My relationship with Kapatid Ministry Inc (KMI) began in 2009, when I and three other youths (who were still or just completed college/university) from First/Pantai Baptist Church (PBC) journeyed to Manila on a short-term mission (STM). I fondly remembered the warm greeting the Laxa's afforded us, like we were a long-lost family even when it was our very first meeting in person. I remembered how they shared their home with us for 5 days and brought us to the various locations where their partnered ministries were held, and Titus Sr. explaining all the ongoing initiatives with much passion and zeal whilst allowing us to experience it first-hand. I could tell then, as it is now, that KMI puts great effort into the planning and execution of their initiatives. The STM was one of the most memorable and fateful trips for me in my walk with God: Not only was it the start of the many visits I've since made to the Philippines for His Kingdom's Cause, but it was also when I realize I could do my part in making a difference in people's lives through what little talent that I had for missions.

The STM was one of the most memorable and fateful trips for me in my walk with God: Not only was it the start of the many visits I've since made to the Philippines for His Kingdom's Cause, but it was also when I realize I could do my part in making a difference in people's lives through what little talent that I had for missions.

I returned from that trip with new understanding, and I began to be more involved in assisting the child sponsorship program partnership with PBC. It started simply by helping to manage the sponsor roster for the program, then to actively seek further engagement of the church members via STM trips. The STM trips provided a means for our church members to connect with KMI and God's work at a more intimate level. Since 2009, I've made 5 more trips in partnership with KMI to bring teams to become witnesses of Jesus Christ among children, students, parents, seniors, and prisoners. We held clinics, bible studies and camps thanks to the willing hearts of doctors, professionals and students who said "Here I am, Lord" when the need arose. While I may have set out to want to make a difference in Christ Jesus' name, I am blessed to have been ministered by my experiences and relationship with KMI. My faith in God's providence and timing grew when I saw how He had always provided for the needs of every challenge we faced during the STM trips: from JR's prodigal camera to the change in plans caused by the typhoon in 2014. I've been blessed to have also witnessed the way the STM members returned transformed by their visits. I thank God that many of them are still supporting KMI in various ways like the child sponsorship program.

I've been blessed to have also witnessed the way the STM members returned transformed by their visits. I thank God that many of them are still supporting KMI in various ways like the child sponsorship program.

Truly, the child sponsorship program provides a platform to give the most precious of us a means to reach their fullest potential. It brings me great joy to see the children under the program grow and become educated individuals, ready to find their purpose that God had set for them. It is even more wonderful when the same children who benefited through the program and have graduated, now serves in the program!

It is my sincere hope that the Good Lord continues to shower His blessings upon KMI, the Laxa's and all the people they have touched, for His Glory has truly been magnified through KMI's work. KMIs professionalism, dedication, and passion to change lives, one family at a time, continues to remind me that the growth of God's Kingdom is holistic with the many parts of the body of Christ working towards the same goal.