Mom & Dad in the Heart of Our Community

Dear friends and family,

For the very first time, Wes & Linda Coffey (aka Mom & Dad) stepped foot on Philippine land. They travelled to the opposite end of the globe from our home in Ontario to my home-away-from-home here in Manila. However, this was no ordinary visit. This was truly a mission. By God's grace, they impacted so many lives here throughout the month of November, and they will not be forgotten by our community. Their compassion and loving kindness left an impression that would best describe them as "second parents" to my friends and to the children and youth. I'm also blessed, because my parents now have a much greater understanding of why I would chose this lifestyle of servitude to Christ and to the street children in Manila - as difficult as it is move far away your own family. However, "Tatay Wes" (Daddy Wes) and "Nanay Linda" (Mom Linda) have truly been embraced by the people here as part of a much larger family.

I want to share with you just a taste of what my parents experienced over the last three weeks. Since I've always believed that, like our actions, a simple photo can speak or reveal so much more than words, here is a number of photos from my parents experiences in Manila. I've included captions, but these pictures alone speak volumes about the love my parents shared and experienced, including the injustices and pains they felt in the communities here.

Mom & Dad arrive at our team's drop-in center and office

First ride in a Philippine "tricycle" - a motorbike with a sidecar

The harsh contrast from privilege to poverty quickly hits hard

Visiting Jace (the eldest boy in his family) with his siblings.
His family is homeless and lives under an overpass. Jace
is in our Sponsor-A-Child program in which someone is
sponsoring his education in elementary school.

Visiting the Napacor Community. In my arms is
Louie-Jay - one of our most charismatic daycare students.
Reymark (bottom right) is another of our students. 

Squeezing through tight walkways of squatter homes 

Visiting families we're reaching out to through our programs

Arriving at the Sucat community. Our involvement here started with
a simple feeding program. Now many of the children are recipients of our
educational programs, and we have a strong relationship with the families.

Typical homes in the Sucat community

You need to cross over a river by this tree trunk to reach some homes 

Mom & Dad helped with a fun children's program in various areas

Walking on coconut shells in a relay race

A tiny infant takes a nap on a bench outside

One night, my parents helped out with our Night Life program. Here
my team goes out into the streets to reach out to street kids & youth
(many of which are abandoned or runaways without a home). We invite
them to our drop-in center for some food, a bath, and games or stories.

Enjoying some food at the Night Life program

Mom & Dad read a story and also assist with the crafts at
the SLC (Simula Learning Center) - our daycare in Alabang. 

They also helped out at Educare - our daycare in Makati.

Mobbed by the kids as we arrive in the streets

Ate Cecile leads the street kids in a prayer before our program

Thoroughly entertaining games

My mom was so blessed to know Janine -  one of the youth we are
tutoring to help pass her high school equivalency exam. While riding
in a jeepney, a hand from outside reached through the window and
snatched my mom's necklace. However, Janine chased down the thief,
confronted him, and told him to hand it over!! He spit the necklace back
out of his mouth where he was hiding it. ...we'll never forget Janine's
incredible bravery and kindness to our family. She is truly a hero!

Dad's energy and fun personality was a delight for the kids

Mom hands out a snack

Perfect timing - Mom & Dad's trip coincided with our annual
camp for street kids and youth. Each of the campers are clients
in our Sponsor-A-Child program (sending them to elementary
and secondary school) or in ALS (high school equivalency exam).

Rizal Re-Creation Camp was founded by an American missionary

Counselor Linda and her cabin of giggling, fun-loving youth

Dad and his boys

I had the joy of being a counselor for the youngest boys

And of course, my parents had the opportunity to spend
time with Jam's parents and family.

I hope you enjoyed this brief photo tour of my parents wild and unforgettable adventure here in Metro Manila. As we send them back to Canada, I pray that you'll be moved and inspired by the stories that they will gladly share with you. And from us Filipinos (and Filipinos-at-heart), we can only say a big THANK YOU to Nanay Linda & Tatay Wes for everything you've done for the children and the families here. We are forever blessed by your compassion through His great grace and love.

John

Plans that give us hope and a future...

Dear friends and family,

Recently I was encouraged by my team leader Pastor John to be a counselor at a 3-day camp for out-of-school youth. This was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the situation of many street youth in Metro Manila. The camp was run by an NGO called Action International - a partner organization of International Teams. The focus of the camp was on teaching the values of Christ and caring for the community through teaching sports. We taught basketball and volleyball while simultaneously teaching teamwork, trust, and strength amidst adversity. The camp was also an opportunity for us to connect those youth to our free programs that offer tutoring to out-of-school youth for them to pass their high school equivalency exam. Each morning we woke up early to encourage the youth through a devotion and a time of prayer, then myself and an American missionary named Matt (who I met a few years ago at language school) led the youth in some morning exercises. In just three days, we made lasting bonds with many of the youth, and I was even able to meet with six of the youth from my cabin for dinner last saturday. Please pray for the street youth who attended this camp - that they will be able to complete their high school education and find fulfilling and sustainable work to provide for their families. Despite their struggles, many of them gave witness to the faithfulness and goodness of God in bringing them to camp and opening doors for new opportunities.

Shoes, sandals, or barefoot - everyone took part in the basketball training
and tournament. Basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines.

Applying the teachings of Christ to the principles
of basketball through small group discussions.

Prayer and worship.

Every camper received a free medical check-up from a licensed doctor.

I've also been encouraged by the progress lately in our two daycare programs for street kids. Just across the street from my apartment in Alabang is the IT Tender Center where we are teaching basic literacy and numeracy to children ages 4-7. At the age of 27, Cecile De Jesus is the head teacher and administrator of SLC - "Simula (Tagalog for 'beginning') Learning Center". She is also a personal hero of mine, and I can attest to the incredible ways Christ has empowered and called her to volunteer her time, energy, and strength to teach these children despite her own struggles as a single mother living in poverty herself. Many days she would leave the center after class to sell various snacks, drinks, and instant noodles on the street overnight to help provide for her daughter and her parents. For me, people like her are the real heros and examples that I look up to. She dismisses any credit or recognition for her efforts and happily gives all the credit and glory to her God and her great Provider. How she always has energy and a big smile to teach the children would be beyond my imagination if I didn't believe in a very big and yet very personal, loving God.

The energetic class of 2012-2013 at Simula Learning Center.

Ate Cecile (right) and Ate Lorna (back) generously volunteer
their time to teach and look after our daycare students.

These bonds amongst friends are tight...literally.

I've already told many stories about Tin Tin Ramos and Toph Purificacion. They are the head teacher and administor (in that order) of our first daycare called Educare. Each time I volunteer at Educare on Wednesdays I'm excited not only to witness the development of those students, but also to see my godchildren! Most of the students in Educare are godchildren of either Toph, Tin, or myself. We feel very blessed not only to support the education of these kids, but also to be considered by their families as truly part of the community. Last Sunday we had another child dedication service at Jesus King of Kings Community Church and I was honoured to be named a Godfather to a handsome young boy named Dwane. We are amazed how much our church has grown in the last couple years as many new families are now attending. I think a big reason for this growth is because of the practical programs we're offering for the community and the personal relationships our workers have developed with the families in the streets.

Rhianne and Shane-Shane playing with educational toys

Ate Tin Tin leads the way at Educare, and we're blessed to
have helpers from the community like Kuya Ryan (back).

Dropping the kids off, including my goddaughter Shelly.

Arriving home, where the mothers await the return of
their kids while washing laundry in basins on the street.

Since completing my language studies at the end of August, two very significant changes have occurred in my life that have given me new joy and hope for my future here. Firstly, I met a very kind, lovely young woman by the name of Jamielyn Torres (...or "Jam" for short). Of all places, we met on the train on my way to my very last day of language school. Technically, the first time we saw each other we never even spoke. Her and her friends were seated across from me on the train that morning. Then later that very evening when I was in line to get my train ticket, by chance (or more likely by some divine grace) she happened to be right in front of me in line. Upon recognizing each other we then struck up a conversation. Her and her friends were happy to meet a Christian missionary as Jam attends a small Christian church in her community just a bus and a jeepney ride from my apartment. ...to make a long story short, I spent the next month visiting Jam's church, her family, and of course, her! On my birthday she gave to me what Filipinos call her "matamis na oo" (or "sweet yes") - which is a confirmation that she is ready to be in an exclusive, committed relationship. I'm really blessed that God brought her into my life, and I'm looking forward to what God has in store for us as our relationship grows deeper.

Jam & I at Manila Ocean Park.

The second significant development in my life is a new program that I'm designing and proposing for 2013. As of now we already have daycares for children ages 4-7, a sponsorship program for elementary and secondary students, and a non-formal tutoring program for out-of-school youth and young adults to help them pass a high school equivalency exam. We praise God for the opportunity to serve almost every age group with the exception of children under the age of 4. However, we still believe that early childhood is a very critical stage in a child's life. The program that I am proposing is thus for children age 1-3 and is tentatively called SMART Kids. In reality, many children here of that age aren't receiving the attention and stimulation required for proper growth and health. The SMART Kids program would be a partnership with parents to provide opportunities for their children to experience stimulating play, early learning, good health care, a nutritious diet, and a hygienic environment. Our intention is not to take away responsibility from the parents, but to empower and equip them through training and modelling of effective parenting techniques. Of course, I'll need plenty of help from others with more expertise in this area. My role would be more of a facilitator of SMART Kids, and I would be recruiting Filipino volunteers in the community to assist us. Please pray for this as I spend the next few months researching the needs of young children in our community and determining the practicality of such a program.

Thanks again for following along with me here in Manila! I pray that you're encouraged by what God is doing here and that you too will be motivated and blessed at your work, school, and home!

John

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

School's Out! Yet the Learning Continues...

Dear friends and family,

The last day of August marked the end of an invaluable chapter in my life. On that day, I graduated from Tagalog language school (...pending the actual graduation ceremony - which will happen soon)! Without a doubt, this was only possible with the support and encouragement of my friends here and at home, with the patience of my dedicated language teachers (who I also consider as personal mentors and friends), and with the grace of God. I still have plenty to learn when it comes to Tagalog, and that will only come through practise. However, it was a joy to pass my final oral exam, to give my last presentation, and to share my testimony in Tagalog - all on the last day of school.

This month, I'm excited to be back serving full-time in our programs for street children and youth. Once a week I'm assisting Tin Tin in teaching Educare (our daycare/preschool for street kids in Makati). During the rest of the week I'm helping at the "IT (International Teams) Tender Drop-In Center" in Alabang, just walking distance from my apartment. I'm officially a worker for the IT Tender team under the leadership of Pastor John Basiwa. For the month of September I'm assisting with three of their educational programs, and then starting in October I plan to focus on just one, or even to develop a new program based on the educational needs of the community. All the while, I will continue to be a presence and a support in our Educare program. The three programs I'm assisting with at IT Tender include: Simula Learning Center ("simula" is Tagalog for "beginning") - which is our newest daycare for street kids in that area; next is Hakbang ("footsteps") - a sponsorship program which helps send kids to elementary and secondary school; and finally, Pagbabago ("change") - known here as an "Alternative Learning Systems" program which tutors out-of-school youth and adults to pass their high school equivalency exam.

Saying a prayer in Tagalog at the opening of one of our
community programs at the IT Tender Drop-In Center.

Recently, our team had the pleasure of bringing the children, youth, and parents from all three educational programs (plus the Educare program) on an epic field trip. On Saturday, August 25th, 124 people filled two buses and went on an adventure to three different venues in one day. At Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna, the participants roamed around the area where the young national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal was raised. They learned about the history and heritage of the Philippines' most celebrated national figure. Next stop was the "Lucky Me" Plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna. This captivated the curiosity (and appetite) of the kids, as Lucky Me is a popular noodle brand here in Manila. Finally, the highlight of the day was bringing the participants to Enchanted Kingdom where families enjoyed five hours of what the large theme park has to offer. Many of them shared how much they enjoyed this day and how thankful they are to God for such a wonderful opportunity to learn and bond together.

The happy couple Pastor John (my team leader) and Ate Gela
(one of our team's invaluable social workers) at Rizal Shrine.

Road tripping with students and caregivers of all ages!

Group shot in front of Rizal Shrine.

From left to right: Lezaly, Ate Josie, Shelly, and a giant hippie-wizard guy.

Thanks so much for all your continued support and prayers. I'm excited for the future of what God's doing here in Manila, and we're so blessed just to be a small part of it. Continue to pray for our community here, for my new roles on the team, and for my continued progress in Tagalog beyond formal schooling. Also, pray for our small church in Makati called Jesus King of Kings Community Church. We actually don't have our own church building, but a nearby church kindly allows us to use their building on Sunday afternoons for our weekly service. I want to leave you with a few photos and a video of our new tambourine worship team led by my good friend Ate Josie. Even young children are joining the tambourine team. Shane-Shane is the smallest tambourine dancer in the video (with the green tambourine) and is also one of my Goddaughters. You can also catch a glimpse of many members of our church community worshipping in the video. Enjoy and be blessed!

Ate Josie (front) has taken on the challenge of training youth and
children to dance on Sundays as an expression of worship and joy.