Erickson’s Philippines Updates

Let’s try something new here. I will post every time one the FTC kids has a birthday, then all of you who read it can post a comment wishing them a happy birthday (along with any other encouragements you might have for the child). So for the first birthday we have Jennilyn Delos Santos. Jennilyn had her “Sweet 16” birthday today (March 28). Watching Jennilyn grow physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and educationally over the last two years has been an honor for Andrea and I. She is independent and a born leader (So she and Andrea relate well).

Having the opportunity to daily pour into Jennilyn’s life has been a real joy for all of us. Jennilyn is in Andrea’s and my dorm as well, so we also have the responsibility of helping her through the good times, as well as the difficult. Jennilyn is in the tambourine, hospital, and street feeding ministries. We love you Jennilyn! Happy birthday!!!!!

I realize that most parents, catching their almost two-year-old son walking around with giant hedge trimmers, would have immediately rushed to take them out of his hands. I, on the other hand, decided to get out my camera and take some good quality photos. The photos you see are real and have NOT been altered in any way shape or form! It brought me joy when I came home and found Andrea working with the girls cleaning and cutting the grass outside our dorm. What about Josiah? He loves to get in there and get his hands dirty, just like everyone else.

There is a delicate balance when serving full time with kids (oh yeah, 24/7 – 365). You become a major part of their lives, like a parent, and they become a HUGE part of your life, like your own children. It is inevitable. You can’t live with children for two years, sharing tears of sorrow and laughter together, without becoming a “part” of each other. The first year here was a little hard on me, as the Frontline was really establishing a full-time center for children. Many kids came and left, mostly running away at night when no one would see them. At first, I found myself losing little pieces of my heart every time a child would leave. It was hard. As time went on I had to learn to accept the fact God may use us to influence some children for only a short time, but surely the love we showed them will last a lifetime.

The FTC kids are doing well! They are growing physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. We are currently talking about their futures and what they believe God’s call is for their lives. I look forward to this Sunday night when we will meet again and they will explain their current plan for how they will achieve reaching their goals. And don’t worry-I took the over-sized scissors out of Josiah’s hands AS SOON AS I WAS DONE TAKING THE PICTURES!

I cannot fully explain all the joy I felt in my heart as I walked into the kitchen tonight. As Andrea was talking to the kids about their schedules for the “Street Child Feeding Ministry” I glanced over and saw Eugene Lance Diaz, a.k.a Lan-Lan, sitting at the end of the table feeding himself dinner. For anyone who has known about Lan-Lan over the past several years, you also know that when the team found him he was virtually alone, abandoned and cast out of society. His immediate family had given up on him. Why? Lan-Lan is blind.

The doctor believes that Lan-Lan was not born blind, but that he had an eye infection as a young child. His family was probably poor and either could not afford to go see an eye specialist, or simply did not want to. Lan-Lan was left with a “relative” and subjected to unthinkable living conditions for about 6 years of his life. Because of serious neglect he is not as developed as other blind children, but look at him now, feeding himself! He can also dress himself and we just recently started teaching him how to use a walking stick.

When music plays Lan-Lan’s face lights up and he gets all excited and starts rocking his body back and forth, shaking his hands in joy and making noise. I would not want to be in Lan-Lan’s situation, and in fact it is sometimes hard to walk by him wondering why that had to happen to him, but every time I walk by and see him smiling or laughing I am reminded of God’s goodness. Even though Lan-Lan is blind, God is still faithful to him. After all, he brought him to us! We will be good stewards with what and whom God sends, and I will certainly learn many lessons from Lan-Lan, like how much he is “lovin’ life”.

We would like to welcome 11-year-old Jessalyn! The DSWD in Alaminos (another town about 15 minutes from San Pablo) called me yesterday and told me about an 11-year-old girl who was in need of our assistance. I got together with the FTC staff and after hearing her story and background, it took us about 30 seconds to agree that she should come. Her mother is dead and her father left her with a relative. That is where the problems started and we were called to care for her. We have found amazing favor with the DSWD in Alaminos! The case worker told me her supervisors suggested that we would be the best place to send Jessalyn. Praise God! Here are some things about her:

Favorite color: Red — Favorite food: Chicken — Favorite game: Tag

In the first picture, Andrea reassures Jessalyn that everything will be alright, and shows her which bed is hers. In the second picture, Jessalyn and Babylyn (off to the right of the picture) sort through Jessalynʼs belongings. Last night Jessalyn stayed at the house of the legal notary in Alaminos. Before last night Jessalyn had NO belongings to call her own. You can see that they really blessed her during the one night she stayed there. The third and final picture was just taken in my house. You can see she is smiling and happy to be here. We love you, Jessalyn and we know that God has great plans for your future.

Jerome is five years old and has been here at Face The Children for about six months now. He and his sister, Richelle were brought to us by the DSWD (like the DCFS in the States). Their mother is no longer in the picture. Their father is in San Pablo, but was not able to take care of them financially and there was some question about his decisions regarding their care. I do not judge the father in any way, as I have never been in his shoes before.

Jerome is such a handsome, energetic young boy. Most of the time he is walking around the camp with a huge smile on his face. He is such a blessing to have here at FTC. When I might be getting discouraged about something, I can go and see him because his good attitude is very contagious. He lives a carefree life and is not yet affected by the pressure and stress of the world. In the first picture, Jerome strikes a serious pose. However, in the second picture he clearly shows off the “big ole’ grin” I am talking about.

In the third and final picture, Jerome is joined by some of the FTC kids who are not yet sponsored to attend Frontline Christian Academy. If you would like to find out more about sponsoring a child here at FTC you can email me at mike@worldhistorymakers.net, or Click Here.

I would like to officially welcome Krishelle and Edison to Face The Children.  Their father died in October of 2004 from a heart attack.  Their mother died last December of cervical cancer.  When we heard of them a neighbor was helping them as best they could, providing food for them, but was unable to provide for other basic needs.  The DSWD was able to contact one relative, but they are poor and struggle to take care of their own family, so they did not accept the children.

These two kids are very bright and had been attending school, until last year when their mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  Our vision is to help “abused, abandoned and seriously neglected” children.  Since their parents are gone and no family members are capable of taking care of them, we happily welcome them to FTC.  We are very excited to have these two children and can hardly wait to see the plans God has for their lives!

On January 24^th, 2008, we accepted five siblings into our Refuge program.  Patrick (11), Peter (10), Philip (9), Charlotte (5) and Shawn (3), come with an abusive history.  The father, whom we were told is a known drug addict, is currently under the “unknown whereabouts” status of the DSWD.  We were told he has hung Charlotte by a nail and “abused” her.  We were also told he has picked the boys up by their necks and beat them.  The mother loves her kids very much but cannot afford to feed or care for them.  She also cannot provide the much needed protection if the father returns home.  We welcome these five siblings to Face The Children and look forward to seeing God’s restoration power working in their lives.