Blessed

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
 Philippians 4:11-13


When I think about this verse I think of how God has humbled me this summer. These children are all living in a children's home but they don't see it that way. They see it as one big family. They are happy and fun loving the majority of the time. Unlike myself at times, they don't complain. about their circumstances. They just learn how to embrace their situations in life.

I was adopted when I was some of their age. So when I found out I was going to get to work in an orphanage, I got really excited. I just knew  I was going to be there for children who have been through similar circumstances.

I did not realize that the children would be teaching me and blessing me! These children have shown me that no matter my situation in life; I can always look to God and think positive.

The staff have also blessed and humbled me. Most of them are my age and younger and they have dedicated their lives to these children. That has motivated me to do more when I am back at home.

I have learned so much from this journey, whether it's  been teaching in a Filipino school, singing specials in church, sharing my testimony or just hanging out with the children and staff.

I have greatly enjoyed my experience here and truly feel blessed that God chose me to be here. Thank you for your prayers and support.

PLEASE PRAY::
Pray for the children that they would come to know Christ.
Pray for strength and endurance for my team.
Pray for the children's homes needs to be met.

Only Through Him

Each day is so different. Each morning when I wake up I ask God to help me love these children even more today. I have been amazed that in such a short amount of time I have grown to love these children as though I have known them their entire lives.

There are 25 beautiful faces. 25 smiles that truly bring joy to my life. God has been so faithful  in supplying me with His love in order to pour out even more each day to His children.

I know that on my own I could not do this, but God has said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that his grace is sufficient for me, and that His power is made perfect in my weakness.

My purpose in being here is to speak and live out the truth of God’s saving grace to the children at NFFF; through games, devotions, homework, and tucking them into bed.

Something I really love about the Filipino culture that I admire is their ability to love others. Even when they only have a little bit of something they will pass it around so that each child can take a bite out of it. They are unselfish and this has greatly challenged me.

Some days we help out at the preschool the children attend. I love the days I go the children’s school mostly because of the extra time I get to spend with them. Also because it is a neat chance to bless the teachers. I have been teaching English, Science, music, and art.

We recently began doing evangelism in college classes. It was an intimidating experience even though the freshmen were only 16 years old! This opportunity has opened my eyes to see the need for evangelism. I could not believe how open they were- allowing me to share my testimony and take away from their class time!

God is so good and so faithful! Only through Him can I and receive love in this capacity and be stretched and still find so much joy! Only through Him can these children be so amazingly blessed. Only through Him can I be halfway around the world and yet feel right at home.

Please Pray! That God will continue the work He is doing in the heart of the children, staff, and out team.

Charlene

New Faith Family

 An Alabamian’s perspective on life in Malaybalay, Bukidnon

 The Philippines is absolutely nothing like what I pictured a typical Asian country would be like. There are a lot of cultural differences here that I did not anticipate. For instance, the pace of life is much slower and lower key than my life in America. Also, when I changed my money at the airport in Manila, I quickly realized that since I’m awful at math, counting pesos is going to be a challenge for me. Dinnertime is not a problem for me. Our cook is great, and I have fully embraced Filipino culture by eating with my hands (My mother would love it…not)! 

     There are twenty-five children living here at the home, each with their own unique personality. The name, New Faith Family Children's Home given to the home suits this place because it truly is a family, and it is the only one that some of these children have ever known. Many of the house parents are still in their twenties, and I greatly admire them for it because this is a full time job! I have already become “Ate” (big sister) Katie to the children here, and my heart melts every time I hear it. 

    My team and I spend our time here loving on the kids and finding ways to lend a hand however we can, whether it’s scraping paint off a wall, painting, or washing dishes. There is no such thing as a typical day here! We are learning to roll with the punches and be faithful to the Lord even in the small things.  

      Please pray for the children, that they would come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, which is the ultimate goal of this ministry. Many of these kids already understand what it means to follow Jesus. It is so convicting to see how many Bible verses they know by memory! 

     The Lord is already teaching me so much about what it means to love like Jesus loves through these beautiful children. They have stolen my heart, and I fully believe that God has a wonderful plan for each of their precious lives.

Love in Christ,

Katie