To Know the Truth You Must Believe

I have been so blessed to be working with KIM for the last 3 weeks. I was very nervous 2 weeks ago about helping with 2 kids camps, but the camps turned out to be a huge blessing for me and for the older children in the home. The first camp was a two day camp that took place at the JCCV(Jesus Christ Church in the Valley) which is right next door to the Yun Jin Ministry Center. During the first day, about 90% of the teaching, talking, and instructions were in Tagalog and I couldn’t understand a word of it, but I could tell that all of the 62 children there were having a blast. So I pulled up my boot straps and bunkered down for a few more days of Filipino language and culture.

In those first 2 days, the children learned a memory verse, Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Each child was provided a journal and they were encouraged to write about what the Lord has been teaching them. They played soccer, basketball, and other fun games, had times of worship, and most importantly, they studied the word of God. I ended up being paired with a few of the 13 year old girls to discuss the Bible story which I was nervous about but turned out to be great fun.

At this point I was still nervous about going to the second camp in Zambales-the mango capital of the Philippines, until I found out that some of the other Filipino volunteers I had met would also be going. After a 6 hour bus ride, we arrived at the camp. The theme was X-Files “To know the Truth, You must Believe”. There were nearly 1,500 teen-age students at this camp and it was a little overwhelming but very high energy. There were 3 sessions(all in Taglish-a mixture of Tagalog and English) each with a different speaker. They addressed current issues faced by many teens in the Philippines with sermons and dramatic skits. The students enjoyed praise and worship time and the extreme games such as a giant water slide and a zip line challenge over the pond.

I had the blessing of explaining one of the skits and talking about salvation with Joi Ann, a girl from the community near the children’s home. The kids from the children’s home had a great time, but were very tired after 2 long bus rides and 2 camps filled with fun activities and Bible lessons. Praise God that I had the opportunity to share this experience with the kids and I even learned some Tagalog!

Amber

Blessing in Malaybalay

It was such a great blessing to have the Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship here for two weeks. We have also become a blessing to them. A lot of them who have already graduated committed themselves to go out as missionaries. This is where Belen and I met. Their leaders in our area have committed to help us in our Saturday fellowship with the kids. Now we can freely invite more kids because we have more laborers in the harvest field. Girlie, the mayor's niece, and her husband are still faithfully bringing in the snacks for the kids every Saturday. I am very optimistic that by God's grace this Saturday fellowship will really grow big. Right now their attendees have almost doubled. Even the church on Sunday has increased in their attendance. God is indeed blessing our ministry Jeff. Again thank you for laboring with us. As God has put the burden in your heart for the little ones He did in our hearts too especially after hearing the news that gangs have been recruiting kids age 12 or 13 and a 14 year old member of the NPA was killed in one of the encounters with the military. We just hope that through this Saturday fellowship we could reach as many kids as possible. Kids who have been actually abandoned by their parents and the society but are not qualified to get in the orphanage. I pray that even just on Saturdays they can look forward to having fellowship in God's Word, in games and to be able to eat a lot. We just hope that somehow God would allow us to plant the seed of God's Word in the hearts of these kids before it is too late.

I was so excited to see all the happenings going on in the Children’s Home and all around it. God is an awesome God, and He reigns! You see, the Longs listen to Him, and it shows. God lays it on their heart, and they honor this. This family is living proof of His feet and His hands at work!

It was nice to be with you all from April 25th to 28th (not my first trip). Very short trip but so powerful to see the work of the Holy Spirit!

It was great to see Moses again! He has grown so much. Brea is so excited that I held him! Oh, to think how I met you all. It was all through basketball...and I know how you love this game. Meeting Kirk was not a coincidence but a God incident. I have not been the same. To meet this family, to have them show us around the Home, Cuatro Village, and all—Wow!

God puts people in our lives for a reason. I was so honored to be part of Jerick and Diane's going-away night. It was a night of joy and grief colliding. With them going to be with family and leaving the Home, how wonderful for them, yet a bit sad for the Home—a time of transition.

One thing I know for sure, all the kids have a home at all times—a home at the Children's Home and in the heart of Jesus, who is where our home is! You have showered the children with the love of Jesus! This will never fail. You teach them this because you know His love and you trust in this love.

To see all the staff and the joy they have—Wow! I know I am being called to help. How does God want me to help? This is a prayer session at the moment! I know for now I am to shower the Longs with prayers, love, a home away from home in Hong Kong, and of course, coffee.

I love you all. God loves you all. My home is your home here in Hong Kong, and if there is anything I can do from here…ask.

What great work you all are doing for His kingdom.

'Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

With blessings,
Marie Talsness

I'm Back

The first time I came to Manila was back in November 2007. I was
passing through with another missions organization called Adventures
in Missions, on an 11-month trip called The World Race. I fell in love
with KIM and the children's home right away, despite the fact that I
personally only spent a week here in Manila.

A year later I returned to Manila to spend a full month working at the
children's home and help out with some logistics for short term teams
coming in. Again, I absolutely loved it and knew that it would not be
my last time in Manila!

And here I am, another 6 months later, and I'm back! This time,
though, I'm sticking around a lot longer! I've committed to working
with KIM for about 15 months, and then I will reassess and see what
the Lord has for me next.

I am extremely excited to be a part of all the amazing work that God
is doing here in Manila, and I am looking forward to investing in
these kids lives and also sharing the love of Christ with members of
the community.

God Bless,
Christie

Saying Goodbye To Great Kids

Hey friends,

We are over four years into this children's home experience and I am not sure anything is more difficult then saying good bye.... We have had to say good bye to short term teams, short term workers, Filipino friends who have worked with the kids as well as great volunteers that have come to give of their lives. Another aspect of "good-byes" has come from children transitioning on to other children's homes or adoptive homes. This month we will say good bye to six children who have been with us for three or four years... The sibling groups of Diane and Jeric (4 years in our home) as well as Rodolf, Regie, Camille, and Rudylyn (over 3 years in our home) will transition back to join their own families. Diane and Jeric will join extended family while Regie, Rudylyn, Camille, and Rodolf will return to their immediate family... Both goodbyes are hard on us in Manila but we couldn't be happier for the kids. I am sure we'll still see some of Diane and Jeric during the summer or Christmas breaks when they return for a visit....Thanks for praying for these kids.

Jeff

Community Service

A few years ago a friend from Colorado came over to live with impoverished
communities for three weeks. During his stay he located a family that was in
a very bad way... Since them Tom has sent love and funds to help the family
from the pit of despair... Pictured below are Filipinos, Kiwi's from New Zealand,
Aussie's from Taiwan, and other international people dedicated to making a
difference in the life of Tearso and his family. The home they are building in the
blistering heat will be a HUGE blessing to a impoverished family. When completed
the two story structure will boast beds, fans, a cement floor, indoor plumbing,
running water nearby, concrete walls.....a very solid structure for a family.

We are grateful it is close by so we can help with the children of the family, especially
alanamae as she struggles through her young life with crippling muscular diseases!

Praise God for communities around the world that help us care for our Cuatro Community.
Jeff

The Colorado Kid

Kuya Chris Cordova..... aka "the colorado kid" returned to the Philippines to help develop Godly relationships with Filipino men through Bible studies and discipleship groups.... Chris is also one of the guys that helped start our children's home back in January, 2005. This is Chris third tour of duty with our kids at the home. Hehas served almost two entire years with the children over the past four years. We are grateful for the time he spends with the boys! In a couple of recent games the boys came home distraught over a couple of losses in the community league. This ill feeling did not last long though as Chris and Kuya Kirk have been working with the boys in the fundamentals of the game... Summer is a fun time for our kids as they attend school in the mornings from 7:30 to 11am, have some lunch and look for the aunts and uncles to spend time with....

We are grateful for Chris spending time with our kids,
Jeff