Touching Lives in the Philippines
Home of Hope Orphanage - A report from Roger Thomas

Samar is the third largest of the Philippine islands, but is the poorest, least developed, and least evangelized. On the northern tip of Samar, pastor Ray Valera, supported through AMG, ministers to a congregation of 40 adults — the only evangelical witness to this community of 400 families — in a partially completed building. AMG’s goal is to see this building completed so that a childcare and development center can be established to minister to the many needy boys and girls in the area.

It will only take a few hundred dollars for building materials to meet this need, because the local believers can contribute their labor and complete this building. When it is completed, the building will be a significant expansion of the witness of this fellowship of believers.

AMG has been ministering to needy little ones in the Philippines for a long time now. Some of the most unfortunate ones are at the Home of Hope Orphanage in Bacolod City, Philippines.

One very special girl at Home of Hope is Marlit. She has grown up at the orphanage. She is friendly and outgoing, and recently graduated from high school. But Marlit faces an unusual challenge for her future. You see, although Marlit has done well, she is a Downs Syndrome child who has limited skills and even more limited opportunities in her country where unemployment is very high. Home of Hope is the only home and “family” she has ever known.

Sending her out to live “on her own” is unthinkable. So she has been welcomed back to Home of Hope as a kitchen helper and campus guide for visitors. She will welcome you as she did me — with a smile, asking your name, and taking your hand in hers. Marlit will be supported with funds from AMG’s general fund, as will others in similar circumstances. We are grateful for the support we receive for our general fund that makes it possible to care for children like Marlit, and to meet other special needs.