God gave us a school ministry and the name of the school is Star of Hope Christian School in Taytay, Rizal. The average enrolment every school year is more than 1,500 children. More than 80,000 children studied in this school and more than 15,000 graduated in elementary and high school for the past 25 years.
The school property (6,500 sq. m. +) however is on a usufruct contract with the City of San Juan for 25 years. The contract expired the last year 2014 and it is stipulated that the whole property including the improvements will be reverted to the City of San Juan.
I asked our teachers a few years back if they believe that we can extend our contract to another 25 years, and they answered. “IMPOSSIBLE!” I also asked the parents and they said, “IMPOSSIBLE!!” I turned to the church members and asked the same question and they have the same answer, “IMPOSSIBLE!!!” Oh! My God! That’s TRIPLE IMPOSSIBLE!!!
Prayer was mobilized in the church, BIG TIME!
I visited the Mayor of San Juan City, the Hon. Guia Gomez and prayed with her. Then we talked about what we can do for Baranggay West Crame. She told me that, “You know, Pastor, I really want to help the people in West Crame but the land is so expensive! I smiled and replied, there is a vacant and available lot (740 sq.m.) there and if you want, let us “SWAP” land since our contract with you is about to expire. And she said, let’s do it! IMPOSSIBLE # 1 was solved!
But in order for the mayor to enter into a contract of “LAND SWAP”, she needed the concurrence of the City Councilors (12) by way of a City Council Resolution. After about a year of public hearing and deliberations, the resolution was finally approved unanimously! “IMPOSSIBLE!!” # 2 was solved.
We needed money (millions of pesos) to pay for the Crame property to be swapped with the school property. Lennart Eriksson, Maria Presson, and Ulrika Kallin, the Eriksson Siblings at Star of Hope in Sweden worked very hard and relentlessly to raise this much-needed funds.
Finally, a generous Family donated the money to help pay for the Crame property. “IMPOSSIBLE" was solved.
We did not only retain possession but GOD gave us OWNERSHIP!!! Of the school property. Praise His Holy name! Hallelujah! Our GOD is AWESOME!
Gani Coruna - Star of Hope Philippines