Where We Work: Bohol, Philippines       

Children's Home

The Arms of Love Children's Home is located in Lourdes, on the island of Bohol, a short drive from the church in Tagbilaran City. The facility contains four homes that can care for more than 50 orphaned, abandoned or abused children, who would otherwise be living on the streets. Each home has four bedrooms, a living room, several bathrooms/showers, a kitchenette, and storage space, and can accommodate 10-12 children, the resident houseparents, and one support staff.

Construction of the first two homes was completed in January 2001. As of mid-2006, more than 40 children were living in the four homes.

A separate multi-purpose facility on the property is being developed to accommodate staff offices; a common kitchen an dining facility; indoor recreation, including basketball; the children's library; and the computer lab. This facility also includes large meeting areas, a sound studio, and accommodations for short-term ministry teams.

Bohol is the second poorest province in the Philippines and has a population of about one million; nevertheless, there is only one other residential facility on the island, a small Catholic orphanage, which cares for such children. The Catholic orphanage is also caring for about 25 children.

The children who live in the Children's Home follow a schedule during the week which includes school, worship, homework, and chores around the house. Weekends include working on the farm; recreational activities, such as swimming and self-defense; and evangelistic outreaches to children who live in the surrounding community.

Children who graduate from the Arms of Love Children's Home move into a "young adult transition home" in Tagbilaran City. Young adults can continue to live in this home, between about 18 and 22 years of age, while they are attending university, working part time, saving money, and/or pursuing vocational training, until they are ready and able to fully support themselves and live on their own

The following article was written by Juli Mory. Juli and her husband John helped establish the Children's Home and oversaw the children's homes ministry through November 2003. Juli describes the birth of their vision for the Children's Home and our partnership in the original effort:

 
More than a half century ago, lived a man whom I love greatly though never had the opportunity to meet. This man had a heart for God, a heart for the lost, and a love for people. He was saved through an offspring of the Azusa Street Revivals and it seemed nothing stood in his way of serving the Lord. Churches were planted, pastors were trained, radio broadcasts soared the airwaves, missions were born, and forgotten children were given a real home. This man was my grandfather and my mom says that John is a constant reminder of him as they seem to be born out of the same fire and zeal for the Lord. And so, it has burned deep within our hearts, as well, to see these things transpire here; not to keep up with a legend, but because they are at the very heart of God.

For four and a half years, we wondered if it would ever truly come about -a home, not an orphanage - for street or abandoned children to be loved and raised in a family of their own.

One day, a letter came our way and we still find an occasional urge to "pinch ourselves" and see if it's not really all a dream. Arms of Love is an incredible group of people with a heart for those who can oftentimes be forgotten - the orphans, the prostitutes, the unwed moms and more - to see their needs met through the local church and, with missions in mind, through indigenous works including livelihood and training.

Thus, the beginning of this work in the Philippines is now at hand and we are thrilled to be a part of it. The nipa hut came down, actually part of it was blown down during a typhoon, as a symbol to us that God is raising up a new work. In it's place is the building in progress you see above, a hope for many young hearts as the home they never believed could be theirs. "He knows their names!" and we ask your prayers as He leads us to them.

Juli Mory

           

                

 

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