[1]MASCOT, Tenn. (BP)–Children at Clear Springs Baptist Church in Mascot, Tenn., gave a Vacation Bible School offering of $5,700. Now the funds they raised have been used to purchase medicine and supplies for a children’s clinic in Sitio Lambak, a neighborhood in Manila, the Philippines.
The clinic reaches out to the millions of unemployed Filipinos living in the metropolitan area. They have no permanent housing in an area known for overpopulation, neglected children, gangs, crime, pollution, drug abuse and a constant cycle of poverty.
Former Clear Springs members Joe and Ann Lovell and their 6-year-old daughter, Lauren, serve as Southern Baptist missionaries in Manila. The medical clinic in Manila, scheduled for Aug. 10, is sponsored by the International Mission Board and Christian Light Foundation in Quezon City, Philippines.
Doctors, nurses and other volunteers will provide free medical, dental, optical and minor surgical services. They will also give free medicine, which this year will be provided because 159 children at Clear Springs Baptist Church gave their money.
As a result of the sacrificial giving, the bimonthly medical clinic has been expanded from a half day to a full day and will include a larger medical team, the showing of a gospel film and an evangelistic event for children.
“We are excited that the church members will be ministering to their neighbors through this event and are so thankful for Clear Springs’ interest and generous participation,” said Judy Harvey, the IMB strategy facilitator involved in planning the clinic.
[2]Traditionally, boys and girls in Clear Springs’ Vacation Bible School compete to bring the most weight of coins, regardless of the total value.
The original goal set by the church this year was $1,500, but that was exceeded the first night. The second goal, $2,500, was reached by midweek. The final tally was almost four times the original goal.
The proceeds of the offering each year are donated to help children in need.
Last year, the funds went to Peyton Boling, an infant who contracted a rare virus that caused irreparable damage to his heart. After waiting several months, he was able to have a heart transplant.
This year, Peyton, 3, struggled into the sanctuary, bent under the weight of his VBS offering, a heavy bag of pennies thrown over his tiny shoulders.
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