Hello, Partners and Friends,
It is said that time seems to go faster the older you get. I must be old...time seems to be flying by. With 26 children in our full-time care you can imagine the events, changes and surprises that come our way.
Last time I wrote you, I shared about Angi, one of our special needs girls who has cerebral palsy. When she came into our care over 10 years ago, she was simply “dropped off” at our center.
There was little to no information regarding her family or background, and trying to find information proved frustrating at best. But just this past month, a young woman approached us and said she was Angi’s sister. Immediately our social worker investigated the claim–and found it to be true! In fact, as we continued to pursue, we have located 3 more of her sisters. Words cannot adequately describe the joy that Angi experienced as she discovered that she still has family. The sisters have started to come to our Sunday church services, and visit with Angi. We are slowly rebuilding the family relationship and are amazed and blessed by the providence of God.
At about this same time of overwhelming joy, we also had to face a bittersweet farewell. Sally, our longest-serving staff member, had to bid us an emotional good-bye. She had to retire to return home and care for her ailing mother. She was with Frontline since 1988, and Face the Children since 2010. Sally was a pillar within our children’s program, and the adjustment to her departure is challenging. “Alumni” of FTC came from far and wide to say goodbye, and the Frontline family shed many tears at her sending-off. Thankfully, she remains in contact, and has even visited twice since moving back to be with family. She is greatly loved, and will be sorely missed.
Let me end on a happy note. We are very proud of Jefferson, one of the boys who is currently part of our Independent Living Program. This January, he participated in a city-wide art contest in celebration of the city’s annual Town Fiesta... and won THIRD PLACE! We have long known about his artistic talent and are so proud of his significant achievement. Our mission is still to offer “An Opportunity for Life” to as many children as we can. We rejoice every time a child is able to discover their gifts and talents, and then use them in ways that builds their confidence and abilities, ultimately enabling them to be good citizens and contributors to society. You partnership helps to make this happen, and we thank you for your continued support. We pray that God continues to bless you.
May God bless you richly in return.
Michael Gordon
Director of Compassion Ministries
Philippine Frontline Ministries, Inc.
