Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by archiveworldraceblogs

  Romania is still my #1 favorite country on our route, but Philippines is tying for 2nd with Malawi! 😉

The New Faith Family Children’s Home in Malaybalay was established in 2007.  The first kids arrived in March of last year.  There are currently 26 kids living at this orphanage, but this ministry provides so much more for other kids in the community.  Every Saturday, at least 200 kids arrive in several van trips to our camp.  They come to learn about Jesus through various Bible teachings, games, and by sharing one huge meal together!  Last week, some parents came for the first time to join in and were overwhelmed by the generosity of Kids International Ministries.  Many of the parents were shy about accepting some of the food, but there was plenty to go around.

 
The name of the dorm us racers are living in this month is called Mt. Moriah Camp.  This location serves as a retreat center, day camp, and an area where short term teams stay while working in Malaybalay. On the 29th, approximately 300 kids are expected to come to the next day/sports camp at Mt. Moriah. This place is going to be packed full with kids and volunteers and we’re making preparations.

Our squad is helping with the construction/finishing touches on the dorm. We’re also painting the children’s home so that the kids have a warm, welcoming place to call their own. Rather than looking at a plain, cement building, we’re going to be putting some color and life into the building. It’s just another way to show love to these kids, to show them that they are not invisible or have no place to go.

When we’re not changing dirty diapers and rolling on paint on the home, we’re also out and about sharing the love of Christ with the Filipinos. Four days of the week, we send out a group to do feedings at a local hospital or prison. Many of the families can’t afford to travel back and forth to take care of their loved ones. So they need to resort to living across the street under the shade of trees. Often all they have to eat every day is a serving of rice. Since our World Race team arrived, we’ve begun cooking huge pots of soup to take out and serve to them. I was able to pray with a mother for her daughter who is need of blood transfusions and has been suffering from fainting. Often patients have to wait in line for days to see a doctor. It breaks my heart but I’m thankful that even giving one meal gave this mother a glimmer of hope and the knowledge that she is being watched and prayed over by strangers. Sometimes that’s all it takes to change a person’s day or outlook on life.

We have a lot of basketball fans/players on our squad and they get to play three nights a week against a local league team. It’s great hearing their stories and how they’re building relationships on the basketball court.

We send out more groups to do a feeding at a local prison. Much like with the hospital, family members live outside the prison because they can’t afford to live anywhere else. We’ve begun providing them with meals as well and we also now have the chance to go inside and share testimonies and begin Bible studies with the inmates. I’ve already heard incredible stories of how God is changing the lives of inmates there. Several are taking seminary classes while serving their sentences and transforming the atmosphere of the jail.

This week we’ll begin going to the university to determine the interest of students who would like to begin Bible study fellowship on campus! There are just so many ways to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in Malaybalay. We don’t want to spread ourselves too thin…but how great to see open doors God has already given our group to evangelize and serve with Kids International Ministries!

Pray that our hearts and actions are focused and maximized. Time is already passing by quickly…two weeks down and only two weeks left. Please pray that more volunteers will follow quickly behind us, or that more of the Christians here will pick up where we leave off.

God is doing great things in the Philippines! Thanks for all you’ve done to bring me here.

   
Left: enjoying a cultural festival/parade.  Right: beautiful Filipino sunset! Each sunset is fabulous here!

Financial update too! I now lack just $622.50 left to finish off my race funding, whoo hoo!!! Supporters, you are in a word-awesome! In just 6 more weeks I’ll be visiting with many of you face-to-face again and sharing lots more!