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Monday, January 21, 2013

If It's Saturday It Must Be Kidz Club

Growing up at Southside church of Christ, I have several fond memories of the many fun activities and events that were centered around growing my faith and knowledge of Jesus.  The number one on my list was Vacation Bible School. 

Mrs. Barbara Neller and her amazing team had a way of making the Bible stories come to life.  Who can forget Mr. David Hardison walking into the auditorium on stilts dressed as Goliath ready to battle David?  Or when Paul's head fell off (that part was an accident) as he was lowered over the wall of the baptistry in a basket?  Or when Mimi was dressed as a leapor with her arms covered in leporasy?  Or when the Fellowship Hall was transformed into the Tabernacle with all the amazing treasures it held.  Every summer VBS transported us into Bible times and made all the stories come to life. 




These experiences of VBS helped shape my faith.  They are some that I want to not only share with my own children someday but with the children of Hope for Tomorrow.  We haven't had Gepher walk on stilts or transform the church building into the Tabernacle but we have taken the first step in getting the Hope for Tomrrow children excited about learning about Jesus through KIDZ CLUB!

One of the goals Gepher and I have for Hope for Tomorrow this year is for the children and their families to be excited about coming to church and wanting to have a deeper understanding and faith in Jesus Christ. 



KIDZ CLUB is our newest Saturday outreach ministry.  We are so excited about Kidz Club and the effects we believe it will have on our children, their families, their friends, and the community.  We are also excited to have Grace Lape and Juvy Ludevese join the Hope for Tomorrow family in leading the Kidz Club activities (with the help of our teacher, Cheryl Santos).  Grace and Juvy served impoverished children at a Kidz Club in Davao (another island in the Philippines).  Since moving to Cebu, Grace and Juvy have missed Kidz Club and ministering to the children.  Hope for Tomorrow was a perfect opportunity for them to use their ministry talents and begin a Kidz Club of our own.



Kidz Club has become a highly anticipated weekly event.  Every week we focus on teaching the children a Bible story in a fun hands-on way.  We've marched around the walls of Jericho and searched for Waldo as we looked for the Lost Coin.  The look of amazement and awe on the children's faces as they see Jesus come alive before their very eyes is priceless. 



The kids love to sing!  Anytime you walk into the building you can almost always hear one or two of them singing either a song Cheryl has taught them or a popular song from the radio.  Kidz Club starts every Saturday with fun action songs.  The kids love the actions and the fun songs!  Grace does a great job of teaching them new songs and getting everyone involved and engaged.   Here energy is definitely contagious.



We believe you cannot fully learn until you've had a chance to "do".  The kids love to "do" their crafts after every story.  Every child loves to create and express their creativity in different ways.  The crafts emphasize the lesson and the major point we want the kids to remember.  It's also a chance for them to take these home and talk with their parents about the story.



Because our children have the worries and stresses most children should never have we also want to give them the chance to just be kids.  Game time is the perfect chance for their inner child to shine and just enjoy some fun!  I love watching the children cheer for one another and get so excited when their team wins.  It's neat to watch different children begin to shine and step up to be leaders on their teams.  The atmosphere is electric and contagious when Juvey leads the kids in fun exciting games!



Renie Boy asked Grace after the first Kidz Club if we could invite his friends to join. Grace told him ABSOLUTELY we want you to bring your friends. He looked back up at her and said "but they have funny hair". Grace told him Jesus didn't care what kind of hair you have and neither do we!

Joan told me the Friday after our Christmas party that she couldn't wait for Saturday morning Kidz Club.  I looked into ther big brown eyes and told her that Kiz Club wasn't starting back until after the New Year.  The twinkle in her eyes quickly turned to sadness as she realized she would have to wait two more weeks until Kidz Club would start again.  It's these moments (and so many others) that I know Kidz Club is exactly what God has in mind for these children.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Magical World of the SRP Carnival

"When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do"

 

Entering the SRP Carnival was definitely not filled with the "Disney Magic". There were no characters to greet you or exciting music playing in the air. There were no views of a castle or a parade down Main St.  The rides were not shiny with exciting things to look at as you waited in line.  But somehow despite all the this, the SRP Carnival was just as magical for our 2nd Grading Period Honor Roll Winners.

For over three months now, the children have been dreaming (and even begging) to go to a Carnival.  Just as the song says they believed "anything your heart desires will come to you."  Well on this particular Tuesday afternoon the dreams of the Honor Roll winners did come true!

    

These children don't often see their dreams come true.  These are the children that society tells they can't or they won't.  At Hope for Tomorrow we teach the children that they are important, they are loved, and they can become more.  Today we celebrated the fact that they CAN and they DID in the classroom! 

As we entered the Carnival the kids were immediately in awe of all the fun rides and attractions.  Everyone wanted to ride something different first.  Since the Bumper Cars weren't yet open we decided that the Ferris Wheel would be the perfect way to start a fun afternoon (and it certainly was).  The moment the kids stepped on the platform to load the cars the laughter and squeals filled the air.  Once the Ferris Wheel began to spin the laughter from the cars erupted.  Every time the cars came down the kids squealed, waved, and made some funny faces just for me and Cheryl (our teacher) to enjoy.

 

As the Ferris Wheel came to a stop the kids unloaded and immediately ran off to share their stories of ridding.  They were now warmed up and anxious to ride the next ride.  Up next...the Flying Bee and the Roller Coaster!

The Flying Bee was definitely not a thrill ride but it was a thrill that they workers actually got it going!  That's right, the kids loaded onto the ride and then sat for over five minutes while the workers fixed the motor to get it started.  I'm sure this wasn't the best sign but luckily everything worked out.  The ride got going and the kids had fun (but we definitely didn't ride it again)!

 

On to the Roller Coaster!!  This Roller Coaster wasn't really a Roller Coaster (but we didn't tell the kids).  It wasn't filled with hills and loops but it was filled with excitement and screams as the ride took off!  As the Roller Coaster went round and round the screams got louder and the laughs got stronger.  Oh what fun these kids were having! 

 

Even though it was getting dark and the hour was getting closer and closer to dinner time the kids weren't ready to stop!  What's a visit to a Carnival without a fun snack?!?  Mango Shakes for everyone!!!  A Mango Shake is essentially the Philippine version of an Icee (but way tastier and with real fruit)!!

 

Before our fun evening of celebration came to an end there was a last stop at the Bumper Cars.  The children had been eying them every since we came into the Carnival.  Everyone ran to jump into the driver's seat.  Unfortunately there weren't enough cars for everyone to drive their own but the kids were great at sharing the steering with their co-pilot!

 

This was the first time most of these children had ever had a chance to drive and they were so excited about it!!  The moment the operator said "GO" they were off!!  With every bump a laugh erupted from two cars.  They would chase one another around the track just to possibly have the chance of bumping.  They could not get enough of the Bumper Cars!  The excitement from the kids was contagious!  Everyone both on and off the ride could feel it.  No one wanted this ride to come to an end!

It was so much fun to celebrate with these special kids.  I am honored that God chose us to minister to these children and show them they they CAN and they DID!  These children have achieved great heights in and out of the classroom this year.  Tonight we celebrated their achievements in the classroom.  Children who use to dream of going to school are now not only in school but at the top of their class.  Children last year who sat on the back row and didn't want to be noticed are now on the front row and becoming the teacher's little helper.  Children who never got to experience childhood are now getting chances to just be a kid!  We are proud of our Honor Roll winners and can't wait to continue to celebrate the successes with these children as we cheer them on to new heights!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A Magical Christmas Party

Growing up, Christmas was always my favorite time of the year.  As a little girl this magical time of year couldn't come fast enough!  Some of my most fond memories are of Christmas activities.  I always loved making candy with friends at the Hardison's house, and cutting down our "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" as a family in Fairfield Glade.  You can't forget the "tacky crafts" we made with Mrs. Stacey at Fairfield Glad to adorn the Christmas tree.  And then there was setting out milk and cookies for Santa at Ma's house as we anxiously awaited his arrival.  Most importantly I loved the importance of family and of giving my parents instilled in us during this special season.



After being in Cebu for the past two Christmases I realize these treasured memories are ones that most children around the world do not have.  Lists to Santa arent' made and decorating the Christmas tree as a family while Dad plays "Tennessee Christmas" on the record player is unheard of.  Here Christmas is just another day as most families struggle just to put food on the table.  If you can't put food on the table then how can you put presents under the tree?



Over the past two years working with Hope for Tomorrow and living in Cebu, God has taught me many special lessons.  One of those lessons centers around Christmas.  He's reminded me again and again Christmas day is about the celebration of His Son's birth.  Many times we get so caught up in the traditions and presents we forget the one BIG GIFT we truly are celebrating.  It's because of this Gift that we are called to share our gifts and blessings with others.  He's reminded me of the passage found in Luke 12:48 where he tells us "From the one that has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  God has definitely entrusted me with much!  I don't know why I was chosen to be born in a blessed country and given the opportunity to have such a great job...but I was!  And since I was it's time for me to give back...especially this Christmas season! 



This Christmas Gepher and I wanted Christmas to be extra special for the children.  I wanted to share a piece of the Christmas magic with them (which I loved as a child) and build memories that would last a life time.  For one afternoon I wanted these special children to be kids.  I didn't want them worrying about carrying water from the nearby well or doing the laundry or looking after their younger siblings.  I wanted them to be children and experience Christmas as I remember Christmas being like as a child.  I wanted to remind them about the BIG GIFT (Jesus) we are celebrating as well as let them know they are special and loved.

 
The children love coming to our house!  (Wouldn't you if the place you called home was made of a thatched/tin metal roof with a dirt floor and walls made of bamboo mats?)  The children have been begging to come to our house but with the busyness of the season we just haven't had the chance.  That desire made us realize that the house was the perfect place to have a magical Christmas party!
 
 
Because our children spend their days doing chores (we'd consider the jobs of adults) and looking after their younger siblings (even though they are only 8 or 9) so the parents can go out to find food or money, we wanted this party to bring out the kid in each of these special children.  A Christmas party wouldn't be a party without fun Christmas themed relay games!  The children loved the Snowball Relay and the Candy Cane Relay...but the game that was the biggest hit of the day was Santa's Beard Relay.  In this game the children slathered their face in Vaseline and ran to dip their chin in a bowl full of cotton to make their very own Santa Beard.  The sights of the "Santa Clause" caused the children to erupt in laughter throughout the backyard!  Some of the children definitely looked more like a "Monster Clause" but either way the children had fun!!
 
    
 
    
 
What's a party without food (and a movie)?!?  In the Philippines you cannot enjoy a good Drive-In movie...but at the Lopina house you can enjoy a fun "Sit-In" Movie!  Thanks to a perfect concrete fence in our backyard and a projector the Lopina Movie Theatre showed "Brave" while the children enjoyed a perfect snack (since it didn't include rice it wasn't a meal).  This was the first time the children had ever watched a movie outside on a big screen.
 
   
 
Christmas is about giving.  God gave us the best gift ever in Jesus!  We have an opportunity at Christmas to give gifts to those we love to let them know they are loved and special.  These are exactly the gifts Hope for Tomorrow was blessed with this year to give our kids at Christmas.
 
 
The kids at Lebanon Road Church of Christ made each child a special tote bag, bookmark, and letters written to them.  Gepher and I have been focused this year on bringing the children (and their families) closer to Jesus.  In an effort to continue this while the children are at home Kuya and Ate had each child a Bible that was written on their reading level.  As each child's name was called to get their bag filled with special gifts there were cheers across the yard.  The children felt a level of love to know that children they will never meet cared enough about them to send them something they made!  WOW...that's what Christmas is all about...sharing Jesus.  As I watched the children carefully examine their bags and letters it reminded me of the passage in Matthew 25:40 where Jesus tells us "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers you did for me."  Thank you Lebanon Road for "doing for the least of these".
 
 
 
Kuya and Ate had one final surprise for the children.  We had a special "Santa Clause" purchase a toy for each child.  Toys are treasured possessions for our kids!  Most of our children do not have toys to play with. Instead they turn their slippers (flip flops) or rubber bands or sticks into toys.  Each child was given a number.  When their number was called they were allowed to choose any wrapped present from the boy or girl pile they liked.  As the paper was ripped off of the gifts...the air erupted in squeals of delight.  This was the magic of Christmas I wanted these children to experience!!
 
    
 


    
 
 
 
Smiles were plastered over everyone's faces (even the adults)!  Immediately toys came out of their boxes.  Little boys began racing their remote control cars all across the yard.  Helicopters invaded my back porch and robots marched across the grass.  Barbie dolls were admired for a while in their box as not to mess them up but eventually were carefully pulled from their boxes!  The air in the backyard was electric as everyone enjoyed the "Christmas morning joys" of the new special gift!
 
    
 
Although I didn't get to spend this Christmas with my biological family...I did get to spend this Christmas with my "adopted family".  The smiles, squeals, and joy on the faces of our "adopted children" are images that will not be erased from my mind.  Seeing them experience the magic of Christmas I have enjoyed for 20+ years was priceless.  For a moment these children were just kids.  Kids that are loved by our Savior and kids that are loved by you from across the globe.  The children on this special afternoon felt loved and special...just the way kids are suppose to feel.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas from Hope for Tomorrow

 
 
 
God has allowed us to bless the children of Hope for Tomorrow as well as their families this year because of your very kind generousity. We are forever grateful for your very special gift.

As we take a moment to stop and celebrate Christmas this year. May we remember the true reason we are celebrating. It's because of Him we are providing Hope to these children and their family.

May God continue to bless you in 2013 as you have blessed us.

(For anyone who would like to become involved with HFT in 2013, please visit our website or send us a note and learn how you can get involved.)
http://www.hopefortomorrownaga.com/

Thursday, November 8, 2012

BACKPACKS, CRAYONS, & PENCILS OH MY!!

Just because this is our second year of Hope for Tomorrow, the excitement of starting school was still there.  Nothing says Back to School like the smell of new crayons and backpacks.
 
No matter how old you are or where you are from, brand new school supplies are always exciting!  This year we invited  our 32 students  along with their parents to the  church to discuss the logistics and expectations for this school year.  To make sure the children stayed attentive to the important information, we kept the backpacks filled with supplies out of sight.
 
Finally, the meeting came to an end and the highly anticipated event  of the day was ready to start.  The kids had been asking us what the backpacks looked like, what color they were , and other questions.  They were so excited they could hardly wait for their name to be called.
 
This year we were so  excited to have matching backpacks for all of our kids.  The teachers will be able to easily identify our children.  It also helps make our children feel extra special.  These children are  part of a society that tells them they aren’t important and they don’t matter.  At Hope for Tomorrow, we work hard to change these thoughts in our children.  Having matching backpacks is just one small step in helping them change their self-esteem.
 
Every child was called one by one so they could chose their specific backpack filled with all the things they needed to have a successful school year.  We are so excited for these thirty-two children as they begin a great adventure this school year.  God has BIG plans for them this year !
 
 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Our Brand New Library

Thanks to wonderful donations of children’s books, the HFT Library made its debut during the Summer Program.

For most children in the Philippines, books are a luxury. Books are an item that is treasured and loved but not something that most students own. Public Libraries and School Libraries do not exist.

Now our HFT children can grow their love of reading and expand their minds thanks to our brand new Library. The kids were excited to get to pick a book and sit and read. It was so neat to watch them pick books that reflected their personality (and even challenged their reading levels). You cannot open a book without learning something.

Our Library continues to grow with new offerings and is even outgrowing our current shelf space! What an amazing gift these books are for our children.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Jump Start to Success


At Hope for Tomorrow, school was in session before the first official day of school!

As we wrapped up our first year in March, we were excited to see such growth in the children both inside and outside the classroom.  We didn’t want to loose this growth and connection with the children over the summer.  As a way to stay connected and continue to help the students build a strong educational foundation, we started “Sonshine Summer School Spectacular”.
 
 

Sonshine Summer School Spectacular was an opportunity for children to experience hands-on fun learning and receive a nutritional lunch.  We were excited to be able to open the summer program to not only the HFT children but also our church families and the HFT siblings.  We had 50 children enroll for the summer.

Because the Filipino classrooms are so overcrowded (50-100 students per class), individual attention from a teacher and hands-on learning activities are things that don’t happen as they do in a US classroom.  The generous donations of learning games, books, and readers were put to great used and made the foundation of the program.  Kids earned stars for both attendance and participation which they could cash in for fun prizes in the Treasure Chest. 

The children were so excited about “having fun” and earning towards their Treasure Chest trip, they forgot they were learning.  This truth is a sign of a successful first summer program.  We can’t wait to see what this “Jump Start” will do for our children this school year!