Calling all coffee lovers!

Calling all COFFEE and TEA lovers! This post is for you.

Who doesn't love a conversation with friends over a good cup of coffee of tea?

We have just the coffee idea for you ...

A coffee gathering.

We have put together a coffee gathering packet. What is a coffee gathering?A gathering of people who love to drink coffee, eat some finger foods and talk about life. In this case you can host a gathering in support of 818 Ministry and the Jesan Center. Get your friends or workmates or family together and celebrate the great work thats going on in Cebu!

We have all the information you need to successfully host a gathering to raise funds for 818 Ministry right here ....

Thank you for your support, fiends! We wouldn't be able to do this without you all.

Host a coffee packet

child information cards

Coffee Invitation Cards

Thank You cards

818 Ministry Newsletter

Host a party to help street kids in Cebu

Looking for a way to fundraise for the Jesan Center and 818 Ministry? We have put together these fun and easy packets to give you all the information you need to host a great party in support of this work in Cebu. Just click on the links to begin planning for the party that keeps on giving!


Host a Christmas Party Packet

Christmas Party Invitations 

Christmas Party thank you cards 

Christmas Party kids cards


Host a Dinner Party Packet 

Dinner Party Invitations 

Dinner Party thank you cards 

Dinner Party Kids Cards 

Recipe- Appetizer 

Recipe- Main Course 1 

Recipe- Main Course 2 

Recipe- Dessert 


818 Ministry Newsletter

Stories from the streets

Over the last 3 years we have learned so much while working with the kids. We have learned much about what it is like to live on the streets. I want to share with you all some of the stories we hear from the kids about things they endure on the harsh streets of Cebu. 

*some of this content may not be appropriate for all ages*

 we met a sweet boy who was suffering from sever asthma, we took him to our house (this was before the JC was open) to take a bath before heading to the hospital. The guard at our subdivision asked Ronald  "Unsa na?" "What is that?"pointing to the suffering child he was carrying on his back.

 we went to visit the kids as we were walking home from a late dinner. The kids processed to tell us of their experiences that night. One of the 12 year olds at the time was begging for leftover food at a local pizza place when the person working threw boiling water at him. He had 3rd degree burns down his back. 3 years later he still has scars.

 the kids tell us the guard at the local mall kicked them when they went near the mall escalator.

we find one of our 12 year old boys crying on the sidewalk. He ripped his pants and didn't have underwear on leaving him exposed to everyone. The other kids teased him rather than help him.

 we find out the adults sell the kids drugs. The kids use the money they get begging to buy drugs.
*we are sure they use the drugs to endure the harsh environments on the streets*

one kids tells us his parents kicked him out of the house and was told not to go home unless he had money.

2 of our girls were molested by a father of one of the kids.

 the police don't take the accusation seriously about the girls being molested.

one of the girls had a bad UTI and her temp spiked to 104.

 one of the young men (20 or 21) murders someone under the bridge because of money. A good majority of our kids were witnesses and two helped get rid of the body. It was never followed up with by the police.

 one of our young boys -13 yrs old- was hit by a motorcycle while crossing the street. He sustained small injuries and needed stitches near his eye.

the police force one of our 15 year old boys to run around the street in middle of the day naked.

the same 13 yr old boy was hit again by a motorcycle and broke his leg.

 one of our young girls was hit by a motorcycle and died.

while sleeping,  kids tie each others legs together.

the barangay (town) people do raids on the streets to get the kids out of certain areas. They pour muriatic acid on them while they are sleeping.

the police, in an effort to wake the kids up, kick them resulting in broken/bruised ribs.

These are just a portion of the stories we hear from the kids. Some stories are worse than others but regardless no child should have to endure such treatment. The Jesan Center works to prevent things like this! Will you partner with us to help put an end to these kids sufferings? We would like to have our home opened by the end of 2015 and with your help we can make that dream a reality! 

Discipleship Friday

Every Friday children 16 and older come to the Jesan Center for our 'Discipleship Friday' program.

They help out around the center, maintain the garden, have bible studies, cook and sometimes even wash the JC vehicle. 

Our goal with this program is to get to know the kids better! We want to guide them to see their worth in Jesus Christ and to be in relationship with Him. Through the example of the whole JC team these young men and women have been making great changes in their lives! Some have started working on getting their GED, some have taken the garden as their own, they are growing to know Jesus, some have stopped the use of drugs, and one young man is even working on getting his drivers license (with the guidance of the JC) to be of more help. 

We are incredibly blessed to be working with such great kids! 

Would you prayerfully consider donating to this work? 

If is our goal by December 2015 to have a children's home in order to better serve these precious children.

Follow the paypal link or visit our go fund me page. 

Jesan Center Garden

The evolution of the Jesan Center garden.

Before the garden began 

The beginning. The start of the compost pile.

This is how the garden started. Little bag with little plants.

                                               

This young man has work on this garden since the beginning. He has put so much hard work into making the garden great! 

                                             

This was also step one of the garden. Some of the Discipleship Friday boys made this little space.
We have since outgrown it.

Starting to produce actual vegetables! 

Step 2. Transfer what was in the bags to the ground. 

The kids worked hard and diligently to make sure all the plants from the bags
to the ground would survive. 

Keeping the garden area clean. 

Taking out the weeds. 

Some boys even worked in the rain to get things done! Here he is working on the fence that now
surrounds the garden. 

Cleaning out the weeks and making it a better area for the vegetables to thrive! 

Starting to grow! Okra. 

We also have a fish pond in the works. Prayerfully, we will be able to finish this project by the end of the year.

Proud of all his hard work! 

This is what the garden looks like today! 

Proud of all their hard work!

Mission Trip

The Jesan Center/818 Ministry will be hosting a group of eight in June/July 2015! 

Want to come meet and visit with our kids? Street feedings, Vacation Bible School, building remodels, street visits and fun are all among the activities that will be happening on this 12 day trip. 

If you are interested in going please contact Chris Amaral, chrisp.amaral@gmail.com , for more information and to reserve your spot.  

See you all soon! 

In case you missed it

In case you missed out on Caidy's presentation while she was in the States here is a link to the video. 

Jesan Center 2014

3 years later

Three years ago Ronald and I met a sweet, funny, curious 12 year old boy named Jesan . In the short time we knew him before he died he inspired me and caused a spiritual uprising in my soul! The Spirit moved me in ways I had never been moved before. I had the pressing need and yearning to work with these kids, to give them opportunities to make positive change in their lives.

Three years after his death we still remember him every day. Every time we work with his friends, every time we deal with drug related issue, every time we help a child who has asthma we remember Jesan. His body may be dead but his soul lives with Jesus and it is Jesus who keeps us {the team} going.

Every day the doors of the Jesan Center are open we have the opportunity to impact a child's life for the good. Thank you, supporters, for partnering with us as we strive to make a difference in the lives of so many broken children such as Jesan.

Praise God for making great out of awful tragedy.

3 years later. 

Caidy and Josiah are headed to the States!!!

Here is a tentative schedule

June 23: Arrive in Florida
June 26-29: 818 Ministry booth set up at Spiritual Growth Workshop in Orlando, Florida

July 1: Travel to Rhode Island
July 6:  Presentation at Warwick church of Christ
July 13: Presentation at Wallingford church of Christ and my brother's WEDDING!!!!!!!
July 14: Speak at Tidal River Christian Camp
                     Where my young faith was nurtured by so many great people!
July 16: Travel back to Florida
July 21: Travel back to Cebu

Unfortunately this is a short trip. Because I will have 4 month old Josiah with me I will be doing little traveling and will only be visiting RI and FL.

It is our prayer that in 2016 all four of us can take a 3 month trip to the States and visit all our supporters!!

Until then, I hope to see many of you in the next few week.

Discipleship Fridays

At the Jesan Center it's extremely important to us to get to know each child personally. To know their life stories no matter how broken it might be. On normal drop in days we have any where from 10 to 25 kids ranging in ages from 5 to 20. It have been difficult getting to know some of the older boys and finding out how we can serve them best due to the ever increasing needs of the younger children and the ever increasing quietness of the teen boys. However, praise God for He had a great plan on how to change this fact! 

One day our oldest boy, 20 years old asked if he could make a garden at the Jesan Center and there birthed the idea of Discipleship Fridays. Every Friday the older boys ages 16 and above have the opportunity to come to the center and work with our intern, Noel, on the garden and other small projects. We have had this program going for about a month and it has been very fruitful! 

A boy that I used to be afraid of (yes, me afraid of one of our kids) is now one of the most trustworthy and reliable kids we have! He faithfully comes to tend to his garden every day working from the time he arrives to the time he leaves, about 6 hours only breaking for lunch and a quick shower. I am completely blown away about how this young man has transformed over the last several months of coming to the center and especially over this last month of coming on Fridays. He has a sense of purpose now. He now has reason to make good decisions, to shy away from the drugs and gang violence. The Jesan Center has given him an opportunity to make better of his life and he is holding on like no other! The meaningful work partnered with the new friendship with our intern has done marvelous things for this young man and it is our hope that we can continue to use Discipleship Fridays to get to know more young men like him. 

Working hard at preparing the ground for the garden. We now had a cute little garden their and they are now working on building a fish pond. 

What two years?! How did that happen?

I can hardly believe that TWO years has already passed since we first opened the doors of the Jesan Center in a tiny little two bedroom apartment. We didn’t know what it was going to look like, we didn’t have a solid plan as to what we were doing and we had no idea how God was going to bless this work. The only single thing we did know was that God gave us the vision to open a center for 20 children ... so we did. 

Two years later ... the joys: 

-We are no longer crammed in a small apartment 

-We have a wonderful new location with lots of space 

-We have 6 kids (all siblings) in school and back in their home with their father 

-We now have four team members -- Eva our cook, Nova our teacher, Cheryl our social worker and Noel our intern. 

-We as a team (including you our supporters) are impacting the lives of more that 20 kids on a daily basis 

- We feed 60 plus kids on a weekly basis 

- We have started working with parents of the children we serve 

We have also experienced:

-Death. Since meeting the kids nearly three years ago we have had two children die. 

-Pregnancy. One of our 13 year old girls is pregnant and due in July. She will be giving her baby for adoption, please be praying for her.

-Murder. Many of our children have been witness to and an accessory in murder. 

-Gang activity. Many of the kids that visit the Jesan Center are involved in gangs and sometimes bring the rival to the center. 

There has been much joy and much sadness over the last two years. This is the hardest, most difficult work (besides being a mom) that I have ever done. At times I want to give up, throw in the towel and be done with this stressful job. You want to know what keeps me going?! Here are some reasons. 

Every time someone has to go to the hospital, someone mourns the loss of a friend, someone reads for the first time, every time I see one of my kids sleeping on the street,  every time someone realizes how much love the Jesan Center team has for them, I am encouraged to continue. This work simply can not stop. 

We are so blessed that God gave us this vision and we will continue taking comfort in the fact that anything God does is for good. 

We are a part of His good plan. What an honor and a privilege to know that fact. 

In the next two years we will be making BIG changes with 818 Ministry and the Jesan Center. We have a goal of being a registered non-profit in the States by the end of the year and a goal of being a registered non-profit in Cebu by December 2015. We also have the goal of opening our children’s home by December 2015. 

Lots of big goals ... It might be intimidating and daunting to look at some times but if we look back we are reminded of how we started and know that the future is limitless!! 

Pray with us friends for the future of 818 Ministry and the Jesan Center. 

Thank you for your support and love over the last two years, friends! 

-Caidy 

Relationship

Over the last three years we have meet a precious set of siblings. Two of them are currently in school at Lilias Place and four more of them come to the Jesan Center on a regular basis. Recently we have been able to put the oldest of the 10 siblings (we will call him ‘J.R.’) in an accelerated learning program that is conducted by Lilias Place School. 

We are so excited to be able to help this young 16 year old as we have only been able to give opportunities to his younger siblings since we have known them. A few weeks ago J.R. went to school with his younger brother, J, for the first time. We witnessed an incredible interaction between the two that we have never seen before. 

Lets start with a little background. 

Both boys live mostly on the streets. When we meet them 3 years ago J idolized his older brother J.R. and hung on his every word! However over the last two years J has moved away from his idol and has gone off on his own, spending time with a different group of kids on the streets. These said kids are some what of rival groups, quarreling and stealing from each other. The two groups only get along when at the Jesan Center. 

J and J.R. are part of two different groups now. They no longer act as brothers, they act as rivals. We see it every time they are together with their groups of friends. They put up the ‘tough guy’ act.  

However that one day a few weeks ago changed everything. Ronald and I noticed it right away. The guards were down, there was no tough guy act to hold up and the two that were once enemies instantly became brothers again! Seeing them smile, laugh and joke together it nearly brought tears to my eyes knowing that it is because of the Jesan Center that we see restoration in their relationship. 

It is our hope that they will continue to be brothers. 

Praise God for his amazing work!

Newest 818 ministry team member

# 1 excuse for not blogging in February and March

BabyQ #2 has arrived! Josiah Ben Amaral Quilaton arrived February 26th at 809pm after 12 hours of labor. We are incredibly blessed by our sweet surprise baby! 

Meet the team

Meet the people that keep the Jesan Center going! Without these lovely ladies we would not get anything done, ever. They are a true blessing to 818 Ministry, the Jesan Center and mostly to the kids! 

Eva

Our first team member at the Jesan Center! Eva started in January 2013. She is the cook, grounds keeper and cleaner. She is full of joy and always happy to serve. The kids love her delicious food and she keeps everyone smiling! We are blessed to have her a part of our team. 

Nova

Nova was the next to join our team. She comes to us from Leyte Christian College in Tacloban, Leyte. Nova is the director of the drop in program and she started in August 2013. She prepares and executes the daily activities to fit the specific needs of each child. Along with planning the activities Nova mentors the children and is a great example of what it is like to be Christ. Her silent service is an encouragement to us all. 

Cheryl 

Although Cheryl has volunteered and worked with us since we started the drop in program in August 2013, she is officially part of our team as of January 2014! Cheryl is currently finishing her social work program at one of the local universities. She has a heart for the broken and neglected and it is evident in the way she selflessly serves each and every child that comes through our doors. God blessed us when He guided her to the center!

Matthew 9:37

Have you eaten a meal today?  Changed your clothes and showered? Did you go to school/work? Did you rest your head on a bed last night? Chances are that your answer is yes to most or all of these questions.
For our children at the Jesan Center however the answer is more than likely no. 

Our children have never even been given the opportunity to attend school because of the poverty they were born into. Public schools in the Philippines are not free. Our children, like thousands of others in Cebu will grow up without the basic life essentials such as school.  Sadly, society has shunned them, leaving them no place to fit in except a harsh street life. Thus when they grow, they raise families in the same way.  It’s a vicious cycle, and the children are the victims.  Over the past year, with your help, we were all able to quickly meet the needs of some of these children: giving them a safe place to go, a place to eat, to shower, and to learn basic skills of life.  We continue to use your donations to help many children at the Jesan Center.  We strive to provide them with emotional, spiritual and physical needs as well.  We  provide three meals a week, for 30 kids; and we are currently in an ongoing effort to raise more funds to be able to be open more than just three days.  The need is growing now that the children are positively responding to this outreach .  Unfortunately,  we have to turn away some children daily because we simply do not have enough money to provide for all that come to our door.

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” - Matt. 9:37

 It takes time. 

Time to get into the lives of these children, and to work with them daily. Time to be willing to go and sit on the side of a dirty street with a lonely child. Time to bring a child to the center and show him how to wash his clothes. Time to cook a meal and to feed a hunger pain. Time to give a hug and listen to their young and innocent hearts. Time to show love. It takes time. 

It takes prayer.  

The power of prayer is the biggest way to help.  Please consider using your prayer time to bless this ministry.  God is doing AMAZING things through this work and through YOUR PRAYERS, which gives us strength!

It takes money.

 Under the leadership of Ronald and Caidy Quilaton and with Gods direction, 818 Ministry is fully supported and funded by friends, family, church organizations, and anonymous donors from all over the United States. At the Jesan Center we continue to provide a safe place for these children to escape street life--away from gang violence, drugs, and human trafficking. If they are not being fed, they will go where the food is, which isn't always a safe place.  Meeting their needs has a financial burden. Praise God for our supporters!

At the cost of only $250.00/mo. we are able to feed up to 30 kids three meals a week. The need is bigger than we ever imagined and the financial burden had been difficult to meet to be able to continue this feeding program.   

"ADOPT A MONTH" in the new year!

Won’t you consider gathering your family,  church, or local organization to join together to "ADOPT A MONTH FEEDING" in the new year?

  It is our prayer to be able to feed these children on a continuous basis in the year 2014! But we need your help. 

This is a small way to help in order to make the biggest difference!  818 ministry is willing to be the workers, but this work would have to stop if not for your financial contributions. 

Please take 10 minutes to  watch our video on youtube (search Jesan Center 2013) and consider how you might be able to help assist the work in this part of the mission field. We know that "ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH CHRIST..."  so we press on with planning for our goals for the future of these children.

To donate:

Paypal. You can find the link entitled 'Donate' to the right 

Mail. You can send your check or money order to our sponsor church:

   818 MINISTRY

 C/O  S. 14TH ST. CHURCH OF CHRIST

         1506 S. 14TH ST.

         LEESBURG, FL  34748

         ATTN: JOE RICHMOND

With love and peace.

Ronald and Caidy Quilaton