Mike & Jude Kelly

It has been almost a year since Mary, Edwin and their family of 6 moved into their 8 x 12 foot space at San Isidro Relocation Transit Housing. Sleeping accommodations consisted of cardboard cartons on the concrete floor. In February 2 large foam mattresses were given to them, but they were still on the floor. The question was "what will fit into this 8 x 12 foot space?" The question has been answered. On September 11, Mary and her family became the proud owners of 2 sets of bunk beds, or "double beds" as they are known here. The beds fit the space and in addition to the beds, Mary and family have 4 new mattresses. What better way for the oldest son of Mary to celebrate his 18th birthday on September 12th, than to get a good night's sleep. So on Saturday, the 12th, we celebrated with a "Cake Party". Celebrating Nonoy's birthday and the beds. Smiles and laughter were the order of the day.

Labels: the bunk beds + cake party = celebration

On the last Saturday of August, the staff of Camp Sonshine and all the Calvary Missionaries got together to do a Hygiene Clinic for all the children that attend Saturday's Kidz Club. Many of our children suffer from head lice, and like all kids, they need their hands and feet washed and their nails cut. This clinic gives us a chance to see what condition their feet are in and if there is any infection, non-healing sores or foreign objects stuck in their feet. We managed to do over 70 of our kids, but we will have to repeat the clinic this Saturday to get the rest. The children were great. While they were waiting for their turn, they got to watch a movie in the assembly room. At the end, they all received a snack and headed home with clean hair and feet. Every child was prayed over while their heads were washed and their feet were scrubbed. I couldn't help but think of the song "The Basin and The Towel". A very humbling experience at any age.

Labels: Mike washing feet. Jude with her comb. Health Booklet on Skin Parasites

We are sorry for the date delay in our postings. Time has gone by and we have been very busy. After observing a 2 to 3 week period of mourning for Edwin, we decided that it was time to get back to the business at hand. We began by visiting with many government officials to get information regarding the statis of our relocation transit families as well as the new arrivals that we saw on our many visits to see Mary and family. Despite the monsoonal rains that flooded our house multiple times, we felt God urging us forward, opening doors and giving us opportunities to meet "those in the know". While we were visiting with the Barangay Captain, he gave us names and numbers of other governmental agencies that could give us understanding about what was going to happen to our 73+ families plus give us a chance to say to the officials, "We are here to help". All the meetings went very well. Now we are moving, with assurance and determination, toward making a difference in the lives of our families at San Isidro and Calajunan. We will list and show you some of what we are getting involved with. Please pray for God's perfect Will be done and that we be found doing what He sent us here to do.
The pictures show the new houses being built for our relocation families. The health clinic being built. The Bio-Sand Filter that we will be building for our families. And the drainage system around our house to help us not flood.

Labels: New houses being built. Health Clinic being built. Bio-Sand Filter for clean safe drinking water. Drainage system around our house.

We arrived back in Iloilo City, Philippines on July 15th, exactly one year from our initial arrival to find that a dear friend had gone home to be with the Lord just two days before. Our emotions were mixed in knowing the Edwin was with Jesus, but sorrow at not seeing our friend. Edwin left behind a wife and 5 children. We are continuing to support them in the adjustment of not having their husband and father there. We attended the wake, funeral and burial. This event introduced us to cultural differences, but offered us an opportunity to share the same wonderful, comforting presence of our Lord as we were able to give and get hugs and share our tears and prayers together.