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

School's out for the SUMMER...

For most everyone the end of the school year is a crazy time with graduations and tying up loose ends before summer. Here at the New Faith Family Children’s Home we are no different. The minute graduation ceremonies were over we busily packed 34 kids to head down to summer camp in Malaybalay!!!! The kids have been craving for this for months now and the time has finally arrived. 34 kids, 10 staff, most of the Long family, and a small team from Faith Academy headed out early in the morning to fly down to the southern island of Mindanao and visit our sister children’s home here in the country. City kids meet country kids! For the older kids in the home this was their second time to be able to go to Malaybalay for summer this time we brought all the older and younger kids (not including the babies). For many it was their first airplane ride, which is always a fun experience to be a part of. Since arriving the kids have played and run around to their heart’s content. For all the little kids this is their paradise; a huge outdoor playground of dirt, fields, rivers, and space space space to run on and play games! It has been wonderful watching their spirits come alive when they can truly rest from school and the life of the city and the home. Was it stressful getting them ready? YES! Did people think we were crazy to bring this many kids down here? OF COURSE!!! But to see their faces now makes all the stress and work worth it. All the gracious amounts of donations given in order to make this kind of experience happen for these 34 little lives fill all of our hearts with joy. We will be down here until March 31st. You can continue to pray for continued safety and health of the kids and staff. This year for the devotions for the kids we are focusing on the fruits of the spirit. This month it is JOY and that is definitely what it has been so far!

Rachel and DJ