In May and June, I (Doris) traveled to the Philippines, as part of ministry for Asia’s Little Ones (ALO). I spent time visiting, ministering, and encouraging the ALO affiliated ministries there and I am excited to share with you what the Lord is doing! I am also hoping you will intercede with me on behalf of the many children we endeavor to provide hope, restoration, and share the love of Jesus with.
King’s Garden
First, I had the opportunity to work with and encourage the board of local pastors that have carried Kings Garden (a home that takes in children whose parents have been incarcerated, or children who are orphaned, or have been abandoned). I had the opportunity to encourage them as they made tough decisions for the future and betterment of the ministry for the children. I was also able to encourage them with the news that a new missionary couple feels called to come along side them in ministry and is working to get there as soon as possible!
Please pray for the 31 children under the protective wings of Kings Garden. Life has dealt them some tough blows, but the Lord has brought them to our care that they might have a hope and a future!
Childcare Community Ministry Philippines (CCMP)
Then, I joined the ministry of Childcare Community Ministry Philippines (CCMP). I shared about this ministry in our July hardcopy newsletter (please write and request one if you didn’t receive it and would like to!). A brief description of this ministry is that it prayerfully seeks out the most destitute neighborhoods and communities, then in cooperation with a church planter, a nurse, a social worker, and volunteers, a transforming community initiative begins. The most needy and malnourished children in the community are fed a nutritious hot meal 5 days a week for 6 months-1 year. They and their parents are introduced to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lastly, practical teaching is given in health, nutrition, parenting, etc. for the parents, and educational support is provided for the kids. Currently, there are 13 CCMP sites actively transforming communities all over the Philippines, 1,625 meals a week are served, and this food is physical as well as spiritual! Over the years the success rate of CCMP in transforming communities and planting church ministries has been incredible. Thousands of lives have been changed and many thousands more will be. Please pray for these communities, and please pray for provision of the incredible financial need to continue to minister with excellence.
Happy Horizons Children’s Ranch
In the central region of the Philippines lies a group of islands in the Visayas region, I had the honor to minister with Happy Horizons Children’s Ranch, which is committed to the restoration of young girls rescued from sex-trafficking. Typically, anti-trafficking ministries focus heavily on rescue, when in actuality that is the easiest part of the fight on anti-trafficking. The more difficult initiatives focus on prevention, and the most difficult of all, the long road of restoration.
Currently home to nearly 60 girls ages 5-20, these girls are incredible survivors. While I was there, seven girls were rescued by International Justice Mission, and brought to Happy Horizons. The contrast of dark empty eyes full of pain in the newcomers versus the light, joy and determination in the eyes of those that have been under the care of Happy Horizons for many years was a testimony to the success and importance of Happy Horizons!
One girl, we will call her Mei for her protection, shared her testimony: When she first came to Happy Horizons she felt hopeless filled with sadness. Despite the efforts of staff and other girls, she barely ate, isolated herself, and cried constantly. After many months of hearing about Jesus’ love for her and God’s desire to heal her, she began to slowly join in some of the activities with the other girls. One of these was a creative arts therapy and crafts class. She began helping clean freshwater clam shells that would become wind chimes. It was a long process, but she shared that when the wind chime was finished, God spoke to her that just like she had cleaned away the grime from the shells, filed them into various shapes and then strung them together to create something beautiful; God wanted to do the same in her. He wanted to wash away her shame, pain, and all her sins. If she let Him, Jesus would lovingly reshape her life, and put her life back together for a beautiful purpose. Mei has since made four more wind chimes that are all unique and special.
Nothing is impossible with our God, so many of our survivor’s testimonies are evidence of this. While I was there I had the opportunity to preach. For most of the new girls that had just arrived, it was the first time they had ever heard about Jesus! When I heard this, I cried. It was so humbling to be the first to share about the Savior with them and to pray over them. Please pray with me that all our girls at Happy Horizons will experience restoration, receive salvation, and walk in joy and freedom!
Kid’s Helping Kids & Hope Ministries
Lastly, ALO ministry took me to the southern most region of the Philippines in Mindanao where ALO affiliated ministries, Kids Helping Kids and Hope Ministries, is bridging the gap into Muslim tribes with education ministry from pre-school all the way up to college age. It was so exciting to meet and have the opportunity to pray over a Muslim community leader and his family of one of these tribes. After eight years of building relationships in this place we are beginning to see fruit! Our local pastor has been given a place and title of honor in the tribe even though he is a different ethnicity. This gives him greater influence and freedom to share faith. Most exciting, however, is that four young Muslims that have studied hard and become quite excellent in language agreed to help translate the Bible into their tribal language. Only a few books have been translated so far. One is the book of Luke, translated by one Muslim translator, another is the book of Mark, translated by a different Muslim translator. Each of them, after translating just one of the gospels came to the pastor and shared that they and their spouses wanted to profess faith in Jesus and desired to be baptized! These are the first known believers in their tribe! Please pray with me for these new believers, for the education ministries and the Bible translation initiative in this place!
