalen was ready with yet another demonstration while waiting for the mixing to be done. On the side, she showed how to make a decorative vase made of recycled bottle and lace cloth.

When the soap-making process was completed, everybody took out their plastic containers to take home their share of the liquid items. It was obvious that everybody was excited to start the project and Elder Jess Espina, who dropped by in the middle of the session, promised to organize the group who will spearhead the livelihood project.

Currently, the project is underway and the church has tapped its very own member, Leah Girao, to take the helm in the project as she fits the role to a tee. A chemical engineer by profession, Leah’s experience includes work with companies manufacturing lotions, handwash, and scents. She also has experience in small business, having come up with her own perfume line. This same business won as one of the ten outstanding best business plans awarded by UP’s Institute of Small Scale Industries (ISSI) and the Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation (SERDEF) last June 30, 2006. Leah is now in the process of testing the ingredients to make sure they are safe and environment-friendly.

Let us pray that the livelihood project may indeed materialize and make a big impact in the lives of our brethren in the Tagalog service. May it be the first of a full-scale program of mini-seminars and projects. May it also encourage us to continue in our efforts to help the community through evangelism and social concern.

Editor’s note: DCBC hopes to sponsor other training seminars and livelihood projects in the near future as these become viable. Deaconess Ate Flor Ignacio has suggested the conduct of a similar seminar, or seminars, to help professionalize food-catering among the Tagalog service ladies already engaged in this income-augmenting activity.)