The Tale of the Three Trees

At Kinilian last night, our activities focused on one of our favorite storybooks The Tale of the Three Trees (as retold by Angela Elwell Hunt). We had lost our original board book copy during Ondoy but I had found a nice large format version at Booksale just this week. That afternoon, Cecilia already shed tears going over the book herself and once again while reading it to our little boy Santino (who sweetly kissed his mama to make the tears go away).

So armed with the new book, Santino's CD player and some art materials we were very excited that night to be bearers of God's message to the Kinilian kids. We also printed out a blank tree with the verse 'Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand' (Proverbs 19:21). On the blank tree we would ask each child to draw or write about what they wanted to be when they grew up.

More of The Tale of the Three Trees after the jump...

A Godsend

Here's a reflection our friend Joey (aka Joanna) posted as a comment to a previous post on this blog. We feel it deserves to be posted on its own.

I clearly remember the first time Joey brought food for the kids. Our theme then was Dreaming Big and one of our little boys said he wished that he could have sopas. (The only food we could afford to buy was usually an air-filled pastry and Zesto Jr.) And lo and behold Joey (and her trusty driver) brought in 3 large, silver kalderos of hot, yummy sopas!!! Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him (Matthew 6:8)! 

Thanks a gazillion Joey! And many thanks also to your mom and your sister! You are a Godsend! 

Here is Joey's sharing... 

Joanna Rodriguez said... 

Since joining Kinilian in October 2008, it has brought me nothing but happiness and a sense of fulfillment. To think, my desire to serve stemmed from the time when I fought with an old boyfriend about being kind to the less fortunate and he replied by saying (in so many words) that they want to be treated in a less humane way since that's the only way they know and that I just don't get it. God truly does work in mysterious ways. But from this, and many more experiences in my life, I do try to trust and have faith on His plans for me because there was never a time that I looked back and didn't say that it happened for a good reason.

More of Joey's story after the jump...

On Serving the Poor

Are you called to serve the poor?

Not everyone is graced with a burning heart for the poor.  Not everyone is called to go to the streets.  Not everyone is gifted with resources, such as time or money, to help those in need.  But remember that we are ALL called to participate in the Church’s work for the poor.  There are two ways you can do your part:  1. Go directly and serve the poor. 2. Support those who minister to the poor. 

God’s promise

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11)

On Fire

Last night I was moved to share about the 2 things I realized I’m very passionate about – teaching young children and serving the poor.  I was always worried I didn’t have passion for anything, especially being around Resti who is so passionate about not only being a doctor but about gardening, art, animals, among other things.  It was truly a big realization when after listening to the talk last night, the 2 things that I am actually pretty much involved in, were my passion.  Aside from my family, they were the things that compel me to move into doing anything.

As I mentioned, the first time when I really felt God was calling me to serve the poor on a regular basis, I had to overcome some fears.  From getting to the place regularly to actually committing and being accountable to other people and to those whom I will be serving.  I do have commitment issues!  Fast forward to today, that zeal that allowed me to take that bold step to riding a jeep to Cubao some years ago has allowed me to see young children and teens claiming that Jesus is the reason for the change in their lives.  Early this year, we sent a loop asking for prayers.  One of our little boys in Kinilian was hit by a tricycle.  Those who may know Jairus will understand how little and fragile he can be.  Updates from parents saddened us because the reports seemed hopeless: unconscious, spitting blood…

Find out what happened to Jairus after the jump...

Two Young Girls Tell Their Story

A small contingent of the Kiniliteens attended the Living Hope prayer meeting last night. Yes, like proud parents, we were moved to tears after their witnessing.

The Teens had actually assigned Mira to come up with a prepared sharing that night and when they arrived they requested that we do a pray-over for Mira. During the prayer, Cecilia felt a kind of "resistance" or firm object around Mira. It was only later on during the first part of the prayer meeting while in Worship, Cecilia realized that there was an angel hugging Mira during the pray-over and what she felt was the firmness of the angel’s wings!

During Sharing time, Mira stood up and was quite emotional, teary eyed and weak-kneed, while she spoke about her experience of Jesus. Although she was mumbling and stammering, her sharing was powerful and obviously anointed! She recalled that she was one of the "kanto boys" attending to parked vehicles around Holy Family Parish, making a meager living, when she first met Lynette Mendoza. It was Lynette who was instrumental in gathering our first group of about 20 Kinilian kids, mostly the "kanto boys" with a few of their siblings. Mira remembered that at that time she actually scoffed at the mere idea of doing bible stuff and laughed at the kids who were joining. I remember that indeed Mira was one of those kids who put on a tough exterior and was constantly challenging us in many ways. But she was also one of those who kept coming back faithfully to listen to kiddie bible stories, do arts and crafts and laugh ourselves silly during parlor games (think Samson and Delilah).

More of Mira's testimony and Mariel's sharing after the jump...

Having a Blast with Chikka

Way back sometime in August 2008, the Kinilian Kids had a blast with special guests from Chikka. Click on the links below to read more on this story.




Chikka's Lunch for 2

Chikka Social Action Committee - Lunch for 2

Kinilian Goes to Fiesta Carnival

Here's a link to our resident photographer's fantastic shots of a fabulous day.

LIVING HOPE-Kinilian goes to Fiesta Carnival

An Ounce of Prevention

Here's a sharing originally posted on August 15, 2006 on our community e-group.   It's a nice perspective on what our service in Kinilian means.

Dear friends,

I got this story from a place I subscribe to... I think at first I was feeling the same way as the rescuer, which I think was quite valid but of course, in the end he had a pretty good defense! Recently, I read a book about saving our children from the streets. It was a highly emotional read but it also offered practical tips on reaching out and ministering. It also explained that there are different types of ministry: for prevention, intervention or rehabilitation. I realized that what we are doing in Kinilian is generally for prevention and each day we strongly pray for success! Reading this makes me aware that just like in ministry, I could be involved in prevention, intervention and rehabilitation when it comes to friends and family. I have a role to play when it comes to saving lives... lately, I haven't had new guests come to our community, but just like the man in this story, who rescued many so tirelessly or the other man who ran upstream, may I embrace the role that God would give me even if sometimes I fail and hopefully, sometimes I may succeed.

Here's praying and claiming a victorious weekend for Christ!

In His grip,
Cecilia

Walking through the forest, a seasoned hiker came upon a broad, slowly moving river. He stopped to gaze over the waters, appreciating the beauty, when suddenly he heard a faint cry coming from upstream.  Looking in the direction of the noise, he saw an obviously drowning man floundering in the river and drifting slowly toward him.

The hiker was stunned momentarily, but he sprang into action when he saw the man disappear beneath the waters. Throwing off all of his cumbersome gear, he dove into the river and swam like a madman toward the spot where the man went under. Upon reaching the spot he plunged below the surface and frantically hauled up the helpless man. He then laboriously towed the victim to shore. Heaving the lifeless body up on the riverbank, the hiker attempted to revive the man, who eventually spit up water and began to breathe.

Relieved, the hiker paused to catch his breath. But no sooner had he done so than he heard another voice out on the water. Another drowning person! Once again he swam out and pulled the person to shore, a little more slowly this time. As the hiker-turned-lifeguard revived the second victim, he heard yet another cry for help.

All day long the hiker worked, rescuing one person after another as they came drifting down the river. There seemed to be no end of the drowning victims, and the hiker didn't think he could keep it up.

Just when he was about to collapse from exhaustion, he spotted another man walking rapidly beside the river, headed upstream. "Hey mister!" he cried out. "Please help me! These poor people are drowning!"  Amazingly, the man kept walking upstream. The astonished hiker called out again. Without even acknowledging the cry, the man kept going.  Indignant and angry, the hiker leapt to his feet, ran toward the uncompassionate man, stood directly in his path, and in a loud voice demanded, "Sir! How can you possibly walk past all these drowning people? Have you no conscience? Must I force you to help me save these people?"

The stranger stopped, looked at him for the first time and said with a calm, focused voice, "Sir, please get out of my way. I am headed upstream to stop the guy who is pushing all these people in."

Each of us has a role to play in rescuing those who are drowning in sin. Some of us pull people from the water and resuscitate them with counseling, food and shelter, a rehabilitation program, a support group,or financial aid. Affirm those doing these important ministries.
 
Others of us find our place of ministry upstream, opposing the one pushing people into the river. We do this by introducing those people to Jesus Christ. Knowing Christ sets a person free from sin and releases them from Satan's power over them.
 
By itself, pulling people from the water isn't enough. We need to help people deal with the problem of sin at its source.

- Author Unknown

Kinilian Kids 2006

Presenting the Kinilian Kids! Photos and production by Lia Pastrana.

Why We Tell the Story

Eastertime is here and this first week has been like watching the last few minutes of a wonderfully made suspense thriller and slowly comprehending the twists of the story as it unfolds.   The common thread my prayer time has been taking lately is to relive, re-breathe and re-imagine the resurrection stories of Mary and Peter and John and the rest of the disciples as they discover the Risen Christ.

I caught a rerun of a special Easter episode on the National Geographic Channel about research of archaeologists and climatologists that attempts to explain the Biblical plagues that devastated Ancient Egypt in the Old Testament (Yes, they blame global warming and a volcanic eruption).  Since the scientific evidence and historical timelines don’t exactly match up with the biblical narratives, the theory is that the Exodus event was actually several waves of migration over tens or even hundreds of years triggered by natural catastrophes (and not the hand of God).

However, the Biblical accounts were not meant to be mere historical records but rather were a result of the reflections of the Jewish people on God's movement in their story as His chosen people.   This means that the Jewish nation over time began to see disparate events, even hundreds of years apart, as part of one big story.  One big beautiful story!

This is why we are telling the story, the story of God’s hand moving in and thru the Kinilian Project.  Kinilian means chosen and God has chosen these kids and is revealing Himself through their stories.  And just like after the first Easter morning, the disciples started remembering and retelling and relishing their own stories of Jesus, we too are called to reflect and recall how God has been moving the past six or so years.  And just as Mary the Mother of God kept all these  things in her heart (Luke 2:51), we too are called to cherish and relish these things that God has done and is doing.  

So we will tell this story, the story of the Kinilian Project.  We will dig up old stories that have touched our hearts and our lives.  We will write up new stories as God continues to inspire and surprise and reveal more and more of Himself.  And as we revel in these stories that make up this great big story, it feels as if Jesus Himself is telling each story back to us.  As we sit still on His lap, softly He whispers, “Hey I did this...” and “Do you remember when I did that?” and “Oh, I loved it when this happened!”

And deep inside, we will know that God is writing our story. 

From Why We Tell the Story, the finale of the musical Once on This Island:

Life is why
We tell the story
Pain is why
We tell the story
Love is why
We tell the story
Grief is why
We tell the story
Hope is why
We tell the story
Faith is why
We tell the story
You are why
We tell the story
Why we tell the story
Why we tell the story
Why we tell the story

So I hope that you will tell this tale tomorrow
It will help your heart remember and relive
It will help you feel the anger and the sorrow
And forgive

For all the ones we leave
And we believe
Our lives become
The stories that we weave