Four New Buildings at MRTC Dedicated to the Lord

Above, two of the new dormitory buildings at the
Malungon Retreat and Training Center, and below,
the new meeting hall. 

Board and corporate members of the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) Group of Ministries, local government officials, Sarangani businessmen and pastors, former Visions of Hope-sponsored children, members of the B’laan community, and construction workers who helped build the facilities gathered on December 12, 2014 for the dedication of the Malungon Retreat and Training Center (MRTC) grounds and four new buildings on the property. 

In a colorful and moving event, beneficiaries of Malungon-based CCT projects and services spoke of how their lives were changed by the Lord, and construction workers told of life transformation through song.  

CCT has been ministering to the B'laan community in Malungon since 2002 through such programs and services as microfinance, children's education, livelihood training, evangelism and discipleship, and savings mobilization after it acquired 72 heavily wooded hectares of land in Sitio Lao, Barangay Nagpan, Malungon, Sarangani. Former street dwellers being ministered to by CCT's Kaibigan Ministry in Manila were brought to Malungon in 2011 to help construct a multi-purpose bamboo building, the first major building on the property. The two-story bamboo building houses a clinic, offices, and a worship hall. In April 2013, work was begun on what was to become the Malungon Retreat and Training Center. It opened in April 2014 with two dormitory buildings and a dining hall. 

MRTC is a lovely and serene setting for such activities as mission conferences, youth camps, couples' retreats and other ministry events, as well as weddings. The new buildings are three dormitories and a meeting hall.

For booking information please get in touch with Lalaine Naquita at 09258846711 or lalaine.naquita@cct.org.ph, or with Pastor Flor Soler at 09154617250 or astelflor_awp@yahoo.com.

Left to right: CCT  Corporate Member Dick Ang, 
Sarangani Governor Steve Solon, CCT Malungon
Peer Servant Lalaine Naquita,  GenSan businessman
Jan Ced, and  Architect Daniel Lim. 

CCT staff Sarah Sobrino reads the
history of the Malungon Retreat and Training
Center and tells of  changed lives among the B'laans
ministered to. Changes include  "lots 
purchased, houses built, children
 educated, and food on the table everyday."

Members of the Brigada Bata, a program of the
Visions of Hope Christian School, bring in the
colors. 

Here and in next photo:
Guests are led in praise and worship by CCT's
GenSan worship team and B'laan dancers.

Businessman Jan Ced  who
is also chairman of the CCT 
GenSan and Sarangani Regional Board  
 welcomes  guests.

The CCT GenSan Choir, led by Jun Gregorio, sings
"He Was There All the Time."

Guest speaker John Gaisano, chairman of the board of
the Davao Chamber of Commerce and chairman
of the CCT Davao Regional Board, says
MRTC is a place where God will be honored and
worshiped. 

Pastor Nerie Jomento, receives a plaque
of appreciation.  As the first worker
assigned to the Malungon property back 
in 2002, he
courageously spread God's Word
amid hostile actions of residents opposing
CCT's presence. 

Workers of the Kaibigang Maasahan Multi-purpose
Cooperative Construction Services unit sing
"Ako'y Isang Dakot ng Kanyang Himala."

Speaking on behalf of other
 Visions of Hope-sponsored children,
Gemma Almarai tearfully expresses gratitude to
parents, VOH staff, and sponsors. She said
 VOH-sponsored children now include licensed
teachers, an engineer, licensed policemen,
computer programmers, electricians,
 an agriculturist and a pharmacy graduate scheduled 
to take the board exam soon. Gemma
is a teacher at the VOH Residential School in 
Malungon which has students from 
the B'laan and Tagakaolo tribes. 

VOH scholars and parents sing the hymn
 "Standing on the Promises of God" in both
the B'laan language and English.

Ruth Callanta, CCT founder and
president, says the MRTC is to
be a blessing to indigenous people. 

An elderly member of the B'laan
community tunes his faglong, a
two-stringed traditional instrument. 

Photos courtesy of Carol Ruth Tigdo 

Malungon Retreat and Training Center Dedicated to God in Colorful Ceremony

The Malungon Retreat and Training Center is now open!

Members of the B’laan community, construction workers, local government representatives, and Sarangani pastors and businessmen joined CCT management and staff in a colorful and heartwarming ceremony dedicating Mindanao’s newest retreat venue to the Lord. 

The retreat center, located about half an hour from General Santos City, is on a 72-hectare piece of property owned and managed by the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries in Sitio Lao, Brgy. Nagpan, Malungon, Sarangani.

Already built are two six-bedroom dormitory buildings and a dining hall.  Architect Cris Celeste of the General Santos and Sarangani Local Advisory Council said that still in the works are more dormitory buildings, camping and team building facilities and a zipline. 

In one of the dedication prayers those attending the ceremony prayed,  "Bless, O Lord, all the ministries and services that will be housed in this place.  Enable the training and retreats conducted here to produce humble hearts, keen minds, and skillful hands.  Cause all those who visit this place to experience Your gentle loving care.  May You inculcate love in the hearts of all those who will serve, use them to bless those whom You will draw to this place.  Make this place display the wonders of your creation.  Cause the plants and the trees to grow, flowers to blossom, fruits and crops to ripen in their seasons.  May those who tend to this place enjoy the works of their hands."

Ruth Callanta, CCT president, acknowledged microfinance community partners, Visions of Hope-sponsored children and other members of the B'laan community who were part of the vision of and prayed for a community center dedicated to the B'laan tribe. She also acknowledged the important role played by the construction team led by Engr. Jun Diaz and Zaldy Lugay, head of Kaibigang Maaasahan Multipurpose Cooperative Construction Services, in making this vision happen. The team is composed of skilled workers who are transformed street dwellers initially ministered to in Manila by the Kaibigan Ministry of CCT, alumni of the Training and Development Institute in Magdalena, Laguna, and laborers from the surrounding B'laan community. 

Lalaine Naquita, community center coordinator, said "We pray that God will make this place a blessing to churches, schools, government organizations and other groups in  General Santos, Sarangani, the rest of the SOCCSKSargen region, and all of Mindanao.”

For more information about MRTC facilities, please get in touch with Lalaine Naquita at 09258846711, lalaine.naquita@cct.org.ph, or with Pastora Flor Soler at 09154617250, astelflor_awp@yahoo.com.

 

Members of the Brigada Bata (Children's Brigade) of Malungon Visions of Hope Christian School carry the
Philippine flag and CCT flags to the stage at the beginning of the dedication service. 

Marifi Sayon sings the introit, Dakilang Katapatan.

The GenSan praise and worship team (above) and
B'laan staff and community partners (below) lead the
guests in worshiping  the Lord through songs and native dance.

Architect Chris Celeste speaks of his joy at seeing a dream for a 
retreat center in Sarangani fulfilled. He said that part
 of the property development plan involves 
sports facilities and a prayer mountain.

 

B'laan community partners in CCT's micro finance program
and kitchen and housekeeping staff  perform a traditional B'laan dance.. 

Pastor Ed Tuazon preaches a message on Jesus and the miraculous catch of
 fish in John 21. He said,  "Success is not dependent on expertise, experience,
equipment, or imagination but on dependence on God." 

The CCT GenSan Choir sings Your Grace Still Amazes Me

Here and below: construction workers composed of B'laan men, former Manila street dwellers,
and graduates of the CCT Training and Development Institute in Laguna. 

CCT President Ruth Callanta speaks of a long-held vision for a 
retreat venue in Malungon  finally coming true in God's right time. 

Daisy Dosado, OIC  regional peer servant,
and Pastor Jun Castillo cut the ribbon
at one of the dormitory buildings.

Dr. Mian Tan (left) and Dr. Russell Gonzales of the VOH health team
cut the ribbon at the kitchen and dining hall. Also in photo are Pastor
Peter Ligaya (2nd from left) and Dr. John Tabije (2nd from left).

Part of the sumptuous lunch served by
Chef Harlequin Boloron and crew.

Photos:  Harold Dacis, Jasmin Servito, Edna Panuncio,
Noelyn Bayno, Anter Sapnu, Myra Gaculais del Rosario