A Bathroom for Christmas

I recently visited America for 6 weeks during the Thanksgiving holiday.  I got the chance to get together with many of my dear friends and family.  It was truly a blessing from the Lord!  You all hold a place in my heart and have touched my life in so many ways; before and after this adventure began in the Philippines.  So I have to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I had such a great time being home!! The dinners, parties, talks, gifts, and blessings will not be forgotten.  Carmela enjoyed it too, despite the cold weather and car seat rides.  Heehee.  My mother and sister experienced this with us first hand.  This trip was what I needed and came at the perfect time.  God is good!!

That being said, some of you know I kept mentioning how nice it was to be in our culture for a short time.  With the hot showers, the washing machine and dryer, the carpet and wood floors, the nice kitchens, cars; wow.  It really is just a different life here in the PI.  Some things we think of as normal in America don’t exist over here or in other cultures.  Or if they do exist it is very rare.  While enjoying these luxuries I began to remember a few faces of some children back in the Philippines.  I remembered how they actually use their backyard as their restroom.  The parents come to my mother in laws’ sometimes to use their restroom, but the children always go outside.  I thought wow, what if that was me?  What if I was a girl growing up and didn’t have a place to go to take care of girl things?  God said to me “let’s build them a bathroom.”  That sounded good to me.  Something so simple that we take for granted.  It was a basic need that could be met.  So, as some of you know, I posted about it on instagram and quickly a friend of mine from the Young Americans (a performing arts group I was involved in) responded and reposted.  Then she also posted on facebook.  How exciting!  It was so sweet to my heart to see people coming along side and wanting to help.  To see hearts that also break for others the way mine has.  A few people began to donate, and the goal was eventually met!  Thanks to you all, this family will be blessed for a lifetime.   Love spread overseas.   I’m so grateful for your kindness.  Here are a few pictures to document the process.

An added side note to this is – the devil is on the move.  It says in 1 Peter 5:8, Be self-controlled, be watchful; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  * I mention this because at the time everyone was donating I experienced yet another demonic dream.  This makes 5.  They are real and frightening.  I believe God allows me to have them to warn others that this is not a joke.  There is a war being waged for your souls.  It is a war that we cannot see.  In this dream the devil had his demons using people I know as puppets.  I was screaming at one demon to get out of my friend.  In Jesus name, I said, GET OUT!!  No joke.  You may think it sounds crazy, but I promised the Lord I would share this, because it is so very important.  We have this time on earth to choose Jesus or not.  I pray that all of you would know him and accept his gift of salvation.  He loves us so much; he gave up everything for us.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him, will not perish, but have everlasting life.” 

If you would like to help support us in any way- we will now be receiving donations through paypal.  If you go to paypal.com you can set up an account with your bank and email.

My email is kayliejane12@yahoo.comIf you are considering to do more than a one-time donation; there is a monthly sign up as well.  Things we need continued support for are- Feeding a group of children 4 times a month ($40), Kids hour monthly ($25), Electric monthly bill ($40), food donations to families monthly ($30), Visa payment every two months ($75), baby items such as diapers or wipes monthly($30).   Thank you again for taking the time to read about my journey here in the Philippines!  All glory goes to God, whom I could never, ever do this without.  He is my father, friend, guide, Saviour, and King! 

Love, Jane

Oh Baby

What a busy time!  We have been super blessed to be home with our new baby girl, Carmela Isabella, for the past 2 months.  




We have been learning more and more about ways to do things- like dancing her to sleep or going for walks when she is crying.  This girl loves to travel!  Every time we get into a jeepny or trike she is smiling away or falling asleep.  God has been with us and is teaching me more about his deep love for us through her.  Wow... does God our father love us!





So, while we were in the hospital for 5 days (They have you stay that long to recover from a C- section) I went through many many different emotions.  It was quite an experience.  The room was small and steaming hot.  The ac was broken.  We shared a room with another woman who just had an operation, so we had a semi private room which was about 8 by 12 feet I'm guessing.  I couldn't get up by myself, so Anthony had to pull me up when ever I needed to use the restroom or simply re-adjust my position.  Anthony, his mother, Carmela, and I shared a tiny twin bed.  There were many tears, let me tell you.  I didn't even know I had a catheter in until I went to the restroom for the first time.  Ouch!  I also wasn't able to eat for 2 days. All I wanted was a burger from Mc Donalds.  heheh.




All this being said, outside my room was a different story.  One I was and am still so shocked about.  There were many women- the 2nd night we were there- sleeping in the hallway on cots or on the floor with their new born babies.

  I believe the hospital was over filled with at least 25-30 women.  Many babies were born pre-mature and a few even didn't make it during those 5 days we were there.  Here I was barely surviving in our semi private room.. and these women are on card board boxes sleeping on the floor.  They are all sharing one public restroom.  I was just floored imagining how the hospital rooms look in America.  What a difference.

 This couple here in the photo stood out to me.. bringing tears to my eyes when ever I observed them.

The father is blind.  He would spend most of his time sitting there fanning his new born baby with a small fan or square piece of cardboard.  His wife was so shy she barely looked up for me to take her photo.  Wow.  These women are tough, fighters, and they don't even know it.

An idea the Lord gave me is to try and start visiting Alaminos Western Hospital every month.  We could then bring small bags for each woman filled with wipes and diapers - to help them for the few days they are there in the hospital. Some of them don't have enough money to buy these things.. diapers are very expensive.  I hope we can start this next month!

Thank you for being my supporters and friends.  I know there are so many people back home praying and reading about my journey.  I miss you all so much and cannot express my gratitude for all you have done.
We will try to make it back to the states in a few months!  God has been leading us through all the paper work.  We just have a few more steps and we may be ready to come home to visit everyone.  If we make it to California I will let you know!  For sure our number one stop is Michigan to see family.

God bless you all...
To make any donations visit Mogiv.com/rockmissions
Click on Jane Breckenfeld

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid nor dismayed.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Heat Wave

ITS HOT.

SO HOT I can barely take it.  Maybe it's because i'm pregnant?  I'm not quite sure, but it definitely did not feel like this last year!  And to top it off the wells are pretty much all empty.  Many people here go to community wells, because they don't have their own water supply (including Anthony and I).  Lord!  Send the rain!!!!

I mention the heat because 2 of my brothers from Impact 195, the discipleship school back in Ca, came to be missionaries here with us last month.  They left their comfortable lives behind to live and serve Jesus here in the PI.  Sadly, the reality of the heat hit one of them so hard, making it nearly impossible for him to get through each day.  

Eric was already struggling with numerous health issues back home in America, and the weather here turned out to be his biggest nightmare.  His body became overworked, causing him to pass out frequently and have to stay in our library where there are fan's and an air-conditioner.  He wanted to stay and serve but things just continued to get worse.  We prayed and prayed, but it seemed God had a different plan.

Like night and day.....the other man who came here with Eric, my good friend George, had a completely opposite experience.  George was beaming with joy everyday as he met more and more people, allowing him to be open and share God's love. "Maabig a bulkas!" he'd shout out as we went down the street (which means good morning in Bolinao).  Everyone knew his name.  They all loved his excitement and his kind heart, which was Jesus flowing through him!  It was a blessing to watch him interact with all the people.

So reality set in and in the end we all realized Eric needed to go home.  The two men came here as a team, and they would leave as a team.  The verse that continued to stand out to me over and over was Proverbs 16:9- In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.  

We are proud of them, will miss them dearly, keep praying for their journey's with the Lord and what lies ahead.

The last thing I will say is that this baby is just getting comfortable!!  It doesn't seem like it is ready to make his/her appearance yet at all!  Anthony and I are so excited to meet the baby, but are praying and waiting as it has not turned or dropped yet.  God knows when and how, and all the details.  He keeps telling me to trust him and not worry.  (Here it is a definite c-section if the baby has not turned around in the last week or two).

So thank you all again for your love, support, and prayers.  We have been so blessed by you here, and have been able to continue our ministry of feeding the children.

Below are some more pictures of the last place we went, a new location with about 50 kids!  It was great.

God bless you all and thank you again for your love!!

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Click on Jane Breckenfeld to make any donations

Feeding the kids

 

"Duck, duck, goose!"  the little boy shouted as he tapped his friends head and started running around the circle.  Laughs and smiles were everywhere as we played duck duck goose with the children at the beach.  There are usually 40-70 children who gather together as we pull up on the tricycle, with a pot full of spaghetti or chicken rice soup.  A few months back we started coming here to feed the children who live in the homes here.  There are so many many families that don't have enough money to give their children proper meals each day.

 We usually tell them to go home and grab a bowl and spoon, and come back to get in line.  Our friends in Infanta actually started this idea and shared it with us.  It has been such a wonderful ministry so far.  After everyone has their food and has eaten, we sing bible songs and play games.  We are hoping to continue doing this at least once a month.  This past time was a blessing, as 2 friends from America visited and helped us by serving and joining in on the activities.

I regret to tell you that the gentleman I wrote about in my last blog, who was very sick, passed away two weeks after I posted.  My husband and I were able to travel to the town, attend the funeral, and bless his wife with extra money for food for her family (she just had her 6th baby in December).  Thank you to all those who donated last month, we were able not only to help her, but feed more children as I mentioned above!  Thank you, thank you, so much for your love.





Another project happening here is PenPals!!

 My sister in America was able to help me link together some of the kids at her church; so they started writing each other back and forth.  It has been so exciting to see the true joy that the letters are bringing the kids, and the fun they are having sharing about their families, schools, hobbies, and favorite bible stories.  These are just a few of the kids involved here in the photo's.  I believe we have about 15 total.



Thank you again for reading, praying, and being apart of this journey.  God bless you all!!  Love you so much.

If you'd like to make a donation to help with future feedings at the beach please, visit
mogiv.com/rockmissions
click on Jane Breckenfeld




Matthew 25:35-
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in

The tale of 2

The Ragamuffins..

"Give me money," the little girl blurted out as she stuck out her hand.  This is not unusual.. and I have seen this child before.  She is dirty but so adorable.  Her bright eyes are huge and unique.  She has a friend with her, and they are following me.

"Why aren't you at school?"  I ask.  "Eskulahan?" (in tagalog) I say.  They just giggle and keep insisting.  I squat down and start asking them questions... "Anong pangalan mo?" (What is your name?)  "Saan sa nanay?" (Where is your mother?).  They tell me their names, Mai Mai and Kristen, and begin talking again to each other.  They show me the coins they have collected so far.  I'm guessing many of the children begging here do this often; skip school, beg for money, and take home all they make to their parents.  I'm not quite sure.  "Mahal kani Jesus," I say, which means, Jesus loves you.  "Come on, follow me."  I tell them.  We walk over to a small building with some filipino dishes and I let them choose one to share.  My friend Claudia is with me now, and we both buy them rice, meat and juice.  As we sit down, at first they are scared to eat.  Many filipino's are shy; we run into this a lot.  "Go ahead!  It's okay, eat," we tell them.  Finally after we urge them and encourage them not to be shy, they start eating.  

They are so precious, they begin to break my heart.  I wish I could take them home.  Give them a bath.  Help them learn about Jesus, and send them to school.  I wish I could grab their dirty little hands and bring them back on the bus, to our house.
We all know.... I can't.  Maybe they aren't in any real danger,  but they are wandering the streets.  I guess it is daylight.  But where are their parents? Oh how I wish I could help in another way.  It is making me anticipate the home the Lord has in the future.  For the girls he will bring to me, that need rescuing.  He is giving me a glimpse of what it will look like later down the road.  But for now, I still wait.  These girls make an indent deep in my heart.  I promise myself that if they ever need somewhere to go, and they don't have a home anymore, that I will help them and raise them.  Oh what a joy it was to share the smallest gift, and in return see them laughing, smiling, with full bellies skipping away.  I hope I see them again soon.

The other story I have is another one that breaks my heart.  Anthony and I got to visit his sister in a town a few hours away from us.  His brother in law asked us if we wanted to go walking, so we agreed to kill some time and headed out the door with him and his daughter.  It's always fun to look at the homes and the faces of the children and the people.  To wonder what they are about and see if anyone needs encouragement or prayer.  He begins to lead us around a few corners, into a small area with many houses.  We see children staring and pointing.  Many adults looking out the windows.  Whenever people here see foreigners they get excited and often stare because it's very rare.  I smile and wave at the people, as I see so many sweet sweet faces.  "This is my old house" exclaims Anthony's brother in law.  We are right where he grew up.  He begins to introduce us to his mother, and then proceed's to take us inside the house next door.  There lies a man who is mainly skin and bones, with a large belly protruding from under the sheet covering him.

 Anthony begins to explain to me that this man was healthy 10 months ago, and was actually helping to build his sisters house.  When he began to get sick everyone thought it was a tumor.  They have already taken him to the doctor 4 times.. and they can't seem to figure out what is wrong.  He just keeps getting worse, and his belly keeps getting larger.  I ask " Are there better doctor's in Manila?  Why can't they find out what is wrong?"  They continue to tell me how expensive it is and how they really can't afford to take him to a better doctor.  I feel sick to my stomach.  Why can't they find out what is wrong with him, I wonder?  What is going on with these doctors?   They then tell me that the baby we saw outside is his 6th child, born on December 22.  They are a family of 8 now, struggling to survive because their father cannot work anymore.  He cannot get out of bed.  We kneel down beside him and begin to pray.  Pray for healing and comfort.  Pray for a miracle.  "Oh Lord, please help this man, this family."  This is also not uncommon here in the Philippines.  There are many times I have heard of people who have died, because the doctors could not figure out what was wrong with them.  Or because the family cannot afford to send them to the doctor.

We leave and buy them bread and crackers.. and tell them we will come visit the next time we return to see Anthony's sister.  I feel my heart breaking again for the children, the wife who is sitting at the end of the bed just softly smiling.  She picks up her baby boy and shows him to me.  Oh how I feel the pain they have gone through.  But yet they still have hope.  Hope, family, God, love, laughter; these things keep them going.  These things are all they have.

I shared these stories with you because they touched my heart.  I hope you can get a clearer picture, and begin to pray for some of the lives that I tell you about here on this blog.
Thank you for your love, support, friendship, and comments!!  I am ever so thankful to God for you all who apart of my life.

If you'd like to be apart of this ministry visit
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Click on Jane Breckenfeld to make a donation.

God bless you!