The month of July was a time of gratitude for God’s faithfulness in the last 4 years.  It marked the launch of Restore’s Pilot Project in 2018.  Four dedicated clinicians took a bold step to help jump start an unknown organization on Sepulveda Street.  Little did we know that even then God had greater blessings in store.   He enlarged our reach by adding eleven more positions.  He also recently provided a larger office in Banilad that allows for more private therapy sessions.   

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father”.   John 14:12-14 

The end of the Pilot Project meant the beginning of the next phase for Restore, Project Greater Works. It is Restore’s five-year program designed to meet the demand of increasing number of referrals for therapy. This project aims to expand accessible trauma treatment and recovery services to children and families who are in desperate need.  These types of services are scarce in Cebu, and most of the clients do not have the financial means to pay for them.    

In the month of July, the Restore team was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Golden Sands Resort, a blissful beach retreat situated on the north of the island of Cebu, to celebrate the completion of Restore’s Pilot Project and to formally launch Project Greater Works.  Ms. Mae and Atty. Mark del-Mundo and board-member, Dr. Cherry Macalino, joined the team on the three-day retreat.  The breath-taking scenery and the escape to a quiet location fostered a time of reflection and gratitude for God’s goodness and faithfulness, especially during the pandemic and the aftermath of a devastating typhoon.  Our time of fellowship and team building activities strengthened relationships.  We laughed, enjoyed each other’s company, ate and ate some more.   

The retreat reminded us that God began this great work through Restore.  Mornings began with devotionals and time of prayer.  The days were filled with encouragement from the leaders, and staff shared testimonies of God’s work in their lives.  The beautiful time of worship focused our minds and hearts on the One whose love compels us to do the work.  Prayers were lifted for our team, the clients, and you, our partners.         

With refreshed minds, bodies, and spirit, we move forward with Project Greater Works in confident expectation that the God we serve will go above and beyond what we could ask or even imagine. We pray that we will diligently do the work set before us and to not lose sight of the God of Greater Works. For He is able and faithful to sustain in every season!