Month 7…. Philippines…. Like…wow..!!! Easily one of my favorite months of World Race!
There is vast need in Manila on so many levels. Manila tops the list of the most densely populated cities in the world with around 1.6 million people jampacked in an area of 16.56 sqm = 111,002 people per square mile.
Working with Kids International Ministries (K.I.M.) located on the outskirts of Manila, has easily been one of my favorite months of the Race so far. The Filipino people are some of the most welcoming, kind-hearted, and selfless people I have ever met—and it was an honor to serve them and work alongside them.
Our host Norman at K.I.M. is from Texas, and has a huge heart for the community here and for missions in general. His energy is contagious and really moved me. There is something so impactful about someone with a strong passion, and I hope that someday my own can influence others in such a positive way like he did for me.
He loves to see people’s passions lined up with The Kingdom’s work, and God has orchestrated this time and time again. K.I.M. has so many options for ministry each day so you are sure to find one you can pour yourself into. (My official invitation for you to serve with K.I.M. and experience it for yourself!)
Listening to Norman share story after story of how God has conquered what seemed to be “impossible tasks” with prayerful petition and how HE places the just right people exactly when and where they are needed is such a sweet reminder of the many miraculous things all around. God is calling for people to be willing to be the hands and feet to intentionally “take time” and to engage. Be intentional and love people right where they are. (this principle works in all countries … even home.)
At K.I.M. there is a large white board in the dining area where each night a schedule is posted with the next day’s options. Here you sign up where you feel called for the next day’s ministries. Following are some of the options to select from:
Feedings: Twice daily, a group from KIM goes into local impoverished communities. The fulltime cooks at KIM prepare large containers full of oatmeal protein mix and send teams all over. Locations vary traveling anywhere from a 10-minute walk away, to a 3-hour drive into a remote village. The feedings are for the kids and we share the love of God with them through singing, dancing, storytelling, adult bible studies, sports, piggy-back rides, or really anything to connect and love on them and encourage them spiritually. They come for the food and get a whole lot more
Clinic: K.I.M. is offering ways to help children from the womb into adulthood. This begins with the Pregnancy Clinic! Rona is the beautiful soul who runs the clinic. She works with future moms from the beginning through the time they give birth doing ultrasounds and check-ups and even delivering babies. This clinic shows them love in a place where pregnant women are severely lacking in what is needed for a healthly pregnancy and a healthy child. This was such a great place for female discipleship and the love of Christ to shine. One of my biggest highlights of the World Race so far is that I got to be a part of delivering a baby!!! … and I was blessed by being the one who got to “catch” the baby!! It was SO AMAZING to be part of the miracle of birth!!!
Children’s Home: There are about 50 kids that live in the children’s home, from birth through 17 years old. It is located less than 100 feet from the K.I.M. compound (where we lived). The children’s home isn’t specifically an orphanage, it is a home for kids who have lost their parents, children who came from abusive situations or are from broken homes and living off the street. Some have parents who gave them up while some may have never met their parents.
There is a wing for babies and toddlers as well as a wing for the more grown kids. The Children’s Home was open for visitors in the morning and evening for opportunities to be with them to entertain and be entertained, to play games, color or read and just love on them. The kids there LOVE Jesus and are loved so well by God’s people around them 🙂
Elementary School & High School: Kids International partners with a local school, Cuatro Christian School which is just down the road. There is an elementary school (Kindergarten – 6th grade) and a high school (7th-10th grade). In the future, 11th and 12th grade will be added to the high school as well. Many children in the Philippines do not finish their education for multiple reasons, but Kids International & Cuatro Christian provide the opportunity for kids to have an affordable education from kindergarten through graduation. They welcomed help here by having us go to the elementary school to read with a few kids or help them with math.
Christian education is out of reach for most Filipinos due to the price tag associated and especially the poverty that Manila faces. The over 150 kids that attend here pay around $5 a month (which is a lot in this impoverished community). Some students can’t pay that so K.I.M. will find a way to make it work by volunteering each month to cover the fee. The students desire to learn is unbelievable!
Library: The library is in the building of K.I.M. which is connected to Cuatro Christian High School. Sorting, labeling and organizing books is an ongoing process that needs to be done.
Construction: K.I.M. is preparing to build a new high school in order to hold 7th-12th grade. I got some construction experience in preparation for the new high school.
Mural Painting: Painting is always and option – paint murals throughout the community and something easy to pick up and do when there was a little free time!
Cooking: With K.I.M. doing two feedings daily, and hosting up to 80 people at a time, the kitchen is always going. There is always an opportunity to help cook for the feedings and for everyone staying at K.I.M.!
Tondo: Every week, the ministry we worked with has a feeding in Tondo. The journey to get there from K.I.M. entails a few hours: a bus ride, two train rides, a Jeepney then a hike to the top of the mountain. Tondo is a part of Manila that has a giant garbage dump called Trash Mountain or Smokey Mountain, and on top of it lives a community of immense poverty. Many Tondo children are in tattered or non-existent clothes, black with soot from burning trash, most with lice, have infected wounds, distended bellies… and giant smiles and gorgeously bright eyes. Oh, those eyes and those smiles! We began to play with the kids, paint nails, sing songs, and organize the food. Although heartbreaking, the out-pouring of love is SO worth every moment.
K.I.M. Vision: We are passionate about “breaking the cycle” of poverty. Norman told us that poverty isn’t about money—it’s a mindset. The people of the community believe that if their dad didn’t make it past the third grade, then that is their destiny as well—or if their sister became pregnant at 15, they will too. K.I.M. believes in educating the people and encouraging THEM to make the change—not doing everything for them. We are there to help get the ball rolling.
For example, Norman told us that they helped the community build some small houses, but then the community decided to build second stories on their own. They are learning to take initiative. Building a solid foundation in which change can happen. Giving them the tools and education to make changes for themselves and their community.
Norman, emphasizes how much he wants us to keep our eyes open for other ministries and projects that could be started based on the needs WE see. “See a need, fill a need” – use your passions and your gifts.
Finally, one of the coolest parts about K.I.M. is that, at the high point, there was 80 people from all over the world staying at the base. Mission teams from Australia, Hong Kong, America, etc. and individual missionaries from Mozambique, London, and more were all at K.I.M. at the same time. We got to serve and live life with the international body of Christ while serving the international body of believers in the Philippines. It was incredible to see the passion of Jesus in people from all over the world. This is yet another plug for anyone feeling called to missions. Please consider K.I.M.! You won’t regret it!
Wow! What a Month!!!! It was full of so many wonderful opportunities, people, and experiences = Life Changer!
On to South America… our last continent, and final 4 months on the World Race. I am so grateful for the encouragement and love I get from all of you, and I am expectant and excited to see all that God has in store these next 4 months!
Thank you so much for partnering with me on this journey – I have almost met my fundraising goal. I appreciate your comments below and your prayers throughout these next 4 months.
Deej
(Dominique)
