Brush 'em up !!!

Better late then never. 

That's by far one of my most used (or abused) verses in my 'Excuse bible' Perennial Latecomer Version. I've quoted it both justly and unjustly. Out of context and misapplied, sometimes. Back when I was in high school, whenever I face the Guidance Counsellor after missing the flag ceremony, I would console myself with this citation (forgive the pun).

Friends have already asked whether we've done the 'Dental Care' Seminar. "Yeah, I'm sorry. Things got pretty busy and I've yet to post it." - My answer to the queries.

I can guarantee you, though that some great things have been happening in our neighborhood. And more exciting and fun events are yet taking place before the year ends. In one of my previous posts, I gave a prayer list which included 'a little girl's wish'. I'm going to go ahead and say that God has favored that request. The generous donor has arrived. Yes, from another country. She and her husband will personally head the distribution of the gifts.

(There you go, I spilled the soup.)

This couple have been one of our great supporters in this 'kindness drive' and they are really not up to making public their generosity. It's my honor to God, first, who has touched their hearts to give, but also to really, really thank them from the bottom of my heart. For I know the sacrifices, the efforts and the prayers they've put into this 'offering.' In one way or another, they are instruments of God's love to these neighbors whom we reach.

Not only will they gift the girls, but also the boys. To them and their friends who obeyed God's call to give, joy and the blessing be yours. This will shock the kids who at this point in their life haven't received 'a gift' like normal children do during this season of love. They don't know that. They were brought up not to know. But now they will experience it. I hope it brings the message across. Again, many thanks.

I tell you what, there will be a lot of times that I won't be able to post immediately. Now I'm talking about posting late again.  :-)  And for various reasons. Like, when we started doing this 'small act of kindness' I call it, that's all we had in mind. And then came the sharing thought. It was meant to update, praise God for, and encourage friends. That's the very reason why this blog came into existence. Through these months, God has blessed this program, or project... Now, I'm at a loss for the proper word. It's not only meant to be a project thing, though at this point, that's what it is. And it's not just our project. It's the Lord's project. What I wanted to say also is that, you don't really let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. I don't want to use this as a platform to receive praises for what we do. And so even for the last few weeks that I have been ecstatic with what's been accomplished, I find it hard to write about it. Not that there's nothing to write about, but that the 'doing' part of the work is increasing such that the 'writing' part has to wait. But let me go ahead and share to you the highlights of the 'Dental Care' mini-seminar that we did last October 20.

It kind of sound silly that I had given a crash course on 'teethbrushing.' For what mother doesn't teach her children at home how to brush their teeth? Why give a teaching on one of the most basic and most instinctive activities done by humans on this earth? Yet, everytime we meet with the kids I couldn't help but notice that yellow seems to be the only 'color of the day' all the days of our feeding times with them. When they smile and when they talk that's the only visible color as far as my eyes could see. And I mean, yellow as in yellow. So with our sincere and genuine desire to pass on the cleanliness values we took our chance and offered a hand to some mothers to reinforce this very important habit.  I would add that my growing friendship with some Muslim women neighbors earned me instant access with more mothers. These women somehow were just waiting to be reached out to.

At nine in the morning the children were already rushing to our place with their mothers and siblings for the seminar. I was a little tense but excited at the thought of meeting new neighbors. Thanks to the men of our church who were the scheduled volunteers for this event. They helped take care of the registration, gift distribution and feeding. Everything was so organized. Checking of names, ages, mother's names... they were all handled by the men.

In fairness, the kids were all brushed up when they came. Either they were afraid to get a citation ticket for wearing yellow teeth or they had meant to impress. Either way, they were all smiles when they met me at the gate. With eagerness and pride, they flocked and blocked my way just to be noticed. No need for this seminar, I thought! But they were all excited because I told them we will be giving out 'hygiene packs' for each of the families represented that day. They're all gonna have a new teethbrush and  new kiddie teethpaste.

This was one of the mothers who came with all of her eight children, I think. Including the months-old baby. Her third-to-the-youngest stands behind her. I have been personally trying to make friends with this woman whose only means of living is selling barbecue in the afternoons in our neighborhood. There were times me and my husband found difficulty providing for our ONLY son's needs, let alone eight. But marvel not, the common grace of God provides for the ravens, AND,  not even Solomon in all of his splendor had been clothed like the lilies.

 God is our amazing Provider.

Thanks to our Men's Ministry Group M2M who put order to a now swelling number of children. It's my favorite subject to teach these little ones - Order and Discipline 101. It was here that they have learned to fall in line everytime we would commence the day. We've been quite successful with teaching them that. Even the smaller kids get to follow instructions. Nice and neat!

Always ready for a pose. Never camera shy. Too bad, though not one of them was smiling in this shot so we could see their whiter, or less yellower teeth today.

Keeping their lines straight while getting in. Uncle Rich is seeing to that.

Almost ready to start, you could already see the 'hygiene packs' at the front. What's inside, you'd ask? Well, I thought that the teaching seminar wouldn't mean a thing if they don't have the actual paraphernalia to begin with. So I had teamed-up teethpaste and teethbrush together with  a facial scrub and organic oats and goat's milk soap for the mothers. This was supposed to be 'dental and body care' seminar because I wanted to have something for the moms so I could make them come. The Lord has favored the prayer, about 7 or 8 mothers were in the house today. And 1 dad!


Why do I keep talking about toothbrush and toothpaste in plural - teethbrush and teethpaste? Because, like I taught the kids and the moms today, a baby will have twenty teeth until the age of 18. An adult will have 32 teeth in all. That sounds like, plural. Singular 'toothbrush' only applies to an infant growing his/her very first tooth. Haha! I'm being silly but just to emphasize the fact that we all have to take care of our teeth... No, we can't afford to go toothless! I am. Sadly. Anyway,  I think I've made my point very clear on that. I saw wide-eyed kids drop their jaws as I was teaching them some very crucial knowledge about teeth care. I had scared them to death showing teeth and gum disease photos so they would put value into proper teethbrushing.

I concluded the 30-minute short seminar by showing them a picture of a pretty lady and a handsomely-cute boy with a question of 'who wants to grow to be a pretty lady someday who will not be ashamed to give a big smile?' That did it. Now they know the importance of proper teeth brushing and overall teeth and body care. To make sure they had learned something I gave a review. I was happy. I was able to teach something practical both to the mothers and their children. Fifty children came home this day with a promise to themselves that they will brush their teeth regularly! 

By now, the men are ready to distribute the 'hygiene packs.' Each family was to get one pack. We were able to distribute 20 hygiene packs today. Unfortunately, more than twenty came and so I promised the four mother-children teams that they will get theirs later. I kept my promise. I bought four more sets to give to them.

Photos...photos

Pancit, sandwich and juice time.....

I want to take this chance to thank our friends from Nehemiah who have so unselfishly provided for the twenty hygiene packs today, made it possible for us to get a step closer  towards our goal - to be our neighbors' friends. And to one of my most treasured friends, DJ, thank you so much that you have shared quite your personal resources even though I know you could use the funds to help your ailing sister - may God be good to you. You have always been there for me when we needed.... you are a great example to me of a kind distant neighbor and friend. I offer this day first to the Lord because it's all about Him, to the kids and the moms whom we are learning to love unconditionally, but also to you my friend and to Nehemiah for helping us out. Without the help of friends, this will not even reach their doorstep. But here we are, extending that love to them. From our hearts receive our utmost appreciation. 

To the men in our Community, the Lord continue to bless your families. We are already blessed, that's true, but may all of you experience breakthroughs as you serve HIM more and more. 

I couldn't thank the Lord enough about this day. The fun, the food and the friendship are all priceless treasures. Yes, some amount of money had been spent today but more than the earthly treasures that were expended, think about the heavenly treasures that we have gained as we gave away the earthly ones. 

TO HIM WHO IS ABOVE ALL BE GLORY AND HONOR AND STRENGTH!

I would really like for you to see a collage of today's event so I ask you now to watch this video. While we were giving the seminar and the meal, I was singing the song that is in this video's background quietly in my heart. I wanted to shout to all those who came how true this song is but it would sound crazy. But crazy as it was, the Lord is doing a mighty thing, knitting our lives together in the spirit and where one day, I'm sure, and I just know, from the mouth of these babes will be uttered glorious praises declaring that JESUS IS LORD, today and forever. Not all of them would come to that point but who knows, God is still the God of miracles. 

I am asking a very big favor from all of you, my readers to please pray for us, for me especially as I have been tasked to oversee this unfolding of God's plan and purpose in the lives of these Muslim neighbors - that Jesus died for each one of them to save them from the wrath that is to come. I am not always strong, I have other responsibilities, I easily get tired these days, there are days I feel lazy, some days I think about my own needs only...but in all of this with your prayers and through His sovereignty over our lives, by His grace it shall be accomplished and it will be to his praise. Till then I would request for your prayers and continued support. God truly bless each one of you who's reading this now. 

And now, the video with the song that my heart softly hums for these Muslim friends:

                                  

If only I could tell them that JESUS is their friend...

Meet the Moms

It's been four days since our last feeding and I am apologizing for quite a late update.

I was really very excited to write about what happened last Saturday but there were other pressing issues. Concerns pertaining to ministry and family have overwhelmed me just these last few days. Some of you will probably relate to the fact that family issues can be the most fatiguing sometimes.

Especially those involving relationships.

I didn't think things would end the way they did, though and so if I may just share with you how victorious I am with this worst struggle of my life that has dragged me almost to the end of the age... praise God because he is faithful. I don't think I would go on with the details since this blog is not really about my life's struggles but about kindness and love toward neighbor. I'm being vulnerable but then I'm also thinking, how can I offer my pure and unblemished service to a holy God if deep within me rots this poison known as 'unforgiveness'?

                      "... and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

And how many times have I read this in the first letter of John?:
                           "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie 
                                   and do not practice the truth."

God has warned many of us about hypocrisy. I'm taking heed.

Anyway, thanks for bearing with me. It feels good to be honest.

So, here's really where the story 'Meet the Moms' begins.....

Last Saturday was by far the best feeding time we've had because not only did we have sixty happily-fed children but we also had in our midst 6 of their mothers. Oh yes, it has been the most tiring, too. But to those whom I have been requesting prayers from, this is our joy and encouragement. Somehow, the parents are able to test our consistency and seriousness in what we do and there's no way that love would not beget love.

This was lunch prior to the program proper. It's been a few weeks now that I had usually dropped by their, shall I say, little houses for a small chat. Last Friday I invited them over for lunch and although I wasn't sure they'd honor their word I did prepare some food. I think they took me seriously at my invitation and hence, this time of delightful meal with two of the mothers.

The race is a test of endurance which these little rascals love to engage in. Saturday is a happy time for these neighborhood kids because they get to enjoy in our playground. 

This is Joanna with her brother Ibrahim. Joanna used to be one of the students (in our church school) but due to financial constraints she had to transfer to public school. 

Posing for a pic, waiting for the program to start.

Meet two of the moms who came and even helped in our program. I didn't really think they would come back after the first time. And I believe it's also not happenstance. God has a plan...

Lining up to get inside. Attending to sixty energetic, active and anxious children to get started is not an easy job. We have our volunteers much to thank for. Their patience and love for these children are a blessing without which this program will not be possible.

By now everybody is seated inside. As you might well see, the mothers are also seated right behind the children. What amazes us is the fact that we didn't have trouble asking them in; this is something very unconventional but we believe that the growing friendship we have with these families really give us the favor. 

Meet the moms.

These are the six mothers whom I had the privilege of meeting and knowing. They are smiling looking at their children playing. 

This is one side of our sanctuary where half of the kids were seated. Sixty children came today.

                                              Playing our first game, 'Persistence Spoons'. 

Meet some of the cute, little girls in our neighborhood.

Explaining the moral lesson in the game.

This is the game that the smaller children played. It's an adaptation, we call it 'Trip to Alabama.'

Prayer time after our games and for the food.

Distinguished kitchen crew for the day. Our chef, Sherry-Ann and our sous-chef, Shen. Dynamic duo.

Feeding time. They had Vermicelli Chicken Noodles cooked by no other than our licensed nutritionist, Sherry Ann, and white choco chip cookies baked by yours truly. 

The happiest little boy this afternoon. 

These five wonderful women are our special guests in today's feeding and now, my new friends! It's a delight to see us living as one community who can share a meal together and have fun and where culture and beliefs don't have to get in the way of our friendship. Hoping to see them again in our next schedule. 

Total meals served as of this feeding day:

                                  

         six hundred and twenty five

Next feeding (with seminar) date: Oct. 20

To all our prayer supporters, donors and friends, a million thanks. May your hearts be continually blessed by Him who is the giver of all as you generously give to our neighbor kids and their families! We continue to seek your support even as the number of children coming continually grow.  

Jehovah jireh.

To our volunteers who came today, "The Twelve" (PArt, Mel, Josie and Ric S., Marilyn, Sherry-Ann, Shen, Gigi, Amy, Mariz, Chris, & Alex D. C.): our labor is not in vain. Your help is priceless.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,  for ever and ever! Amen."    

                                                                                                          Eph. 3:20 

Email us at: feedish.pbc@gmail.com   for inquiries and donations

                        

Our Neighbor, God's Little Ones

Back during my childhood days, life was very difficult. Nice clothes, toys, candy treats, dolls..... almost anything a little girl ever dreamed of was scarce in my family. But I remember my childhood friends -  beautiful sisters, who would always invite us over to their house to watch television and play during summer breaks. Not that they were rich but their parents were so sweet, gentle and kind. About ten neighbor kids would easily flock to their apartment at any given day and would block their window sill, some would be squatting by the door, the less shy ones would actually have their eyes flaming red for watching too close. TV was a rare commodity in many homes then. But Saturday morning would be 'THE DAY' for our favorite cartoon show 'Popeye.' My contemporary 'baby-boomers' would relate to this, I'm sure. I would not forget my friend's father, Mr. B whose gentle and smiling voice would greet us with a warm 'hello' when he came home from work in the afternoon. He would still have the energy to entertain us. And their mother was the sweetest and most caring person I could remember in our neighborhood. What they had on the table they would even share with us. One day, we saw them loading up a big truck with all their furnitures and stuff because they were moving to another place. That was one of the saddest days in the life of the neighbor kids because we would be missing not only our favorite tv shows but their extraordinary hospitality most of all. They loved us. We missed them a lot.

When we started feeding these children in our own neighborhood I knew then that they have the same feeling that I had as a kid. To be loved and cared for by other people is an unforgettable experience, especially for a little child. The memory of it brings lasting joy. I never forgot this childhood friend and her family to this very day.

 Love is the only and most powerful way of winning over your enemies. Neighborly love wins. Love wins.

Something reminds me just now, something I have read...
                   
                      "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

                      " I gave you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also
                         must love one another."

Wasn't it the greatest commandment ever written and given, that we love our neighbor as ourselves?

I pray that wherever you may be, whatever part of the world, whatever situation, whatever circumstances ... that you may have love not only for those whom you would naturally love like your families, and friends but also those whom you can reach out with compassion just as we have been commanded to.

As the song says, I need God, you need God, everyone needs to have this experience of the love of God and if we, as good neighbors can extend that love to others, HE said that we do it to no other but Him.

      "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers     and sisters of mine, you did for me.

      "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'                                                                     Matt. 25 vv 40 & 45

Lastly, I have one more video to show to you, a shorter one I promise, that it may sum up the reason for  why we are sharing to these little ones. I hope this speaks to you as well.

Please continue to keep us in your mind and in your heart as we plant the seeds, even as we maintain our eyes open towards the fields until we see a harvest for indeed they are ripe.

A fruitful and abundant week full of love be unto you. Thank you for your many prayers.

   

555 meals and counting...

                                                                               
                                                           

That's right!

As of last Saturday we have served approximately 555 ++ meals since summer. Can't go precise with figures because you know kids, they come back for seconds... and thirds.... Especially when you serve them their favorites, which we always do. It gives us great joy to see them munch and chew and make those sounds when they really enjoy their food like, "hmm, yum yum."

Last Saturday I believe we had a blast. It was so fun to see the sauce-stained faces as they devoured with great delight. I mean, it was total demolition, appetite of the young lions.

We praise God and thank HIM for the people who continually extend their love for these kids and support this feeding program. As the saying goes, "A big heart will lay up treasures in heaven and will not worry about his pocket." (That's another version.) Our donors are ordinary people with ordinary-sized pockets but with extraordinary hearts. To all of you who have grown a love for these children (because HE loved you first), a thousandfold be  returned to you. And as you are touched again, then you can give more. Then we can feed more. So that the Giver can bless you again, and again, and again.

Can we really outgive our God?





First I want to thank our Maitre d' for the event.
Very efficient guy, he made sure all our
distinguished guests (the kids, of course) were properly greeted, seated, and served. Together with all his U.N.I.T.E.D. staff, the kids were served like 'preferred customers.'
Thanks to you, big brother! Thanks, United!

Photo shoots and footages courtesy of this 'Very Promising'
photographer-of-the-day with such a highly professional sense of
filmmaking. Two thumbs up!! Thanks!

This serious-looking, cute little boy couldn't wait for his older sister anymore and vowed to take care of himself. By the time she came to feed him, sauce was all gone - it was all over his face and his shirt.








"Tissue, please." I think we finished a whole Kleenex box wiping off everybody's mouth of the sauce.

"I don't know about you but I don't mind standing up here with my meal," was the impression that this satisfied boy gave us. He's one of our regulars and he definitely wouldn't miss today. The day I met him on the street last week for the 'Spaghetti Saturday' invitation, he instantly RSVP'd to the event.

A ceremonial hand salute is given with a big smile to express true satisfaction and thanksgiving. It's worth all our hard work when children acknowledge our labor of love. We offer back this salutation to our great Master and King.

                                                                             
"This is better than milk!" as if to say. I just presumed that, as coming from one who's just been weaned off of milk formula. I mean, don't you think that cute smile and those tantalizing eyes suggest that?

Came with a big appetite! This kiddo, with some of his cohorts, invaded the kitchen to ask for seconds. Sorry, be blessed next time! :-(

More rewarding moments.....

On top of it all, the highlight of this event, for me, is the coming of three of these children's mothers. It was last week when I met one of these women as I went around the community to invite the children. Thanks to our dear Edna who gladly accompanied me for the house to house. That friendship has been extended to two more women. They are my new girlfriends: Mona, Alma, and Baby, with Baby's son with us in this pic. We had a great time talking about family, children and what not. It was easy making friends with them. A direct result of your prayers and faith that somehow, God would  make it possible for us not only to meet these neighbors but to start a relationship with them. I felt a little ashamed when I asked them how long they've been living at the back of our place, that it's been five years since they moved from the southern part of our country all the way up north. It took me that long to extend the arms of friendship over the fence. But God is good, they are looking forward to seminars that I would be conducting with the women neighbors. I was able to get Baby's commitment to do the inviting for us.          PTL !

And not only did they come but they stayed and watched us play and talk with their children...till the end of the program (which by God's divine planning had to be shortened) so I could sit down with them over spaghetti and juice... and some friendly girl-talk. I am so privileged today!

There are so many things I could think of how to spend my weekends. At times I would think of going for some spa (which I had gone once in my entire adult life). It is on weekends that I would think of the movies, or some date, small shopping, or simply stay home and get some rest. And this is not to play any guilt-trip on anybody but I just want to share with you how much more meaningful and fulfilling my weekends have become now that I took the focus off of me and instead delighted myself in serving people and doing things to make others happy, too.  I realize that as one seriously thinks of his/her neighbor, God is the one who supplies the energy, strength and wisdom to accomplish great things with only one condition, that you do what you do not out of compulsion, but out of love.

I will have more stories to share and even more photos to upload within the week. Hubby insists that I join the snoring party. My digital timepiece reads 12:32 AM. He has every reason to call it a day. 

Let's call it a day, then.