Sending Donations

Beginning in 1988, the formulation of an international church planting outreach in the Philippines was becoming established. After two years of prayerful planning, the first site visit was made in 1990. Four more visits to various locations in the country over the course of the next six years revealed a perfect spot: Davao City.

In February of 1997, Paul and Elvie Barner, of American and Philippine descent, started their first church plant, in Laverna Hills Subdivision, on the outskirts of Davao City, the third greatest city in the Philippines. The first response from neighbors was a cold shoulder. This was a result of the various religions represented by those in the area: Catholic, Buddhist, B'hai, Mormon, etc..

The need of establishing a "point of contact" was evident. After attempting cell groups, Bible Studies, house-to-house evangelism, crusades and tract distribution, we hit paydirt with children's meetings. Each time we planned a VBS, After school Bible Club, or Children's puppet crusade, hundreds of children came and packed out our little house church which meets in a carport. In one instance, 185 children were in chairs, standing, and sitting on a mat on the floor, hearing the gospel. Many even made decisions for Christ at that time.

This great success in reaching the children led to the establishment of a Christian preschool in 1998, and in 2001, after receiving approval for elementary grades from the Government Department of Education, we opened first grade. This has been followed in succeeding years by additional grades, a new one each year. The name of the school is Barner Learning Center.

Besides preschool and elementary grades, a high school and vocational training college are in the plans. Education is a great need in a third world country like the Philippines. Not only does it lift the population out of the dredges of illiteracy and unproductibility, but it also builds the church. In these four years since we began the church planting work in 1997, the church has grown from scratch to 130 each Sunday. Presently, the carport church has outgrown its facilities and has moved to the school campus.

This entire work has been accomplished independently, since most mission groups will not support a biracial couple. Through gifts from family, friends, and churches, this work is flourishing, lives are being mended, and souls are receiving eternal life.

Some of the pressing needs that we have at the present time are as follows:
(For the latest needs, please see the latest newsletter and budget pages)

As you see by this listing, the price ranges vary greatly. Hopefully, one of these pressing needs will fit the design of what you have in mind. Praise God that He supplies all of our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus!

In Jesus,
Paul, Elvie, PJ and Abigail

About sending the materials, although it takes 4-6 months for materials to arrive by surface mail, I think that is the way to go. Otherwise the price is astronomical. A box of books can be sent in an M-Bag from the post office for $30, while to send it first class costs over $300! Videos really are not allowed in M-Bags, so are about 50 cents more per pound, packed in boxes and sent surface mail (parcel post).

About packing, corrugated boxes are perfect. The three boxes of National Geographics which we mailed from Missouri arrived fine. If you want to be sure they are in good condition upon arrival, just line the box with plastic (inside) when you send it. The box goes inside the M-Bag, and the M-bag should have our address both inside (on a piece of paper) and out.

You can put more than one box inside the bag, as long as the total weight of each bag is less than 66 pounds. The separate boxes must be no more than 44 pounds. For the customs forms on the bags, put "Books". For the customs forms on the other items, detail everything that is inside the box, and number how many of each (eg. 3 video tapes, 5 notebooks, 1 candy bar :-)) There is no need to put the price, just leave that blank. You will not need to pay any customs fees. We do that on this end. If the items are "Used", there will usually be no fee. If they are new...well we'll take care of that. For impressions' sake, put the old stuff on top of the box, so the customs agent does not just glance in and think everything inside the box is new.

We now have a box number, and it is fine to use that.

Rev. Paul and Elvie Barner
Barner Learning Center
PO Box 82,224
8000 Davao City,
PHILIPPINES

On the bottom of the customs forms for the boxes, it asks what to do with the box if it is not claimed. ("Sender's Instructions in Case of Non-delivery") Put a check mark next to "Redirect to Address Below", and then write in:

Rev. Paul and Elvie Barner
Barner Learning Center
Ph-1, Bl-6, Lts. 15-20
Laverna Hills, Buhangin
8000 Davao City
PHILIPPINES

Also, do not put anything in the following blanks on the form: Commercial Sample, Documents, Gift, Merchandise, Insured Number, Insured Amount, Insured Value, Postage, Gross Weight, Value, Net Weight, Return to sender, Abandon.

Thank you for your part in reaching the Philippines for Jesus!

"Let the islands rejoice!"

Rev. Paul, Elvie and PJ Barner
BARNER LEARNING CENTER
PO Box 82,224
8000 Davao City, PHILIPPINES
PHONE: (01-63-82) 234-4910 / 234-4000

Support Address:

Christian Aid Mission
P.O. Box 9037
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Please indicate that the donation is for the Barner Learning Center, 801-BLC.

Thanks for your prayers!!

Planning a visit?

The following is a list of suggested immunizations for anyone interested in visiting the Philippines on a short term mission trip, or for whatever reason. The list was from a doctor friend of mine, in Missouri. He was our team leader when we came out through the Rotary in 1994.

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I recommended general immunization for Typhoid Fever, Asiatic Cholera, and to avoid possibility of Hepatitis to get .5 ml of Immune Globulin two weeks prior to departure. Also a booster dose of IPV (inactivated Polio vaccine and begin malaria suppression with mefloquine  --Larium). Drink only bottled water and avoid uncooked food unless thoroughly washed or pealed to avoid aomebic dysentery. Have a supply of any prescription medication with you.