Alex Kuhlow, founder of Threads of Hope, Inc., and his wife, Chris, became missionaries serving the Philippines in 1998. While serving Faith Academy in Manila, they spent off time at Puerto Galera, Mindoro. This is where the “Threads of Hope” ministry began.
They met Alona, a beach vendor, who made and sold bracelets on beaches to tourists. In 2003, they learned that Alona’s friend, also a vendor, couldn’t sell enough bracelets to care for her family, and was forced into prostitution. After praying for guidance, Alex saw that the people needed work. He trusted God and ordered $100 worth of bracelets from Alona. He later learned that this $100 took care of Alona’s family for an entire month.
The Lord blessed their compassion miraculously. Alex and Chris took those bracelets back to their US supporters, who sold them at profit. Alex brought the full amount from those sales back to Alona and asked, “Can you now please make us $1000 worth of bracelets?”
Alona needed friends and family to fill the order. There was work and they did not need to walk the beaches in harm’s way. Through prayer and God’s guidance, Alex and Chris repeated this pattern. They ordered bracelets, then sold them back in the States. People from their home church got involved and sold bracelets while Alex and Chris were in the field in the Philippines. This grew in grassroots ways and God multiplied the results.
Meeting physical needs was just the beginning. In 2007, Alex brought a Filipino pastor, Alejo Matienzo, to share the good news of salvation in Christ. Pastor Al was led by the Holy Spirit to plant a church in the village.
Threads of Hope became a non-profit in 2007. Through the Lord’s leading, a church was planted, a ministry center built, a 7-12th grade school started, and a well for clean water was dug for the community. Alex and Chris have now moved back to the US permanently, and Christian Missions of the Philippines, Inc. is overseeing work going on in the village. Alex and Chris have been married for 40 years, and have 2 grown children that grew up in the Philippines, and are now proud Grandparents of 6 wonderful grandchildren.
