A Thousand Bears and More!!

"And let us run with perseverance, the race that is set before us..." Hebrews 12: 2

Two weeks ago, on December 3, 2006 I embarked on this project for the sole reason that I wanted to help the children of Bicol. The inspiration for the project came from a moving photograph that I hoped and prayed would ignite and inspire the hearts of many others as well. A week after, when we were at 300 bears, in my December 9 blog entry, I had written -- A Thousand Bears for Bicol (TBB) is an exercise in watching the way God's hand works and seeing how wonderful and awesome He is in His kindness and faithfulness towards all of us. God cares for all the little children and is especially loving of widows and orphans. I know that through you, He cares for His children in Bicol. I pray that you allow yourself to be His vessel of love and kindness. And you have, wonderfully, many times over.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped make the Thousand Bears for Bicol (TBB)project a dream come true. Last Saturday night, December 16, we received our 1000th bear! ! But God far exceeds our wildest dreams and expectations. Much to my joy, when I got home, there were around 100 bears still waiting to be counted :) Today, Sunday, another 50 plus bears arrived on my doorstep. God is truly awesome and TBB has definitely been a clear manifestation of how His mighty hand works. We have clearly exceeded our target and will be able to reach even more children in Bicol.

In the course of the last two weeks there were moments when I would ask myself if other than for the purpose of bringing cheer to these children at Christmas, would the bears be of help to the children really? I had received a few painful comments in the beginning saying that maybe I should just exert my energies on bringing more "practical" stuff to the province and someone even said that probably these children had not even seen a teddy bear in their whole life so what use would it be? God provided me with a clear cut answer to my question yesterday...

In a text message from Col. Mike Asperin, who had just returned from Albay I found my affirmation. Last Wednesday, Col. Asperin brought with him the 500 bear pillows that were donated by KFC earlier this week. " I'm now in Manila. Got you tons of pictures for the teddy bear giveaways. I gave one to a child who embraced it and uttered words I could not understand. The lola who was accompanying the child was so overjoyed because it was the first time her apo spoke since they lost their family. It was a heart-rending scene and I cried so hard... the bears are helping the kids cope. None of them would let go of the teddy bears!" The tears just flowed after I read his message. It was then that I realized then how a little gesture could make such a huge impact on the life of a child. I thank the Lord for the inspiration of TBB. Truly, when HE plants a dream in your heart, He will see it through, all the way.

I thank the Lord for each and every donor who gave bears and other furry friends. Your generous act will impact the lives of at least a thousand children this Christmas. You have truly lived the meaning of the season by your selfless act. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!

Now we are busy packing the bears individually and have been slowly sending them to our church where they will be picked up and shipped off on a PAF plane early Thursday morning. I shall continue to keep you all posted. As of this writing we are anticipating a shipment of 25 Balikbayan boxes filled with bears, stuffed toys, some school supplies and clothes. The project also has a second leg come February. Filipino communities in the United States have pleadged to send teddy bears and the Build-A-Bear Workshop company is sending over 250 teddy bears as well. We also have received a pledge of 500 bears from Bears Without Bordersand our teddy bear angel in the United States, Natalie Hartman Whitnack of Teddy Bear Power has been such a big help in spreading the word to teddy bear lovers all over the United States. A huge bearhug to you Natalie for all your help!

The healing journey for these children will be a long and arduous one but all healing always begins with a single step. Your act of giving will show this children that they have not been forgotten. Col. Asperin says that a team of psychologists and psychiatrists have committed to spend time with training field workers to help process the children's trauma. Please check with this site from time to time for updates on the TBB project. I will post pictures here once I return from Legazpi at the end of the week.

Again, thank you all for your support. May your Christmas this year be extra meaningful knowing in your hearts that you have done your best to live the real essence of the season. My heart is full of gratitude for the kindness and generosity you have all shown. May you all be blessed a hundredfold!