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.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, March 28, 2011
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
[/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!
[/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!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
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
Sunday, March 13, 2011
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
Listen at: http://www.wmc-ap.org/audio/take-5/02-28-11-2011_041%20One-Can-Make-a-Difference%20MASTER.mp3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)