The Philippines Tricycle

William Carson shares a story from the container ministry of when an unexpected visit led to global connections.

In 2010, Marissa Salting, a Filipino, arrived unannounced at the Container Ministry warehouse in Lurgan. She was the passenger in a small car, shared with an elderly driver and two of the largest suitcases I’ve ever tried to extract from the back seat of a two-door vehicle. 

Before she visited us in Lurgan, Marissa had been living with her sister (a student at Queen’s University). Whilst in Belfast, she had attended Ballynafeigh Methodist Church and she described feeling “really at home” in Ballynafeigh and praised the members for being “so friendly” to her. 

However, God’s plan for Marissa wasn’t for her to stay in East Belfast. He was calling her home to Southeast Asia, to join her husband in ministry at the Beulahland Christian Learning Centre, Nueva Ecija (about three hours north of Manila). The members of Ballynafeigh were determined that Marissa wouldn’t go back to the Philippines empty-handed, and they filled two enormous suitcases with treats for the children who attended the Learning Centre. 

Marissa was taken aback by their generosity, but the sheer size of the cases presented a practical challenge. Despite appealing to her airline for help, it became clear that Marissa wouldn’t be able to carry so much baggage across multiple connecting flights. After some head-scratching, some of her church friends came up with a suggestion: why not ask the Container Ministry for help? 

That’s how Marissa ended up in Lurgan, asking if we could ship her cases to the Philippines. But as she shared her story, and her contagious enthusiasm for the work of the Christian Learning Centre, it became clear that we could do a lot better than just two suitcases.  

Once back in the Philippines, Marissa and her husband discussed ways the Container Ministry might be able to support their work. Together, they drew up a list of items they needed, and we responded by filling a twenty-foot container and shipping it across the Pacific. Another container followed a few years later - and recently, we were able to send a third. 

Beulahland Christian Learning Centre provides practical support to the local community, with a strong Christian ethos. Their outreach work includes nursery and primary education, Sunday School, hot meals, and basic medical care for children. World Mission Partnership’s Container Ministry supports their work by providing physical resources: not just whatever we have to hand, but items that have been specifically requested by Marissa and her husband. 

As we filled our latest container, Marissa asked if we could include a bicycle to enable outreach in surrounding villages. We explored the idea with her a bit further and realised that a small motorbike would be an even better solution. Fitted with side boxes, it would also allow Marissa to bring groceries back from the market and to distribute meals amongst the community.   

But where would we find this motorbike? Initially, it seemed like the answer would come from Ireland. The Container Ministry received a timely donation of £1,000 (€1,140), and around the same time, one of our volunteers spotted a fantastic Honda 90 for sale. With the shipping deadline for the container looming, it seemed like everything was falling neatly into place.  

However, on closer inspection, the little Honda was less fantastic than advertised. So, we decided to take a different approach by sending the money directly to Marissa and her husband. This allowed them to buy a “Philippines Tricycle”: a second hand 125cc motorbike and sidecar, the like of which you’d go a long way to see in Ireland! 

This purchase has transformed the life of the Centre. It taxis passengers (the current record is thirteen at one time!), does runs to the local market, delivers meals to those in need, and allows outreach to nearby villages. It has made life much easier for Marissa, and freed up time and energy for other aspects of the Centre’s ministry. 

Like all the other items we send, the bike is more than just a useful tool: it’s an assurance that our partners’ work isn’t just a local ministry. It’s proof that they are part of a World Church family, and that this family cares. 

The containers we send couldn’t happen without your continued support. So, on behalf of Marissa, our other recipients, and all those who will benefit in the years to come, thank you.