David Didn’t Want to Hear About God
Florita is one of the women who attended our workshop from the beginning. She accepted Christ and was baptized, and she shared this faith with her daughter Tania, who was also baptized in our church and serves in children’s ministry.
But for years, her son, David, whom his mother had shared about God with, often didn’t want to hear about Him. He declared himself an atheist. But his mother never stopped praying and knew that God would work. Many times she came to me and told me that her son didn’t want to listen. Many times I told her not to speak, but to show God’s love, and Florita did just that.
And we thank God that on Sunday, December 7, 2025, he was baptized in our church. It is the result of his mother’s prayer.
Jyelle and Nora Dive Deep
Jyelle and Nora (privacy names) have both been part of the Fish Hoek Dream Center since grade 1. Now as high school students, they participate regularly throughout the week, especially on Fridays for youth gatherings.
Nora accepted the Lord several years ago during a holiday club but did not pursue baptism at the time. Jyelle became a Christ follower earlier this year during devotions with the Lutheran High School team. Both students attended a six-week class and were baptized at Muizenburg Beach on July 27, 2025. It was a beautiful day of celebration with each girl bringing family members to church and to the celebration. Jyelle’s grandfather who was visiting from Zimbabwe could not stop smiling.
Thank you ER supporters for investing in the futures of kids like Jyelle and Nora. Together, we are helping kids grow in their education, health and faith.
Rocco Has the ‘Jesus Glow’
The Lord has been working in Rocco’s (privacy name) life for quite some time. God was preparing to win his heart once and for all.
We have seen an incredible change in Rocco. He has gone from being moody and unmotivated to joyful and engaged in everything the Dream Center has to offer. We call it the “Jesus glow” — God’s light was shining through him even before he fully accepted the gift of salvation.
One of Rocco’s barriers to faith was he didn’t want his friends to know. He would say he believed in God; he just didn’t want anyone else to know.
That changed when a Bridge Church team member, youth pastor Tavaris (Tee), began teaching apologetics to Rocco and the other students. Throughout the week, it was clear the Holy Spirit was using Tee to deepen Rocco’s understanding of what salvation really is and what it means to live for Christ.
Through Tee’s invitation, Rocco stood up in front of his friends and accepted what God had been offering him all along — salvation and belonging. Thank you Tee and Bridge Church!
God Gave Kilroy a New Calling
Last year we shared Kilroy’s faith journ(read it here). After enduring much hardship, Kilroy and his daughter Kaycee put their trust in God.
“Today, I am no longer defined by my past, but by the mercy of God. My daughter and I are living proof that Jesus restores what was broken,” Kilroy shared prior to his baptism.
“God gave me a new calling. I now help lead Bible studies in the very field where I work.
“What started quietly is now much bigger. We launched our first Bible study with barangay police officials in San Isidro and today about 20 people, including some iBIKE kids’ parents, attend regularly.
“These gatherings have sparked meaningful conversations about faith, leadership, and integrity. Barangay leaders, once focused solely on civic responsibilities, are now learning to lead with biblical wisdom and servant-hearted humility. Hearts are being opened. Minds are being renewed. Decisions are being guided by God’s truth.
“What began as small seeds of faith is now bearing visible fruit in the lives of leaders, families, and an entire community. This is just the beginning!”
Deathbed Faith Wins Mark to Christ
Mark Raven works with children who attend iBIKE (I Believe in Kids Education) in Metro Manila.
There was a time when faith was not my priority. While my mother was alive, she would constantly urge me to pursue my faith. I chose my friends over faith, unaware of the seeds she was planting in my heart.
Everything changed when my mom became sick. I started accompanying her to church and Bible studies, even though I didn’t understand what God was doing. My grandmother and aunts would gently remind me, “Pray for your mom, because life is short.” That was the turning point—when I began to draw closer to God.
Even from her hospital bed, my mother continued to encourage me: “Keep praying. Go to church.” Her faith never wavered. And then, after a few days, the Lord called her home. I moved in with my grandmother, during which my faith deepened. I came to know Jesus in a personal and powerful way. Her love for the Lord became my inspiration.
When my grandmother passed away, she left behind a legacy to walk with Jesus, live a life of gratitude, give back a portion of what I receive, and one day build a ministry where kids can learn and grow in faith.
Jesus changed my life through His word and the people who surround me. I am deeply thankful to the Lord and those who nurture my faith.
I now serve joyfully in the iBIKE children’s program, in church as a sound technician, in youth fellowships, and in a discipleship program.
I recently celebrated being baptized as a public declaration of my faith in Jesus Christ. This is not just a new chapter—it’s represents an entirely new life.
Seven Trainees Take the Plunge
(L to R) Teresa, Beverly, Susan, Melanie, Esmeraldo, Arlene and Jesamy.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matt. 28:19
There was splashtastic joy in Metro Manila as seven Golden Hands vocational trainees were baptized. All were introduced to the gospel through devotions, discipled through Bible studies, and regularly attend church.
They also attended our water baptism seminar and chose to follow the Lord’s command to be baptized. Their public declarations of faith will inspire others as they will continue to grow in their walk with the Lord.
We are proud of all of our vocational trainees for their desire to build their skills, faith and compassion to help their families and communities.
‘Magical Thursdays’ Transformed Karla
A visit by ER Founder Jerry Carnill and CEO Brad McKenna to the Quito Recycling Community uncovered this amazing story of transformation.
Karla’s life started as a dirty, dangerous, depressing existence. She grew up in the Quito Dump in Ecuador. Every day, she played in the city’s garbage as her parents searched through steaming mounds of trash for recyclables to sell.
Karla’s future was bleak. Her mother told her, “There are rich people, there are middle people, and there are poor people. Then there is us. We are the lowest.”
Her mom had seen ER reach out to people in the Dump. She told Karla to watch how they treat their kids and each other. “One day you will be a mom, and I want you to treat people with respect – even if they are low.”
Karla joined ER’s kids’ club on Thursdays. “Thursdays were magical,” she said. On the days before the program me and my friends would guess what special things we would get to do. Afterwards, we talked about our amazing experiences.
“ER brought joy into a hard situation. You were the first people to put a crayon in my hand and teach me to draw pictures and use my imagination. You opened our eyes to possibilities and encouraged us. You told stories from the Bible about a God who loves us, and you treated us like we were special.”
ER recently held a Family Day to celebrate the recycling community. Karla recognized Jerry from and was excited to share how her life had changed. She became a Christ-follower, developed healthy habits, and stayed in school. She recently celebrated a huge triumph.
“I want you to know I graduated from university with my teaching degree. Imagine that. Me, a kid from the Dump, a schoolteacher! I get to influence kids like you influenced me.”
Karla participates in ER’s women’s Bible study. Her daughter, Amber (privacy name), is a second grader. “Amber loves the Quito Dream Center. It’s a safe place where she is building relationships and learning about Jesus.”
Karla’s and Jerry’s reunion became emotional.
“With tears in both of our eyes, she thanked and hugged me,” Jerry said. “I told her we supplied encouragement and opportunities, but she put her faith in Jesus. She put in the hard work that, with His blessing, shaped her to become a person of influence.”
Erica’s Compassion Ignites Felix’s Faith
Felix’s (privacy name) has been attending the Quito Dream Center since 2019 family has been going through difficult times. Three months ago, his paternal grandmother passed away, and this loss emotionally affected his father, who has become more intolerant, angry, and unwilling to spend time with his children.
Felix, 13, has been experiencing the changes of adolescence and felt the impact on the family dynamic. His father is not affectionate, doesn’t invest time into then, gets angry easily, and there are constant conflicts between his parents. This has caused Deivid sadness, and he has shared his feelings with his guardians.
Despite these difficulties, we have seen how God has worked in his life. Felix has grown in his faith, asking for prayer for his father and openly expressing his feelings. His desire is for his father to heal and to be able to play with him again. His way of thinking and his heart reflect nobility, empathy, and a deep trust in God, believing that everything will get better.
Adriana Didn’t Like Church
“I wasn’t fond of attending church. I was irritable and harsh with others. I looked like I had it all together – an honor student – but deep inside, I was lost. I believed I was beyond repair.
“Everything changed when I experienced the preaching of His word and the warmth of the community. I truly felt the love of the Lord. Something shifted. God started transforming my heart. He slowly changed me, softened my heart, aligned my steps, and straightened a path. I got baptized to begin a new life in Christ.
“Today, I serve God as Teacher Addie. I have the joy and privilege of teaching kids at iBIKE, helping in Sunday School, and living out my faith daily.”
Maggie Shifts from Fighter to Student Leader
When Maggie’s (privacy name) joined the Cavite Dream Center, she was a typical kid from the streets of Metro Manila. She fought with the other kids and used foul language.
After a few months, we saw a big change. She stopped swearing and fighting and now is a student leader. She even tells her friends outside the Dream Center to stop cussing and fighting!
Last May, we celebrated Family Day. Maggie’s parents and her whole family joined us for this overnight event. In the morning, we had a baptism service at our partner Corban Church.
Both of her parents chose to be baptized and are now walking with the Lord. We are so excited to see entire families transformed through the collaboration of our Dream Center, Corbin Church, ER donors and volunteers.
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