August has been a bit of a financially lean month for the Malaybalay children’s home. Last Wednesday we came to the point of having too much month at the end of the money. Our director, Belen, told me that on Thursday we needed to make a trip to Illigan to pick up two new kids, and that we needed money for fuel. I told her that the bank account was empty, but would work on finding it. I promptly texted Jeff in Manila, asking if he had any pesos for us for the rest of the month’s budget. He replied “I don’t, but God does.” We left if at that and spent the rest of the day going about normal business. About four in the afternoon, Belen asked if we had received any blessing yet. Since we had not, we made a plan to borrow some money for the trip. I started to leave for home but, thought I should probably go say goodbye for the afternoon to Glenn, Grace, and the other staff. That ended up taking 10-15 minutes, and as I was wrapping up the goodbyes an unfamiliar pickup truck arrived at the children’s home. When the door opened, a missionary friend, Trevor, got out. About a month before, he and his family had come by the home for a visit. After they left, his daughter, Deanna, gave him some money for us. He had made a few trips to Malaybalay since then, but had not yet had the chance to stop by and drop it off. After he handed me the envelope, I asked if he wanted to hear a really cool story and then let him know that we had been praying and waiting all day for provision, and had just a few minutes before decided we would have to figure out how to deal with it on our own. I also shared that I had planned on leaving 15-20 minutes before he arrived, but in hindsight now know I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to not leave yet. He was so blessed to be a blessing, and we were also just amazed at the timing God has. After Trevor left, I thought I should give Jeff a call and opened the conversation with “Did God answer you prayer yet?” He then proceeded to tell me that, yes, God had answered Jeff’s prayer, and that he did have money for us and it would be put in our bank account the next morning. We were so excited to share with each other the ways God had separately provided for us, and like Eph. 3:20-21 says “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Hope you are as encouraged and blessed by this as we were.
Jeremy
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Blessed in Malaybalay
My week in Malaybalay has been a real blessing! The kids here have attached themselves to our team and we have attached ourselves as well. As the ministry is still developing, most of our work was physical labor. It is awesome, thought, to look across the soccer field and see what God has accomplished because we were willing.Saturday’s children's ministry was an awesome opportunity to interact with the children of the community. We got to play with them, serve them lunch and dessert, and even share the gospel with them. I am excited as I watch things develop here, right before my eyes, and I can’t wait to return and see how it’s grown! Praise God for Kids International Ministries! He is surely using it for His glory!
Becca Ubrun
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Unfamiliar Familiarity
It has been about a year and a half since I was here in the Philippines. Ever since leaving in January of 2008 I felt strongly that I would be back. So, when Colleen and I talked about where to go on our honeymoon, the choice seemed obvious. Beautiful Manila. Where the air is so polluted that just being here for two days has made my throat scratch again. Where sewage puddles in the streets making dinge fever a commonality among the people here, especially the poor. Where the traffic makes daily traffic in LA seem like a Sunday drive, and the dogs roam breeding all kinds of God knows what diseases. Where poverty is the norm, unclothed babies are everywhere, and squatter shacks are simply part of daily life.. it is to this industrial paradise that we chose to have our honeymoon.To tell you the truth I couldn't be more excited to be here. Despite its inherent lack of beauty as a physical location, I can honestly say I have never visited a more beautiful place. Four years ago a missionary who taught at a local missionary boarding school was driving to his home in a condo right outside one of the few golf courses in Manila. As they were driving through an impoverished neighborhood, his youngest daughter asked the question "Daddy... why don't we do anything to help the poor?" The simple question would be the start what today, I would consider the most incredible ministry to the poor I have ever been a part of.
It has been four years since the question was asked. Last night around midnight, amongst a down pour of warm rain, a truck container loaded to the brim with food was unloaded by a dozen or so homeless Filipinos and a handful of missionaries from the surrounding squatter towns. The container will serve around 2,000 meals a week, to several hundreds of impoverished families for a whole year. This is only the surface. To go into depth of all that is going on here at the place we are honeymooning will take another blog for another day. The only thing I will say for now is it is simply incredible what a community of believers can do for a community, for a family, for an abandoned child. It is hard for me to find words to describe it.
I guess the words that comes to mind when we are here are words like:
redemption...restoration....
transformation...
It is no wonder why we love it here so much, because really, I don't know of any words that are more beautiful and significant. They are the kind of words that move beyond simple physical descriptions to ones that suggest things that are new and different... things that heal and rebuild... things that bring new life. When all is said and done, I find that these words beat the sunny beaches of Tahiti any day. I would much rather be around new life. Life... where a simple question creating a spark of action can transform and inspire the lives of thousands. Life... where taking care of those who are forgotten is common place. Life... where the lives of those who have everything entangle with the lives of those who have hardly anything. Life... where the heart of God is seen in the actions of his followers like a light shining on a hill.
As I walk the familiar streets of where I was a year and a half ago... I am reminded that this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. When I think of my marriage to Colleen as the start of a new life, I truly believe that this place more than any other represents the kind of new life we want to live together. What a perfect place for a honeymoon... what a perfect place to inspire the hearts of our new life together.Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Top Ten Reasons for Not Going to Church (in Manila)
Last Sunday I went to church – it was not like going to church in the US. In fact, it was a real experience. I’ve compiled some reasons why I shouldn’t go back next week.
10) It took too long to get there. It was at least 45 minute drive and that was by car. Many people had to take public transportation: bus, jeepney, trike or taxi -which even takes longer. This is unacceptable.
9) The church was difficult to find. (In fact, everything is difficult to find). This church is located on the 5th story of a high rise mall. If you didn’t happen to see the sign you’d never know there was a church in the vicinity.
8) Paid parking – who wants to pay for parking?
7) It was raining (again). We were soaked by the time we got from the parking garage to the front door. (Who thinks of taking an umbrella to church in Colorado?)
6) We were frisked as we entered. (All malls have security guards searching people and belongings.) Not exactly a holy hug.
5) 5 flights of stairs! We found escalators on the way down! (a little too late).
4) We had to fight our way through a crowded video arcade, food court and department store. – It was a sea of humanity.
3) Constant “invitations” from vendors. The word accosted is too strong but I was encouraged repeatedly to buy various items for my wife &/or girl friend.
2) Arrived at the sanctuary all hot, sweaty and sticky.
1) Too crowded – there were 5 services – all of which were packed. There are over 15,000 attenders every Sunday. It was an invasion of my personal space.
In fact, after all was said and done, there was only one reason to go to church at all – because our gracious Lord and Savior is worthy of our collective worship. I guess when you weigh the pros & cons, it’s really a no-brainer. I think I will go back next week. It’s funny to think that back in the US, we will use almost any excuse for not going to church. Studies have shown that if people can’t park within 100 feet of an entrance to the church building, it’s too much of a bother to go at all. I’m convinced we could learn a little from our Filipino brothers and sisters -that attending church may involve a bit of a sacrifice but still thousands are joyfully willing to make it every week.
Larry Chell, Pastor of Christian Family Fellowship in Canon City, Colorado
Larry and his wife, Joyce have been visiting their daughter Daisy who works in the nursery at New Faith Family Children’s Home
10) It took too long to get there. It was at least 45 minute drive and that was by car. Many people had to take public transportation: bus, jeepney, trike or taxi -which even takes longer. This is unacceptable.
9) The church was difficult to find. (In fact, everything is difficult to find). This church is located on the 5th story of a high rise mall. If you didn’t happen to see the sign you’d never know there was a church in the vicinity.
8) Paid parking – who wants to pay for parking?
7) It was raining (again). We were soaked by the time we got from the parking garage to the front door. (Who thinks of taking an umbrella to church in Colorado?)
6) We were frisked as we entered. (All malls have security guards searching people and belongings.) Not exactly a holy hug.
5) 5 flights of stairs! We found escalators on the way down! (a little too late).
4) We had to fight our way through a crowded video arcade, food court and department store. – It was a sea of humanity.
3) Constant “invitations” from vendors. The word accosted is too strong but I was encouraged repeatedly to buy various items for my wife &/or girl friend.
2) Arrived at the sanctuary all hot, sweaty and sticky.
1) Too crowded – there were 5 services – all of which were packed. There are over 15,000 attenders every Sunday. It was an invasion of my personal space.
In fact, after all was said and done, there was only one reason to go to church at all – because our gracious Lord and Savior is worthy of our collective worship. I guess when you weigh the pros & cons, it’s really a no-brainer. I think I will go back next week. It’s funny to think that back in the US, we will use almost any excuse for not going to church. Studies have shown that if people can’t park within 100 feet of an entrance to the church building, it’s too much of a bother to go at all. I’m convinced we could learn a little from our Filipino brothers and sisters -that attending church may involve a bit of a sacrifice but still thousands are joyfully willing to make it every week.
Larry Chell, Pastor of Christian Family Fellowship in Canon City, Colorado
Larry and his wife, Joyce have been visiting their daughter Daisy who works in the nursery at New Faith Family Children’s Home
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thank you
two years ago when you visited pal ing it was a camp only during summer time.The place becomes alive for 2 weeks a year only.We never thought you & uncle Ted would cross our paths.This year has been so unbelievable for Mt. Moriah.we had the most number of campers. I still couldn't believe the number of kids that came.The evangelistic camp that we conducted last april even opened more doors of opportunities to serve God.When the kids asked " when do we come back?" it actually opened the door for the saturday fellowship.From 15 kids to more than 100 kids now.God in His wisdom & faithfulness has also provided counselors.He used the kids from intervarsity who later tapped student leaders of PSALM to help. We have an average of 30 counselors come & help.Bob Stauble has provided our leaders with training & materials so we didn't have to register with AWANA anymore . we don't only minister to kids but we also now provide training to leaders and it is all happening in our camp.Some of our kids on saturday have opened their homes for bible studies .(more doors are opening) . Our attendance on sunday has increased too. Some of the kids come back for sunday school and some of our leaders come back too to help in sunday school. We never planned for this to happen but obviously God is allowing it. May we be found faithful till the end. All these Jeff because you , uncle Ted, & the KIM board have been faithful to respond to God's calling.Thank you very much.
Grace Ayala
Grace Ayala
Monday, August 3, 2009
A Dream Comes True for Six Couples
Dear family and friends,
While six couples getting married at the same ceremony may seem like something from a movie, it was a real-life event that we were privileged to witness and be a part of this past month. Hopefully these pictures and those included on our blog will give a glimpse of the joy these couples experienced as they honored the Lord and He gave them a dream-come-true wedding.
Though not evident from the pictures here, each couple is extremely poor and lives in the squatter community where Kids International Ministries is involved. These couples have been living together ranging from five to eleven years and have established families. Last fall, the Tagumpay Evangelical Baptist Church, which serves this community, offered in a step of faith to help couples get married by assisting with legal and ceremony expenses.
Since deciding to get married, these six couples have bonded through many special experiences: meeting weekly for group marriage counseling and then enjoying a culminating restaurant meal, seeing God enable them to purchase their wedding attire at $16 per couple, enjoying a ladies’ day at a salon in preparation for their wedding, and seeing the church come together to contribute financially and serve with the wedding arrangements. Indeed, God’s blessings are beyond our dreams and imaginings.
Looking like a scene from Arabian Nights, the room for the ceremony was elegantly decorated with sweeping fabric, hanging beads, and beautiful flower arrangements. Our dim
understanding of the depths of these couples’ poverty and all that had been invested to make this day possible seemed to enhance the beauty of the decor. Nevertheless, it was the joy on these couples’ faces, starting with each groom walking down the aisle to get his waiting bride and bringing her to the front to make their commitment before God and others, that made this all very moving.
The photos included here read “Maraming Salamat Po!” —a respectful way of saying “Many Thanks!” from the Project Blessing Couples. This was indeed a project of blessing to these six couples, of which you were a part. Visit our blog to see more pictures of the couples at the wedding and in their homes. Please join us in praying for these couples and their future lives together.
God bless you and yours.
Frank, Kaye, and Rebekah Cherry
While six couples getting married at the same ceremony may seem like something from a movie, it was a real-life event that we were privileged to witness and be a part of this past month. Hopefully these pictures and those included on our blog will give a glimpse of the joy these couples experienced as they honored the Lord and He gave them a dream-come-true wedding.
Though not evident from the pictures here, each couple is extremely poor and lives in the squatter community where Kids International Ministries is involved. These couples have been living together ranging from five to eleven years and have established families. Last fall, the Tagumpay Evangelical Baptist Church, which serves this community, offered in a step of faith to help couples get married by assisting with legal and ceremony expenses.Since deciding to get married, these six couples have bonded through many special experiences: meeting weekly for group marriage counseling and then enjoying a culminating restaurant meal, seeing God enable them to purchase their wedding attire at $16 per couple, enjoying a ladies’ day at a salon in preparation for their wedding, and seeing the church come together to contribute financially and serve with the wedding arrangements. Indeed, God’s blessings are beyond our dreams and imaginings.
Looking like a scene from Arabian Nights, the room for the ceremony was elegantly decorated with sweeping fabric, hanging beads, and beautiful flower arrangements. Our dim
understanding of the depths of these couples’ poverty and all that had been invested to make this day possible seemed to enhance the beauty of the decor. Nevertheless, it was the joy on these couples’ faces, starting with each groom walking down the aisle to get his waiting bride and bringing her to the front to make their commitment before God and others, that made this all very moving.The photos included here read “Maraming Salamat Po!” —a respectful way of saying “Many Thanks!” from the Project Blessing Couples. This was indeed a project of blessing to these six couples, of which you were a part. Visit our blog to see more pictures of the couples at the wedding and in their homes. Please join us in praying for these couples and their future lives together.
God bless you and yours.
Frank, Kaye, and Rebekah Cherry
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Terminal
In the movie, Terminal, Tom Hanks plays the role of a man who lives for a time in a busy metropolitan airport. What a noisy, chaotic experience it was for him. A week at the Yun Jin Lyso Ministry Center, isn’t quite as hectic and disjointed as an airport, but it is quite a stretch from life in Canon City, Colorado. Putting aside the cultural shock issues, which are significant and real in and of themselves, there are amazing stories to be seen and experienced. The YMC is a blessing that followed a tragic story. Twenty days after Yun Jin and Amos were married, she was killed in a car accident. Amos chose to us the funds from her death to make an investment for eternity. So the ministry center was purchased in conjunction with Kids International Ministry.
In the past 6 days, I met Bruce and his partner from Texas. They were just finishing up a 3 day tour of preaching and teaching in several public schools. Then there was a team of 6 or so who had also been sharing in the schools about HIV/aids, from a Christian perspective. In the states we insist on keeping God out of the schools, here it seems to be just the opposite. Then we met Nolan and his basketball team from the US, who have been playing 2-3 games a day with all kinds of Filipino teams. They share their testimonies, the gospel message and Christian literature. Ruth and Paul arrived from Australia about the same time that my wife and I did. They left their cattle ranch to serve for 2 years as the high school chaplain at Faith Academy, the nearby school for missionary kids. 3 Koreans then appeared one morning. One of them, Steve, brought several rebuilt computers for the lab for the community school next door. His mother and sister have been helping in the New Faith Family Children’s Home a block away. It was a real stretch out of their comfort zones. 5 nannies left for the states on Sunday. They had been here for 2 months to help in the Children’s Home nursery. They were a real blessing, to be sure. Pam and her daughters spent a month here helping out wherever they could. They were on break from their school in Korea. Check out the beautifully framed pictures Pam left all around the YMC. Tina and Nate left their 2 small boys with their parents for two weeks to help with computer matters and also in the Children’s Home. They call home everyday to check on their boys. 6 young people from Germany stopped in overnight on their way to Batangus, somewhere south of Manila. They had Bibles with them, but I didn’t get a chance to catch their mission. I met Bill and his daughter, Mary today. They converted part of the YMC into an office for their ministry to publish and distribute the first and only street magazine in Manila. Its purpose is to help those who are impoverished all over the city. Alex and his wife Chris stopped in for dinner the other night. Their ministry sells a hundred thousand thread bracelets every month to help keep the women and young girls out of prostitution on the island of Mindoro. Then Carmine showed up from Utah. He is an architect who is here to help with designs and plans for future expansions with the ministry. Building is a constant way of life here as they rush to keep up with the ever increasing people needs. Then there is Joe and Neil who pop in and out to help wherever there is a need. Christie and Amber who have been living at the YMC, teach classes at the school next door. Chris and Kim stop in for meals occasionally. Kim is the headmaster of the community school and Chris spends his time discipling several Filipinos among other ministries.
The ministry center is not exactly Grand Central Station, but you don’t want to sit still very long or you might find yourself being caught up in the swirl of genuine Christian ministry. It’s not just the name of a building - it’s the activity that takes place in and around this ” terminal” of life.
Larry and Joyce Chell
They serve at Christian Family Fellowship in Canon City, Colorado and are in the Philippines visiting their daughter Daisy.
In the past 6 days, I met Bruce and his partner from Texas. They were just finishing up a 3 day tour of preaching and teaching in several public schools. Then there was a team of 6 or so who had also been sharing in the schools about HIV/aids, from a Christian perspective. In the states we insist on keeping God out of the schools, here it seems to be just the opposite. Then we met Nolan and his basketball team from the US, who have been playing 2-3 games a day with all kinds of Filipino teams. They share their testimonies, the gospel message and Christian literature. Ruth and Paul arrived from Australia about the same time that my wife and I did. They left their cattle ranch to serve for 2 years as the high school chaplain at Faith Academy, the nearby school for missionary kids. 3 Koreans then appeared one morning. One of them, Steve, brought several rebuilt computers for the lab for the community school next door. His mother and sister have been helping in the New Faith Family Children’s Home a block away. It was a real stretch out of their comfort zones. 5 nannies left for the states on Sunday. They had been here for 2 months to help in the Children’s Home nursery. They were a real blessing, to be sure. Pam and her daughters spent a month here helping out wherever they could. They were on break from their school in Korea. Check out the beautifully framed pictures Pam left all around the YMC. Tina and Nate left their 2 small boys with their parents for two weeks to help with computer matters and also in the Children’s Home. They call home everyday to check on their boys. 6 young people from Germany stopped in overnight on their way to Batangus, somewhere south of Manila. They had Bibles with them, but I didn’t get a chance to catch their mission. I met Bill and his daughter, Mary today. They converted part of the YMC into an office for their ministry to publish and distribute the first and only street magazine in Manila. Its purpose is to help those who are impoverished all over the city. Alex and his wife Chris stopped in for dinner the other night. Their ministry sells a hundred thousand thread bracelets every month to help keep the women and young girls out of prostitution on the island of Mindoro. Then Carmine showed up from Utah. He is an architect who is here to help with designs and plans for future expansions with the ministry. Building is a constant way of life here as they rush to keep up with the ever increasing people needs. Then there is Joe and Neil who pop in and out to help wherever there is a need. Christie and Amber who have been living at the YMC, teach classes at the school next door. Chris and Kim stop in for meals occasionally. Kim is the headmaster of the community school and Chris spends his time discipling several Filipinos among other ministries.
The ministry center is not exactly Grand Central Station, but you don’t want to sit still very long or you might find yourself being caught up in the swirl of genuine Christian ministry. It’s not just the name of a building - it’s the activity that takes place in and around this ” terminal” of life.
Larry and Joyce Chell
They serve at Christian Family Fellowship in Canon City, Colorado and are in the Philippines visiting their daughter Daisy.
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