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The CBS-Asia library recently had professional help to boost its sense of shelf esteem.  Judy and Jim Hughes All 3,500 volumes of books had received attention from librarian, Judy Hughes of Prescott, Arizona. “Previously, all we had was a stack of books,” says one CBS-Asia staff. “After Sis. Judy’s professional help we now have catalogued books” complete with book cards, book pockets, a library system of borrowing and returning plus a library software program called ResourceMate® to speed up the research of students.”
Judy Hughes and her husband Jim came as short-term missionaries of First Baptist Church (a CB church) of Prescott, Arizona. They came to the Philippines for a 3-week work here at the CBS-Asia library starting May 26. Sis. Judy was the district librarian of 91 schools in the United States from 1998 to 2003. She brings with her 23 years of library experience. That is why we know that the books were in good hands. Sis. Judy also conducted a two-day training to future librarians of different RTCs. Soon, some of the RTC libraries will receive cartons of books, which Sis. Judy segregated herself, from the CBS-Asia office. Asked why he wants to send these books to the provincial RTCs, CBS-Asia Exec. Nicky Joya explains, “To make valuable resources accessible to our pastors, especially those in the provinces. Sadly, so many of our workers do not have the money to purchase books that are necessary for their personal study.”  Image Bro. Jim, on the other hand, installed all the library softwares in the computer they themselves donated. An engineer by profession, Jim makes use of his computer skills to help his church and other ministries in other parts of the world. Asked why they still want to become missionaries when they can just spend their retirement money cruising and vacationing in exotic places, she responded, “How boring! Are you gonna do somethin’ or vegetate?” In an interview with one of our faculty, Sis. Judy admits that she and her husband have asked that question after their retirement. She retorts with a question of her own: “What are you gonna do with the second half of your life?” The answer to that question has brought them to the Philippines. The powerhouse husband and wife team has already geared up the Bethel International School of Tacloban City, Leyte.  CBS-Asia envisions setting up libraries in each of the RTC it establishes. The training was intended to prepare the RTC for the setting up of these libraries. Although helping a library gain shelf esteem is not a public ministry like preaching and evangelizing, Sis. Judy explains that this work is “doing something for the Lord which is not very direct.” One of the lessons she has learned mingling with fellow Christians here in the Philippines is “Coming here makes you realize that when you believe in Jesus you have more similarities than differences.” |