 Cynthia Leppago Sartin was born in Abra
province, Philippines. At eight years, she accepted Christ. She
later studied business administration and accounting in college.
She then lived ten years in Taiwan, working for the Philippine
Embassy while attending Hsin Yih Friendship Presbyterian Church.
In 1974, Cynthia moved to the
United States. Her employment from 1974 to 2003 includes bookkeeper
(Seattle), Women's Director (Montana Rescue Mission), Women's
Director (Bread of Life Missions, Seattle), and Medical Records
Coordinator (Burien).
She attended the Filipino American
Christian  Fellowship,
Grace Conservative Baptist Church, and Church By the Side of
the Road until 2001. Her volunteer work includes board member,
Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group leader, secretary, short-term
missions, Singles Fellowship Board chairperson, fundraiser and
assisted in founding two non-profit groups. In 2001, she helped
establish Heart of God Fellowship.
In July, 2003, she returned to
the Philippines for the first time. Seeing a vision of hope for
the children and families in the Abra region who were without
aid and, in many cases, ignored, Cynthia decided to return home
as a native missionary. The Morning Star H.E.L.P. Program was
launched! Faith-based and non-denominational, Morning Star has
boards both in the Philippines and in the United States, where
it is recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Starting in a bamboo hut in 2004,
Morning Star  supported the health
of families by providing emergency food assistance, feeding programs,
free toothbrushes, de-worming medicines, and family planning
support. Medical Dental Days to remote villages included free
doctors, free dentists, free anesthetics, and free medicines.
Direct assistance to schools included free school supplies.
A Vacation Bible School was held
in a local  village,
Bible studies were started, and evangelical outreach took the
form of one-day evening crusades and children's programs on Medical-Dental
Days. And a tiny baby named Brendan was left with Cynthia to
raise.
In 2005, Morning Star moved into
its headquarters,  a
two-bedroom home and attached 8x8 meter hall. Programs were expanded
to meet growing needs and a wider outreach. Medical-Dental Days
were offered in more villages, as well as at the Morning Star
headquarters. Morning Star received the authority to go to the
government for rice. Young people began to move into the Morning
Star house, to attend local schools, receive food and clothing,
learn to play guitar, and learn responsibility by doing chores.
In response to the growing numbers
of villagers accepting Christ, the Heart of God Fellowship was
started on Sundays. A student intern moved in, not only to help,
but to receive training for ministry. Guitar classes were offered
to teenagers. A pond was dug out in the backyard to raise fish.
By 2006, the two-bedroom home
had swollen to around ten people, including Cynthia's 102-year
old  mother and Brendan,
now two. Due to Morning Star's efforts, a water line was installed
to their neighborhood, bringing year-round water to scores of
homes. Morning Star continued to help neighboring villages by
providing emergency food, clothing, and OTC medicines. A used
clothing shop was opened. Toothbrushes, school supplies, and
more guitar classes were given. A girl's life was saved by Morning
Star's intervention with a doctor. A piggery was started, in
an effort to increase income, and chickens multiplied.
Bible studies were started in
Babarit. The town also received a water line, helping the village
immensely. Vacation Bible Studies continued, a new assistant
pastor joined the church (which was getting close to 100 in size),
and baptisms started taking place at the Abra River. A bamboo
hut was built in back to house extra children. And always, a
hot high-protein meal was given to everyone after church, and
vitamins to children.
In 2007, Morning Star held steady
with about sixteen people, tucked into every available corner.
A new outreach started as a result of two  dying
infants being given to Morning Star, now being nursed back to
health. Outreach events continued at villages, bringing emergency
food (rice, fish, and oil), clothing, and medicines. An apprenticeship
in cell phone repair was supported. A pregnant goat/sow loan
program was started, but was then put on hold until 2008.
Morning Star habitually began
offering OTC medicines after church for coughs and aches. Arriving
computers have enabled students to do research and complete homework.
And, guitar classes and leadership training continued.
Vacation Bible School were held
during May school break, and a Bible Study has begun in a new
town. There were several crusades in the spring. Attendance in
the church peaked at 275-300 - crammed full in the little room
- so the children held Children's Church in the driveway and
bamboo hut. A college student was supported at Bible School in
Manila.
In the Fall of 2007, the tiny
8 x 8 meter meeting hall was expanded to 8 x 17 in size. Also,
three churches came forward to be under the umbrella of Heart
of God Fellowship. In Dalaguisen, Pastor Willie LaTorre brought
his church. In Baay, Pastor Allan Dispo came on board. An in
south Philippines in Mindanao,  Pastor
Wiljean LaTorre decided to join.
In early 2008, the Heart of God
Fellowship was reorganized and solidified. Bible studies, outreach
and discipleship training intensified under the new pastors and
in new villages, both for adults and teens. The Jesus Film arrived
on big screen in the Ilocano language and is being used to show
the story of Jesus from the book of Luke. In the coming months,
training in Faith Gardens (growing vegetables in a 10 x 10 meter
lot) and a pig raising seminar will strengthen the Livelihood
leg of Morning Star. |
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