Important Letter from Director

Dear Partners,

I trust this letter finds you strong in the Lord today. We hold fond memories of our time spent with you all just a few weeks ago. We thank the Lord for your love and encouragement and the gifts you placed in our hearts and our hands.

We arrived back in Manila on the 7th June and our feet hit the ground running. We are sad to report that from day one we have been dealing with some big problems one after another, things we have never faced before. Some serious issues of a sexual nature between two of our students and then other things unravelled from there. We have reported the incidents to all the appropriate departments and are in the process of dealing with the legal issues and have obtained the professional care for the victims involved.

Unfortunately, the stress from all these things has taken its toll on me and I have suffered one infection after another. Finally, we learned that the infection was resistant to the antibiotics, and I may have to be admitted to hospital for 10days of IV antibiotics. I told the doctor I will just take the oral meds first and I will pray to God for my healing. That’s where I need to ask you to join us in prayer for total healing and good results from the tests that I will have on Tuesday 9th July when I go for a review again.

Please pray for some of our residential children who have some ongoing health issues which we hope to get sorted as well. Zendrick has an unusual infection, one little girl has worm infestation that is not responding to deworming meds, another has bladder problems and some have chest infections.

We pray also for the staff of JCI as we have noted some are not doing well and we need to hire more qualified staff to care for the little ones. Please pray the Lord will bring good Godly people who will care well for these precious children.

In the midst of the storm we give thanks to the Lord for the extra help we are receiving from Joshua, Eden, Kate & Kon. Truly the Lord has brought them to JCI for such a time as this. We have also had several Filipino organisations who came to bless the JCI kids and to help Joshua Care with some needed equipment. Anytime Fitness took all the high schoolers to a resort last week where they had a great time playing basketball, volleyball and badminton. The rock climbing wall was a challenge and they had heaps of fun doing zumba dance. Then the buffet breakfast was so good the kids ate more than they could handle!

The South African Embassy is organising a fun event in celebration of Madela day and they will come to JCI with many gifts for the JCI families. We have finally received the Taekwondo mats that the kids need for their training. The Chinese Ambassador has donated gift baskets of food, the Papua New Guinea ambassador has donated 20,000 pesos, SM Department store is giving gift vouchers and the Apex mining company came today to see the area where we hope to have a playground for the little kids. They will supply and build it for the children. Praise to the Lord for His awesome provision!!

Two weeks ago I shared with the board, that when I was bringing my burdens to the Lord, He reminded me of the disciples in the boat with Jesus.

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 7. 23-27

I immediately came to realise that we are in a stormy season, but Jesus is with us in the storm. We need not be afraid, we need only to believe that He will still the storm. Even the wind and the waves obey Him. He gives us peace in the midst of the storm and strength for the journey. Jesus stilled the storm, and the boat never sank!! This gave me faith to believe that though the problems seem insurmountable, when Jesus is with you, your boat will not sink. Only believe. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path!

Thank you for standing with us at such a time as this. Thank you for your prayers and support. Thank you for your love and encouragement. It gives us the strength to stand strong in the Lord even when things go wrong.

We love you and appreciate you!

Sharon Del Valle - Founding Director of Joshua Care International