Bible study – the suite life of travel

There may be times in life that we set out to bless others and realize that we are the ones who are actually being blessed. That is how I felt during my mission trip to Naomi’s Heart Mission in General Santos City in the Philippines.

We were offered the opportunity to visit a woman’s prison for a time of Bible study and worship. I had never been to a prison, much less one that was in a foreign country, so with my only point of reference was what I had seen on television, I was pleasantly surprised at the relaxed atmosphere of the facility and how close we could interact with the women.

They sat on the edge of their chairs listening to every word that we said as their hearts were open to the Gospel of Christ. Many of them would never be able to leave the prison but others had hope that one day they would reunite with their families.

They performed a cute little dance for us and we left them with personal items that they are unable to purchase in prison. I imagined what it would be like to be incarcerated and realized how difficult it would be to have earthly hope, but they spoke of the hope that they have in Jesus Christ. What unimaginable faith! I was truly blessed.

We then boarded the bus for a short drive to the local kindergarten that has been working with Naomi’s Heart to further develop their preschool curriculum. The children were at recess but we were able to sit in the classroom with one of the teachers so that we could gain a better understanding of the Philippine’s educational system.

The schools are expensive so it has been Naomi’s Heart Mission to assist their students from preschool to college. For Naomi’s Heart to even have a license to teach preschool, they were required to become accredited which took many years and a lot of money to secure.

It was amazing to watch the children as they lined up outside of the door to enter, just in time for us to depart. Our final stop was for another feeding which happened to be in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the southern Philippines. The children arrived with plastic and metal cups in hopes to receive their local staple of lugaw. We tried to replace the metal containers because the heat from the rice could potentially burn the children’s hands but sometimes, this was all that they had as they begged for food.

My heart was heavy each day as we fed hundreds of neighborhood children. Living in open communes, there are not many resources for some of the squatters and a large number of children die each year of disease and malnutrition. For only $25 per month, Naomi’s Heart Mission can bring in food for these families to feed them for the month. Such an amazing mission that has been working with the Philippines for nearly 20 years, if you are interested in learning more about their programs or provide support, please visit their website at www.naomisheartmission.org.

For More Information about Naomi’s Heart Mission, visit their website at http://www.naomisheartmission.org/.

To Give to the Mission, visit their website at http://www.naomisheartmission.org/ways-to-help—contact-us.html.

Naomi’s Heart Mission
Purok 2 Lanton Apopang
General Santos City
9500 Philippines
Telephone: 937 304 8110

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Waking up early, we had a delicious breakfast of eggs and fresh fruit then prepared for the preschoolers to arrive. There were close to fifteen children enrolled in the preschool program and Naomi’s Heart Mission also pays for the children to continue their education until they reach college paid for by the generosity of their sponsors.

Preschool classes start early, so we greeted the parents as they dropped off their children and led the little ones to let them entertain themselves before beginning their studies. With plenty of toys donated to the mission, we had time to play with the preschoolers before they made their way to their classroom.

While the students are attending classes, NHM sponsors a wide range of activities for some of the parents as they wait for their children. Kristi leads a Bible Study for the women while fellow Filipino men offer trade instruction.

While we visited Naomi’s Heart Mission, Dawn Willis, one of our pastor’s wives, gave the local volunteers haircuts. Kristi was so thankful that she could give back to these beautiful women for giving of their time and hearts to continue the ministry.

Following preschool, NHM feeds the children at the mission as well as the local neighborhood with Lugaw, the local rice porridge. Served hot, this household staple is best when made with chocolate. The kids absolutely loved this and would line up for seconds.

As we were leaving to feed a community outside of the mission, there were several volunteers who began preparing our dinner so that we could eat when we returned.

NHM’s Preschool Children: