Excitement!

With only a little over 2 weeks until the trip, the excitement is building for the next mission group to depart for Cebu, Philippines.

The group of five plans to again visit the dumpsites to share VBS crafts with the kids and give out supplies (vitamins, clothing and shoes).  They will also be spending time with the children at WHY to work on their devotion time, worship music and continue helping them grow in their budding relationships with Christ.

Construction is well under way for the new living quarters for the boys -- we are in need of donations to finish the painting, electricity and to complete the washroom for the boys.

We truly DESIRE your prayers for this ministry.  Thank you for journeying with us!

Thankful, Sheryl

Trash

I recently had an interesting conversation with my daughter about music. 

She was curious why I only listen to Christian music.  She asked why I don't like country or pop....  I explained to her that I grew up listening to pop music in the 80's and 90's and also listened to country in high school and beyond.  But one day it occurred to me what I was putting into my mind.....trash.  Trash about cheating, hot girls, bars, girls getting pregnant and running off with their boyfriends, drugs, it goes on and on.  Maybe I didn't pay that much attention to it when I was younger, but now I just cringe when I hear some of the lyrics to today's pop music. 

Trash goes in, trash comes out!

I now only listen to Christian music because I need all the encouragement and focus on God that I can get!  My sinful nature has to be so crowded out by the good stuff.  My children need this as well.  It is my desire and my duty as a Christian parent to train their minds and  train their habits.  God give me strenth because I know I can't do it on my own!

Proverbs 22:6
6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Jolly

Name: Jolly

Birthday:

July 3, 1999

Jolly is the 7th child of a family of 11. He is small for his age and quite shy but respectful. His father died when he was eight years old and left his mother as the main provider, earning 700 pesos/month (approx $15) as a cook.

Before coming to Wesley Home for Youth, Jolly spent 2 years begging in the streets for money to continue in school and for daily needs.

Jolly is doing very well at Wesley Home, he always follows weekly schedule of activities and commands of his houseparent and older housesiblings. He completes household chores even if it is not assigned to him.

He has attended extra classes in the off-season in order to get back on track with his proper grade level of education.  His favorite subject is Math.  He hopes to be a Fireman when he grows up.

During a recent mission trip a missionary began teaching Jolly how to play guitar. He is very musical and picked up several chords very quickly.  

Please click here if you would like to sponsor Jolly or donate to The Rescue Ministries!

Michelle

Name: Michelle

Birthday: May 25, 1998

Michelle is 2nd of 4 children in her family. She is a small-framed girl and appears to be small for her age. She is shy but responds respectfully. Michelle is quite calm but is very vulnerable to emotional pressure, especially with regards to her family.

Michelle is doing well in her studies and has received high grades. She is in her 1st year high school and is progressing very well.


Her father is an irregular construction worker, with seasonal work supporting 4 children and wife. Her mother sells seashells a couple of times a month in order to help with financial support. Her parents earn a total of 2600 pesos/month ($58/month)day.


Michelle has a sweet personality and is thankful for the opportunites WHY is providing for her. Michelle enjoys performing with her choir group at her school.  She hopes to complete her studies and dreams of becoming a tour guide.

 Please click here if you would like to sponsor Michelle or donate to The Rescue Ministries!

Catherine

Name: Catherine

Birthday: August 14, 1999

Catherine, (pronounced Cath-reen) called Cathy by those close to her, is the 2nd and youngest child of her family. She is a small girl with a thin build, small for her age. She is quite shy and reserved but can be very responsive and talkative with people close to her.

Her parents separated before her birth. Her mother left her in the care of her elderly grandmother soon after she was born although her grandmother could not adequately care for Catherine.  Her “lola” (grandmother) is grateful for the opportunity for Catherine to receive an education and have proper care and a good environment at Wesley Home.  She hopes for a bright future and for her to have the capacity of providing for herself and her family, even if her lola is no longer alive.

Catherine is the youngest girl at WHY and desires attention.  She misses her grandmother very much.  She can now be in a place where she learns that she is loved by Jesus.

She is currently in grade four, her favorite subject in school is English. She hopes to be a nurse when she is older.

Please click here if you would like to sponsor Catherine or make a donation to The Rescue Ministries!

Hope

Hope is what is on my mind today, the words of a song came to mind....

Hold Fast
To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast


Psalm 33:20-21
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

When we have nothing left, we still have hope in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

Thankful, Sheryl

John Loyd

Name: John Loyd

Birthday: January 21, 2003

John Loyd and his family were referred to Wesley Home for Youth by Pastor Cuizon of a nearby Christian church because his family could not afford his education.

John Loyd is the 7th of 8 children in his family. He is talkative and responds easily to people. He relates very well with his house-siblings and does well following rules, doing chores and respects the older house-siblings. If he is naughty, as long as his attention is called he follows.

Before coming to WHY, John Loyd and his brother were often chained into their home to keep them from going into the streets and being harmed.

John Loyd's mother is hopeful that at WHY he will have the opportunity to complete his education and have a bright future someday.  John Loyd likes reading and writing and loves to play basketball. He dreams of one day becoming a policeman.

Please click here if you would like to sponsor John Loyd or donate to The Rescue Ministries!

Emily

Name: Emily

Birthday: January 27, 1994

Emily is the 3rd of 5 children in her family. She appears to be confident, has potential to lead and acts as older sister towards the younger house-siblings.

Emily is an achiever in school and has high honors. She has begun college and is currently taking courses to aid her degree in business. The result of the National Career Assessment Examination was that Emily is a top achiever in entrepreneurial skills.

Her parents are not legally married due to her father could not afford the expenses of getting married. They are presently residing in the squatter’s area of Quiot Pardo, Cebu City. Her father is a scrap buyer earning 150/pesos a day ($3/day). The minimal income of her father hardly provides the needs of his family and he has been unable to afford to send his children to school.

Emily desires to finish her studies so she may find better job opportunities that could help her family. In fact, she wants to settle the financial situation of her family before getting married.

Emily loves dancing and singing.  Currently her favorite subjects are Filipino and Computer Science.

Please click here if you would like to sponsor John Michael or to make a donation to The Rescue Ministries.

Sponsors

Today we are taking a break in the introducing/re-introducing the kids at WHY for a reality check.....


Does it scare you to commit a portion of your income to someone half a world away? 

Whether $10 or $1,000 sometimes it is challenging to trust others to do as they say they will do with money we give.  What if the pictures are staged, what if stories are wild concocted notions of some creative mind, what if, what if.....  Remember if you are giving from your heart God knows, you are entrusting Him with your givings.

These are real children from real streets and dumpsites with real scars on their hearts, lives truly torn. 

ONLY because God is bringing us sponsors these children are now being given an opportunity to know the God of love, not some scary looking, fancy dressed baby doll with a grimace on his fake face.  We need more committed sponsors!  I hope you will consider them, each individual life.  GET INVOLVED!  Pray, give, get to know them.

Children in the Umapad area dumpsite community

Luke 12:6 - 9
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.

And just for fun - a few examples of $30/month

Hardee's Drive Thru, meal for 1 person, once a week

2 Adult movie tickets, small popcorn and small cola

One soda a day for a month from the vending machine at your office

2 large supreme pizzas from your local pizza joint

What could I give up?  What could you give up? 

John Michael

Name:
John Michael

Birthday:
Aug 20, 1994


John Michael is the oldest child of seven in his family. He has curly hair and is a thin young man.  He is confident, calm, firm, responsible and has potentials to lead.

John Michael is an achiever in his school work and received honors in his class. He wants to be a civil engineer someday and according to his grades this should not be hard for him to achieve.

His father is a tricycle driver earning 150-200 pesos/day ($3-4/day). His mother helps support the family by doing laundry, she earns 900 pesos/week ($20/week). The family currently lives in a one room home made of meager materials, with no electricity or water.

John Michael is currently training to be a tutor for the younger house-siblings. He is in last year of high school and plans to continue on with college upon graduation high school.

Pam, one of the summer missionaries, told a story of John Michael's care and hospitality.  He was quick to clean up anything that was noticed....dirt on the floor, dishes, etc.  Once when they arrived home in pouring rain, John Michael removed his shirt and used it as a cover for Pam as he lead her to the house.  What a special young man he is and continues to become.

Please pray about God's leading in your life, maybe it is to sponsor John Michael.  Please click here if you would like to sponsor John Michael or donate to The Rescue Ministries!

Jeraluz

Name: Jeraluz

Birthday: November 9, 1996

Jeraluz is the oldest of five children in her family. Her father died when she was eight months old, her mother later remarried.

Jeraluz had low grades in her previous school performance due to her studies being unsupervised. Her mother could not monitor her studies because of caring for the younger children and household chores.

Her mother is living with her step-father who sustains the financial needs of the family. Her step-father is a lay minister of Loudes Parish church receiving weekly salary of 500 pesos. He also works as a scrap buyer and tricycle driver which he earns 150-200 pesos a day. The income of her step father (totaling about $170/month) is not adequate to provide the needs of the family including education for the children.

Jeraluz loves to sing and is a member of Rondella Group, which is a choir.  Jeraluz considers herself fortunate to be a member of Wesley Home for Youth. She is excited about the opportunity to finish her studies and plans to help her family financially in the future. Her main goal is to help her siblings receive an education.

Please click here if you would like to sponsor Jeraluz or donate to The Rescue Ministries!

Glenn

Name: Glenn
Birthday: August 19, 1994

Glenn is the oldest child of five in his family. He is tall and thin. He is shy and lacks self confidence in relating to people. Glenn has difficulty trusting people and rarely lets others close to him. However, he is friendly and comfortable with the house-siblings at Wesley Home. They often call him the "joker" of the group.

Glenn likes to play basketball and volleyball as his form of recreational activities. He acts as an older brother towards the younger children in the home and is a leader for them. He is known to call their attention in times when they are doing as they are expected.
His father is an irregular assistant welder earning 100-200 pesos/day ($2-4/day) supporting five children and wife. Glenn's mother helps support the family by selling firewood, earning 60--150 pesos/day ($1-3/day).

Glenn's favorite subject in his fourth year of high school is Filipino which teaches the language, culture and history of The Philippines. He is eager to complete high school and continue his education in college. His goals are to help his family improve their living conditions and support his younger siblings as they complete their education.

Glenn is very interested in the Bible and has been studying a Bible given to him. He is very serious about his role as the leader and wants to be knowledgeable about the Bible but also very much wants to be confident and correct in his teachings.

Glenn is in need of committed monthly supporters!  Please click here if you would like to sponsor Glenn or donate to The Rescue Ministries!

Daisy

Name: Daisy

Birthday: July 4, 1994

Daisy arrived at Wesley Home for Youth in January 2010.  She is the youngest child of three in her family. She is shy and lacks self confidence, causing it to be difficult for her to open up to people.

Before coming to Wesley Home, Daisy’s grades were low due to school absences. She did not attend school regularly because she had difficulty concentrating when there was no food for her to eat breakfast and lunch.  Daisy's favorite school subject is English and she enjoys playing volleyball.

Daisy’s father is currently imprisoned, therefore her mother and older sister are sustaining the financial needs of the family. Her mother is a street vendor of cigarettes and candy earning about $2/day. Her sister earns about $4/day doing laundry. They are residing in Daisy’s grandmother’s one-room house together with other relatives of her father.

At Wesley Home for Youth, Daisy is being encouraged to participate in school activities that will help build her self confidence and self reliance. Daisy would like to someday have a career in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Please click here if you would like to sponsor Daisy or donate to The Rescue Ministries!

Introducing Nino

Introducing Nino!  Nino came to Wesley Home for Youth (WHY) at the end of July 2010, we hope to have more information on him very soon.

Name: Nino
Birthday:
December 18, 1998

Nino is the only child of his mother, who was only 14 years old when he was born. She died eight months later and Nino was left in the care of his grandmother. Nino's father has not been involved in his life.

Nino and his grandmother had been living in the squatter area beside the dumpsite.

Nino is currently in grade five. He is fond of singing and dancing, he likes to join in school programs and classroom activities. He is doing well in school as disclosed by his grandmother. He studies his lesson at home everyday and doesn't want to be absent from school even if he is sick.

Nino dreams of becoming a teacher someday and with proper support and encouragement he will easily reach this goal.


To donate to Wesley Home for Youth, or to become a sponsor for Nino click here.

Introducing Judy Ann

During this month I will be introducing the newest children at WHY (Wesley Home for Youth) and re-introducing the children who continue living there.  All of the children continue to need sponsors.  Please pray about each of the children and let God lead your heart to the one He has for you to support.

Birthday: March 31, 1997

Judy Ann came to Wesley Home for Youth in July 2010. She is 13 years old and only in grade 2. She is severely behind in her education because of many days spent scavenging with her mother instead of attending school. They search the dumpsite for things to sell in order to get a small amount of food just for daily survival.
We hope to be able to share more information about Judy Ann very soon. Please consider becoming a committed monthly sponsor for Judy Ann.
 

Happy Anniversary!

One year ago this past June, God allowed me to be one of a 12 member team of missionaries sent out from First United Methodist Church to Cebu Philippines.  I am so thankful to have had the experience and opportunity to be part of the beginnings of The Rescue Ministries which is what God created in our hearts following the trip. 

We were touched, truly broken, by the children in the dump sites and on the streets.  The number of children seemed to be countless.  God opened many doors from meeting with the city's vice-mayor and getting his approval to having a Filipino angel who could oversee things that needed to be done to get a home started for these impoverished, neglected and abused children.  Once arriving home The Rescue Ministries was formed complete with a board of directors both Filipino and American.  Property was found and renovated to make it appropriate to house boys and girls.  In January 2010 the doors of Wesley Home for Youth (WHY) were opened to 9 children.

WHY has grown from 9 children, 1 staff to 12 children and 4 staff.  The support has extended from Tennessee to Michigan, Texas, Florida and Kansas!  It is truly amazing to see God's hand moving and working half way around our planet!

As we celebrate our one year anniversary we would ask you, where does God want you to be involved?  Maybe it is as a prayer partner, maybe you have ridiculous talents in some aspect that could be used during our June 2011 mission trip, or maybe you want to give financially and support a child directly.  We have a huge need of committed monthly sponsors!  Please be open to how God wants you to give of yourself in this ministry.  The need is great, the laborers are few.

Thankful, Sheryl