Children's Home

K.I.M.

Kids International Ministry

If has to do with kids, KIM does it!

Not surprising then, that they have a Children's Home for boys and girls, who find themselves fatherless, motherless.

But, before you get too sad about the above statement, these children are loved!

They have a place to sleep, clean water to drink, food in their bellies, and even, love!

And, they know about the love of Jesus!

I know because I had the privilege of spending an hour every evening with them during my recent trip to the Philippines. What a joy!

Every evening, half our team (the other half traveled to another ministry) would walk up the street to the Children's Home where we would be greeted with hugs and smiles.

Our hour together would begin with song. The children would line up and joyfully sing several songs for us. This might have been my favorite part of the entire week!

Click on the links below to hear these amazing kids!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLYgj_aGbPA&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWJ2CwkUq3k&feature=youtu.be

The swim team captains, which included Abbi, decided each night what songs to sing, which Bible story or skit to do, and games to play. It was great watching these high school seniors step into the leadership role. 

During the older kids' games, several of us took the younger children to another room to read with.

Three of the boys are in the final steps of adoption. Two will be leaving soon to meet their new families in Spain. While a third, John Lloyd, will soon be a Texan!

It was here we experienced one of the most heart breaking events of the trip. One evening, as we were exiting the home an ambulance arrived. Inside was a little girl- nine year old Elisia. Abused and abandoned, she was about to become the newest member of New Faith Children's Home.

She was frightened.

The look on her face was heart wrenching.

Words can not describe the sadness that overwhelmed us all.

We had spent days with these children, never truly understanding the pain and rejection they must have felt at some point in their young lives. 

Now we were witnessing it right in front of our eyes.

Please pray for Elisia as she adjusts to her new home and experiences the love of Jesus.

Also pray for John Lloyd and the other boys as their lives are about to make a dramatic change!

Matthew 25:40

"The King will reply, ' Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Feedings.

We have all heard the use of that term before.

Mostly within the context of short term mission trips to third world countries.

"Today, I went to a feeding"

"We participated in five feedings during our recent trip."

But, what exactly, is a feeding?

While on the surface, that may seem a very simple question with an even more simplistic answer, but look beyond the obvious, the seen. 

On our first full day in Philippines, I was assigned to go on a feeding. I had heard testimonies. I had seen pictures. I was glad to finally be part of this event called a feeding.

I went to Tent City.

While misleading, the name is appropriate.

Located away from everything, Tent City is a community of misplaced families.

During one of the continuous ever present typhoons, the previous homes of the Tent City residents were destroyed. The government relocated the entire community to its present position. As the community evolved, tents were replaced by shacks made of whatever materials were available- sheet metal, scrap wood, fabric, and of course, cement.

Unfortunately, while being located on a less flooding prone area, Tent City is also located away from job opportunities, stores, schools. Basically, an island of isolation. Without cars and lack of the public transportation available in the cities, many are left without a means of support. Often the fathers move back into Manila to work in a factory, sending support back to their wives and children.

The drive to Tent City, merely an hour from K.I.M. took us away from the bustling, crowded city to a more quiet setting. Quiet, until we pulled into the borders of the crowded community.

Riding in the back, I knew we had arrived when boys carrying cups began running after our vehicle. My mind instantly flash backed to a picture my father had taken back in the 70's of a small Haitian boy running after a vehicle carrying the white foreigners. 

The alarm had been sounded. From every direction came running boys, girls, big, and small. All came wearing a smile and carrying a container of some type.

Patiently, they waited their turn to have their cup, their bowl, their container filled with a rice mixture full of nutrients and "flavor". 

While some of our teammates filled their bellies, the rest of us shared the love of God. 

Smiles.

Hugs.

Songs.

Games.

Even the simple exchange of names was a touch. 

A touch of love. 

Not my love, but God's love.

It required nothing on our part, except the sacrifice of time.

Conversations.

An exchange of love.

These were my girls- Catherine and Genevieve.

They held my hand. 

We sang songs together.

We played games.

While Tagola was their heart language, they knew enough English to make communication possible.

Catherine introduced me to her mother and grandmother.

  This is Catherine, her mother, and two of her younger brothers in front of their house. Catherine, at nine, is the oldest of six children. When asked, Catherine informed me she was in the third grade, but without a school nearby, she most likely is not schooled. 

While school attendance is mandatory, it is not enforced. Many families simply can not afford the transportation costs, as well as the uniforms and fees needed. 

The swim team took advantage of the large audience and using skits, shared the Gospel of God's love.

Abbi, with the help of a translator, explained the how God's love is the only thing that can fully satisfy our hearts.

Like Zaccheus, these boys climbed a tree to get a better view of the action below.

So while a feeding feeds their empty bellies, giving life sustaining nutrients, it also feeds their heart with life sustaining love. 

Food for their physical hungriness.

Love for their spiritual hungriness.

And its an ongoing progress. 

The King will reply, ' Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Yes, Lord

The week before Fall Break, and subsequently, our trip to Manila was, for me, exhausting. 

Physically.

Emotionally.

Spiritually. 

Everyone kept asking me if I was excited.

My honest answer?

No.

I just didn't have the strength or willpower to be excited.

I wanted to be.

But, I just wasn't.

Three times a year, the three Morrison campuses gather for a time of professional learning. As my students were dismissed Thursday at noon, I faced two and a half days of meetings, workshops, and professional conversations.

Not that it was all bad. We had several great times of worship. And in what is becoming a yearly tradition, a foot massage with two current and one "I like it in the big city better so I am moving to Taipei" coworker.

Our professional learning ended Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

The swim team gathered a mere 5 and a half hours later, to load and head out to the airport. Not much time to pack and change thinking gears.

The swim team always brings vitamins for the children in the children's home. 

But in my hazy, exhausted mind, I prayed. 

Nothing super spiritual.

I just wanted to say yes to anything God asked me to do.

I didn't know exactly what I would be doing throughout the week.

 I knew there was tutoring.

I knew there was reading to young students.

I knew there would be feedings.

I knew there would be children to hug.

I knew there would be swimming lessons.

I knew there would be Filipino  teachers to encourage.

And I heard there was some painting waiting to be done.

I didn't have a preference.

I simply just wanted to do whatever God wanted me to do with a cheerful and giving heart.

So, as we were waiting for our flight depart, God reminded me of this prayer. 

Abbi and her fellow swim team captains were using the down time to plan for the Sunday am service in Manila. They wanted to know if I would give a testimony.

Hmmm.... Its now midnight. I had already been awake for 18 hours. Anyone who knows me,  knows I don't do well without sleep. 

"Don't worry," Abbi assured me, "You'll get a couple hours of sleep before church."

After my earlier prayer, and wanting to be helpful, I agreed.

We loaded the plane.

We took off and landed.

Did I mentioned I never really sleep on a plane?

I was really looking forward to that promised bed. Unfortunately, I needed to wait longer than promised. 

We waited.

And waited. 

And waited.

The high schoolers began to drop. First one, then another. Soon the whole lot of them slept.

On the floor.

Tiled floor.

In a busy, busy airport.

Can you find Abbi? 

I stood.

If I laid down, there would not have been any getting up!

Finally, as the sun began to peak over the horizon, we loaded onto the bus.

There was no couple hours of sleep. We had just enough time to unload the bus, eat breakfast, and walk over to the church.  I hoped there wouldn't be any extra long prayers, for fear of falling asleep. At least I was sharing in the first service. Well, at least I thought I was until Abbi leaned over and told me I was doing the second service.

At this point my prayer was simple and direct. 

Lord, my brain is empty, devoid. There is simply nothing there. I have no control over my thought processes, as well as what may come out of my mouth. Just fill it with whatever you want me to say.

Thank goodness God never sleeps.  He formed tangible intelligible words put them into my mouth.

I told of how my dad was my hero.  

And how God used my dad in miraculous ways to help the people of Haiti simply by saying yes to whatever God asked him to do. Through his obedience, many have come to know the Lord, and even today, continue to hear God's word on a daily basis all because he chose to obey.

I have found when I am empty, I am more usable. When Kelli is out of the way, God shines.

God isn't looking for ability.

He's looking for availability.

How about you?

Are you available?

Will you say yes?

Home Sweet Home

It's good to be home!

After boarding a plane in Manila at 10:10 pm, sneaking into the darkened apartment, Abbi and I safely and happily fell into our own beds by 3:10am. 

For the past seven years, members of Morrison's swim team have traveled to the K.I.M. ministry center located on the outskirts of Manila during Morrison's fall break . Last year was Abbi's first. This year, I joined her.

If you have ever been on a short term mission trip, you will understand my dilemma on exactly how to share your experiences. I feel my attempt will be greatly inadequate. 

So, as I am processing the ups and downs, highs and lows, ins and outs, allow me to begin with the simplest way- pictures.

These are from the community around the K.I.M. complex.

Need a ride? Your best luck is to hire this kind of taxi. The jeep nee, a kind of bus, is a popular public mode of transportation.

Tucked among the foliage,  several shacks made from sheet metal, fabric, and other types of scraps were hidden from sight. I failed in my attempt to capture a clear picture of this hidden community.

This store was across from the KIM school.

This is the street in front of the KIM property. It was the location for the morning market, as well as places to purchase food throughout the day. Unfortunately, for anyone still sleeping, loud music often accompanies the morning shopping ritual.

the gate into KIM was a popular hang out for the village children. They were always eager to say hello!

This teeter-tot was erected for the children to enjoy.

These boys were playing a game using rubber bands. The goal was to move the rubber bands by hitting the ground in front of them with cupped hands, thus moving the rubber bands.

While I was still in Asia, I felt almost transported to Latin America. 

During the next couple weeks, I would like to share more of the swim team's ministry in both words and pictures. But until then, thank you for your prayers!

The Philippines

Please pray for Abbi and I as we are leaving for the Philippines.

We will be there for a week.

Feedings.

Painting.

Skits.

Women's ministry.

Devotions.

And whatever else the Lords lays on our hearts.

Please pray for safety, strength, patience, flexibility, wisdom, and God anointed moments.

Thank You!