The heart of a young 10 year old missionary daughter was broken and filled with compassion when she saw all the dirty abandoned children begging for food. She tugged on her daddy's shirt, looked into his eyes and said,
"Dad, why can't we do more?"
Less than 2 years later on February 14, 2005 the Long Family opened the New Faith Family Children's Home. Since then their ministry, KID's INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES (KIM) in the Philippines have exploded!
Jeff and Collen Long and their children have now been in Manila for over 20 years. They originally come here to be teachers and through their willingness and obedience to the Lord are now running KIM's Ministry and meeting the needs of abandoned children and the poor by "showing" them the gospel on a daily basis.
God uses this beautiful, ordinary American family to do the EXTRAORDINARY for His Kingdom.
I'm so thankful our final month is here in the Philippines partnering with KIM. I've been greatly inspired and blessed through their family and ministry. I absolutly love this place!! Its growing and thriving in the heart of a poor area on the outskirts of Manila.
I was blown away when we arrived to their main site. I didn’t know all these ministry opportunities could be possible within one organization. They have everything from a school, children’s home, feeding program, health clinic for pregnant women, salon, girls home, making/selling bracelets, and more!
When I was younger the Lord put it on my heart to have a dream center that would reach out to the poor and impoverished of all ages. I didn’t know if all of my dreams and ideas could be possible and I’m still not sure what, when, where, how this dream center will be one day, but the Lord has been reminding me to pray about this vision He instilled in my mind long ago.
When I stepped onto KIM’s main ministry center the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “See! It is POSSIBLE! So, LEARN-DREAM-WRITE!” Since day 1of this month, I have been soaking it all in and allowing the Lord to make my dreams even bigger!
We have 3 teams staying at their main site in Manila- which is luxury for us! They have a beautiful guest house with BEDS and pillows, hot showers, coffee pots, delicious home cooked food with dessert every day, couches, prayer room, children’s library, wifi, washing machines, a mini workout gym, and they are even in the process of building their own swimming pool! It’s amazing. It’s a happening place here and teams, groups, families, individuals are consistently coming in and out lending a hand. We’ve heard so many racers have returned back here- and I can see why.
This has been the perfect spot to end our race. One of their main desires for us as missionaries is to find areas of ministry which we thrive in. The first few days we were able to explore the different opportunities and pray about where we wanted to focus and spend our time. We get to finish this year doing the things we love!
Here are a few of the many ministries that I loved helping with this past week.
New Faith Family Children’s Home
Home of love for abandoned, neglected, and abused children. They have already served over 100 children and found “forever” homes for over 20% of these children through adoption.
Feedings
After the Typhoon hit in 2009 they decided to take action and help those in need. Since then they have two feedings every day- hitting 10 locations every week. It's been one of my favorites to help with.
Josie’s Angels
Josie Long, a beautiful and free-spirited 25 year old who never dreamed or even asked for this- is now a mother to 28 beautiful girls. She said "Yes" to the Lord and started the JAZ HOME in 2011 to help these girls escape abuse and provide them a home of love and bright futures. I have loved having fun girl time- playing games, going swimming, baking cupcakes, bible studies, hearing their stories, and praying for them. They call me Tita Michelle… such sweet girls! LOVE THEM.
New Hope Family Clinic
It's one of their newest ministries which came from their desire to see kids have a great start to life- even while in their mother’s womb. It’s a proactive health screening and educational program for pregnant mothers. They also have a bible study and provide them food and clothing. It broke my heart as I was praying and looked up to tears streaming down one of the single mothers face who is pregnant with her third baby. Thankful they can receive hope, love, and care every Thursday morning.
The Lord has blessed my time here and I've been soaking it all up. It really has been the best place to end our Race!
Oh yea! And they have also partnered with Mt. Moriah and started a children’s home on their campground outside of Malaybalay- a mountainous village 3 hours from Mindanao. I flew out there for a week and joined 2 all-girl teams and was blessed beyond words. It’s where the Lord started wrecking me all over again…. I'll share more tomorrow!
