Greetings from the Balikatan Board! I’m writing this letter to inform you of a special fund-raising event known as PROJECT 11/9 in which we’re asking Balikatan members and friends to donate their day’s salary on November 9, 2009 to IVCF Philippines. Why 11/9? For various reasons: 1) November is Thanksgiving month, 2) November is a good time to catch up on our year end’s tax-deductible donations and IVCF’s needs, and 3) 11/9 is a play-with-numbers, positive way to change the negative connotation of 9/11.

During the last conference in Grand Rapids, IVCF Philippines representative Edwin Erni encouraged Balikatan to give $192,000 yearly donation to IVCF Philippines, the equivalent of its 70% annual budget. Per Erickson Velardo’s recent report, Balikatan’s school year 2008-2009 total donation was around $140,000, which was contributed by a monthly average of 32 individuals, one church, and three groups (Ugnayan in New York, IV CARES Chicago, and Kabalikat sa Ontario). The donations were sent through Balikatan, MEANS, and local chapters.

Where did our money go? As of the end of school year 2008-2009, IVCF has 123 campus chapters, with 1,214 old members and 1,024 newly recruited members. 7699 students heard the gospel, 1215 became Christians, 1024 became new members, 908 trained in evangelism, 1143 were discipled, 607 trained in missions, and 1292 trained in leadership. Isn’t our God an awesome God saving students, discipling them, and training them in evangelism and missions in the same way He used IVCF to help us in our student days?

Yes, Balikatan is good, actually very good. However, Balikatan can be great. Quoting from Jim Collins’ book on Good to Great: “Good is the enemy of great. And that is the key reason why we have so little that becomes great. Few attain great lives because it is so easy to settle for a good life.” Look up the figures above and see how God has used 32 individuals and 3 groups a month to provide for IVCF ministry. Imagine if 32 more individuals or 3 more groups out of Balikatan’s 100 official members and several local chapters gave regularly to IVCF. Then our great God will accomplish even greater things

PROJECT 11/9 is a one-time event to work and give. In the next few weeks, you will hear more details from us. Please open your hearts to working and giving on 11/9. By the way, an IVCF staff member receives $400 for their month’s work. For some of us, it may just be a few hours or a few days’ worth of work. You may send your donation to Balikatan, MEANS, or your local chapter, and write PROJECT 11/9 on your check.

Finally, let us surround PROJECT 11/9 with prayers. Somebody said that if we can accomplish things without praying, they are not worth accomplishing. Let us pray that our great God will accomplish great things through PROJECT 11/9.

In His service,

Lilia Salazar-Nigro
Special Projects and Fund Development Committee Chair