Turning Up the Volume

[caption id="attachment_1464" align="alignleft" width="192" caption="Teachers and students enjoyed three fun-filled days of sports and academic competitions."][/caption]



Emotions ran high during our final week of school, March 14-18.

The sights and sounds of the week included screams as the kids cheered on their teams during the all-school sports fest and tear-filled eyes as classmates said goodbye to Cuatro Christian School’s first-ever graduating class.

[caption id="attachment_1463" align="alignright" width="199" caption="Student competes in sports fest relay."][/caption]

Our 225 students celebrated the end of the 2010-2011 school year with three eventful days of cultural Filipino games, basketball, soccer, badminton, relays, and artistic and academic competitions. If the sound volume is any indicator of the fun had, then the time was a resounding success for the kids and teachers alike.

On top of the fun and sports fest activities, our teachers were frantically finishing up grades, handed out to parents at our last parenting seminar.

In recognition of the year’s accomplishments, a day of moving-up ceremonies were celebrated, and then finally, graduation day—a day marked with proud smiles and wet eyes.

At the pre-elementary level, proud parents accompanied the 21 prep students who will be advancing to the elementary department next year.

[caption id="attachment_1462" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Nine students form CCS's first grade-six graduating class."][/caption]

Then, as the culminating event, CCS hosted its first grade-six graduation for nine of its accomplished students, including one of our young adults from New Faith Family Children’s Home. These students will be leaving CCS to attend high school next year, a milestone for these kids who if not for CCS likely would not have received an education.

The students, parents and staff have loved their experience this year at CCS and many lives and families have been changed for good. We thank God for you as sponsors and God's provision to allow this school to influence these families through education.

To find out how to sponsor a student’s education at CCS, email John at dorrell.john@gmail.com.

—Kim Courtright, CCS Schoolmaster

 

Taejon Christian International School

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We were privileged last week to host a great team from Taejon Christian International School. This was TCIS's first team to visit KIM. They worked hard all week running a Vacation Bible School for our Children's Home kids, repainting the lines on the basketball court at the JCCV (the church next door), helping to build two homes in the community, and doing some big-time cement work on the third floor of our multipurpose building behind the YMC. That's quite a list! We're very thankful for their help and servant hearts. It's teams like this that keep us going!

The team came as one of many groups from their school participating in the Love All Serve All (LASA) program. They certainly walked the walk while they were here. TCIS—the community and KIM thank you!

 

On the Island of Mindanao

Their laughter, their smiles, the loving look in their eyes—one can't help but fall in love with the children at New Faith Family Children's Home in Malaybalay, Mindanao. While the island’s mountainous landscape sports the growth of delicious Dole bananas and pineapples, its charm lies outside of the fertile terrain and agricultural industry—it's found in the people.

With an estimated 26 children in residence, the house mothers are kept rather busy. This month, having the assistance of 31 World Racers from the P-squad, allowed the full-time staff a much needed break, and the World Racers, some parental boot camp. Dirty diapers and late-night baby shifts were just some of the first-time experiences this group of young adults had, but that just scratches the surface.

The staff at Mt. Moriah Camp Group are some of the most courteous and thoughtful people we have ever had the privilege in working with. They work hard, and walk out every day by faith. If a need arises, without question, everyone unites in the understanding that "God will provide."

This month saw the opening ceremony of Mt. Moriah Camp and, to the joy of many children, the thanksgiving feast that followed. Swimming with the Faith Family children and assisting with the weekly AWANA program that includes feeding up to 300+ children were other highlights.

God is on the move at Mt. Moriah. He has done great things, is doing great things, and we know there are greater things yet to come! Praise be to God!

—Christy Zbylut, World Race volunteer



 

One Can Make a Difference

After a few devastating fires in Manila, KIM decided to take action by delivering food and supplies to needy families in the area. Doug Flemming, a friend of KIM, took some time on his internet radio show to talk about how we, as individuals and teams, can make a difference in the communities around us. Doug highlighted KIM's work in the fire disaster areas in Manila as a way you can be involved in making a difference.

Listen at: http://www.wmc-ap.org/audio/take-5/02-28-11-2011_041%20One-Can-Make-a-Difference%20MASTER.mp3