On March 17, 2016, before this year’s recognition day, the volunteering parents participated in a helping hands event cleaning the school’s surroundings, the stage, and the back side of our buildings. The father of one of our students volunteered to use the chainsaw and cut a big tree in order to provide more outside security to our students. Some of the parents took responsibility for arranging flowers for decoration. We were very happy for the parent’s support and were well prepared for the end of the school year activity. Their labors will also lessen our work during the summer months when the upgrade of the school buildings will take place.
Posted by: Admin | April 2, 2016
Our Volunteering Parents
Posted by: Admin | March 12, 2016
Time with the Children at KMMS
By Sister Nancy Asbill
I wanted to write a brief overview of some of the thoughts and impressions I had on this last trip in February 2016 to the Philippines. One highlight for me was that we had more opportunities this trip to spend time with the children at the school. The day after we arrived we went to the school and spent two days with the children, ministering the living Word of God to them, also including some of the mothers. According to the children’s grade level the word was broken down giving the children a clearer understanding of God’s plan for them. In those two days we were able to have 16 meetings. It really went well and we thank God for the privilege that we could be there.
Later in the week we went back to the school and this time Sister Rita and I were able to observe the different classes. We divided up the classes evenly so we could cover all the morning and afternoon classes. I should mention before we did this, Brother Mark, Sister Rita and I went around to each class taking pictures of the children with their new clothes. Less than a year ago there was an inspiring story in the news about a 100 year old woman who had sewn over 1000 dresses to send to girls in need in Africa. This woman’s story gave us the vision to make a dress for each of our girls at KMMS. There were a number of enthusiastic volunteers who helped us accomplish this goal. There were ladies from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, and the Czech Republic sewing special and unique dresses for each girl. It was such a blessing to see all the girls in their new attire including a hair piece. The boys also received brand new shirts, so they could feel special too. It was fun to go from class to class to take the pictures. Once all that was done we proceeded to go to each class to sit in on the lesson for that hour.
The first class I observed was the fourth grade class taught by Mrs. Rio Marie Dagtay. The lesson for that hour was math. She was telling me that she divides the week up so as to fit all the subjects in. Monday-Wednesday-Friday they work on Math, Science, English, computer and Bible, which is every day. Tuesday and Thursday they do “Makabayan” which involves Filipino culture, where they learn where capital cities are located, regions of the Philippines, and where food production comes from, to name a few of the topics. They also do “Mape” which is music, arts, and PE and “Epp” which is Health and Home Economics.
I was there on Friday just when they began their math lesson. Mrs. Rio began by saying to the children, “What is the order of operation?” and in one accord they said, “MDAS” (Multiply, divide, add and subtract). On the chalk board she had written this problem: 1. 15-3×4=N. She once again said, “Okay, what is the order of operation?” and they again said, “MDAS.” So together they worked out the problem 15-12=3, answer N is the number 3. All this was taught in English which was nice for me, but it was impressive to see how well the children understand as well. She proceeded to write another problem on the board: 2. 4×5+3=N. The class again worked it out together, very quickly I might add. My question to myself was, “Was I learning this in fourth grade?” The answer was 20+3=23, N is 23. Now she wrote another problem on the board and said, “Is this easy or hard?” The students did not seem to think it was too hard. 3. 4×2+7=N. The class worked for a moment and then hands began to rise and the answer was given. 8+7=N, 8+7=15, N=15.
Mrs. Rio kept writing problems on the board and now they had to quietly work out the problem themselves and raise their hand when they had the correct answer. Emanuel raised his hand with the right answer. Mrs. Rio said, “Okay, let us give Emanuel a Banana clap.” They did the motions of peeling a banana, peel, peel, peel, and then acted like they were taking a bite of the banana and said, “Yum!” It was pretty cute watching the “Banana clap.”
Other problems were written on the board, each time getting a little harder and each time enthusiastically the students raised their hands with the right answer. The class is run very orderly and the children are attentive and seem to have a good understanding. Mrs. Rio is doing a great job. She did tell me that Math happens to be one of her class’s favorite subjects and it shows.
The next class I went to was Miss Marilyn Cagadas fifth grade. The fifth grade is an all-day class where the other grades have morning sessions and afternoon sessions for the students. When I entered the room, there were two students at the end of the room standing side by side. On the count of three they were to race to the chalk board and see who could first spell in English the word Miss Marilyn had given. Some of the words given were navigate, committee, knowledge, patience, healthy and opportunity. The girls and boys were divided into teams competing to see which team would win. I am not sure what the students liked better – the run to the chalk board or the actual spelling of the words. Some words came easier than others. When Miss Marilyn had them spell beautiful, one boy got it very quickly. They were making that chalk do its work as they got to the board and began to write very fast. Sometimes it took a few tries to get the word, but they kept trying, some knowing the words better than others. This seems to be a good way to practice, practice. You could see this would be a good way to help them learn English. The winning team was going to each get a little prize. We thank Miss Marilyn for her enthusiasm and her dedication to keep her students excited about school.
As in the fourth grade the fifth grade continues to do all the same subjects including “Makabayan.” After the spelling drill they began their Filipino lesson, which meant they were speaking their language. I listened for a bit, but of course could not understand it so I proceeded to the next class.
My next and last class to visit for the day was Miss Jezreel Diaz’s second grade class. I found the class empty but soon discovered they were in the computer room with Mrs. Janice Angelle Andig, the computer teacher. On Fridays the second grade class studies all the ins and outs of a computer.
When I first entered the room the children were coloring. I am thinking to myself, “How does drawing help the children learn the workings of a computer?” My answer was soon to come. Mrs. Janice began to explain to me how the children were practicing what they soon would be drawing on the computer. She handed me a copy of their book for the class. The title of the book is Cyber Kids Level 2.
Mrs. Janice then proceeded to ask the children questions like, “What is an input device? What is the output device and storage devices?” The children chimed in answering correctly. Needless to say, I was impressed! These little second graders have learned how to use a mouse, they together told me what www meant, WORLD WIDE WEB. Through their Cyber book they are learning to do shape and color groups and how to use the tool brush and air brush. They are able to draw and color pictures. They have memory verses such as Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 6:1 and Mark 10:14 typed on the computer. Mrs. Janice, with the help of the children’s book, is giving the children a very sound foundation on the ins and outs of a computer.
Let me give one of the examples from their book:
Example how to use: Select tool, Crop tool, Rotate tool.
1. On the Home tab in the image group, click the arrow under select, and then click the kind of selection you want to make.
2. Drag the pointer to select the part of the picture you want to show.
3. In the image group click crop.
The directions in the book of course continue, but this gives you an idea of the level of learning they are acquiring. In the book they also learn computer ethics as well as how to set up an e-mail account, plus the workings of the Internet. They are doing basic Windows as well as MS paint so they are able to draw on the computer.
In this world of technology I can see these little second graders are being equipped to be able to use a computer wisely. For me I was most impressed that they are using the computers for their Bible memory verses; this Grandmother was pleased. Thank you, Miss Jezreel and Mrs. Janice, for your great job in helping these second graders learn.
Hope you enjoyed reading and taking this little tour of the second, fourth and fifth grade classes at Kingdom Message Ministry School with me. The staff and teachers are truly doing a marvelous job and the proof is evident in the children. What more can one ask than to see young lives touched for Jesus.
Posted by: Admin | March 9, 2016
February 2016 Trip to the Philippines – Part 2
Dear Brethren,
Greetings and love to each of you.
As of this writing it is now 8:30 PM and we are in the process of packing our bags for our early return trip to Manila at 5:30 AM in the morning. We will arrive in Manila at 9:30 AM where we will have some rest before arising early Tuesday morning for our flight from Manila back to the U.S.A.
Our three days at the Bible School in Jabonga went very well. There was great receptivity to the messages shared and we praise God for all that was accomplished in such a short time span. Thursday was a day of rest with some private meetings with some of the brethren. Friday was an administrative day at the KMM School with the various staff along with observation in the various classrooms. It was a great blessing to see all the children wearing their new clothes brought to them by the team. The girls looked so wonderful in their handmade dresses along with the young boys in their new shirts.
We had a tremendous last two days of ministry and meetings. The messages and exhortations blessed all the brethren. Our final meeting at the KMM Fellowship this afternoon resulted in 9 people coming forth to receive Christ as their Savior. What a great blessing to witness and see these precious souls receive salvation.
Overall, we believe it has been a most successful and fruitful trip. The fellowships are growing in the Lord and the young people at the Bible school are continuing to learn and mature in the Spirit. It is so wonderful to see young people hungry and willing to serve the Lord with all their hearts.
Finally, and not the least, we are extremely blessed with the work going on at the KMM School. The school staff are very blessed to work here at the school and they get along very well together. The children are becoming more disciplined in their work, attitude, and behavior at the school. Above all they are learning more and more about God and it is having an effect on their families as well.
We are so very blessed to see all this and want to share that same joy with you. To all of you who stand and support them and this work in the Philippines, you also are partakers of this fruit.
Many thanks for all your prayers and support in this special endeavor in the Philippines. It has been through these prayers that have made this all possible.
God bless and richly reward each of you.
The Philippine MissionTeam
Burt and Nancy Asbill
Mark and Rita Jantzi
George Herrig
*Update: the team arrived safely back in the States on Tuesday evening.
Posted in Mission Trips
Posted by: Admin | March 9, 2016
February 2016 Trip to the Philippines – Part 1
Dear Brethren,
Greetings and God bless each of you today. It is now Sunday afternoon for you and Monday morning for us here in the Philippines. We are doing well by the grace of God. Our meetings have gone quite well here in the Butuan area, as well as in the countryside.
Our main focus on Friday and Saturday was at the Kingdom Message Ministry School ministering to the children. Each day we had meetings in the morning with the children that usually attend school in the morning, then again in the afternoon with the children that usually attend school in the afternoon. (There were 90 children in the morning and 90 children in the afternoon.)
On both days we met altogether during the first hour and in the second hour we broke up into three main groups: Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd grade to 5th grade, and then the parents. The first day we did a puppet show on the story of Esther with the children in the first hour. The wooden spoon puppets were created by Sister Patty Delap (with help on creating the faces by Sister Shannon Asbill, Chloe and Allison). The children loved to have the visual effect and this was demonstrated as they watched the puppets and waved at them.
The second day was an interactive story on David and Goliath. The children loved the action and the sounds of the bear for example, the lion, and the “Giant” Goliath. In the second hour the messages for the individual groups were tailored according to their age comprehension. The younger children were taught the basics of the Tabernacle and how Jesus wants to live in them, the older children were given Tabernacle teachings, and the parents were given in-depth teachings on the book of Revelation. We were blessed to see that some of the teachers have been instructing the children from out of The Pattern. A number of them knew some of the pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle as well as the Word of God being three-dimensional. Therefore in two days we were able to accomplish 16 sessions of teachings.
We were also very impressed with the growth and maturity of the operation of the school. We have an excellent staff with the teachers, principal and administrator people combined. The children are more organized and disciplined so it is very encouraging to see all of this.
On Sunday morning we went out into the country to a small fellowship. They were so hungry for God and their attentiveness and receptivity was very refreshing to see. It is very humbling to be with a people that have nothing (and I truly mean nothing) and yet be so appreciative for our presence there. It was an honor to be among them.
Today, we start our three days of meetings with the young people at the Bible School in Jabonga. We are looking forward to these meetings for the young people there readily desire to walk in this Kingdom message. Just think of young people that have originally heard just an Outer Court message of salvation and a church system with the one man rule of pastorship. To see them break out of this mentality and system and begin to walk in the Kingdom truths is greatly rewarding.
We want to thank each of you for your prayers and support for this great mission. Without the brethren praying our labors here would be unsuccessful. It is the prayers of the saints that are keeping us safe and bringing great victories in the meetings. Thank you so much for your faithfulness.
We have one full week left before we return home. We believe for continued victory for each day that lies ahead. Please continue to stand with us. We love you all in the Love of Christ.
Sincerely,
The Philippines Mission Team
Posted in Mission Trips
Posted by: Admin | March 7, 2016
Greetings from the Philippines
As the end of the school year is quickly approaching, we are very grateful for all that we have been able to achieve during the last months. January and February found us busy complying with a number of government requirements for the upcoming school year, which will start in June. We have been very blessed to see God working on our behalf and granting us to obtain all the necessary permits.
Our children and their families have been blessed yet once again by contents of four bulging boxes sent to us by our generous supporters from overseas. It is hard to put into words how much your kindness means to us. This time, in addition to clothing, the boxes also included pain medications, tens of English Bibles and many school supplies. We are very grateful to you all. Please receive our BIG and sincere THANK YOU.
Posted by: Admin | October 30, 2015
Teacher’s Day
Time has passed by quickly and we are about to end the first semester of this school year. We have completed the 2nd grading examination and the children have currently been enjoying their first semester break. The teachers will be completing the grades before the children resume classes on November 3, 2015.
Before the break commenced, we were all surprised by what the parents and students had done for us. They had prepared a short program dedicated to all our teachers in line with the “Teacher’s Day” celebration. Some parents and students gave short messages just to say, “Thank you, teacher.” Some even gave gifts and flowers as their thank-you to the teachers for their undying passion, patience, love and determination to teach and impart knowledge to the little minds. We very much praise God for what He has done for all of us!
Posted by: Admin | October 5, 2015
September in the Philippines
It is with a great pleasure that we say, “Thank you,” for granting us the resources to purchase a new school sound system. We are very grateful to God for this provision. You may remember that we lost our sound system last December in the Typhoon Senyang. Being located by a busy street, sound system is very essential to the mandatory school programs. We have greatly enjoyed our new equipment during the Math & Science celebration and will also benefit from it in the upcoming monthly programs.
By the grace of God, the Math & Science was a complete success. The children had their class presentations related to the two subjects. You can see their happy faces below.
The selected grade 3, 4 and 5 students showed their drawing skills by presenting math & science pictures.
In addition to the student activities, the teachers participated in a special seminar focused on how to handle children with difficult behavior and how to create a bully-free learning environment. According to the teachers, they learned many useful things from the speaker. They would like to say, “Thank you,” to all of you for making this event possible for them.
Posted by: Admin | September 27, 2015
A Look Back into July
By Sister Nancy Asbill
On this 99 degree day here in the States, we are reminded of our recent trip to the Philippines where temperatures can soar into the 90’s with added humidity which lets you know it is “warm” there too. On this trip we spent time at the school working with the staff as well as teachers, continuing to improve the running of the school as well as sharing updates for better teaching skills and time management.
We would like to share some interviews we did with the Guidance Counselor, new teachers as well as some of the mothers of children that are in the school. For fun we thought you might also like a few facts about the area of the Philippines we were in.
We were in Butuan City located on Mindanao Island from June 23rd 2015 to July 7th 2015.
Butuan, officially the City of Butuan (Butuanon: Dakbayan hong Butuan) and often referred to as Butuan City, is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines. The city is the regional center of the Caraga Region. It is located at the northeastern part of the Agusan Valley, Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del Norte, to the east by Agusan del Sur and to the northwest by Butuan Bay. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 309,709 people.
Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines at 104,630 square kilometers, and is the eighth most populous island in the world. The island of Mindanao is larger than 125 countries worldwide, including the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Ireland. The island is mountainous, and is home to Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the country. Mindanao is surrounded by 4 seas: the Sulu Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south, and the Mindanao Sea to the north.
Having said that let us continue with our introductions. We would like you to meet the Guidance Counselor at the school; his name is Mr. Allan Micarandayo. He has been with the school since its inception in 2010. At first he volunteered his services looking to help where he could; it was 2012 that he accepted the paid position of a counselor.
Mr. Allan works closely with the principal and administrator for daily updates on the children. Part of Mr. Allan’s responsibilities is visiting each child’s home to talk with parents and guardians and to encourage them concerning the education of their child. He also finds out if there are needs in the family that the school might be able to help with such as praying with the family and in some instances helping with food. Mr. Allan will check in the mornings at school to make sure the children have had breakfast and arrange for something for them to eat if they have not eaten. If a child misses school, Mr. Allan will find out the reason.
Mr. Allan’s training was as a radio announcer, but having a family himself, he enjoys working with the children and parents. He especially wants to see people young and old alike come to know Jesus. Mr. Allan says he very much enjoys being at the school and finds opportunities each day to help those in need. We thank you, Mr. Allan, for being diligent in your work at the school to help the students and parents alike see the need for a good education as well as to want to know Jesus.
At KMMS some exciting things have been happening as more space for classrooms have been added as well as a very nice stage to be used for special events at the school.
The kindergarten class has been relocated to the new wing so let us walk out of the counselor’s office and go through the court yard to the new wing. This is where we will meet Miss Melanie Apas.
Miss Melanie came to be with the KMMS family of teachers as two of the current teachers are on subsequent maternity leave. To begin with, Miss Melanie started by substitute teaching for the kindergarten teacher who had her healthy baby boy first.
Miss Melanie, a vibrant 22 year old, comes to the school highly recommended having completed 4 years of elementary education at Caraga State University and her internship teaching kindergarten and third grade.
One thing you can immediately see is her enthusiasm for teaching. Having 16 energetic kindergarteners in the morning class and 15 in the afternoon, she makes special effort to keep these young minds focused on the subjects at hand. She is working on reading and learning their alphabets as well as numbers and math. Since Miss Melanie loves to sing, she will use this as a tool as well as drawing and other teaching methods.
Miss Melanie says she loves teaching and is especially happy to be at KMMS. She is looking forward to working with the 4th graders when Mrs. Rio is on maternity leave to have a baby girl.
We welcome Miss Melanie Apas to the KMMS staff as an addition to a very superb teaching staff.
Let us go back through the courtyard to the original wing and walk upstairs as we meet our new 5th grade teacher.
Miss Marilyn Cagadas at 21 years old having obtained her BA at Butuan College is excited about her opportunity to be with the KMM School. Miss Marilyn worked for her internship as a volunteer teaching basic computer operating.
The fifth graders are very fortunate to have such a bubbly teacher as she teaches them English, history, math, art and Filipino subjects. With 20 students she makes sure each one keeps attentive so as to learn what they need to learn each day.
Miss Marilyn has a grandmother that also taught subjects such as sewing, food management and cosmetology, which in turn she did with her granddaughter Miss Marilyn. So for Miss Marilyn this was an inspiration as she later pursued teaching.
Miss Marilyn especially likes English, but also enjoys to cook so maybe one day she would also like to be a chef.
This is Miss Marilyn’s first year of teaching, but with her enthusiasm for learning, the fifth graders are sure to learn much this year. She said, “Thank God I can be here at KMMS, I feel such a belonging.”
We welcome Miss Marilyn to the family of KMMS and say God Bless You.
Let us now go out to the courtyard as some of the mothers are waiting for their children to finish their class for the day. Mrs. Cherry the school administrator has asked three mothers if they would like to share their thoughts about the school. Fortunately for us, they all spoke rather good English.
First let us meet Riza Gingo. Her daughter, April Joyce Gingo, is in first grade.
Mrs. Riza found out about the school from a friend and the family decided that with the better values and quality curriculum at KMMS they would take April out of the government school and enroll her with KMMS.
Mrs. Riza says her daughter has a lot of energy so staying focused is important.
April really likes school and especially enjoys memorizing Bible verses.
Keep up the good work April!
Next we will meet Florie Jane Perigino. Her four year old son is in Kindergarten. Her son’s name is Jervy Avergonzado.
Miss Florie is quite impressed that even though her son has only been with the school a short time, he can read his ABCs and is learning to write.
Miss Florie and her son live in Sumilihon, which is only about 5 minutes away, so when a friend told her about KMMS, she was so happy her son could be a part of the school.
Presently Miss Florie and her son are staying with her mom as she is looking for work.
Miss Florie is thankful her son can get a quality education at KMMS and all that KMMS pays for Jervy to be there.
The last mother we will meet today is Chona Serdoncillo. Her son Jerald is five years old and is in Kindergarten. One continued thought we heard from the mothers is they really like the Christian values at the school. Jerald, like his other classmates, is learning to read and write. He really likes playing ball and playing with cars too.
Miss Chona appreciates also the fact that her son can be at the KMM School with all his school fees paid for. Being a single mother with two children, she is thankful for the help.
As many of you might notice, KMMS has gained a very good reputation in the Butuan City. For those that offer support for a child, you can tell the money is being well spent to the glory of God. Thank You all that pray and all that sponsor a child. May God Bless You. Each one of these precious children is special in God’s eyes as all children are. What a blessing it is to be a part of a work in progress, one child’s life after another.
Posted by: Admin | September 23, 2015
Yet One More Box
After several months of collecting books, school supplies, clothes and other items, we, the partners of Kingdom Message Ministry School, have once again packed a large bulging box and sent it with many prayers to its destination. As usual, three months later, the box had arrived in the Philippines and a number of little as well as big people received a blessing in a form of a little bag. It is humbling to see how much you, our donors, care for the indigent population on the other side of the globe. Thank you for thinking of our school children and their families. Your generosity and thoughtfulness have been a blessing to us all.
Posted by: Admin | August 23, 2015
More July 2015 Activities
During the month of July the Department of Education District Supervisor visited Kingdom Message Ministry School in order to monitor its activities. He checked our documents, the Principal’s reports as well as the classrooms. By the grace of God we have received a very positive feedback. He advised us to set up an Audio-Visual room for slower learners, especially those who are behind in reading comprehension. We were able to present to him our computer room that serves every Friday as an Audio-Visual room. Teacher Janice works here with the pupils who are slow in reading. They can easily read words with corresponding pictures presented on the computer. The District Supervisor thought this to be a very nice idea.
We are also pleased to announce that our new back yard has been very much enjoyed as a playground by our children especially during their lunch break. Every day there are three parents-volunteers that oversee the activities in this part of the school’s premises in order to prevent any harm to the children or damage to the property.
Finally, we are very excited to show you our new world map that we have longed for for quite a while. The children are now eager to learn what lies beyond the borders of the Philippines. Thank you for making this possible.
Posted in School for the Indigent Children
Kingdom Message Ministry Foundation 