This is a letter from a friend who has set up an orphanage in...

This is a letter from a friend who has set up an orphanage in the Philippines and in this letter he explains how he got two children to care for. He is an American.

This is just to show some of you out there how tough it can be.

April 12, 2010

Dear Family and Friends;

In the last three weeks we have taken in three more children. This brings us to complete capacity at 26 children. Three weeks ago we took in an abandoned 2 year old boy from nearby Laoag City. His name is Vincent and he is a very smiley and happy child. Two days later we took in an abandoned newborn baby from Candon City in the Province of Ilocos Sur. He was born to a street woman who is mentally incompetent, and after being given assistance with the birth by government officials, she immediately ran off and cannot be found. Since she gave him no name, we have named him Stephen. Both boys are healthy and appear to be normal in their development. Just a few days ago we also took in a 9 month old baby boy named Ekekiel from the Ilocos Sur Province. We are caring for the baby while his mother is given time to stabilize her home and economic situation.

Combined with the fact that we are now in the summer break from school, our staff has been stretched to the limit with many children at home while the schools are closed down. We had a very fun time last week swimming with the children at the local river area where we can rent a bamboo hut on the river for the day and watch the children playing in the shallow slow moving water. We also have an increased schedule of activities at the home ranging from outside games to academic tutoring. We have many large mango trees on the property, and the children love to climb around in them and pull mangos down and eat them.

Since we are a total capacity at this time, we cannot take in any more children until some that are in the process for adoption are sent to their adoptive families. We are still waiting on this process for several of our children and hopefully they will be united with their families soon. With the addition of the three little guys recently, our total of children ministered to in just over five years is forty three. We expect this number to continue to grow, and are praying that we will not have to turn away any children due to lack of facilities, or the resources needed to raise them.

With the large number of children to be cared for in a 24/7/365 situation, we of course need many resources including people and finances. Thank you for continuing to keep us and our children in mind, and for helping us directly with the ministry. As the summer months in the US approach, we would like for individuals and groups to consider visiting us here on-site and meeting the children as well as our Filipino friends who also help us with the ministry. We also appreciate hearing from you through emails or letters, and we always respond quickly when we are written to. ?Brethren pray for us.? 1st Thess. 5:25

Servants of the Lord Jesus Christ: