Day 10

O'Neal visiting his own home at the squatters village

O'neal 3 years ago before being placed in the home

We had a leisurely start to the day, with coffee and a cooked breakfast. The team visited the Bethel Baptist Church for the morning service at 9:30. This church is key to the success of the Kids Home. A young couple from New Tribes Mission spoke about the work they are preparing to undertake; surveying a large area of north eastern Mindanao which hasn’t been reached with the gospel. They then intend to learn the language, translate the Bible into the local language, and help to found a church to reach out to the 40 000 people in that area. They will need a lot of support and prayers, and the job could take the next 20 years.

Stephen Cressie (not Stephen Moore J) and Clare had their first ride on a motor bike before lunch, and Steve nearly rode over a very steep 5 metre embankment, stopping about a foot short of certain death. Clare reckons she wants to buy an 1100cc road bike just as soon as she gets home, and see if she can outrun the traffic police. Her dad was showing us how to do burnouts on a motor bike, and was very supportive of her ambitions.

After lunch we visited what the Kids Home staff calls the hill top village, which is where Ron-Ron and Oniel came from. We walked up and down steep hills with tiny shanties all around, giving out kids clothes and food. Most of the shanties were made out of scrap timber and woven bamboo. At one stage a small crowd of people had gathered around so pastor Larry explained who we were, and what we were doing. Then Ollie shared his testimony and Larry translated. A lot of the people had big smiles on their faces, it was nice to give something to those who have so little and see the joy that it brings. On our way back to the vehicles we passed the house that O’Neill and Ron-Ron used to live in (see attached photo). It is fantastic to see the love and support they now receive compared to what they were previously getting. They lived alone without any parents in conditions that would shock everyone, but now through this ministry they are fed, clothed, loved and kept well.

We have spent the rest of the afternoon with the kids at the Kids Home, our games session has managed to get them all hyped up. It has been great to see the progress since our last trip and see that the orphanage now has children and the effect that this has on their lives. All their needs are being met both physical and spiritual by the fantastic team here and they are very happy content children.