Every Time I Think of You- Philippines

October 9, 2012

"Every Time I Think of You"

by Dr. Paul Maxfield, Executive Director

"Every time I think of you - and I think of you often - I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There's no end to what has happened in you - it's beyond speech, beyond knowledge.  The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives."  (I Corinthians 1:4-6).

(The Message)

As we leave The Philippines this morning, these words run through my mind.   God is doing some wonderful things in the lives of the children in The Philippines.  Our group has been focusing on following Jesus into Manila and other areas of The Philippines.  Sometimes it has been hard to go where he goes, do what he does, and be who he is, but it has been a wonderful journey.  He has led us to places and people who have impacted us in deep and significant ways.  Thank you, Lord, for showing us your precious ones in The Philippines, and what you are doing in their lives.  Thank you for the sponsors who are changing the lives of children who so desperately need help, and for the love and happiness we see in so many of their lives because of your grace and kindness.

We could not possibly share each face we encountered during our time here, but here is a sampling of those we met.  Every time we think of them we will pray for all those who need someone to give them a helping hand - and we will thank God for what He is doing in the lives of so many in The Philippines - and around the world.

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.

A Collision of Worlds- Philippines

A Collision of Worlds

by Pastor Ryan Reed

First Church of God

Racine, Wisconsin

Imagine hundreds of cars converging in one area at the same time . . . that is the Philippines.

Not only does that describe the traffic, but it also describes my experience here. 

 IMPACT.

One cannot come to The Philippines and not be impacted by the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells.  Much like two cars colliding, when my life collided with those served by Children of Promise here, I was a wreck.  Words cannot explain the enormity of extreme poverty in which these families exist.

Sometimes 'Home, Sweet Home' is reduced to 'Shelter, Sweet Shelter.'

"Some are barely getting by."

It is these families that are impacted when a child is sponsored.  Children stunted by poor nutrition are provided food which improves their health.  Those needing more extensive medical attention are provided the care necessary to lead a productive life.  Children also lacking the means to attend school are given that which they need.

But, most of all, these kids are taught spiritual truths that will impact their lives more just a sponsor could do.  After accepting the invitation to accompany the COP team, I decided it would be prudent to support a child.  I was provided the name of my child in the airport while waiting for our plane to The Philippines.
Her name is Shaira (Shy-ra).  From the beginning of the trip, I was looking forward to the day I would meet her.  

As we walked into the courtyard at the Das Marinas church on Saturday, I scanned the nametags looking for her name.  Unable to find her, my heart began to race.  I followed the kids into the church.  As they sat down, we entered, and were greeted with an enthusiastic "Good morning visitors."

CRASH - BANG - SMASH.

Many emotions collided within me when I saw Shaira sitting there in front of me.  As the kids sang, I could tell she wasn't as familiar with the song as others her age.  Later, she danced with some friends, and I could see she was a little more confident.

In a collision, there is the possibility of little to no damage, or completely totaling the vehicle. I was totalled when I finally got to visit with Shaira.

She was so quiet, so . . . . well,  SHY.  Her mother joined Shaira as I had the opportunity to tell her that I was her sponsor.  There was no jumping for joy, no hugs of gratitude, no great display of affection.  She simply said directly and sincerely, "Thank you, sir."  It was I who had to thank her.  Meeting Shaira and the other Children of Promise beneficiaries has impacted my life, and I will never be the same again!

                                Meeting Shaira and her mother at the Das Marinas Church of God

The Kids in Das Marinas- Philippines

October 6, 2012

Bob and Wendy Weeks sponsor children in various parts of the world, including several in The Philippines.  Both Bob and Wendy have visited their children in The Philippines.  Bob has returned as part of this trip to see the children here again.  Here is what he has to say:

"This is my second time in The Philippines.  I was here in 2010, and I can see a huge difference in the children we sponsor.  They have all grown taller and have all become active in their churches.  Their family members are now active in the church as well.  Meeting our kids this time was more difficult than I thought.  It was much harder to leave them behind.  I was greeted with smiles, hugs, and thank you's from the children and family members.  In reflecting on this day, the question that keeps coming to my mind is "Who am I?"  God chose these children we sponsor.  God has given us the ability to financially support them.  God has given me this opportunity to visit our children.  Who am I?  Papa Bob."

It is indeed difficult to say goodbye - but it is overshadowed by the joy of making a significant impact in a child's life.  It is a privilege to be a part of the children's lives.

Today we visited and interviewed the children in Das Marinas (PHDS) in the greater Manila area..  We were met with shouts of welcome!

As our time together began, the children shared a special dance to a popular Christian song.  It was a great start to a joyful and energetic afternoon.

The sponsors and I have been continually impressed by how healthy and happy the children are who are part of Grace Family Helper Project.  When children first come into the program, their health is often poor.  As they receive the care and the benefits of the program, change is visible.  They begin to grow, they fill out, and they look so healthy.

I would also like to say thank you to all our sponsors who give generously to our emergency fund.  This afternoon as I examined the children for health needs, I was reminded again at how important you support is for this fund.  To be able to see a child who needs significant health care, and to be able to immediately offer it to a child and his family is such a wonderful blessing.  And that is possible because people give to the emergency fund.  Thank you so much.

Here are some photos of our visiting and interviewing today in Das Marinas.

We Meet... at Long Last!- Philippines

10.5.12

We Meet . . . . At Long Last!

by Dr. Paul Maxfield, Executive Director

Today was filled with emotion as sponsors met their sponsored children.  It is always so much fun to watch both the child and the sponsor scanning the crowd to see where the other is; seeing that first eye contact; and the resultant smiles; that first handshake or hug.

Pete and Carla Weber met April today.  Their church, Sunny Place Church of God, in Addison, IL, has sponsored April for several years.  They met today at April's church, and then visited her humble home for a while.  It's so hard to say everything you want to say in the short time you have together.  But Pete and Carla were focused on letting April know that the church loved her deeply, that they were so proud of her, and pleased to meet her personally.  April's large smiles indicated she understood.

April's home is humble, a two-room dwelling with a dirt floor.  The family all sleeps in one room on a bamboo slat bed.  April's father works as a farmer, and her mother makes colorful mobile decorations made of folded gum-wrappers.  She was so eager to give two of these creations to Pete and Carla in appreciation for the friendship, love, and care that Sunny Place folks share with April.

Pete and Carla had this to say about meeting April:  "When we just looked at her picture, we knew that April was a girl in need and that she also needed Jesus.  When we came face to face and then in the arms of this beautiful, shy thankful girl, our whole perspective changed.  When we then visited her at her two-room, dirt-floor home, we knew that our sponsorship was helping the whole family with the most basic needs.  We know that it is a blessing for her.  Little is much when God is in it."

There is so much more happening each day than can be reported here.  Perhaps you should just come with us on the next trip - and meet your sponsored child!

Day 2... No Words

No Words- Philippines, Day 2

It is so difficult to put into words what we experienced today.  A few attempts might include intense, overwhelming, "too much," amazing, incredible, heart-breaking and inspired.  As I look at those words, I realize they don't begin to share the experience, so I think I will just cease with the trying, and  instead share a visual rendition.  The accompanying emotions will be uniquely yours, as they were for each one in our group today in Manila, The Philippines.

First day in the Philippines

Our Filipino adventure together began at O'Hare Airport in Chicago.  Here is our group just before we boarded for the first leg of our trip to Manila - a stop in Hong Kong. 

After about 18 hours of flying (more for one of our group),we arrived in Manila to a warm welcome by the staff of Grace Family Helper Project as well as the weather system.  It was noticeably hot and humid, but, oh so friendly!

After a very short night at our hotel, we took off this morning for four sponsorship sites in Quezon City.  Below is a photo.   It  was raining steadily this morning, and it created special challenges at the church in Mountain Heights where the structure is just bamboo poles with a roof.  But the children, parents, staff, and sponsors did not let the water dampen their excitement of being together.

At each site, the group was met with singing or dancing and enthusiastic words of welcome.  There were welcome signs as we arrived at each location, as well as shouts of welcome and delight as we entered each church outpost.  Below is the sign that welcomed us at Patayas.

I shared each time the story of the salvation bracelet and my 92-year old mother's ministry in making and providing them for children and families around the world.  The children and parents are always amazed and shocked when I tell them that she has now made 90,000 bracelets by hand, all for Children of Promise.

Then the task of interviewing commenced.  Three pairs, each with a translator, met with each of the sponsored children in Mountain Heights, Payatas (Manila dump site), Tilex, and Talanay.   At left, Pastor Ryan Reed of Racine, Wisconsin, interviews Jose Bacoy, Jr., in Tilex.





At right, the hands of Tom Kumpel begin the task of recording the interview information for each child on their master interview sheet.

"It's so great to see the kids so happy and healthy."

"I am so impressed with how much they love and enjoy their local church."

"It is amazing how much sponsorship means to the children."

These are just a few of the comments by the sponsors in the group after the first day of interviewing children in the Quezon City area in The Philippines today.  While the rain hampered us from visiting homes of the children, the interviewers were amazed at how much they learned about each child. 

The day of interviewing ended with a large group photo of the children and some of the church members in Talanay.  (see photo below)

Stay tuned for visits tomorrow to several other sites in the greater Manila area.