A Partnership of HOPE with Rancho ni Kristo (Cebu, Philippines)

After the Covid lockdowns of 2020-2021, I (Paul) was eager to reset and make fresh connections in Missions on behalf of Alabaster Church, the church I pastor. A friend encouraged me to connect with Bart and Jinky Van Oost, the Executive Directors of CURE Foundation Philippines, and particularly their work with girls who have been rescued from OSEC (online sexual exploitation of children). CURE runs "Rancho ni Kristo” — a Christ-centered residential aftercare program that provides for these rescued girls the basic needs that they need, as well as counselling, therapy, restoration, and empowerment.

To say that I love Rancho and I’m a big fan of what Bart and Jinky do is an understatement!

I fell in love with Rancho the moment I visited the place in August 2022 where I heard the hearts of Bart and Jinky and met the girls firsthand. Since then, we have served CURE by sending a short-term missions team from Alabaster Church to run a Youth Camp for all the girls and staff at Rancho. So far, we have completed 3 annual Youth Camps with Rancho since November 2022, and it gets better every year! To somehow play a small part in the restoration and empowerment of the girls — survivors of OSEC — is truly our honour and privilege. Rancho has become more than just a place we minister at; they have become family.