Change a Life, Break the Cycle

Once again classrooms are full with excited faces and eager minds. These kids want to be in school.

June 15 marked the start of the 2011-2012 school year for Cuatro Christian School and it’s sixth year of operation. As has been typical for the school in recent years, we are at maximum capacity with the number of students we can allow due to space and finance limitations.

We would love to be able to educate more kids, but we want to keep class sizes small enough that the children get quality time with their teacher. Also, while we offer free tuition for our students who otherwise could not afford to go to school, which is atypical for a private school, we do pay for our teachers, the children’s books and uniforms, the curriculum, building maintenance, etc. This puts a heavy financial burden on the school.

That’s where you come in. For $40 (or 10 Starbucks frappuccinos) a month, you can put one of these children through school. Never before have they had the opportunity to learn to read, write and do math. Never before have they had the hope of breaking the cycle of poverty that has plagued their family.

What resources has God entrusted to you? Are you investing them into the Kingdom? Here’s your chance...sponsor a child at the Cuatro Christian School. We’ll send you updates on your child, with pictures and letters from them. If you’re interested in sponsoring a child’s education, email John Dorrell, our sponsorship coordinator at dorrell.john@gmail.com for more information.

Break the cycle of poverty by changing the course of a child's life. Your step of faith can be the difference.

We Want You!

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” CT Studd

You only get one chance to live on this earth. Someday this one life will be over, and you’ll stand in front of Christ looking back at the life you lived. Will you have played it safe? Will you have used the talents, gifts and resources that God gave you to invest in His Kingdom?

We are looking for you. We’re looking for people who just can’t be satisfied living life for themselves. We’re looking for people who want to pour themselves into God’s service with their gifts and talents here in the Philippines. We’d like you to come work with us for a short while or permanently.

Of course, we want to utilize any gift or talent that God provides us, but if you fit in one of the categories below and would like to use your talents full time for God’s work here in the Philippines, please contact Jeff Long at jefflong@kidsim.org.

Our Current Needs:

-Website design/maintenance

-Writer

-Photographer/Videographer

-Camp Director (for Mt. Moriah Christian Camp, Mindanao)

-Teacher

-Construction Worker/Supervisor

A Week Without Walls

For the second year, we've enjoyed the presence of teachers and students from Singapore International Community School. Last year they came and impacted a nearby community by building a home for one of our long-time workers, Laling. This year, their service was equally important to the community around us. Not only did they have a chance to revisit the community they impacted last year, but they were involved in many projects that reached young and old alike.

Basketball is huge in the Philippines, making it a great way to reach kids for Christ. Aware of this, the team helped host a basketball tournament at the JCCV next door. With the help of Myles D'Ocampo, a ministry partner of KIM, six teams of teenagers showed up Monday morning ready to play. Leaders Don Cole, Sam Fleischman and Alicia Bandy refereed games from morning until evening. Between games, ICS students gave their testimonies, and a guest appearance by Kirk Long, Ateneo de Manila University basketball star, ministered to the players and bystanders. We had the opportunity to feed the kids lunch and award prizes for the winning team. ICS had a team in the tournament as well, taking third place when all was said and done.

The rest of the week consisted of hard-working efforts on the part of the team. Every day at 10am and 4pm, members of the team took community and children's home kids to the pool to teach them how to swim. The team also went on daily feedings, passing out food to hungry children in areas where families have a hard time providing meals. In both situations, just being there for the local community is a blessing. Sharing a smile and a hug can warm hearts and give hope.

Construction crews helped carry cinder blocks from the ground floor to the top of our new educational wing located behind the YMC (YunJin Lyso Ministry Center). Many construction materials were hauled around the community as the team members helped build and plaster walls, mix cement and build the foundation in the homes of three of our Filipino construction workers, Lito, Digol and Arnold.

Apart from the feedings, swimming lessons and construction, the team helped out in the nursery at the Children's Home, did devotions each night, played with the orphans, and were a constant presence in the kids' lives all week. Also, the team held a half-day soccer clinic for the community kids whose appetite for the sport is steadily growing. Clinics like this usually cost $150, an unthinkable amount for our community kids to pay.

As if that wasn't enough blessing for the team to bring to the table, they wanted to get back into the community they had served last year. They went back to help put in a basketball court and renovate some of the housing there. As they entered the community, they were surprised as the people they blessed last year knew all of their names and faces. That was a blessing right back on the team.

We look forward to having Singapore ICS next year, and the next, and the next... you get the idea. We love you ICS!

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

[caption id="attachment_1452" align="alignleft" width="295" caption="The amazing TCIS crew!"][/caption]

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

Shenyang International School

It was an absolute pleasure to have Shenyang International School with us for a short-term trip at the beginning of February. We and the community were blessed by their presence and servanthood. While here, they took part in a few different ministries including feedings and construction. Specifically, they helped build a home in the community and worked diligently on a storage area we are building behind the YMC. Thank you SYIS for coming, and we hope to see you again soon!

[gallery]

His Kids

I volunteer in the nursery, spend time with the older kids at the Children’s Home, and co-lead two after-school music and art clubs at the JCCV with my friend, Claire Friesen. Upon completing a year of college, I came to the Children’s Home in early October and plan to return to Virginia at the end of April. I am grateful to KIM for taking me on as I am, without a degree or any special qualifications other than my desire to love and serve. I knew, even before I came here, that these seven months were God’s gift to me, a time to learn and grow.

[caption id="attachment_1263" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Art and Music club at the JCCV is so much fun!"][/caption]

My time here has proven to be just that—a gift—with days rich and full of challenges. The work being done here is painfully necessary: bringing food to flood victims, bathing street children, giving sickly babies another chance at life…and there is indescribable joy in doing it.

Every one of the kids at the Children’s Home has lived through loss and pain that's beyond my experience. They’ve been deprived of the sweetness of childhood, the comfort of resting in a mother’s arms, the thrill of riding high and kinglike on the shoulders of an awesome dad.

Some days I struggle to show each child the love they deserve. I want to be everything to them—mother, father, sister, brother. I want to hold them tight so that they know I’m there. I want to race across the yard to them when they cry so that they don't have to wonder for a second if anyone cares that they're hurt.

One of the lessons I’m learning is to trust God’s care for these kids. He is the one who holds them secure. He has a plan for each one, and despite the darkness that’s touched their lives, these kids are thriving.

I love the sudden smile that breaks across Christian’s face, Paulo’s half-scared pride on the monkey bars, Zerena’s crazy-crayon flowers, Princess’ funny dances and warbling songs. I love Maricel for her grace and calm; meeting my eyes at times when I’m exasperated—caught between two kids toddling in opposite directions—she just smiles, offers her hand and walks with me.

[caption id="attachment_1262" align="alignright" width="207" caption="Swinging on Tita Hannah."][/caption]

The sights of Cris John and Kenth scampering across the grass after the visiting cats, of Tyra’s fascination with butterflies, of Yuki’s first wavering steps, and little Alex’s independence as she asserts her personhood and speaks her first words are all a delight. These kids are incredible. They never fail to fill my heart with wonder.

I am so thankful for my time here—for the friendships, the welcome, and the shy kids who have finally given me their trust. I’ve never had the opportunity to stop everything and just care for people before. That’s my only duty in these seven months—to be available to obey God and love His children. I know I’ll refer to these months for the rest of my life. God is blessing me richly. I’ve found a wealth of grace and joy that I know I’ll draw strength from and carry with me wherever I go.

-Hannah Cranston

KIM Reading Program

[caption id="attachment_1235" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ellie engaging a student in a reading exercise"]
[/caption]

Mark and Ellie Hymes first came to the Philippines in August 2009 to introduce to the Cuatro Christian School a reading program they had been using as a ministry in their home church in Kansas City, Mo.  After a formal invitation to come be full-time missionaries with KIM, they decided to take an early retirement, pack up their lives and move here.

Since coming permanently in November, they’ve taught the CCS teachers how to run the reading program. Now, as of last week, they officially have their first four students.

[caption id="attachment_1236" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Mark working with one of his students"][/caption]

While it’s always KIM’s goal to better children’s lives, Mark shared the real purpose for their being here—“It’s all about the relationships that God has us here for,” Mark said. “It might be a little awkward at first, but six months down the road, we’ll be close, and that’s where real relationships can occur.”

CCS Art Show

[caption id="attachment_1223" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Art teacher Jessica Kemnitz with students of CCS and their artwork"]
[/caption]

Jessica Kemnitz had come to the Philippines four times in the past, leading short term missions teams from Seoul Foreign School, where she taught.  In November 2010, she came for a bit of a longer trip, having decided to take a year’s leave from SFS to spend some time and energy teaching art at the Cuatro Christian School.

The CCS Art Show has been an annual event.

[caption id="attachment_1225" align="alignright" width="150" caption="One of the classes at the JCCV in their art-plastered classroom"][/caption]

This year, Jessica had a goal of getting as much parent involvement as possible.  "We want the parents to be involved in their kids' lives, including their education,” Jessica said. “Also, we want the kids to not only see what they're capable of, but what other kids and the school as a whole are capable of." Goal met.  The Art Show had it's largest turnout ever, as parents, uncles, aunts, and grandparents came to the school to see the students' artwork  proudly displayed on the walls.  In addition, the students from  the CCS and JCCV took turns migrating to each other's  buildings to view the pieces of artwork.

"It was a great day, and  a wonderful chance for the community to see the students' accomplishments displayed for all to  see," said Jessica, who plans to stay until April.

Malaybalay Update

[caption id="attachment_1206" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The grass on the soccer field is growing!"][/caption]

As the sixth World Race team to visit Kids International Ministries and Mt. Moriah camp in Malaybalay, “P Squad” has a little different task in front of them than previous racers. The previous squads have had one or two big projects to work on and might or might not have seen them finished.

[caption id="attachment_1205" align="alignright" width="300" caption="World Racers Cutting Bamboo Filipino style."][/caption]

While there are no new major building or planting projects being started right now, P Squad has the opportunity to see the finish of a number of projects that have been started by other squads, as well as complete a few important smaller projects that will improve the grounds at Mt. Moriah camp.

[caption id="attachment_1204" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Due to mud, the water tank has not always been easy to access. World Racers are helping to make the path solid and sturdy."][/caption]

One big project that will be completed this month is to have the soccer field completely planted. S Squad worked tediously at the field with the hopes of finishing, but due to vehicle malfunctions, wasn’t able to. Now it will be in the hands of P Squad.

Other projects include making roads on the grounds more solid, continuing work on the chapel on grounds, taking care of children, jail ministries, working with college students in Malaybalay, and painting a mural in the Children’s Home.

My Experience Working in Cuatro

I have been working in Cuatro for almost three months now, and my experience so far has been incredible and has certainly opened my eyes in numerous ways.

Although I grew up in the Philippines, this is the first time I have been able to completely focus myself on ministry without having to worry about attending school.  Being able to work in Cuatro and devote my time to the people that live there has been such a worthwhile experience.

[caption id="attachment_1168" align="alignleft" width="158" caption="This is the CH kids' favorite past-time."][/caption]

I divide up my time between the Children’s Home and the elementary school (JCCV), and I have enjoyed both for various reasons.  At the Children’s Home I help out with the nursery kids, and I’ve found that this job is a lot more exhausting and stretching than I would have expected.  All the kids come from various backgrounds, and have had experiences in their childhood that no one should experience.  Because of this, there are many different behavioral issues that arise on any given day.  I often come to the conclusion that I am way over my head, and have absolutely no idea how to handle some of the kids’ behavioral problems.  But God often asks us to do things that we are uncomfortable doing, and in this way He stretches us and shows His power through our weakness.  I have grown to love the kids at the Children’s Home.  It’s really great coming day in and day out, and recognizing faces, and learning about each of the children's lives.

[caption id="attachment_1171" align="alignright" width="203" caption="Hanging out with street kids in Cuatro."][/caption]

Although I am only here in the Philippines for 6 months, I feel like I am really experiencing a slice of what missionary work truly is.  I have begun to understand more and more that there are always struggles and setbacks to any ministry, and that some days are especially hard or tiring.  But there is also so much joy in ministry.

Sometimes when I step outside of the Children’s Home gate, I am accosted by street kids who want to hold my hand, and who walk with me down the street.  This brings my heart so much joy, because I get to connect with kids whose life experiences I do not share or comprehend.  It’s so awesome how love and kindness can break the barriers between different cultures, languages and experiences.

[caption id="attachment_1170" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="Jessica, who I assist in teaching, and some of the students at the JCCV."][/caption]

On the days that I am not at the nursery I’m assisting another teacher with art classes at the elementary school.  I love getting to know the kids at the school, and hanging out with them in-between classes.  The students are so inquisitive and open to new friendships, and I have felt so welcomed by all of them.  After school on a couple days each week my friend Hannah and I lead an art and music club.  It has been a great way to get to know the kids better outside of school, and we all end up having so much fun together.

Over all, these last 3 months working in Cuatro have been so rich and beautiful.  Being able to be on a “missions” trip that lasts more than 2 weeks is so beneficial.  It is great being able to build relationships with people that I know I won’t have to leave within just a couple weeks.  Ever since I was 16 I knew that I wanted to be a missionary serving the poor in some capacity, and working in Cuatro has allowed me to get a better idea of what that looks like in real life.  I will certainly refer to these 6 months for years to come, and remember what a blessed and growing experience it was.

--Claire Friesen

[caption id="attachment_1169" align="aligncenter" width="573" caption="Taking the kids from the CH for a swim."][/caption]

From the Eyes of a World Racer

My name is Cara, and I’m a World Racer. For those unfamiliar with the World Race, it’s an 11-month mission trip to 11 countries throughout the world. My time in the Philippines is month 4 of the Race, and as such, I already have three months worth of absorbing the atrocity of poverty and injustice alongside the eclipsing power of God under my belt. I’ve hit the point where I’m craving to have the Lord “break my heart for what breaks His” while also fearing a little bit that I’ll start to grow numb to what I see.

Yet, despite being immersed in poverty for the last three months I was nearly brought to tears when I visited a tent city in Antipolo with K.I.M.’s feeding ministry this past week. I was anything but numb as my heart began to break for the physically and spiritually impoverished Filipinos I met.  The need here is so great. People are starving; children are covered in infected scabs. There is something unique about this place, and God cares so much about these people that He’s entrusting me with a glimpse into His heart so that I might love them as He loves them.

K.I.M. earns my respect more and more as I am a part of how well this ministry loves Filipinos and meets their needs: spiritual, emotional and physical. K.I.M. is a light in a dark, destitute place, and it’s been a privilege to be a part of what God’s doing through them in this country.

Our group of 18 World Racers has been helping with all different facets of the ministry this month, from working with kids to prisoners, baseball players, prostitutes, social businesses and the poor and homeless. The video below shares some of what we’ve been seeing through the feeding ministry specifically.

VIDEO: K.I.M. Feeding Ministry

From Concrete to Custody (RELEVANTmagazine.com)

World Racer Curt Devine is part of "R Squad" who visited the Malaybalay Children's Home in September.  After his time in the Philippines he wrote this article for Relevantmagazine.com

From Concrete to Custody

Written by Curt Devine

Wednesday, 27 October 2010 08:15

Bungee is a rough-cut gangster. By day, he sleeps and lays low; by night, he runs the streets of Mindanao, Philippines, ruling a gang known as the Black Scorpions. He protects his gang’s territory, steals to make ends meet and pretty soon he could become a local drug lord. But there is one thing that separates Bungee from most other hardened gangsters—he is 12 years old.

Street children run throughout the Philippines in high numbers. Many are abandoned by their parents or flee home to escape abuse, neglect or poverty, turning to the streets to live independently. UNICEF cites that about 250,000 street children dwell in the 33 highly urbanized cities in the Philippines, but many locals claim those numbers do not reflect the reality that more than 1 million Filipino children have no parents to provide for them. As a result, children like Bungee often form gangs and wave around 9 MMs at the age most American children play with cap guns. Others simply live without purpose or protection, begging and stealing for daily survival.

While many of these children have no options for success, Jeremy Moody knows how to put an end to the cycle. As a 35-year-old Oregon native, Moody once knew nothing about Filipino street children. “I was living the American dream with my family. We had a big house, three cars and a motorcycle—everything I thought I wanted,” he says. “But then God changed it all.”

After working for years in a comfortable manufacturing job, Moody came to a crossroads: continue living the safe life of accumulating trinkets and watching football games or step out in faith and follow God’s leading. Despite having two children and one on the way, Moody and his wife found themselves moving to the Philippines in 2007 to follow their wild dream of impacting the world around them. “Sometimes I still wonder if I was crazy for giving it all up, but maybe following God should look a little crazy,” he says.

Through a series of conversations and hours of prayer, Moody began working as a director for Kids International Ministries (K.I.M.), an organization of children’s homes that provide shelter and long-term care to Filipino street children. K.I.M.’s main goal is to connect abandoned, homeless children with permanent families, but more often than not, the children are not adopted and require more than a place to sleep. Moody explains that many orphanages only give food and shelter to children, but in the Philippines, that leaves most of them susceptible to gangs, crime and begging at later stages in life. “We want all of our kids to have a future—not just a safe childhood,” he says. For that reason, K.I.M. commits to children for life, looking after their present needs and providing them with transitional housing, job training and educational support as they enter adulthood. “We won’t force children to leave. We will work with them for life or until they leave us,” Moody says.

Although many of the children within K.I.M. have previously lived alone in the streets, some come from family backgrounds of extreme neglect and abuse. Ariel, a 13-year-old boy from the southern island of Mindanao, Philippines, was staying with his mother about four years ago. Although he had a place to sleep, his mother would give him superglue to sniff in order to curb his appetite so that she didn’t have to feed him. He became increasingly malnourished until social services reported his case and placed him in a K.I.M. home.

“Poverty is the main issue. Many parents simply cannot afford their children, so they neglect them or give them up,” Moody says. He notes that unskilled Filipino workers only earn about $3 a day if they have a full-time job, which can be difficult to find. Moody describes another case where a child was living with his mother, an unemployed single mom. She became pregnant with another man’s baby but knew she couldn’t afford two children. Her boyfriend told her she could get an abortion and he would support her and her living son, or she could have the baby but she would have to give up her son. “She chose to have the baby, which made her living son a street kid,” Moody says.

As an American father, Moody finds cases like these hard to comprehend. “I don’t know how you can do that to a child,” he says. “But I do know that there is still hope—these children don’t have to become who society tells them they will be.” By caring for all needs in a child’s life—physical, emotional, spiritual and educational—Moody believes K.I.M. and other holistic organizations can put an end to the cycle of homelessness and crime in the lives of Filipino street children.

“Sometimes I’d rather be home in Oregon with my cars and comforts,” Moody says, “but where is the adventure in that?”

Morrison Academy Team

A team of 31 students and staff families came to K.I.M during their 2010 fall break.



Some of the opportunities the team had were: painting, concrete and cement work, food prep and feedings in the community, overnight and day shifts caring for a hospitalized baby, tutoring at the CCS, nightly devotions at the KIM home (ages 4-12), nightly devotions at the transitional home, teaching volleyball and soccer at the Cuatro school PE class, daily swim lessons for KIM children and students from CCS, daily physical therepy sessions for KIM and community children, Friday chapel services at CCS, playing with kids at the KIM nursery, sunday school at the JCCV, team members shared testimonies and drama at other local ministries. K.P duty and encouragement of kitchen staff, one team member spoke at a local philippino pastors conference; unpacking and cleaning, sorting, catagorizing, and shelving over 7000 book as well as mopping, dusting and window washing of the new library facility. Shipping 8 boxes of clothes and shoes from the morrison academy community to KIM.

YMC gets a facelift

Over twenty-five years have passed since this building was built and like our neighbor building(JCCV)  got in 2009 we decided 2010 was a good time to match the effort. The YMC will be GREY no MORE..... HURRAY!! Thanks to 31 great servers from Morrison Academy several key projects are getting a big BOOST this month at the YMC. Our Library/Literacy Center is blooming into the FINAL steps of Floor ONE and TWO.... Morrison families are organizing and tagging books as I type. Others have been cleaning up, mixing concrete for the fitness center/J-Salon women, while some have been priming and now painting the front and in between walls of the ministry center..... What a blessed week!

Feedings

[gallery link="file"]

Construction

[gallery link="file"]

Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra visits Kids International Ministries

See pictures of the Miami Heat coach visiting KIM!

[gallery link="file"]