Lorrie Anderson and Joké Bergink
Working with Precious Jewels Ministry
in the Philippines
Joké Bergink and Lorrie Anderson have been a part of St. Philip's for many years. They were commissioned and sent out from this parish in 1984 and have maintained a deep relationship with the people of St. Philip’s, representing us in the mission field, as we have carried them in our hearts and prayers all through these years.
Joké & Lorrie worked first with abandoned and malnourished children on the garbage dump at Smokey Mountain, outside Manila. The dump was home to several thousand families as people made a living there poking through the refuse to find recyclables. In 1987, the two set up a home in Manila called Precious Jewels.
The Mission has taken root there and grown in an extraordinary way. And as the women have proven their steadfast commitment to that community, local leaders have looked to them for help with a growing number of concerns affecting children there. Lorrie and Joké have been involved in Emergency Relief Feeding Programs, the development of Leadership training, a Day Care Centre, and Hospice Care. God has used the Precious Jewels Ministry team and blessed them to be a great blessing to countless individuals and families. Today more than 20 staff members are employed and many volunteers help out at the clubs, camps and respite care centre.
In recent years the team has responded to an even broader mandate that includes much work with AIDS patients. Now at both a local and national level, PJM is taking the lead in identifying a course of action to develop programs that will support and protect children affected by HIV/AIDS.
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