He is our middle son, Micah. He is the kind of person that can get along with anyone. It doesn’t matter how, horrible, naughty, nasty, hot-headed, lazy …… you know what I’m trying to say!!! When he was a baby, I would try to imagine how he would look when he got old. It seems like yesterday I was trying to imagine and now before my very eyes, there he is!! 18 years old ready to graduate high school in-between taping for a Filipino tv series, photo shoots and recording music for their upcoming album. He and his older brother, dj have an awesome relationship. They have always been close since they were little. If Micah didn’t have the personality that he has, they would be like other brothers, full of jealousy, power trips, competition & other struggles. I would call him a peacemaker. Hi! My name is Micah. I grew up in a Christian family. I truly believed & received Christ when I was 6 years old . Some parents think if they raise their children in a Christian way, they will turn out Okay. Most “Christian” Teens struggles with their parents & worlds expectations of having to be different. So they begin to think it’s impossible to be a real teenage Christian that loves and follows Christ daily. It wasn’t easy for me either but it is not impossible. The strange thing is that my parents never forced us to have devotions and read the Bible. They were just the example for us to see and we follow that example. EXAMPLE IS EVERYTHING! I am who I am not because my parents want me to be this way but because I love God and I love my parents. Now that my brother and I are in the entertainment industry, there are a lot of temptations. We are proud to be different than the others because we would rather be admired for our character & standards than our looks & talents. (my mom added the last part. hehehe) I would like to encourage all the teens that read this that you can live for Jesus! Don’t be ashamed! Our reward can’t compare to the persecution you might face. We might not be “liked” but we will be respected & it will bring honor and glory to God !! That’s what our purpose is in life anyway, right?.
  Micah Catherine DJ Indian Cat My name is Catherine April Lamar. I was named after my sweet grandmother, Catherine diGesu, devoted wife of my dear grandfather Mario diGesu. I was born April 16 , 1995. Though I was born in Moriarty, New Mexico, we soon moved to the Philippines where I was raised. We lived like any other Filipino family. I have two older brothers, Dave Jonathan diGesu Lamar (DJ) and Micah Ishmael Lamar. My parents are Celestino Madla Lamar (Filipino) and Lorraine Rose diGesu Lamar (American). My parents met and married as missionaries and we take pride in continuing the family tradition of serving. My mom’s vision as a young girl was inspired by Mother Teresa. My dad, raised in a traditional Filipino family, was committed to serving God and his country. The Lord’s grace and mercy has enabled them to become a shining example of His love. Their every move is directed by Him through prayer. We have always lived by humble means because God has always provided our every need. By trusting Him my parents have been able to share His love with His children in need. Mom began her ministry in prisons towing along her 3 young kids as she went. Watching my mother share God’s Word with prisoners was a tremendous inspiration and we admired her so much we were happy to be with her wherever she went. My father was a constant support when he wasn’t busy dealing with the physical needs of our family. It seems like he was always building, repairing, cleaning, or planting something around our home. In the course of their ministry my parents met many influential people and fellow missionaries. Conversations about initiating a venture into orphans’ ministries soon became a reality when an angel of God provided the necessary financial support. Within a year, buildings began popping up on the property we acquired. The greatest blessing of all was when the children began arriving. My parents soon became Mommy and Daddy to a group of dazed, confused, frightened children. These kids were the products of abusive and neglected environments. Many had been abandoned. The intense pain and suffering some of these kids experienced made it easy to understand their sorrow and anger and feeling of hopelessness. My brothers Dj and Micah and myself were now blessed with an extended family that would change our lives forever. Our new lifestyle became a daily routine of feeding, clothing, sheltering, educating, and sharing God’s love and mercy with our new siblings. We became their second family. In time these precious young souls became healthy, beautiful children and we couldn’t be more thankful that God allowed us to be a part of it. My brothers and I grew up alongside these kids as if it were what God intended from the start. Three years and 30 children later the family ministry was disrupted by outside influences. But our all-knowing God had other plans for our family. Leaving the children and the ministry was the most challenging and difficult experience we’ve ever had. Our hearts were shattered. As a six-year-old I could not understand why my father was left behind while my mother, brothers and I went back to the United States. My mother became an empty shell of the happy, loving person I’d always known. Suddenly, my family was lost and I didn’t know why. We were now homeless and confused in a new land as my father waited to get a visa so he could join us. Our only option at the time was to stay with Mommy’s family in New Mexico as we pondered our future, praying and seeking God’s guidance. The original plan to start over in the States fell apart one day when Daddy called and jokingly said “I got it! I got it!” For a brief moment we thought he’d be coming home and then he said “I got denied”. I think it was his way of trying to comfort us in a disappointing situation. But we forgot the one thing you must never forget. God is always in control and His new plan was about to unfold. My incredibly dedicated and courageous parents were considering the possibility of taking a tremendous leap of faith and starting a new ministry. In 2002, Daddy purchased a much larger property than we had before with the proceeds from the sale of the orphanage. Our family now had property with no structures but we had been blessed with a new start in the place we were most comfortable and loved with all our hearts. We were coming home! When Daddy brought us to see the property we got lost. Mommy asked, “Celing you bought property and you don’t know where it is?” We were out in the middle of a jungle filled with trees and bushes and somewhere we had some land! We didn’t know whether to laugh or cry but without question we were extremely excited. When we finally located the lot my brothers and I ran through the grass and were having fun. We loved it! Little did DJ, Micah and I know that we were roaming and exploring on the site of our future home and ministry, Faith, Hope &Love Kids’ Ranch. Our parents had made the decision to begin again. This time my parents would have the control they needed to conduct the ministry the way they saw fit, the way they believed God appointed it. None of this would have been possible without the loving, generous support of my grandparents, Poppy and Nanny. The work began with machetes, a weed-eater and five pairs of willing, eager hands. We mowed and cut and cleared the forest for a full year while Daddy began constructing our new home with the help of my uncles and brothers. At the same time Mommy and Daddy were actively pursuing authorization for operating a new orphanage. The first three kids who arrived were brothers. Our new journey had begun. I was still the only girl. In time we grew to 40 precious boys and girls who share God’s love and compassion every single day with the comfort only He provides. We are now in our 8th year as He continues to sustain us all. I consider myself the luckiest, most blessed girl on the face of this earth. I would not change a single thing about my family or my life. God has blessed me beyond what I can comprehend or deserve but I know it’s because He loves me. I hope to one day follow in my mother’s footsteps if it is God’s will. Mommy, Daddy, my handsome, talented, irreplaceable brothers and the kids here now mean the world to me. I thank the LORD for them and our ministry every day. Our Father in Heaven holds us all in His arms and I pray He always will. Cat
 TAKING NANCY AND JARED ON A MINI CRUISE.
Testimony of Jared Dart I'm Jared Dart and I’m 12 years old. This summer I went to the Philippines with my mom and it was wonderful. I made a bunch of Christian friends and it was nice. The kids were so kind and well behaved in every way. After the trip I thought about all the things the kids did for me and for each other. It made me think of how I treat my brother and made me want to treat him better. The children were such good examples it encouraged me to have a better relationship with God and to be a good example myself. I got to experience new life styles and try new things. Over all it was a very good experience. It was so different then here in America and it was so pleasant. At first when I came I was a little scared but after a while I got comfortable. The kids adopted me really well and that helped a lot. I loved playing ping-pong and chess with all the kids. School was very organized and all the kids loved school and thought of it as a privilege. It made me think of what privileges that I take for granted. The city was different and I had a great time in the tricycle taxi and jeep-ney and it almost made me feel like I lived there. The beach was so warm and there were so many beautiful shells. It was not packed with tourists like the beaches here. The land was so green and full of trees. There were so many bizarre fruit trees and new fruits unlike New Mexico. I loved the trip and I hope to come back at least once every year to see you and the kids. I miss you! Jared
Testimony of Nancy Dart For one week this summer my 12 year old son, Jared, and I got to be a part of Faith Hope and Love Kid’s Ranch. It was an experience that changed me in ways that I never knew needed change. Coming from America where every moment is action filled, we were forced to slow down and see the beauty in the simple life and enjoy the sounds of nature and kids instead of radio, TV, video games. Every moment was peaceful even in the midst of 46 kids. The staff at the Ranch tried so hard to treat us like guests while we tried to just blend in and be a part. The kids all had a great work ethic and truly worked as teams by helping each other in every endeavor. Whether raking leaves, burning trash, washing dishes, washing clothes, sweeping floors, or hauling water, the jobs were always performed with smiles and satisfaction. School work is self paced and the kids work quietly and proficiently at each subject. English as well as the native Tagalog is taught and the children all have incredible reading and writing skills. You could see the love the staff had for the kids and the kids had for the staff by their interaction. The children and staff were very respectful of one another. When I asked the older girls what they liked best about the Ranch they told me that it was the love. This is a place where these kids learn about God’s love and forgiveness and are taught to give it as well as receive it. It is so much more than a place of healing. It is a place of excelling. I noticed what looked like posts for tennis within the screened in basketball area. Inquiring if there was a net, Lorraine lit up. She asked if we know how to play and if we would teach the kids. Over the course of the next few days Jared and I worked with the kids in small groups teaching them the strokes and rules. I could not believe how quickly ALL the kids picked up on the game. It was as though each had played before. When I shared this with Lorraine, she told me the clue, “They know how to listen and obey.” It was true. Every word I spoke they soaked in and every move I made they followed. If we would just do this in our lives, oh, how much we would learn. It was a simple lesson that hit me hard and made me realize how often I half listen, or half follow. Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.” We must listen 100% in order to know His commandments, and we must follow 100% in order to obey them. But how many times do we not listen thoroughly because we think we know what is being said and tune out the end. A simple lesson on listening taught to me by the lives of obedient kids who live on the opposite side of the world, oh how rich! Through the lives of these kids, Jesus showed me that I need to listen and follow a whole lot better. I cannot wait to return but next time it will have to be for more than a week. Thank you FHL for sharing a week of your lives with us. It will be forever emblazed upon our hearts. Nancy Dart
Security in FHL Kids’ Ranch
The FHL Kids’ Ranch is the closest thing to Heaven on earth.
If you want a preview of what it will be like in heaven, visit this place. Just spend an hour with the kids. Ask them questions and let them tell you their stories. That single hour is enough to make you realize that there is both hell and heaven on earth. What’s important, however, is that you have a choice. You can make life on earth heaven or hell – no matter what your situation is! Yes, it is your choice! For most of these kids, they probably felt hell before they got here. And then heaven.
The experience here touched me in a different way. Wait, no. It didn’t. It grabbed me, held me upside down with my 2 feet up in the air and shook me for 2 minutes!
No amount of words will ever be enough to describe the feeling I was having while Catherine was singing that song about someday – about tomorrow, about some place. Jam’s sharing of her life was practically a journey towards heaven. The story behind FHL was a miracle all its own.
So I thank God for this coincidence that I happened to be part of that teambuilding. Now, I had tonsillitis until that time; was feeling feverish just 2 nights before. But throughout the day, I did not feel anything close to having a sore throat. For those who have shared their pains of going through tonsillitis (now, get this, it’s not your ordinary rinse-me-with-warm-water-and-salt sore throat kind of thing). It is that swelling of your tonsils that sentences you in bed for 3 to 5 days – with your head, throat and all joints of your body in pain.
You may have noticed that I used the words ‘coincidence’ and ‘happened.’ Which reminded me of the words I read years back that said, “a coincidence is a small miracle where God chose to remain anonymous.” Well, of course we know, nothing is a coincidence. Nothing “just happens.” It may sound to cliché’ but Matthew 10:30 said, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Everything has a purpose. Everything is part of God’s perfect plan.
Some of you are probably wondering where this is going. Or, what has the title have to do with what I am talking about?
The heading you see up there is both literally and figuratively true. Our company’s security group held its teambuilding there at FHL. And with the smiles on the kids’ faces while they sweep the floors, you know- they are secured. They feel secured that they have a family at the Ranch. They feel secured that their friend, brother, father, healer, protector will also be the one who, with a legion of angels singing, will someday welcome them in heaven.
Here, I felt Psalm 23 come alive. If you don’t get what I mean by this, grab a Bible and come to FHL; and while there keep reading Psalm 23.
Heaven is on Earth By Rizza C. Cantre
One Saturday morning last July 25, the Training Team of CYU Cypress Manufacturing Ltd (CML) travelled south to Sariaya, Quezon at the Faith, Hope and Love (FHL) Kids Ranch, an orphanage. This is to conduct “another” teambuilding session to the Security Department headed by its Director, Pol Camacho. Why I said another, its because facilitating teambuilding sessions has always been a regular requests from employees in CML. The objective is to either bond and improve camaraderie or just simply have fun. I thought it was the same, but NO, by far, this is the best Teambuilding session I ever did in almost 12 years of facilitating. Read through how I account for all of these events.
Among all the requests for the past 3 years in CML, it is one of the few weekends held overnight. When I got the request my problem was who will conduct? I usually leave it up to Randy, one of our good facilitators but I know he has his family duties to attend to. I decided to be prepared and asked permission from my husband that this weekend is going to be work for me. My supportive husband understood the nature of my work as a Trainer. Good thing Randy is available on a Saturday. We can make the adjustments on the other activities while he is running the first part of our session.
Opening Activity
All 16 participants were welcomed by our team, Pol and the administrator of the program, Lorraine Lamar, an Italian who grew up in the US joined by one of the orphans named Jam. It set the tone of stories like how Lorraine modelled Mother Theresa and that staying in the Philippines is home to her. She and her immediate family of 3 children and 40 more orphaned kids needed her motherly love decided to stay here 20 years ago. Jam, shared us her story of how she became an orphan. It was so sad but she made me realize, as a sit at the back listening to her story, that people in the corporate life kept asking for more while others are just thankful for love, shelter and the simplicity of life. We at Cypress are all very lucky, especially when you know that there are more people who are in need and yet they do not complain.
Teambuilding Games and Activities in the Ranch
Hanky Panky, a teambuilding game that strengthens communication Cross the Bridge, a game that would force everyone to work together Electric Fence, strengthening Trust among each other War Games, 3 rounds of defensive and offensive strategies
Everyone had fun. The ranch is 5-hectares; during the war games participants showed their personalities, positive and negative traits just to achieve the objective of protecting their base. These traits did not in any way stop each team from meeting their goals. How I wished we are all like this as we face the realities of life in the corporate life. No matter how difficult the personalities were in our day to day battles it should not at all pull us down and affect us.
Like the kids in the ranch, they live a very simple and yet a very structured way of life. Bad habits were not tolerated, Respect and Love for each other were reinforced and no one is excused. Most of all, everyone’s existence in the ranch is focused on one true love and that is giving honor to God Almighty by doing good all the time. As a visitor, I did not expect this. Usually as a trainer, you facilitate learning so that each session would mean improving oneself. However, this time the Ranch made me learn more. I realized that life outside of the ranch is so fast that it does make you want for more and become less appreciative. You can feel the simple joy of God’s gifts in so many different ways in the ranch. Some of them were:
The things that you see around seemed to be just like heaven and God’s love is inside you.
Closing and the Learning you can never never forget
We ended day 1 by sharing how our challenges in life helped shape our whole being, we heard another story by Jeena- I hope I remembered your name right; it was filled with lots of points to ponder. When we opened day 2, Sunday, we all agreed as proposed by Pol, to start the day by understanding and sharing the words of the Lord. The opening were just entirely about singing praises, this was led by Lorraine’s kids, Catherine, DJ and Micah. I was deeply touched by a song composed by DJ, “Desperate for Love” which was all about a boy orphaned and brought to them.
I especially learned a lot from how Pol talked about the story of Joseph the Dreamer. Success is a journey and in life there are delays, injustice, hardships and so on. All these translate to how we should look at life. Each of the participants shared the challenges and what they can do to strengthen and help improve Security in CML. These pledges are just to show the learning gained by everyone during the short stay at FHL.
I remember talking to Celing, Lorraine’s husband. He once worked for a company in the US and decided that he’ll be happier doing what they have built in the ranch. A good decision indeed!
The ranch is a good venue for those who have been very busy working. Its taking time out and appreciate the beauty of nature and all of God’s creation and gifts to us. It is indeed my best teambuilding not because it made me cry a lot of times but because it makes you feel closer to God and that all the things that happened to you is for a reason. There are delays in life that you need not make a great deal out of. All you have to do is acknowledge God’s grace and everything will follow. With this story, I would like to thank the Lamar family for so many reasons:
To Pol, thank you for introducing to us FHL Kids Ranch. By just staying there for overnight was all worth it. My dream right now is for every employee in Cypress Manufacturing Ltd. to experience what we all went through.
Up until now, we share the experience to others and we all look forward to going back. Staying there is feeling the presence of God through the Lamar Family and the Kids. Its like I’ve been in heaven, we were so happy, we did not bother about problems more so we look at it differently this time, we are so closer to God and we appreciate everyone’s contribution.
My stories about my experience are endless. I just couldn’t find words to say THANK YOU for that truly unforgettable and wonderful experience. For companies finding ways to make the possible impossible through a change of mindset of its people, FHL Ranch is the best place to go. I just hope that you accommodate more of these companies to help improve employees’ lives. At least for a short period of time in FHL, we’ve experienced heaven on earth.
|
|
|
|
|
Celestino & Lorraine Lamar Vonage Toll Free: 505-999-1957 fhlkidsranch@yahoo.com |
Testimonies |
