June 21st
The Pennies Were Already There

Joji pointing out a coffee plant

Lakambini Mapayapa (Joji Pantoja) points to the coffee plant behind the Coffee for Peace sign in the Philippines

Produce was spoiling and people in the city were struggling to find food. The pandemic lockdown halted the transport of fresh vegetables from the mountains of the Philippines into the city.

Lakan Sumulong and Lakambini Mapayapa (Dann and Joji Pantoja), International Witness Workers, shared that night on Zoom with their friends in Leamington, ON their dream of buying a dehydrator. A dehydrator would preserve vegetables, as well as dry coffee beans for future economic stability for PeaceBuilders Community Inc. in the Philippines. 

“Let’s do it!” said the group spurred on by the enthusiasm of Lakan and Lakambini. “Let's see if we can make it happen.”

Lois Konrad, member of Leamington United Mennonite Church, was approached by Canadian Mennonite to share the story. The article, A dehydrator and a dream, written by Charleen Jongejan Harder, was published online on March 24, 2021. 

“I was shocked,” said Lois. “Within two weeks of the article being released, the money was completely raised – over $10,000!” 

 

“The quicker that they have the dehydrator, the quicker they can start dehydrating this excess food that is going to waste."

 

Due to the overwhelming response, Leamington United Mennonite and Mennonite Church Canada have increased the project to include the purchase of a truck to haul those vegetables from the mountains to the dehydrator. The whole project will be just under $40,000. 

joji and coffee leaves“Dann and Joji are so excited,” said Lois. “The quicker that they have the dehydrator, the quicker they can start dehydrating this excess food that is going to waste because they can't use it.”

“The generosity of people across Canada is truly amazing,” said Norm Dyck, MCEC mission minister working with Mennonite Church Canada International Witness. “It’s inspiring to see how people care for our Witness Workers and the ministry around the world.”

"It is by the grace of God that all of this is happening."

 

Leamington United Mennonite is a part of the Mennonite Church Canada Witness Support Network for the work in the Philippines. Their congregation, along with congregations and individuals across Canada, combined their energies with Lankan and Lakambini to raise support and awareness.

“It is by the grace of God that all of this is happening,” says Lois. “We planted the seeds, but we really hadn't done anything to nurture it! Yet, it’s all happening. It truly is God at work.”

 

 

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