Every Wednesday we are having a puppet show in the Pediatric Ward at James L. Gordon Hospital. Today as we walk into the ward we are welcome by a sad scene. A little boy just went home with the Lord. We are Sad to witness it, to see a very young person die before your eyes, But we cant stop. The show must go on. There are still a lot of children in the ward that need some encouragement and need to hear the word of God. So after they take away the body of the little boy we continue the puppet show. To make those little children smile even though they are in pain, even though they are not feeling well. To give them hope and share the love of God to them. It brings an Unexplainable Joy in our heart.This is our job the Helping Hands Healing Hearts Ministries Evangelism Team, There were times that we are very exhausted to perform or after we perform, but the smile that we see in the patients face, It is all WORTH IT.
Its one of our patient birthday, his name is Jake and he requested that on his birthday he want to celebrate it with is family. knowing Jake’s condition we granted his request.
A few minutes of travel and we arrived at their place. When we arrived there his family was waiting for him at the entrance and everyone was happy to see him. While we are walking one of them approach me and introduced herself to me. She said she was Jake’s grandmother, Then she started telling story about Jake. That she really love her grandchild, She is the one who raised him and take care of him ever since his parents died. She told me that she’s not visiting him at C.R.U. “Children’s Recovery Unit” because it breaks her heart to see him in that condition, she can’t stand it. while telling this story she was crying. I really don’t know what to do or what to say to her. I just wrap my arm on her, that’s all I could think to comfort her. The truth is I was really shock, because in my mind I thought they were tough. Because they have a different culture, different belief. But that opened up my eyes and my heart. Everybody has a feeling, it doesn’t matter if your black or white, rich or poor. We are all equal, we are all made by God with love with feelings. we shouldn’t discriminate other people, everyone deserves to be love and have the rights to love.
Jake was really happy being with his family again, you can see the sweet smile on his face. He take a dip in the ilog(river)
and ate some ice-cream. As he enjoy his ice-cream I smiled at him and said in my mind “I’m happy for you Jake. You are a brave warrior of God, I don’t even know you that much but thank your for the wonderful lesson that you taught me”
Its time to go and one man rush to Jake before he leave. He sat in-front of Jake and hold his hand. Looking straight in Jake’s eyes with tears about to fall, He say goodbye to Jake.
Everyone’s tears are about to fall while watching them both, Suddenly someone make us laugh. Because even though Jake is busy crying still he is looking at the camera while someone is taking his picture.
We will never know when Jake’s time to go home is. It could be today, tomorrow, next week. But the important thing is he enjoyed his stay here in this world and he touches people’s lives including me and everyone in the ministry.
You are truly love by God Jake. He blessed you with a family that love you and cared for you so much.
-The next day after I finished writing this Jake went home with the Lord, But I’m happy for him finally his work is done he can now rest in the arms of our Heavenly Father and eat as many Marty’s and Burger as he wants . THANK YOU JAKE for sharing your life to us.
The very presence and grace of the Lord cannot be contained in a box, rather it is like a perfume that everyone get noticed as you spray a little of it in you. It is as well like a candle that you light, wherever you go, the path you are walking to and the people you are passing by are being enlightened.
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” Luke 11:33
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Being part of the Helping Hands family, it’s not just the kids that we are reaching out for Jesus but everyone who surrounds us as we do the mission God intends us to do. This afternoon, a great story was shared to us by one of our staff, Pastor Badi, as he testified about the great things that took place last night during their Tuesday Bible Study in the hospital. For years of conducting the said Bible study, Pastor Badi said that it was the first time that they had an altar call as the Lord led them to do it so. For him as a pastor, the Lord dealt with him as well. He admitted that there were times that he feels not confident or afraid to pray for sick people coming to him and asking for prayer of healing because he might be ashamed that the person will not be healed. Until the time that the Lord revealed to Him that Jesus gives us healing and not sickness. He was reminded about the scenes in the New Testament that Jesus never gave sickness to the people who drew near to Him; instead He brought healing to those who came near to Him and asked for healing
That night, the topic was about healing. It was Pastor Mike who shared the message. After the exhortation, the Lord led them to do an altar call and addressed those who are presently ill. Most of the attendees are staff of that hospital and some parents of the patients. After praying for the people, the floor was opened for those who experienced instant healing for the glory of God. In their amazement, only children were left in the seats and most of the adults went in front to testify for the healing they received that night. Others testified that as if something happened in the part of their body that was ill while praying and suddenly the pain was relieved. Glory to God!
One of the great things of being a missionary organization is that our mission is not just plainly, exactly as what were written on the frames of our Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives, but from that limited letters of words, the very work that we do is beyond any words can describe as it reflects the One we are serving and making known. For this group of people and kind of work, we are to have a name, Helping Hands, Healing Hearts Ministries. But the One really behind this all is our Lord Jesus Christ. I remember during our devotion as these lines were shared:
“We are the glove; He is the hand. We are the cup; He is the coffee. We are the lamp; He is the light.”
It’s been almost three (3) months since we sent him back to his family in Tondo, Manila(October 26, 2010). John Paul or as we call him JP, had tremendous progress for only after a month of being in CRU. January 14, we made a follow-up home visit to him in their place in Tondo, Manila in a dump site area called Smokey Mountain. Literally smokes are everywhere because aside from scavenging as the primary source of the people there, charcoal business is also rampant. Some used woods found in the dumpsite are being buried and burned for some days to be made as charcoal. Aside from the hazardous smell of the garbages, charcoal smokes are also everywhere.
As we reached their place, I noticed a change in the structure of their house. Before, the front part has cover but now it’s already open. At that day, John Paul’s grandfather was fixing their house, trying to get the best fix to make their house a real “shelter” to protect them from the heat of the sun, wet of the rain, and a place just to lay their body and rest after a busy days scavenging from the dump.
I will never forget that sweet smile of John Paul and his cute little voice as I first heard him before when he was still in CRU. I was surprised and full of joy the first time that he can already stand and to my surprise he came to me and smiles and said, “Penge pang apul.” (“Can I have more apples”). I was greatly surprised and told him, “Nakakapagsalita ka na?” (“You can talk now?”). I know that he can talk but only a few words. I remember the day we got him from their place, we were on our way back to Olongapo, the only words I heard from him were “tubig” (water) and “yoko na” (enough) as he asked for water for drink.
That happy boy welcomed us with his smile as his grandfather was calling his name as we arrived. “John Paul may bisita ka!” (“John Paul, you have visitors!). He ran towards the door smiled at us and ran back inside. We look inside the house to look for him. He was lying down facing the floor and covering his face. I said, “John Paul hindi mo na kami kilala? May regalo sa’yo si Mama Claire! ” (“Can’t you remember us anymore? Mama Claire has gifts for you!”). But he just kept on covering his face and shy to face us. His ninang Angel came near to him and carried him for him to face us. But he started crying and I saw in his face that he was thinking that we might bring him again to Olongapo. But he stopped crying when he saw the gift and it was a car. Her sister was also happy as she received a shoebox filled with candies, doll and other stuffs.
Inside my heart, I understand the cry and smile of JP. That smile that welcomed us was his excitement to see us again but afraid to be away from his mother again. I can imagine how much love that his mother is giving him that to be away from his mother is not a good option for him. To think that they’re living in the dump site area, the love that he’s receiving from his mother made their house made up of junk materials a home for JP. I’m not surprise for his adoration to his mother because her mother, Grace, is really a brilliant woman. The first time we met her, she never stops thanking each of us. Despite their life situation, it’s amazing to know that she’s a jolly person and always ready to give a smile to everyone.
I always observe the important role play by parents to the children we are helping especially the mothers. How I admire mothers of our patients like JP’s mother who remained with a positive spirit, grateful heart and dedicated love to her children despite difficult life circumstances. No wonder that this mother turned their house a home for JP, eventhough that some of us will not call it a “house”. I remember the decoration in the door of our house which says “A house is made of wood and stone but a home is made of love alone.”
Let’s keep on praying for JP and his family’s good health and protection, and for the renovation of their house. Nothing is impossible with the Lord that soon they can be out of this dump site and move to a better place.
He is indeed a miracle work of God and we call him JP : – )
“Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high? Far below him are the heavens and the earth. He stoops to look, and He lifts the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even princes of his own people!” Psalms 113:5-8
Amen!
I love it when we get busy.. we have 20 beautiful kids here today and 14 in Baguio. That feeling, when i arrive here in the morning and theres a rush of kids to my legs, hugging, squeezing and longing for some loving.. Mum, Ny, Mama, Ate.. Whatever they call me my heart still skips a beat! No favorites here we tell them and yet, somehow each of us find our hearts strangely drawn to some more than others. But everyone is someones favorite. Everyone gets a cuddle. Everyone gets a big squeeze!
At the minute we have an influx of big boys.. I slipped over here the other night to tuck them in and the happiness in our wee blue room was tangable. 5 handsome faces smiling back at me. I asked the newest boy Jake “how are you sweetheart?” “im happy po” he said.. and you know what? He is!
haaaaaaaaaay, i know i need to come home to fundraise but sometimes i hate being so far away. I am far from my husband, my two oldest kids and all my team.. Today its really hard because i am far away from melanie, melrose and wee cedric when i know that they are so sick. Melanies just finally had surgery this morning to open her mouth. Imagine, almost 3 years for this moment and i am miles away.. Haaay… Shes in ICU right now and Mariza just text to say she has a high fever and chills. It must be terrible for her mum to watch her suffer but i pray that it will all be worth it when her sounds and words start flowing and she can finally eat. Shes such a treasure to us. So glad we never gave up on her…
Now isnt it this way too with God? Sometimes we feel so far away from Him and yet, He’s right there.. He also never gives up on us. Todays one of those days i need to remember that!
What a week we had last week. One day in particular was such a disaster. That morning i met with the mother of one of our ex patients. This mum had been with us for all the months her son stayed at CRU so we had got to know her very well. Her son had come to us dying and had gone home in great health but with ADHD. He is super hyper and she has quite a hard time running after him constantly. Anyway, in 2008 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was devastating. The family are so poor. The dad drives a tricycle (public transportation here in the philippines) and earns around $6 a day. There was no way they could afford the cycles of chemotherapy which amounted to around $500 per cycle. She needed 6 cycles. She worked so hard going around the politicians asking for help. She asked the lottery, the mayor and every foundation she could find. She managed to get all the chemo she needed. It was horrific for her though. Every round she underwent she had to bring Dominic with her and he is so hyper. The dad was out driving the tricycle so they would eat that day. Such hardship but she overcame.
She began to feel pain in her hips at the start of this year and so we advised her to get a scan. Sure enough the cancer was back but this time it was in her bones. What news to give someone. It was terrible. We had to tell her but somehow try to encourage her to find help again and we offered to help take care of Dominic for her while she fights this.She needs your prayers..
The day got worse.. That morning the pregnant mum of our 11 year old patient suddenly went into labor and had to leave her daughter in the pedia ward to go downstairs to the delivery room. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy. It should have been a happy day but that night, at around 8pm, her precious daughter Alexis died upstairs on the ward. So heartbreaking… A few minutes later our other little 4 day old baby boy Benjamin also died.. He had been born at home and the midwife had not given the vitamin K injection. He began to vomit blood. His death could have been prevented.
That is one of the worst days we’ve had in a long time..
The next day though we heard a miraculous testimony that filled our hearts with hope again..
A few weeks before this we had been ministering in Benguet General Hospital. We had prayed that day for many patients but one in particular touched our hearts. His name was Renniel and he was 1 year old. He had a fever for almost a month and had been in a coma for 10 days and no one knew the cause for sure. He hadn’t had a ctscan as the family could not afford it. So Doctors where at a loss to know what was wrong for sure. We looked at the mum and granny. They looked so hopeless and sad. We prayed for Renniel and we asked God to heal him. In fact i think we prayed about 3 times. We kept being drawn back to him.
So, a week later when Marissa, Grace and the team went back to the hospital the mum came to find them. She was so excited. She said that about 5 minutes after we left Renniel woke up!! Its a miracle she said. She knew the minute he opened his eyes that God had healed him. Everyone was astounded and amazed.
Miracles still happen. God hasn’t changed!!
The call does cost and many times we as missionaries suffer for this call. We too get sick, our kids get sick all because we are in so much contact with germs and illness but God protects us and I believe we are healthy the majority of the time because His hand is upon us. We struggle financially. Many of my staff are qualified and could be earning so much more if they practiced their professions outside but they choose to serve God with their talents and they are happy to receive whatever we can afford to pay them. If you are interested in supporting them as native missionaries please see that section in this web site.
Despite the costs, the call is always worth it. We only have one life, and for me that’s one big opportunity to serve God in. I realize that not everyone is called to serve fulltime for a lifetime call but I also know that many are called and only few answer. I contemplated recently the verse that obedience is better than sacrifice. If we are called to do a short-term missions trip or be a home support worker then that’s what we ought to do. If we are called to be a life call missionary then that’s what we better do. But we need to know the difference and we need to be sure of what our calling is. The sacrificial 3 week trip to Africa to help the poor or the ‘I’ll pray for you from home’ won’t cut it with God if He has told you to do something’ different. Know your calling and walk in it. Then you will be a blessing to those you want to help. Your life will be blessed; your family will be blessed. Blessing follows obedience.
Keep us in your prayers as we continue to serve God here with these children and their families. We need the protection of the Lord everyday to cover us and we need your support. HHM is really a team effort as you’ll gather from this site. We are all in this together!
Surprise Delivery 18/02/10
In olongapo its been a busy week. We had a minor drama at the end of last week. A mother (whose 2 children already are under our care) came to us and said she was 39 weeks pregnant and ready to deliver any day. The problem is she has to walk from their mountain home to the nearest town. That’s a 3 hours hike and this is baby number 10 so there is no way she would have made it on time. So i offered to bring her to our local hospital and have her induced that day so her and the baby wouldn’t be in danger. Apparently with baby number 10 the womb often ruptures.. So, we set off and by that night she was in labor. By the next morning she was still only 3 cm’s. I had been there all night but had to leave to go to manila 30mins later so as i left i passed by her mother in law to update her on the mums progress.. She asked me if the baby had survived. I was slightly surprised and asked what she meant. She went on to explain that the baby actually wasn’t due until May!! I couldn’t believe it. It was too late to do anything. We’d already induced labor!
A few hours later little baby boy was born. He was small and thin, weighing only 1.5kilos and looking like a 30/31 week baby. We couldn’t believe it and cant understand why she did that but we are thankful that wee baby James was able to breathe alone and didn’t need to be ventilated. He is still in the incubator now so can you pray that he will get stronger and that we will know what to do with him. The mum and dad can’t afford to feed him and honestly they have enough problems feeding the ones they have! We need the wisdom of God to know where James should grow up.. Right people, right place.. (yes by the way, we helped her to be ligated now.. no more babies!)
The Big Day 23/02/10
Today’s the big day… its the first time that the Baguio team will have the opportunity to do evangelism at Benguet General Hospital. The Director there is so kind and accommodating. We have borrowed ‘supermanny’ the mascot from our Olongapo team and also some puppets. We really need to get our own up here but its expensive.
Our plan today is to sing, dance and have wonderful puppet shows. Jenny will be heading it up today and although we’re all a little nervous we are more excited! Isn’t it great to get to share the gospel and our Hope with kids who are suffering so much. Our prayer is that the parents and children will feel Him today and His care for them…
I’ll let you know later how it went!