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.

Braving the Floods

Dear friends and family,

In the Philippines, the homes and lives of millions are at risk daily to the threat of typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanoes. We're now in the heart of monsoon season here, and we're all just trying to keep our heads above water...literally. For the past three days it's been pouring rain in Metro Manila almost nonstop. I actually can't remember a day in the last couple weeks that it didn't rain for at least a few hours. Manila sits at sea level with a relatively poor drainage system, and thus flooding happens quickly during heavy rains. The current torrential rainstorm has left 60 percent of Metro Manila (a metropolis of 12 million people) inundated in floods. The death toll from the storm is at 72 and rising, and around 850,000 people are now either displaced or completely stranded.

Residents pluck useful items out of the rushing floodwater.

A man swims across flooded streets.
Notice how close the water is to reaching a "no-parking" sign.

Since my apartment resides on the fifth floor, I've been completely safe from the floods. Classes at my language school have all been cancelled, along with the classes at just about every grade school and college in and around Metro Manila. If I had any reason to stay inside and hide away in my cozy apartment, this storm could have been it. However, with catastrophe just outside my door and many of my own friends and members of our community at risk, I knew I couldn't just sit idly by. Last night God was tugging on my heart to get involved somehow, and so I texted Tin Tin and we came up with a plan. She made a list of essential groceries and medicines that flood victims would need, and this morning we carefully traversed through the floods to purchase whatever we could carry and bring directly to affected families. Actually, we ended up purchasing much more than we could carry, so we made multiple trips back to the store.

Residents huddle on rooftops as the flood engulfs their homes. 

Rescue workers bring trapped families to safer ground.

I'm certain now that Tin and I didn't fully realize what we were getting ourselves into. Our little afternoon mission turned into 8 straight hours of wading through flooded streets carrying heavy bags of groceries and supplies...but I don't regret a single minute. Sometimes the murky water came right up to our waists as we held our bags up high to keep them dry. The heavy rain and wind rendered my umbrella useless as the sideways rains drenched any part of me that was above water. By the way, I would rarely ever condone walking through dirty floodwaters (for obvious sanitary and safety reasons!), but in our case this was literally the only way to reach many families who had no means of buying food or medicine. Under the cloudy water, we often mistakenly guessed when a street curb began or ended, and thus we had a couple close calls with almost falling. We also enjoyed - or at least one of us enjoyed - our new game of: "Was that object that just brushed up against my leg a plastic bag or a dead rat?". No matter what we came up against, Tin and I were decidedly determined to reach and help out our community knowing that God loves to use anyone who is willing. We prayed that through our small efforts He would show His faithfulness and care to those running out of hope.

A group digs through layers of mud to save victims of landslides.

Thousands take shelter in evacuation centers after their shanties are flooded.

Of course, it can be tough to find hope when you are personally hit with such real tragedy. But one thing is for sure, every family to whom we brought groceries to couldn't hide an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this unexpected blessing. Whether it was through a smile or through tears, I know that they felt cared for. Many of the people we brought food to were people who attend our church, and many others were complete strangers who we noticed just needed a helping hand. I'm so thankful that Tin Tin was there to help and to take charge, because I would have been clueless on my own with regards to knowing which families were more desperate for such help and what supplies a Filipino in poverty would need during a flood. In fact, sometimes I even strategically hid at the end of the street while Tin distributed the groceries, because we didn't want people to conclude that the support was coming from the White missionary. Rather, we explained to them that the initiative was from our church, and that in particular the blessings they were receiving were from God. The reality is that without Him, none of what we were doing would have been possible.

Please pray for the families who have been affected by flooding here in the Philippines. There is much to do before Metro Manila can get back on its feet again. Despite the very real tragedies occurring here now, we know God is at work and using many everyday people to answer a call to help.

Take care!

John

I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends

Dear friends and family,

Our community here in the Philippines was truly blessed when my childhood friend Nathaniel Hill came to visit us last week. His time was limited, so we decided to forgo all the typical tourist activities in favour of taking "Mr. Coffey's Whirlwind Tour of Programs for the Urban Poor". Nathaniel assisted with a lesson at Educare (our preschool for street kids), he learned all about our IT Tender Center (a drop-in center for street youth and kids), he experienced worship at our small community church, and he brought his own very big smile and personal brand of humour right into the streets and homes of many of our clients and the families we're reaching out to. Through our photos, I hope you can somehow vicariously share in the joy and even some of the pain that Nate felt as he witnessed the love, faith, and hardships of a community in the slums.

As we arrive in Zanzibar Street, the kids are so excited to meet Nate.

In the Philippines, he is a very gigantic and very White child-magnet.

I've watched these kids growing up over the last few years.
I love them in heaps, and I love to share their joy with others.

Tin Tin teaches a phonics lesson in Educare.

Shelley prepares for the SAT's ...the "Shapes and Alphabet Test".

Teacher Tin tests phonics recognition and letter differentiation.

One evening Nathaniel, Tin Tin, and I were walking from our church to the bus that would take Nate and I back to my apartment. As we walked alongside a bustling highway, three children came running up to greet us shouting "Kuya John! Ate Tin!" (in English "Big Brother John! Big Sister Tin"). I often stop to chat with thirteen-year-old Angelica and her younger siblings and friends in the street. Day and night these kids are selling flowers to make a living. The "sampaguita" is the national flower of the Philippines and is commonly sold by child vendors to drivers in traffic to hang from their rear-view mirrors. We chatted for a while in Tagalog with the kids and translated our conversation for Nathaniel. When he found out that Angelica was celebrating her birthday that very day, he decided that he wanted to generously bless Angelica and her friends. So Nate, Tin, and I went to a nearby restaurant called Mang Inasal and brought back a few meals for the kids, including plenty of ice cream for dessert. Angelica was delighted to enjoy a delicious meal and ice cream on her thirteenth birthday. She was also excited to bring food back to her relatives in the street to share it with them. I know she will never forget the compassion she experienced on her birthday, and each time I see her she's already asking where Nathaniel is and when he might come back to visit again.

Angelica (far left) celebrates her thirteenth birthday with
the abundant generosity from a new Canadian friend.

Nate visits the Custodio family (from left to right: Lerma,
Mackie, and my Goddaughter Micah). Mackie built their
humble home with his own two hands using wood and nails.

Nate also drops by Raymond's place and is shocked to see
how many Filipinos usually live together in one small room -
a room which Nate can't even stand up all the way in.

Thanks again for following along with me here in the Philippines! May you be blessed and challenged by what you've seen and read, and may God be with you and your families throughout your own joys and struggles at work, at school, and at home.

Take care!

John

"I live in the mall...literally"

Dear friends and family,

It's true - I just moved into an apartment in a mall. Yeah, I didn't see that coming either! Many Filipinos confess that in some ways they "live at the mall" - spending hours strolling through the air conditioning or enjoying the window-shopping. However, I'm actually settling into a small apartment at the top of a 5-floor mall in Alabang, Metro Manila. I've never been an avid mall-goer, but this is actually an ideal location for me here. Directly across the street is our drop-in center for street children/youth ("IT Tender") where I expect to spend most of my time. Then, in front of the mall are buses I can catch to get to our church and our preschool ("Educare") in Makati. And then of course there's the obvious convenience of having anything I might need to buy just downstairs (groceries, clothing, etc). "Starmall Alabang" is also known as "The biggest bargain center in the South" (...or at least according to their slogan), as there is a large market in the basement where you can barter for just about anything new, used, or imitated (ie, the knock-offs).

In the midst of the bustling traffic of jeepneys and bikes
in Metro Manila is my new home at "Starmall Alabang".

Because I'm now in the final stage of language school, I'm transitioning out of the classroom and back into the community. The latest big move was just one event in a busy month. Just a few weeks ago we held a 3-day, overnight camp for the youth from our small, community church. We were blessed to be able to bring guest speakers, professional counselors, and social workers to the camp. The purpose of inviting counselors and social workers was to provide support for those youth who've been traumatized by physical or sexual abuse. This was a very eye-opening experience. Just as we worried might be true, many of our youth privately admitted episodes of rape and sexual abuse they'd experienced growing up. Our camp was a very necessary time of safety, peace, and relaxation for these youth. It marked the beginning of a long road of recovery for them through the counseling and support of our church and our team. We're also thankful that many of the youth learned ways to release their burdens and forgive others through their discovery of a loving and forgiving God. With proper professional support, a supportive community, and faith, we believe that these youth can experience a radical recovery and a profound freedom from some very oppressing and degrading experiences.

After the camp, a handful of us church leaders partnered with a team of Filipino doctors and flew to another island in the Philippines for a medical and hygiene mission. Upon arriving in Ilo-Ilo, we spent half a week in the city of Roxas to run the program, then we commuted to the city of Carles to run our program again for a community there. A few members from our church had grown up on that island and thus knew the area well, including "Ate" (Sister) Princess from our team. For the hygiene part of the mission, we taught children the proper way to clean their bodies. We gave them a bath, combed their hair, removed lice, brushed their teeth, cut their fingernails, and also gave them a meal. For the medical program, we offered free services from volunteer physicians, dentists, and an optometrist. We were even able to give out free eyeglasses and medicine to anyone who needed it. We feel blessed that we were able to team up with Pastor Juni and his medical team from "Seed of Love Ministry", and we thank God for making all of this possible.

Tin Tin takes in the breathtaking view of the
Philippine islands during her first plane ride.

Before our medical and hygiene programs
we went out to visit the families in the community. 

Ilo-Ilo is home to some adorable little monkeys (...I mean, kids!).

Leading a devotion and prayer with the workers of the church
who also volunteered to help with the medical and hygiene programs.

Ah yes, the proper wiggle-and-jiggle toothbrushing technique.

Bathing the kids is a humbling experience.

Many of the children had lice, so we helped
pick out the bugs and used special shampoos.

Still hanging around even after the program.

The pastor in Carles gives a short talk before our medical program.

Em Em and I helped by cleaning and sorting dental instruments.

A young girl nervously waits her turn to see the dentist.

We set up a small pharmacy with free medicines for the
patients after they'd received their prescription from the doctor.

We prayed for each patient before they returned home.

Thanks so much for reading my blog. Please pray for the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of of these communities in Ilo-Ilo that we have been reaching out to. And also pray for the youth in our community as well. In other news, Educare just resumed classes this week (June is the beginning of the school year in Manila), and we're thankful for another year to teach and grow with the preschoolers. Also, I will be commuting to language school twice-a-week now until I finish sometime in August. The final stretch of school involves a lot more "out-of-the-classroom" assignments and projects. I'm really looking forward to graduating in just a couple months! Continue to pray for my Tagalog as well.

Take care and continue being a blessing to others!

John