As a team of 11 we flew over to Metro-Manila to deliver the Bags of Joy to the Children of Hope preschools. These schools are the newest phase of the former Urban Church Planting Project. While we were there we worked alongside our missionaries, Bryant and Patty Sabandal, and many of our Filipino pastors and friends. Each day we divided into teams, with each team visiting one or two preschools per day. When at the schools we were greeted by the community, parents, teachers, pastors and the kids. These preschoolers were excited to share with us and their parents the songs and presentations they had learned. We also had our own songs to teach them, and had them help us act out the Christmas story. We also had the opportunity to pray a blessing over the kids, their parents, many of whom don’t attend church, and the teachers and pastors at each of the schools. Each party was concluded by the handing out of the Bags of Joy!
Each of these preschools is a valuable part of its community. Most of the kids who have graduated from the preschool programs are in the top 10% of their class. Many parents come to the churches and to know the Lord because of the lessons their kids learn at these preschools.
We ended our trip by helping put on our annual Christmas party for all of the pastors and teachers involved in the Children of Hope project. It was a great way to come together, revisit with those we had worked with during our time there, and celebrate Jesus and what he had done during our trip.
There is no way this trip would happen without your generous contributions through the Bags of Joy. On behalf of the children and families in Manila, we extended our deepest gratitude and thanks for your efforts. Please continue to pray with us for the preschool children, the Children of Hope project and future children to be enrolled in these schools.
Each of these preschools is a valuable part of its community. Most of the kids who have graduated from the preschool programs are in the top 10% of their class. Many parents come to the churches and to know the Lord because of the lessons their kids learn at these preschools.
We ended our trip by helping put on our annual Christmas party for all of the pastors and teachers involved in the Children of Hope project. It was a great way to come together, revisit with those we had worked with during our time there, and celebrate Jesus and what he had done during our trip.
There is no way this trip would happen without your generous contributions through the Bags of Joy. On behalf of the children and families in Manila, we extended our deepest gratitude and thanks for your efforts. Please continue to pray with us for the preschool children, the Children of Hope project and future children to be enrolled in these schools.
