God is Faithful, God is Good

Ellen and I just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary on May 27th. We spent the morning in church with the girls and then had a pleasant lunch at McDonald’s. One of the missionaries here, Nurse Debbie, was kind enough to keep the girls for a couple of hours so we could have a meal together. This is actually the 2nd anniversary we have celebrated in the Philippines. I believe the 1st anniversary here was about number 3.

The recurring theme as we reminisced over our marriage was the faithfulness of God. Through it all, the great times and the struggles, God has remained faithful. We have had our share of failures and shortcomings in following Him, but He has remained faithful. In 17 years there have been many experiences we never could have dreamed we would be a part of as a married couple. We have done far more than either of us ever dreamed we would. A marriage spent attempting to follow God’s leadership can be very interesting.

Our marriage is not a special one. It is a unique one though, as each marriage is. When we invite God to be a part of the marriage we really have to be ready for what He is wanting to do through the marriage. God uses the individuals and the couple, with the gifts He has given to both, to bring Him glory. This is done through stability, consistency, diversity, challenges, moves, children, adoptions, and/or a plethora of other life events. But the one constant in each Christian marriage is the faithfulness of God. He will not leave us nor forsake our marriages. God’s desire is to impact the world, HE LOVES, through His people and through the witness of Christian marriages. How often, in scripture, is the covenant of marriage compared to the love of Christ for the Church.

Are you allowing God to show His faithfulness through your marriage? Are you playing it safe? Are you risking your marriage by selfishness? Are you letting God stretch your faith by proving His faithfulness in every aspect of your marriage? What is the spiritual depth of your marriage? God is not looking for another Billy & Ruth Graham, but He is looking for you and your spouse to be available to His leading.

Ellen and I always spend time on our anniversary asking, “what does the future hold for us”? As soon as we begin to chart out what we think the future holds we are reminded we never could have planned out the last 17 years. We have no idea what God has in store for us, but we do know, for we have experienced, God is Faithful and God is Good. He will prove this true in your marriage also, just trust Him.

Toughen our SOLES!

In the past week Qian, Karis and Dewey, have all gotten cuts on their feet. Our life in America has not prepared us for flip-flops and rough walking conditions. As Dewey was nursing his wounds he saw a young Filipino boy, maybe age 6, working in gravel with one of his flip-flops “broken”, rendering it virtually useless for protecting his feet. This did not hinder this young boy in the least. He went right on working in the gravel with one foot protected and one not. In time all the “tenderfoot” Blands will have their SOLES toughened.

Our prayer is that our SOULS never be toughened to the plight of the impoverished here and around the world. Until you have experienced real poverty it can not be understood. There is so much need here that you simply help whom you can and prayer for God to continue to call out others to help with those still in need. Each night as the teams return from their ministry sites you hear of the tremendous needs all around us. Basic needs of food, shelter, and water are sometimes hard to come by. Basic care needs of a family unit, protection, and nurturing are only a dream for many of the children here. Eternal needs of salvation through Jesus Christ, fellowship with other Christians, and experiencing the grace of God are being offered though it is hard to listen when you are hungry.

Help us Lord we ask. Toughen our SOLES when we begin to see wants as needs. Soften our SOULS to the cries of the poor. Keep us humble and aware of the great needs around us. Keep us strong for the work you have called us to accomplish for your glory.

Without An Education

The majority of our work with Kids International Ministries revolves around the Cuatro Community. The Philippines school year begins in June and so many of the kids in the Philippines are gearing up for school. Only about 267 of the HUNDREDS of kids in the Cuatro Community are getting ready though. In the Philippines you must pay to even go to public school. The families in Cuatro cannot even properly feed their families much less afford an education.

KIM is trying to educate as many of the kids in this community as possible. KIM has nine new classrooms they are wanting to fill with children. These nine classrooms can be used to educate 135 more children in this impoverished area. Forty dollars a month sponsors one child’s education. A one time gift of $500 can provide the year’s education, books and uniform.

Without An Education there is not many opportunities for the impoverished in this country. Without An Education the boys most likely will resort to fighting gamecocks, drinking, smoking, and/or sniffing glue. Without An Education the girls most likely end up pregnant or working as a prostitute. This does NOT have to be the case for these children. Education is the best way to break this cycle of poverty.

Please be in prayer for the Jesus Christ Church in the Valley (JCCV) school as they begin classes June 4th. We are excited about ministering to all these students in the coming school year.

Ellen’s Journal Entries

May 9, 2012

The girls and I spent the whole morning at the children’s home.  We enjoyed holding the babies and playing with the toddlers.  Qian and Karis were good helpers.  They even helped feed the little ones.  The highlight of the morning was witnessing the love of the worker to these little ones.  This worker, who has a baby of her own, nurses the 2 month old baby, the youngest resident at the home.  Breastmilk, something needed by the baby, something this worker has and something she gives to make a difference.

May 10, 2012

Pregnant women/girls day!  I was so excited!  They started coming at 7:30 am, they signed-up and sat to wait for the check up time.  As they were waiting, I went around the table and started talking to them.  Today, I was to observe, get to know a little bit about the moms and what takes place during this once a week ministry.  As I went around, from table to table, I prayed that God would show me what specific task He wanted me to do, not just for that day but from then on.  I was asked by Nurse Debbie (one of our missionaries) to interpret for her.  For today, it was a great start!  I learned more about the moms, their ages, how far along they are, sometimes a little bit about the home situations were shared.  Most of those who came are under 20, the youngest is 16.  Many are not married.

Karis and Qian went with Dewey to do the Feeding Program.  They enjoyed going and were very observant of what went on, the people and the surrounding where they served the food.

May 11, 2012

The lady in charge of the kitchen here at the ministry center took a day off.  Her helpers were at lost on how to prepare the dish that she asked them to prepare (chicken curry) for the volunteers that are staying at the center.  I have no idea either but I made a suggestion to just do a different dish using most of the ingredients that they’ve already prepared.  They thought it was a great idea!  I thought so too until they’ve asked me to cook it!  So, on my birthday, I cooked for the 30 plus mission team members staying at the ministry center.  Our American team loved it!  The kitchen helpers now have the great idea that if the chief cook is gone, they can put me to work.  I just smiled.   You never know what God will assign you to do for the day, just be available and ready to say yes.

May 14, 2012

I was asked to talk to a lady today who went back to a very dangerous relationship/situation.  This relationship harmed her 13 yr older daughter several months ago.  As we were walking towards the room where we will have our talk, and as we were talking I was praying for God to give me wisdom.   This lady is full of fear, guilt and see no hope for her situation.  She loves her children but fear keeps her from moving out of the situation.  I was able to share part of my life experience with her, the love and forgiveness of God that is available to her, the promises that she can hold on to because God is faithful, the strength and courage that He can give her and the peace He offers to those who trusts Him.  Kids International Ministries is presently caring for her daughter and is also willing to help her and her other children.  The ministry is just waiting for her to make the decision.  She walked out of that room ready to take the first step away from the dangerous situation.  I was drained but blessed to be able share God’s love to this woman.

This is not the first case that I was asked to handle this week.  The other one involves a 16 year old girl.  Please pray for me as cases like these are put infront of me.  There are social workers involved but the spiritual part need not be neglected.

May 15, 2012

Community Cord Ministry day.  This is a livelihood ministry (making bracelets) for moms and young women.  Today, 20 plus women came to the center to pick up the supplies they need for the bracelets.  These women are group leaders.  I was asked to lead a bible study/devotional for these ladies who will then share what they have learned to their group members.  They were told from  the beginning that though the ministry is helping them earn some money, the ministry also desires for them to know about the God who provides, the One who died for their sins, the love and grace that is available to them.  After the session, one of the ladies told me that she is leading a bible study for widows once a week.  She asked me if I can come and share with them.  I am so excited!

May 16, 2012

Today a group of us read to the children from the children’s home.  Even Karis and Qian sat with several of the kids and read books to them.   Berenstein Bears books are popular to these kids.   Another way of showing love to these kids.

These are just parts of what is going on daily here at KIM.  Dewey has not been able to do much ministry yet because he’s been busy getting our place ready so we can move in.    We have started the process of getting our girls enrolled in school.  They go to the children’s home everyday playing with the older kids and helping at the nursery.  When I can’t take them, they go with some of the volunteers, who are more than happy to have them go with them.

Thank you for all your prayers, emails of encouragements and support.  We look forward to checking our email when we can and read those encouraging words.  We will continue to send updates.  May these entries bring encouragements and blessings to you as they did to me.  Please take time to click on prayer concerns/praises for specific requests.  Thank you.

Wow, It is HOT in the Philippines!

“Nobody told me it was hot in the Philippines!” When you come to minister along with us at Kids International Ministries this is NOT a statement you will be able to make. I am telling you now, it is HOT in the Philippines. I was going to brew some Sun Tea in a glass pitcher. Once I sat it in the sun at 9 AM it was done at 9:10 AM. I had to remove it from the sun so it would not burn to the bottom of the pitcher. Well, maybe not quite that hot, but it is hot.

We arrived safely on Thursday, May 3rd. The trip was long, sometimes turbulent, and almost uneventful. Dewey had a little problem in LA with the airline, but anytime you travel internationally you must be ready to adapt and improvise. What once would have rocked my world just ended up being a mild irritation. Hopefully, Ellen would describe it the same way.

We are busy setting up our “home” here. The apartment we rented has much to be done before it is livable. I think about how we left our house in Inverness for renters to move in. It was immaculate. This is not the case in this part of the world. If you want it clean, functioning, free of lizards, roaches & bats, you have to get it done yourself. With some hard work we will be in the apartment in a couple of weeks.

We have set up a SKYPE calling account to contact the states. If any of you are on SKYPE we can video call. Otherwise, we will attempt to contact you by phone sometime in the future. We are exactly 12 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone. We go to bed when you are waking up and vice versa. It was good to hear the voices of Emmanuel and Dewey’s parents.

Thanks for remembering us in your prayers. We are remembering you as well. Hope to hear from each of you soon.

Moving Day

It has arrived, May 1st, Moving Day. All kinds of emotions and thoughts running through my head.

There was a memorable quote from Red, played by Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption; “I find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain.”

I think about Joshua the morning he is allowed to enter the Promised Land. The promises of God understood and the encouragement from God to “be strong and courageous” as he leads the children of Israel into the land given to them by God.

I think about loyal Thomas, in John 14. Jesus has just told the disciples he is going to prepare a place for them and that they will be able to come there one day. Even further, Jesus states they KNOW the way. Thomas, loyal Thomas, states he did not know the way, but wanted to know for he wanted to follow Jesus.

Well, today, Moving Day, is no dream. The house IS empty. All of our 17 years of marriage and three beautiful children’s lives have been dwindled to a few cardboard boxes, 4 pieces of carry-on luggage, and 2 violin cases. This is real, so it is NOT a movie.

The Philippines is a beautiful place, full of beautiful people (Ellen being at the top of the list), but the Promised Land it is NOT. That moving day is still in the future. We will be a part of that moving day, as well, at the Rapture, or in death. Today, Moving Day, is not to the promised land. So we are left with loyal Thomas.

The Bland’s are just a family trying to be obedient. Like the rest of those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. It is a daily exercise in faith. For us, today is exciting. Even more exciting than the day Red, spoke about. We have been given Joshua-size promises;  fellowship with Christ, the guidance of God, the Father, and the power of the Holy Spirit. And so we trust Jesus, not with a blind faith, but with a solid Biblical Hope, when he tells loyal Thomas, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Moving Day is here and we embark on the next step of the greatest adventure life can offer. A life following our Savior, Jesus. HE knows the way.

And We Are OFF!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! The Bland’s are so excited!

May 1st we are leaving Tampa and a mere 27 hours later we will be in Manila, Philippines. Wow, we have been waiting for APPROVAL day to arrive. This is the day we are cleared by Kids International Ministries to book our travel to the Philippines. This morning about 7:53 that day arrived. If you were in Inverness, Florida, you may have heard the screams of excitement rising from 705 Champlain Avenue.

We have 100% of the Up-front expenses and 88% of our Monthly expenses. Our hope is the remaining amount needed, about $300 per month, will be secured prior to our leaving. We serve an awesome God. He is faithful in providing for our needs and He will be faithful in providing for all those who have stepped out in faith to support us financially.

Thank you so much to our prayer warriors. Your mighty acts of love on our behalf have brought us to this day. The last four months have been filled with ups and downs and your prayers have helped to sustain us. We are only getting started now. It is the prayers of HIS saints that will continue to sustain us for the weeks, months, and years to come. Thank you!

MARCH REPORT AND UPDATE

Wow! What a difference a month makes. The Bland family is PUMPED. God is truly AWESOME and His people are awesome. Officially, through March 20th donations/pledges, we are at 82% of the Up-Front Expenses being covered and we have 67% of the Monthly Support needed . God is Good, All the Time, and All the Time, God is Good!

Ellen and I, look at these numbers and describe our present position as, “REALLY CLOSE”. We can purchase tickets and plan the departure date once the Monthly Support gets to 80%. Like we say, “REALLY CLOSE”.

Obviously, the goal is not met at 80%, though. Kids International Ministries does not recommend leaving for the mission field with less than 100% of Monthly Support pledged, so between purchasing tickets and boarding the plane (probably about a three week period) we will strive to be fully funded. The Bland family does not want to leave the country without being funded at 100% either. This is why we continue to tell anyone & everyone how great our God is and what He has called us to do in the Philippines through Kids International Ministries.

I love this interchange between William Carey (early missionary to India) and the secretary of the mission organization. After hearing an account of the spiritual needs of India, the secretary of the meeting marked: “There is a gold mine in India, but it seems almost as deep as the center of the earth.  Who will venture to explore it?” “I will venture to go down,” said Carey, “but remember that you must hold the ropes.”

What an incredible word picture of how Faith Missions works. The Bland Family is eager and willing to “venture to go down” to the Philippines and work with the impoverished children. This is only possible when our friends “hold the ropes” through prayer and financial support.

One last “rope” analogy as I wrap up this update. Repelling is a wonderful activity, but it is all TALK until you take the STEP off the side of the mountain. Ellen, Qian, Karis, and I have been waiting for the moment we can take that “step” and leave for the Philippines. If you have been following us since last November you have heard plenty of “talk”. Now, we are “REALLY CLOSE”

The Challenge

TB Test Corrects Vision?

As we continue to prepare our family for life in the Philippines, the girls had to get physical exams this week and TB tests. The doctor exams went fine, but they both were a little concerned about the PPD test. I tried to explain it was done with a needle, but that it was not really a shot. “They barely put the needle under the skin and then put a little bubble of medicine”, I would demonstrate while telling them. No matter how much I assured them, for about 5 hours they had to contemplate this “test”.

All three of us; Karis, Qian and I, followed the nurse into the room where the shot would be received. Now, my girls are not scared of shots. They would prefer not to get them, but they are not screamers, or whiners. Karis was first. As the nurse began cleaning her forearm for the injection, I asked Karis if she wanted to just look at me instead of at the nurse, or injection site. Her eyes locked onto mine. Injection was completed and no problem.

Qian was next. She sat down and the nurse began her preparation of the injection site with Qian watching her every move. I then asked Qian, “Baby, do you want to look at me or watch the injection?”. Qian’s eyes locked onto mine. While focused on me, she reached out her hand towards her sister. Karis took her hand. When Qian directed her attention on me and held her sister’s hand the injection went smooth as silk. Mission accomplished?

The mission for the girls was accomplished but the next morning my “re-education” was to begin. It is so easy for me, and maybe you are the same, to focus on my circumstances. I want to evaluate where I am and what is going on with me. When this happens a whole host of emotions and feelings can take control of my thought process. Fear, anxiety, panic, anger, arrogance, worthlessness, you name it and it can be felt when we focus on our own “injection site”. The GIRLS reminded me that if we will take our FOCUS off our present situation and place the FOCUS on our Heavenly Father the situation most often will become bearable. I was more than amazed at how calm Karis and Qian experienced the injection when they were so intently focused on me.

This is an even greater truth for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. The reality is God never desires for us to have to experience anything without filtering it through His love, His grace, and His peace. “Give ALL your worries and cares to God  for He cares for you”. (First Peter 5:7) ”Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most”.  (Hebrews 4:16) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in ME. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I am so thankful God has not given up on reminding me of how much He loves me. We are thick headed and have short memories, but God is patient and kind.