About us

About Us

Our Vision

Children coming to the knowledge of their Hope and Future in Jesus Christ!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

Our Story

Imagine, while traveling for business purposes to a remote farm area, two children looking ragged and undernourished approach you and your companion for some attention. Imagine that after they have consumed the snack food you've given them, they follow you around for the rest of the day. Imagine coming back the next morning and finding that these same children have returned with two of their friends, hoping for more snacks, and enthusiastically assisting with what you are doing. Imagine by that afternoon two more have joined them; the two have become six. Imagine asking them why they are not in school and hearing one of them reply in her dialect, “layo ang eskwelahan diri (School is far from here).” Imagine learning that these children have never been to school. Imagine asking them if they would like to learn to read and write, and seeing their faces light up and one exclaim, “Oo, palihug, Ate' (yes, please, older sister)”. What would you do?
This actually happened In February, 2012, when Gina and Alan Brown traveled to Gina's native country, the Philippines! During the rest of the year, the first two children, Tani, a skinny little 7 year-old girl, and her cousin Remuel, a 13 year-old boy, continued to attend our outreach center, located on a modest mango farm in Honan, a small barangay of Isabel, Leyte, a province in the Philippines. This community consists of approximately 4,000 people who earn their livelihood mostly by farming or working in a local fertilizer plant.
Following ten months of continued growth, Lantaw-Ugma Outreach, Inc. was organized in January, 2013, as a non-profit corporation. Because the Lord has done such amazing things in this ministry over such a short period of time, we are confident that you will join us in this leap of faith and invest in the lives of these children, to the glory of God! Lantaw-Ugma is derived from Gina’s native dialect of the island of Cebu; it means, “Looking with Expectation to the Future”. The reference verse for this organization is Jeremiah 29:11.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
We are convinced that this entire February 2012 trip was orchestrated by our Almighty God (Praise His Name!). Having started with six children and God’s faithful provision, we are now able to provide meals, school supplies, personal hygiene instruction and supplies, and tutorial assistance to more than 70 children at this writing. In addition to sharing the love of Jesus Christ through mentorship and care, these children are taught God's Word through Bible lessons, prayer, songs of praise, and even games. We strongly believe that at this formative time of their childhood years, the hope in Christ Jesus is their best tool for success in life!
These children come from very poor families, and when we first met them, all but one had never attended school. Yet just four months later, all of the younger children have entered school and are performing well. Two young teenaged boys continue to receive private tutoring in order to help equip them for adult life. We must continue doing His work… for a promising future that awaits these children to the Glory of God!

Our Mission

To proclaim the excellencies of God, and to bring the Hope of Salvation through Jesus Christ to those who are in need. The focus is to serve children who are from very poor families, primarily through mentorship and care, teaching children with life skills, developing their gifts, providing medical and dental aid assistance while showing them that there is hope in Christ Jesus and that God has a great purpose in their lives.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14

Our Family

Gina's beloved manoy...

As some of you know, Lantaw-Ugma Outreach has faced one of the most difficult times as children and adult volunteers were mourning the sudden death of Gina’s older brother Elmer, her manoy (older brother), who is one of God's chosen instruments to spread His Love through the ministry. Elmer was the ministry's Youth Pastor/Mentor and Bible Teacher from March 2012 to August 2015. This section is dedicated to give honor and praise God for such a beloved son, a sweet brother, a loving husband, a good father, a caring grandfather, a mentor, a trusted friend and most of all, a faithful child of God, whose heart was on fire to share the love of Christ with others, especially with the youth. We've been blessed to work with brother Elmer at Lantaw-Ugma Outreach. He is a gift from the Lord and we give thanks to God for him! We will always miss our brother, but we share the joy with others knowing that where he is now is a place that most of us are longing to be. His obedience, his passion in sharing God's Word will continue to bear fruit in the lives of the little children that he has mentored, guided and loved. Thank you for the lovely memory and inspiration, manoy Elmer! We love you.

The ever dedicated Caretaker/Mentor...

The Lord God has truly blessed Lantaw-Ugma Outreach with the loving kindness of this Godly woman. Carmelita is the widow of Elmer whose heart is equally passionate to love the children from the very beginning since February 2012. Her love for the Lord is strong that even amidst the pain and sorrow of losing a beloved husband and ministry partner, she has continued using her gifts to encourage young girls and boys to aspire for the best. She cooks, nurses injuries, mentors, leads in prayer, praise and worship. The children fondly call her "ate" (older sister) Melit!

The motherly Bible Teacher and Tutor...

In late 2015, Pastora Regina Abayan joined LUO as one of its Bible teachers and as an academic tutor. She and her husband Pastor Rosaldo Abayan are the pastors of Assembly of God Church in Honan. Pastora Regina serves each Saturday in LUO center and helps lead a home Bible Study where LUO parents attend once a week. The children love her as most of them grow up knowing her as their "ma'am" from their preschool days (she being the town's Preschool teacher). Most of all, she finds time to listen and encourage the kids when they face challenges or problems either at school or home. She is a wonderful member of LUO staff and leaders.