How P20 Grew To Millions
When You Give To God, He Blesses You So You Can Give Even More!
By: Bo Sanchez
It all started with P20.
In 1979, Rey Ortega was having breakfast with 4 friends.
While reading the newspaper, his eye caught an article about 200,000 out-of-school streetkids in Metro Manila.
The figure blew his mind. He couldn’t believe it. 200,000 kids on the streets?
He told his 4 friends about it and pulled out his wallet. “Look, I have an extra P20 here. We may not be able to help 200,000 streetkids, but if we chip in, we can send at least one of these kids back to school.”
Immediately, his friends agreed. And together, they marched to Tipas elementary school in Taguig, Rizal.They talked to the Principal and asked, “Do you know of a student graduating from Grade 6 who can’t go on to High School because of poverty?”The Principal said yes. “Her name is Rodora Lopez.”
So Rey sent Rodora to school.
The following year, he sent another one.
The year after that, he sent another.
And he has not stopped ever since.
Today, Rey has produced 54 college graduates. They are CPA’s, cum laude’s from UP, and top 10 board placers.
He has sent 5 poor kids to school from families devastated by Mt. Pinatubo.
And 8 poor kids from families crushed by flash floods in Infanta.
And 7 kids from blind families in Antipolo.
And 5 poor young seminarians want to be priests.
As if this wasn’t enough, Rey began an orphanage last year.
He didn’t want these kids roaming in the streets. He wanted to give them a home. So he and his wife opened their own home to 10 orphans! Thankfully, they now have a separate house for the orphanage. They now care for 19 orphans.
It hasn’t been an easy path. In its previous location, his orphanage was in a subdivision. But 88 Homeowners in that subdivision signed a 3-page “rejection” letter, refusing to have an orphanage in their village. The news crushed him. But Rey prayed for another place that would welcome God’s little children. Recently, he found another place—very near our FEAST in Pasig. Very soon, the kids can walk to the FEAST every Sunday for our children’s ministry. It was a great blessing in disguise.
For a long time, Rey was running a one-man show. Being a businessman, he had the money to fund his work for God. Just last year, from his own pocket alone, he spent more than a half a million pesos for his orphanage and his scholars.
So you can imagine, from his first P20 in 1979, he has now given millions away. (Not to mention his sweat, blood, and tears.) But that’s how God has prospered Rey’s own business since 1979. Yes, God provides for his work.I believe that this is the purpose of wealth.God will enrich us so that we can give more.When you give, He will prosper the work of your hands.
Rey’s friends have not stopped helping him either. With much patience, he knocked on doors, called up friends, and wrote many letters. Last year, they were able to raise P830,000 for his scholars.But today, the children’s needs have grown far beyond what Rey or his friends can fund themselves.
So I’ve partnered with Rey. He is now a member of my community, the Light of Jesus. We have made him in charge of our own scholarship program. And we’ve adapted his work as our own. KerygmaFamily.com will provide funds for both the scholarship program and the orphanage.Rey is a very special man.His passion, his courage, and his love for the poor blesses me so much. So the list of our work for the poor is growing, and I’m very happy.
Here they are:
Anawim, our home for the elderly. We care for 60 abandoned elderly in Montalban, Rizal. We provide shelter, food, medical care, and Christian love to those who have been forgotten by their families and society.
He Cares, our ministry for streetkids. Founded by my friend Jodean Sola, he sends 230 streetkids to school, feeds 600 streetkids each week, oversees a relocation housing project for 120 families, and a micro-lending livelihood program for 130 mothers of streetkids. (I’ve been working with Jodean for the past 20 years now, and I’ve always been inspired by this big-hearted man. I’ll write about him next time.)
ALAY, Rey Ortega’s scholarship program for 49 children, and Tahanan ng Pagmamahal orphanage of 19 children.
Gawad Kalinga Village in Montalban, Rizal—120 homes.
My community also does regular Prison Ministry in the women’s correctional here in Mandaluyong.
Everything big can start with P20.
Because as we give the little we have, God will bless us abundantly.I want you to pray if God wants you to help us help others.
As Rey Ortega says, you don’t have to help 200,000 streetkids.
You just need to help one child…
May your dreams come true,
James Parmis Ministries - http://www.JamesParmis.com
0 Comments