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Estrella was Restoration Fellowship’s first direct support missionary.  She’s 72 years old now, unmarried and lives in the Philippines.  Her life-long objective has been to evangelize children with emphasis upon the kindergarten age level.

It is with great sorrow that we report Estrella's passing on to be with her precious Savior on June 16, 2008.  Prior to her passing, she entrusted her work into the hands of her beloved friend, Pastor Bert.  It was a privilege to be a small part of her ministry, and we celebrate her life on this earth and her eternal life in heaven.

She was born in the Philippines to an impoverished family of five chilcren.  Her mother was a nurse, and her father was a farmer.  She was orphaned at age eight, and she spent her growing up years in an orphanage.  She received Christ during her third year of high school.

After high school, Estrella's objective was to attend a Bible school, but she was without financial support.  Ultimately, she found part-time work, and she studied herself through Bible school.  She was then off to do the Lord's work.

For the next eight years Estrella taught Bible in a Christian high school.  She also taught one day per week in a public school.  Following this, she served a two-year period of service as missionary to a remote tribe in the mountainous interior of the Philippines.  Literacy was the first order of business, and she devoted much effort to reading and writing. 

Next, Estrella worked as a “House Mother” at an orphanage.  Her background as an orphan gave her a special qualification for this situation.

Today, Estrella is back to her prime objective - teaching the Bible.  She is a full-time teacher at the kindergarten level (ages 4 - 6) at a church school.  She has as many as 80 pupils.  These children are becoming witnesses for Christ, in many cases in non-Christian homes.  She is also in charge of the children’s worship service in her church. 

Estrella works tirelessly with the children, teaching them and helping them prepare for special school programs. There are celebrations for Christmas, Easter, Graduation, All-Nations Day, etc. The children are always adorable in their native dress as they recite their parts in the programs. 

She works many hours preparing for school and ministering to the children and their families. She prays for each child, that each one would come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. She works very hard to share the Gospel with them.

Estrella lives in a dangerous part of the Philippines. She is always concerned about the safety of her "kinders," as she calls her students. She loves them and gives them everything she can to help them and minister to them. She prays for them, for their safety and for the salvation of them and their families. 

She is a prayer warrior, always communicating prayer needs and concerns to us about the school and the ministry to the children.

Donations to support Estrella may be forwarded to:

Restoration Fellowship

264 Village Drive

Pagosa Springs  CO  81147