"Let the wild rumpus begin!"

Dear friends and family,

It's universal - children love to play. Whether they are studying in a classroom or scavenging through a garbage dump, at the end of the day children need an outlet for their "wilder" side. Our Night Life program serves the most at-risk street children. These are runaways or abandoned kids living on the streets. This month God has really revitalized our Night Life program and given us new energy to reach out to them. Thanks to the efforts of the program's coordinator Lorna Carro (and the help of intern social worker Jizza Magallanes and advisor Gela Basiwa) we are conducting visitations, assessments, and referrals to help move these children off the streets and reintegrate them with their families and communities. Three days a week we provide food, hygiene services, and fun activities through Night Life. We share the love of Christ and seek to restore broken families, all the while recognizing that these children still need to play and have fun. We're also thankful for a new partnership with BreadTalk - a high-end bakery chain providing us with free bread and pastries for our clients.

"Let the wild rumpus begin!"

Night Life clients expressing their silly side

One of three areas where we conduct Night Life is a large waste pile by a railroad. These kids search through the garbage for plastics, bottles, cans, metals, and even food.

Providing a healthy meal for the children

Besides coordinating the Night Life program, Ate Lorna gives of her time and care for these children well beyond her duties at IT Tender. Recently she encountered a young boy wandering the streets alone with bruises, scrapes, and dried blood on his clothes. She asked him where he lived and what had happened to him, but they struggled to communicate since he is both deaf and mute. Eventually she came to discover that this boy has no family, he cannot read or write or even sign, and he seems unsure of or unable to communicate his name or age. Through drawings and gestures he explained that some other kids beat him up, knocking out some of his teeth and leaving him bruised and bloodied on the street. Many people have passed by Raymond (the name Ate Lorna has given him) and ignored him like most other street children that beg for food and money. Like a modern day "good Samaritan", Ate Lorna brought Raymond to the local government's Social Development Center. They told her to come back in a month since their facilities are too overwhelmed to accommodate him now. However, they agreed to let Ate Lorna take Raymond into her own home in the meantime and to personally take care of him until they can refer him to the appropriate services for deaf and mute children.

Raymond and Ate Lorna at IT Tender

Raymond has become a part of the family at IT Tender, sharing meals with our team and taking part in our Night Life program. He cannot speak, but last week I heard his voice for the first time. It was the most joyful laughter that I heard while he was playing a game with some of our workers at the center.

We were also blessed to have many recent visitors. This includes Filipina sisters Eva Taylor and Josephine Dela Cruz and a team of Americans and Canadians from our partners at Extreme Response. These friends of IT Tender stepped out of their comfort zone to care for the children in our programs. They visited the very communities that we are reaching out to and participated in our center-based programs for daycare and Night Life.

I explain our ministries at IT Tender and prep the Extreme Response (ER) team for a community visitation.

Carol McCann from ER boldly leads the way through a maze of shanties where our clients live.

Eric Longoria (left, in white) and Tony Tice (right, in red) bond with the community over a pick-up game of basketball. Whether in sandals or bare feet, these Filipinos gave the Americans some good competition.

The ER team assists at a center-based Night Life event. We enjoyed songs, games, and food with the kids.

Besides our generous visitors, we also want to thank the donors of our Sponsor-A-Child program. Because of their support we provided new school supplies, backpacks, and uniforms for each sponsor child. These students were delighted to go shopping and choose the supplies they wanted within an allotted budget. We currently have 30 children in our Sponsor-A-Child program. This program is an opportunity for poor families to send their children to school and also to benefit from regular medical support and developmental programs for the whole family (including family and kids camps, counselling, and bible studies). Please contact me if you are interested in sponsoring a child and investing in their community for just $20 a month.

Agatha, in grade 3, lives with her mother since her parents separated and she wants to be a teacher someday.

Jericho, also in grade 3, works hard in school and thanks his donor for supporting him ever since his father lost his job.

We are also so proud of our ALS graduates who passed their high school equivalency exam last year. Five of our ALS students were honoured at a graduation ceremony on July 19th for all ALS passers in this district of Manila. Our own graduate Manilyn was even asked to give a speech. She was honoured to share God's faithfulness in her life and she thanked IT Tender for helping her complete her studies and find work. After she passed the exam, our ALS coordinator Gabby Malquisto connected with the local government who offered a free scholarship for a welding course for Manilyn. Since welders are in demand internationally, Manilyn was able to finish the course in just a few months and will soon be applying for well-paying jobs in Canada. This is a dream come true for Manilyn.

Manilyn shares her testimony with hundreds of ALS graduates.

Three of our five graduates from IT Tender arrive early for the ceremony in eager anticipation.

Just last week we also celebrated the birthday of our youngest volunteer at IT Tender. For her 14th birthday, Bianca blessed the street kids by inviting them to a party at our drop-in center. Bianca was an assistant teacher at our daycare's summer school. I am inspired by the compassion this young Filipina has for her fellow Filipinos in poverty. She recognizes how privileged she is to have a home and an education. While she could have spent her summer holidays at home and her birthday with family and friends, just as I did at her age, she chose to share her time and blessings with the street kids in our community.

Opening the event in prayer

Bianca mingles with students from daycare and Sponsor-A-Child

She also provides a delicious chicken and spaghetti meal from Jollibee

And finally, thanks to all of you for following along with my work and my adventures. I appreciate all of your prayers and support for us here in Manila, especially at this time of transition as I've taken on more leadership at IT Tender.

Take care and God bless!

John Coffey
Director of IT Tender
johndlcoffey@gmail.com

Caring for street children ~ Isaiah 58:10

Despite the new tasks of a team leader, I always want to make time to serve our children directly.

I'm also thankful for the wonderful support of Jam who volunteers weekly in our daycare.

New Label, Stronger Blend, Same Brand of "Coffey" You Know and Trust

Dear friends and family,

In recent posts I hinted at adopting a greater leadership role on my team at IT Tender. Now that it's official, I can publicly share the news... I am now the Director of IT Tender. Starting today and as long as God will guide me, I will oversee all of the Tender team's programs. This includes the SLC preschool, the ALS program for out-of-school youth, the sponsorship program for elementary/secondary students, the nightlife program for abandoned and runaway street kids, and the feeding program for malnourished kids amongst our partner communities/churches. If that's not enough, by God's grace we hope to soon launch the SMART Kids program for toddlers, though we're temporary delaying the launch to cope up with the transition. Besides overseeing our programs, my role as team leader includes networking with churches/organizations, guiding and counseling my staff, fundraising and approving the dispersement of donations, seeking effective strategies/visions, connecting with our supporters, and orienting our visitors/volunteers.

My mentors and leaders pray over me as the new Director of IT Tender at the Turn-Over Ceremony (behind me from left to right: Pastor John Basiwa, Pastor Joshua Benavidez, Pastor Gani Sison, Ate Gela Basiwa)

My team and I request your prayers at this time as we adapt to the change in leadership. Please also pray for my mentor and former team leader Pastor John Basiwa. I can't exactly say that he is stepping "down" from this role, because in reality he is stepping "up". Him and his wife Ate Gela will take on an even more challenging role as directors of the new Children's Home (an orphanage for street children opening in September under our partner organization Extreme Response). Pastor John and Ate Gela will never be far from IT Tender as the Children's Home is just a 5-minute commute away. They will remain as advisors to IT Tender. We will also have a close partnership with their orphanage as the clients of IT Tender and of the Children's Home can benefit from each other's programs and facilities.

My team at IT Tender! (left to right: Ate Lorna Carro, Cecille De Jesus, Jizza Magallanes, Jamielyn Torres - "in training", me, Gabby Malquisto; missing from photo is IT UK missionary Karin Jose)

I want you to know that taking on the role of Director of IT Tender was not a quick or easy decision. Actually, Pastor John asked me to consider the role back in December of 2012. Through much prayer and discernment, I wrestled with God about this. I was open and honest with Pastor John, and I told him I believed it should really be a Filipino who holds this position. I came to the Philippines to serve Filipinos, not to lead them. However, Pastor John assured me that as much as I will always be Canadian in many ways, I have the heart of a Filipino, and that is my greatest strength as a missionary. I love Filipinos as my own brothers and sisters. He has witnessed how I devoted my time and energy to become fluent in the language, to continually grow in my understanding of the culture, and to respect and honor their traditions. Pastor John says I even joke like a Filipino now. That said, I will still always face many challenges as a Canadian leading a Filipino team. I told Pastor John that I would only accept the role on a few conditions. Firstly, we had to agree as a team at IT Tender that this is truly the best direction for us to take, and that I was the most ideal candidate. Secondly, I needed the assurance that I would still have Filipino leadership above me to guide me and even to question me when necessary if my leadership was not in line with Filipino culture and values. Thankfully, Pastor John will continue to mentor and advise me, and I will also submit directly to the leadership of the Director of IT Philippines, Pastor Gani Sison.

"Director or Dictator?" ...that's the caption I wanted to put here - as a joke of course. But the truth is we do our best to submit to God's direction at IT Tender. Here we are singing a Tagalog worship song at a recent training IT Tender held for one of our partner churches. The purpose was to teach and equip their workers to lead children's programs.

Jesus our Hope Church proudly shows the certificates from our training seminar.

I do believe that God has placed me in this new position for a special purpose. Since 2006, I have been praying that He would place me in a position where I could best serve Him and bless the street children. Be careful what you pray for my friends. I am certain that as the Director of IT Tender I now have a greater opportunity and responsibility to transform communities by God's grace and through your continued support and prayer. Working at IT Tender couldn't be a better fit for me personally, especially with it's educational focus on caring for street children. And I do believe that I bring unique gifts and assets to our team as an international missionary. Having a heart with "dual-citizenship" is not a weakness, but a strength. Now, I am more motivated and passionate than ever about empowering the poor through access to education, relevant skills training, and discipleship.

Please join me in this vision to provide an education and a better future for our Filipino brothers and sisters. 13 years ago, the vision began when Pastor John and Ate Gela started bringing bread to the streets to feed youth addicted to sniffing solvents. Today, IT Tender feeds, teachers, and trains hundreds of street children and youth in multiple communities. I know that God has greater plans for IT Tender in the future. If we continue on with perseverance and faith, I wouldn't be surprised if one day God provided a complete school for us to see street children progress from pre-school to high school and to technical trainings that would develop their talents as skilled professionals and leaders. ...I'll start writing that into our 10-year plan.

Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement!

John Coffey
Director of IT Tender
International Teams
johndlcoffey@gmail.com

Caring for street children ~ Isaiah 58:10

Adventures in Rural Philippines

Dear friends and family,

This month I was able to take a break from the city to experience serving in the rugged, Northern province of Kalinga. Three years ago my Canadian mentor Hart Wiens brought me to Kalinga to visit the tribe where he and his wonderful wife Ginny dedicated many years of missions with SIL. I was excited to return to this beautiful province. I was even more excited when Hart suggested bringing a team there from our very own WMB church family - many of whom are faithful supporters of my work in Manila. I joined the team in running a camp for youth from different denominations and tribes. Crossing cultural and denominational boundaries, we gave opportunities through music and dance for the groups to express their diversity and at the same time to grow in unity.

This unique journey was risky but well worthwhile. As usual, I prefer to let the pictures tell a story more eloquently than my words could. ...but I will include captions as well for those who enjoy some narration.

The talented and diverse WMB team. Each unique member pulled more than their own weight on the trip...not unlike the industrious "carabao" (or water buffalo) in the middle. He literally carried us at times.

Tribal drumming and dancing. Like a native Kalinga, Hart showed us how it's done.

Leah and Brad were great sports in trying on a courtship dance.

Whether out of kindness or simply because it's more FUN, many gave up seats inside the jeep to ride "top load" on the roof.

Because it is more fun, George the monkey gave up his perch to ride "top load" on my head.

For four days at camp we shared music, dancing, and our faith with youth from across the Kalinga province.

I gave a message about "Seeing Jesus in the Poor".  I was impressed with the campers' comprehension of my "Taglish" message (Tagalog/English) despite neither Tagalog or English being their first language. Many of the youth in Kalinga speak more than three languages fluently.

No parts were spared as the cooks prepared pork for dinner.

The music went late into the evening as we bonded with the youth by the campfire.

Here I'm attempting a tribal dance which involves hopping like a rooster and weaving back-and-forth holding a large cloth (called an "ayob" or "allap").

"Top loading!!! Woohoo!" The team will surely miss this aspect of Kalinga life back in Canada. Their parents won't.

I was also blessed to visit the province of Leyte on another island of the Philippines where most of Jam's relatives live. Her mother - or "Mama" as we affectionately call her - grew up in Leyte, and Jam's family hasn't been able to visit their home province for more than a decade. This was also the first time they experienced riding an airplane, since in the past they travelled to Leyte by boat.

Jam's relatives quickly embraced me as family and I had an unforgettable stay in her grandmother's humble home. The poverty and simplicity of their lives in the province is vastly different from life in Manila. Although they have even less financially and materially, they live completely off the land, eating rice from their own crops and catching fish straight from the ocean. They may not have shops, parks, internet, or cell phone reception. But with fresh shrimp to eat and beautiful falls to bathe in, it's hard to say that they have it worse than those living in the crowded streets of Manila. However, life for most in the province is still a great struggle, and the hope of an education or a better job still draws many to the city. Despite her family's apprehension, Jam's mother boldly moved to Manila as a young adolescent to eventually provide more opportunities for her children than she had herself growing up. Indeed, two of her daughters are already college graduates, and Jam's family works hard selling food at their own canteen.

Arriving in Leyte after flying for the very first time!

After the plane ride, we need to take a boat to our remote destination. Mama eagerly watches the shore as we approach her childhood village.

Upon arriving at the beach, we're greeted by some of Jam's aunts, nieces,  and her very sweet grandmother (in the red shirt behind Jam).

Taking a refreshing dip in the river.

Jam's sister Janna (center) poses with cousins and nephews in front of their humble homes.

Papa takes a rest in the hammock of a cozy bamboo hut.

Jam's curious little nieces gaze at the strange White visitor.

Mama takes us on boat ride to visit her late father at the cemetery.

We timed our trip to Leyte with the "death anniversary" of Jam's grandfather.  Filipinos typically have a large feast with their relatives each year on the death anniversary of their loved ones.

Part of the death anniversary tradition involves lighting candles and praying at the grave of the loved one. Here we honoured the memory of Jam's grandfather Alipio P. Pabuaya.

Never missing an opportunity for a memorable "couple's shot".

...and again...

...and one last time.

Family picnic by the ocean.

The eel we caught in the river!

Some of the colourful creatures we caught that day.

Oh how much I've missed canoeing in Algonquin, Ontario. This was the next best thing.

Mama & Papa show off their catch.

Taking the scenic route back to the village.

Well, I'm back in Manila now, and we have a busy month ahead with IT Tender's educational programs as the school year starts again in June. There will be plenty to share next month regarding our street children here, but I hope you enjoyed this month's peak into province life in the Philippines!

Take care and God bless you!

John

The Difference Between an Empty Mind and an Open Mind is Education

Dear friends and family,

I can attest to the power of education in transforming communities. A good and relevant education is a vehicle for empowerment, self-sufficiency, and lasting change. Here at IT Tender my team has invested their sweat and tears into developing educational programs. Our goal is to use education to spark creativity, stir up faith, and ignite purpose in the lives of our clients. As the 2012-2013 school year in the Philippines came to an end in March, we realized how much God has blessed us by entrusting to us programs that produce measurable results in our community.

On April 13th we celebrated the results of our investments over the last year. This day was our annual Recognition and Graduation Day for the clients in our three educational programs: the "Simula" (Beginning) Learning Center for preschool children, the "Hakbang" (Footsteps) sponsorship program for elementary and secondary students, and the "Pagbabago" (Transformation) tutoring program for out-of-school youth. We honoured each of the students for all their hard work and thanked parents and staff for their partnership in making a better future for this generation. We gave special awards and certificates to those graduating from their respective studies. I also gave a short message of encouragement to the graduates and proud families.

Our team prays before the graduation ceremony of our students

Our sponsored children await their certificates for moving up to the next level in their education

Proud parents, teachers, and guests

The children in our SLC preschool perform a native, Filipino dance

On April 6th, my teammates and I visited a local prison to encourage and spend time with the inmates. Pastor John Basiwa shared a message at the prison church where many of the inmates actively participate on the worship team and staff. They were very welcoming to us and were surprised to have a foreign visitor. I gave a few words of encouragement, reminding them that despite our contrasting cultures and appearance, I am their brother in Christ. Like anyone, I've made countless mistakes, but God's unconditional love and His calling to love others gives each of us great value and purpose. For obvious reasons, I wasn't able to take pictures or videos of this activity, but maybe that's for the best - as the inmates also asked me to sing a solo in Tagalog as part of the worship service! I had no choice but to give my best in singing a well-known Tagalog worship song. My teammate Gabby backed me up on the guitar.

I've also taken the opportunity to visit a few more of IT Tender's partner churches and to provide a training program for their leaders. The topic of the training is "The 10 Keys of Management" (e.g., #1 - accountability, #2 - developing a leadership team, etc). The 10 keys and their practical application are taught over the course of 5 sessions. Pastor John passed on this program to me and assisted me in how to teach the lessons in Tagalog. My teammate and fellow missionary Karin Jose from England will be helping these churches implement a feeding program for street children in their communities.

Training the leaders at a church in the province of Cavite

Things are coming along with the preparations for SMART Kids and it's launch in the upcoming school year. Through careful research and case study analysis we have narrowed down the list of potential clients who are the most in need for this program. We are excited to finally accommodate children under 4 years old at the IT Tender Drop-In Center. The benefits of early learning are lifelong, and the need for good health care, proper nutrition, and a safe environment is critical. I'm heartbroken to hear stories of children in our community dying of preventable conditions, like diarrhea, as a result of an unsanitary diet and environment.

A potential recipient for our upcoming SMART Kids program

Thanks to my supporters, I have a monthly budget for personal ministries which I can use for the regular needs of SMART Kids (e.g., diapers, food, etc). However, I am hoping yet to raise some funds for the start-up costs (e.g., educational toys, potty training aids, baby bath tub, etc.). I've priced the items needed at various children's/infant's stores and created a detailed budget that you're free to request if you're interested in contributing towards any of the items. The total set-up cost for purchasing all these items is $235 (or 9,415 pesos). Thanks for praying for this program and considering supporting it's launch!

Take care,

John

ps. I always enjoy snail mail, and if you're considering sending something by post, you can now send it directly to my address here:

John Coffey

Starmall Alabang, 5th Floor, Unit 23

South Superhighway, Alabang

Muntinlupa City

1771 Philippines