That's Him!- Philippines

10.7.12

South to Laguna . . . . . .

Yesterday we traveled south from Manila to the area known as Laguna.  We spent the night there in a local hotel.   The drive was beautiful - rice fields surrounded by mountains.  Green everywhere.  Beautiful.

This morning we attended worship at the Church of God in Laguna.   It was a great experience.  Tom Kumpel (Gloucester City, New Jersey) sang and Pastor Pete Weber (Sunny Place Church of God, Addison, IL) preached.    And . . . the group of sponsors sang an impromptu song at the request of our hosts.

At the close of the service, we immediately set up for interviewing the children.  What a great group of kids.  We were impressed with their health as well as their involvement in the church. Many formerly sponsored kids are now serving on the worship team and other ministries of the church.

We traveled home through the beautiful Philippine countryside, and enjoyed some down time at our hotel before meeting our last group of children tomorrow morning.

10.8.12

That's Him! . . . . . . . . . .

As we pulled around the corner in the crowded and congested shanty neighborhood, I happened to see Melchor point excitedly at our bus with a huge smile across his face.  He had spotted his long-time sponsor, Tom.  As the bus door opened and Tom began to get down from the bus, Melchor rushed forward and locked Tom in a huge hug that said loudly and clearly, “That’s Him!  My sponsor.”  They embraced as the crowd of parents, children, and interested friends and bystanders cheered and applauded.

Tom and Vicky Kumpel have cared for Melchor since he was a little boy.  When Tom visited the the Philippines on a sponsor trip in 2007, he met Melchor for the first time in person. (see left)  Melchor’s home had been flooded by a tropical storm right before Tom met him.  The floors and walls of the two-room shanty were ruined.  Tom and Vicky were more than happy to help rehabilitate their home so it would livable for Melchor and his family. 

When Melchor graduated from high school, he wanted to attend college.  Tom and Vicky worked out a way for him to do so.  Over the years a significant relationship has developed which made our visit to Melchor's home especially exciting.  Tom was so gratified to see that the flooring and walls were still holding up well.  Melchor was so proud to have Tom in his home again.

The time passed all too quickly, of course.  Soon, it was time to go again.  And goodbyes were said and hugged.  The two, sponsor and young man, expressed again their love and appreciation for each other.  And, as the bus pulled away, Melchor, once again looked longingly at the bus, this time with such a satisfied expression mixed with sadness.  Yes, Melchor, "That’s Him!"

We also visited a group of families also living in Melchor’s area, F. Bautista.  These families, along with many others in the community, had recently suffered horrendous flooding (again) caused by a typhoon.  Most families in the neighborhood were evacuated.  Some had to evacuate their homes by hanging on to rope put up to guide them through the water. As we visited these families, they showed us how high the water had been in their homes.  (See below.)  They thanked me over and over for the emergency assistance provided by Children of Promise.   

They also informed me that Children of Promise was the first group to arrive with assistance – food, water, blankets, and other basic needs items.  I responded by telling them that this is due to the generosity of our sponsors and donors who provided the $10,000 sent by wire just a few hours after the calamity hit and the Grace Family Helper (COP) staff members were able to assess  the damage and deliver help quickly.  (Thank you for supporting the emergency fund so children and their families like these can be helped when calamity strikes.)

The rest of the day was spent sight-seeing in the Manila area, and the day came to a close (as well as our trip) with dinner and sharing with the staff members of Grace Family Helper Project.  They truly are an amazing group, striving above all else, to serve the children in Jesus' stead.

It has been an amazing journey.    Amazing children.   Amazing local staff.  Amazing just about everything! Thank you, Tom, Pete, Carla, Bob, Ryan, and Eddye for joining me.  You have been great – and your help in interviewing the children was not only superb, but deeply appreciated.  God bless you, and God bless The Philippines.