I have made it to the Philippines. Here we go, month three! When we arrived to Manila, Philippines we found out that our entire squad would be serving together for the entire month (well, until April 3rd to be exact). I honestly never saw the whole squad being able to minister together since there are 53 of us, but this month we are! What a blessing! We are staying at KIM, Kids International Ministry Center.
Through this center there is a Christian school, an orphanage and many outreach programs. Jeff Long and his family (wife & 5 children) came here from Kansas. Jeff and his wife, Colene are the directors. He is a GREAT man of God and has a lot of enthusiasm for the Kingdom. He has great ideas to share the love of God with the people in this community. There has been many programs established like: medical attention, feeding children and after school basketball programs, and many others.
I found out that my specific ministry this month will be working in the children’s home with boys ages 5-10. I have the morning shift, which is 6am-2pm. I make sure the boys are up, showered, dressed, fed and ready for school. They go to school for half a day and then come back for a nap and then playtime! These little ones are adorable. I’m excited God is allowing me to work with these boys. I’m nervous too. These boys are going to leave a mark on my heart. It’s going to hurt when I leave. Maralyn, head nurse at the children’s home, warned us they will steal your heart. We were encouraged to just love on these kids and care for them the best we knew how. Most of the kids were street kids, who were taken into the children’s home. There stories break your heart to hear.
One of the little boys collected trash off the streets and sold them for 5 pisos, which is not even worth a penny, so that he and his brother could eat. Other boys that are in the home were found living in one of those storm drains that pour into a nearby river. It’s so sad. Another little girl was at the children’s home in order to receive proper medical attention and then would be sent home once she got better. Now this little one really touched me. Her name is Raeh, and she completely melted my heart. She has 8 siblings. Her dad is an alcoholic and her mom was described as lazy and not concerned about her children, therefore the two oldest girls, 12 & 14 take care of all the children. The children’s home can’t take these kids away from their parents because they are their guardians, which is frustrating to see, real frustrating. Maralyn told us that Raeh has never smiled and she’s one and a half. I prayed that while she was in our care she would smile, and you know what we got her to smile!!! Megan was holding her one afternoon, lifting her in the air and we got a smile out of her. She has the cutest little dimples. Then later that day I was rocking Raeh on the front porch. I decided to sing to her because I remember how much that meant to me when my mom did that. I turned her around and sat her on my lap facing me and started singing “You Are My Sunshine” in the highest, most smile-est voice I could. Slowly, she began to smile, and I began to cry. It was just me and her on the porch and it was a precious moment. I was so thankful God gave me that moment.
Even though I’ve only been in the Philippines for a little over a week, the children here have already stolen my heart, like Maralyn warned, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I have so many stories already that I can’t wait to share with you. If you could be praying for me that I may love on these kids with all that I have, I would appreciate it. I will need energy and strength.
Some of the kids out playing before school
Does that face not melt your heart?
