In case you missed it ...

In case you missed our most recent newsletter ... here is whats happening at the Jesan Center. 

Jesan Center 

Restoring lives. Giving hope.
 

God is continuing to do incredible things through the work at the Jesan Center! We, along with the Jesan Center staff feel honored and blessed to witness God restore the lives of so many broken people. These are times we hope to never forget.
In the last two months we have witnessed families reunited, heavy burdened souls lifted, young teens turn away from drugs, Gods incredible provision in times of hardship and generosity of complete strangers.
The work at the Jesan Center continues to bless an average of 50 children weekly. Breathing hope and joy into their dark lives is something the staff works so hard at. Some days are difficult -- like the day a young man came in with a weapon,  or the week we had no money to provide medical care for a sick child, or like the morning five young men were attacked; but more days are joyful -- like the afternoon a child asked what it means to follow Christ, or like the week two strangers brought us two sacks of rice, or the evening we were able to reunite a mother and son, and like the day one boy choose school instead of street. Through the Jesan Center lives are bring transformed and children are given hope.
It is our prayer that the Jesan Center will grow in the next four months. Hiring necessary staff to complete our non-profit registration (with the social work system) and allowing more children to attend our drop in program are just two ways we would like to see that growth. Would you please 

continue pray over this work? Would you pray for growth, strength and guidance? Would you pray for lives to continue to be transformed for Christ?

Thank you for you prayers for the Jesan Center and 818 Ministries. 

We have launched our new website! check it out www.818ministriesph.com

We celebrated our 3rd anniversary in June with the family of Jesan! 

 

Turning Points #1

Imagine being in a dark place-- physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Think about how lost you feel. Do you feel alone? Are you cold? Nervous? Scared?

What does this darkness do to your Spirit? Do you have any sliver of hope? 

What brought you to the darkness – Drugs? Gangs? Poverty? The loss of a loved one?

You are at {what seems like} the lowest point of your life.  You live under a dirty garbage infested bridge, you get high on drugs every chance you get, you spend your days walking along polluted streets to find even the smallest of recyclable trash. You are a leader in a small gang – perhaps because it’s only your peers that will listen you to, you quarrel with other gangs, you steal, lie and cheat. The majority of society looks down upon you and often times you are {literally} treated like a stray dog.

You want to change. You no longer like the darkness that has engulfed you. But you are hopeless and tired.

‘But take heart I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33

This was exactly the case of four of our young men just a year ago. Four of our boys lived life in that deep dark place. A pit of hopelessness surrounded them. That was until the Jesan Center …

In a recent conversation we asked them what their turning points were  …

Why, when so many of their friends have the same opportunities and denied them, did they decide to make the change and grab for the  ‘gold’ that the JC team was offering them.  What kept them coming back?

The answer … RELATIONSHIP and LOVE. 

The JC team has invested in the lives of these four young men.  Giving them responsibilities, showing them love, mentoring them. They have poured out their lives into the brokenness of these four. They joined them in the pit of darkness in order to hold their hands and lead them out. They have loved unconditionally as the boys learn to make better decisions. They pray over the boys daily. They share their struggles and show their imperfections.  They are real with these young men. 

The boys have developed a deep respect for the JC team. They hear their concerns, listen to their teachings and strive for better.

 It’s because of those relationships that these four boys have made significant changes in their once broken and dark lives.

‘Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.’ Philippians 4:9

We see hope, life, light and love in their eyes! We see happiness and restoration in lives that used to only show sadness and brokenness.

Of course, certain events in each individual life lead them to the Jesan Center. Each boy has a different reason that they grabbed at the opportunity and never let go. The common factor however is the relationship and love experienced with the JC team.

‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ Romans 8:28

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!