Church Mission Society - The Call and Prayerlines combined

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FEATURE STORY

LOCKDOWN OPENING HOMES TO JESUS IN MANILA The pandemic and resulting lockdown have forced people all over the world to rethink how we do so many things – from school and work to the weekly food shop, keeping up with friends and more. In the Philippines, the team behind Jigsaw Kids Ministries were forced to reimagine their ministry, with surprising results.

Top: Local women are happy to receive food packages for their families Right: Providing necessities for families in Manila Bottom: Handing out food to a local community

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ission partners Kate and Tim Lee, together with members of a local church, founded Jigsaw Kids Ministries back in 2003 to share God’s love with vulnerable children in Manila. Former local partner Lendehl Sallidao was also involved with Jigsaw for six years before going on to serve with the Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines. Over the years Jigsaw has grown into a child, youth and family development organisation working with over 1,000 children a week

in four deprived areas of Manila. These days, Kate and Tim support Jigsaw from Malaysia, helping it to grow into an independent, sustainable Filipino organisation.

CLOSED DOWN BY LOCKDOWN Early last year, lockdown forced some of Jigsaw Ministries’ core activities to be put on hold. Their kids’ clubs, where hundreds of children could come and play, hear Bible stories and learn to pray together in communities around

THE C A LL – W I NTE R 2 0 2 1

Manila, had to stop for now. Harsh lockdown impacted thousands of the poorest children and their families, resulting in malnutrition and near-starvation for many. In this initial phase of the pandemic, Jigsaw felt called to focus on emergency response. From March to June, God provided funds and opened door after door for Jigsaw to purchase groceries and pack thousands of life-saving food parcels


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