by Tim and Cleo, Alliance workers serving in the Philippines

Tim: When many think about farming, they imagine generations of agricultural knowledge being passed down from parent to child, a heritage deeply rooted in the soil. But for my wife, Cleo, and me, our farming story began quite differently. The son of Alliance workers, I was raise in Southeast Asia. My childhood was shaped not by farm life but by cross-cultural living and the rhythms of a family dedicated to Christian service and sustained by ministry partners who faithfully supported and prayed for our family. The furrows in my life were not plowed by tractors but by the gospel and the unique opportunities that came from growing up in a missionary household.

In 1986, after completing college, seminary, and some pastoral experience, I accepted a call to the Philippines, not to cultivate fields, but to teach the Bible at Alliance Graduate School. My initial years were marked by classroom instruction and mentoring as I helped young men and women from all over Asia prepare for ministry. Among my students was a bright young woman named Cleo, who had been raised in a farming family. Our shared love for God’s Word, discipleship, and ministry blossomed into a deeper partnership, and in 1991, we were married.

Soon after our marriage, our journey took us far from the Philippines. We spent time in Israel studying and later in the United States. While I pursued graduate studies, Cleo worked to help support our little family of three. The years abroad were valuable, filled with academic growth and cross-cultural encounters that broadened our perspectives. Yet, at the heart of our travels was a growing conviction: we wanted to return to the Philippines—a center for education in Asia—to mentor the next generation of leaders preparing for ministry. So, propelled by the generosity and prayers of so many in the Alliance family, Cleo, our daughter, Raquel, and I returned in 2004.

Ministering to Women in Prison

Cleo: While Tim’s ministry focused mostly on mentoring students, my heart was drawn to a highly critical mission field—women in prison—a passion Tim also picked up on. Just six months after returning, I was invited to speak at the Correctional Institute for Women, a large prison in Manila.

Many of the women there are incarcerated for crimes born of desperation and poverty. Their struggles do not end behind bars; many are mothers whose families—especially their children—suffer immensely from their absence. There, I heard firsthand about the challenges these women and their children face. Can you imagine what the children go through after they are separated from their mothers? Some become victims of abuse and neglect, eating their meals only after their guardian relatives have finished eating—that is, if any leftovers are even on the table. If there aren’t leftovers, these “second-class” members of the house just curl up their thin bodies in a small corner of the relative’s house, clutching their tummies and asking, “Mom, when are you coming home?”

It was a wrenching feeling for me to imagine these children with tears streaming down their faces, wondering when Mom might show up at the door to put an end to the nightmare. The mothers stuck behind bars writhe in agony for their children’s welfare.

In this new ministry venture, I wanted to do more than preach encouragement; I wanted to take it a few steps higher by helping incarcerates women and their families break free from the cycle of poverty and marginalization. Through the generosity and prayers of our Alliance family, Ina-Inakay (“Mother and Fledglings”) Center, Inc. was born on May 11, 2006. As you drive the work of this organization forward, you provide support not only to female inmates but also to their children, offering scholarships to help them stay in school. Education becomes a lifeline—a chance to step away from the shadows of their mothers’ incarceration, and into a brighter, more stable future.

The only jobs some poor Filipinos can land are seasonal, such as rice planting or construction. Take Dona, for example. While she was in prison, you provided scholarship assistance through Inakay to her children Jarmi,* then a first grade, and Lona,* a third grader. Before receiving this assistance, these children would stop at garbage bins of restaurants as they came home from school, scavenging thrown-out food for dinner. Now, because of you, Dona continues to work as Inakay’s main craft artisan. Jarmi finished college and is now working at a company. After high school, Lona decided to work at a major food chain while pursuing a college degree. Another previous scholar is now a member of our staff, assisting admin and programs. Other college graduates you have helped are working in various capacities.

A Gift of Land: Levi’s Vision and Support

Cleo: In 2017, the vision planted in our hearts—and made possible by so many of you—expanded dramatically when Levi,* a generous benefactor we have never met, made a pivotal donation. His sizable gift enabled us to purchase land on which to build a haven for released female inmates. This was not just a plot of soil; it was the seed of something transformative—a place where women could transition back into society, receive mentorship, and rediscover dignity and purpose.

Since then, the 22 acres has grown into a vibrant hub of activity. Tucked into the beautiful hills and mountains of Central Luzon Island, and under ongoing development, the farm contains animals, birds, and crops. It will provide not only a fresh start for women leaving prison but also is currently providing opportunities for the surrounding community. Jobs have been created for locals, especially those in need, who find employment tending the land and supporting farm operations. Scholarships have been extended to poor children in the surrounding villages as well as children of prisoners in the nearby city of Tarlac.

Education, livelihood, and restoration—all of these strands weave together into a fabric of hope that the farm embodies.

Building for the Future

Tim: Although we have never met Levi, we are thankful that the Lord has given him a heart for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. Like others who make our work in the Philippines possible, he glorifies God with every dollar given—for land and scholarships and now to a solar-to-electric plant that offers sustainability for the farm as well as a model of renewable energy for the community.

Additionally, 12 buildings will be constructed on the land. In fact, the first building for residents is already going up. These structures will serve multiple purposes. They will provide transitional housing for women released from prison and enable us to open our doors to the wider community. The facilities will be used for conferences, retreats, and gatherings that encourage learning, collaboration, and spiritual renewal.

These buildings are more than bricks and mortar—they are spaces of healing, empowerment, and fellowship. Yet, the project is far from finished. The vision is to fully outfit these structures with beds and bedding, chairs, tables, educational tools, and materials for proper acoustics for a conference center. Beyond our budget, roads on the property still need further development, and additional water pumps are required to ensure a reliable supply of water as well as an elevated storage tank for dispersion for both farming and residential needs. We welcome many who, like Levi, would like to partner with us in offering hope and healing to people in need.

Restore Dignity and Purpose to Released Female Inmates

When you give to Project Countryside, you support the professional, educational, and spiritual development of needy families desperate for a brighter future. To provide released female inmates and their families with vocational training in agriculture, educational assistance, and opportunities to participate in Bible discussion groups in a safe environment, visit cmalliance.org/projectcountryside. Learn more about other Alliance strategic projects throughout the world in need of your prayers and financial support by accessing the 2025–2026 Strategic Giving Opportunities Gift Catalog at cmalliance.org/gift-catalog or by calling toll-free (866) 443-8262.

*Name changed

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