The Arms of Love Children’s Home in the Philippines was our second ministry location and began receiving children in January 2001.  Located on the island of Bohol in Lourdes, about 20 minutes from Tagbilaran City, the children’s home enjoys a beautiful rural environment while being close to the largest city in the province. 

Our children’s homes in the Philippines are located on a lush 5-acre property.  Each of the four homes on the property accommodates 10-12 children, together with a houseparent couple and assistant staff.  Nearby, a multi-purpose facility called the House of Love provides additional living and meeting areas, staff offices, indoor recreational space, a common kitchen and dining area, computer lab, library, and accommodations for visiting volunteers and short-term teams.

In addition to providing open recreational space, several acres of the children’s home property have been developed as a farm that both generates income and provides food for the children’s home. The farm raises and sells pigs, chickens, eggs, goats’ milk, mangos, and various other produce. The children living in the Children’s Home participate in caring for the animals and crops, together with the staff and resident farm workers.

Our children in the Philippines attend several different schools near the children’s home, depending on the individual needs of each child.  A busy daily routine has the children arising early in the morning, going to school, participating in worship, doing homework and performing chores around the home.  Weekends typically include helping on the farm, as well as recreational activities for the children that may include swimming classes or a trip to the local beach or butterfly farm.

We are also fortunate to have a strong relationship with the Vineyard church in the Philippines.  Our children and many of our staff attend the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Tagbilaran City and are actively involved in youth programs and the worship team.  Many of our children also participate in regular community outreaches bringing food, clothing, and the love of Christ to very poor families in the surrounding area.

Our physical facilities in the Philippines have been completed, but our Independent Living Program continues to grow as children graduate from the children’s home and begin their college studies.  Most of our young adults attend the University of Bohol in Tagbilaran City, the oldest university in Bohol, which offers a wide range of degree programs in many different disciplines.

Doming and Judah tending their garden

Farming Operations