Our Story

"Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38

In March 2004, John and Kim Piet felt called of God to leave their home in the United States in order to pursue missionary work in the Philippines. Fully supported by their sending church, Lighthouse Baptist Church of Festus, Missouri, and many other sponsors, they moved their family of six to Capas, Tarlac in September of 2004 to begin that work. In May 2005, they relocated to Baguio City to further their work by teaming with other missionary families.

In July 2005, Kim had the opportunity to join with a local women’s group as they visited the government-run orphanage in LaTrinidad, Benguet. At that time, her heart was burdened further for the plight of the many orphaned, abandoned, abused and neglected children of the Philippines. She began to volunteer weekly at the center by teaching, helping, donating items, and whatever she could to benefit the children. As time went on, the whole family became involved, and began to see the greater need. Due to the limited resources of the government agency, only the children’s basic needs can be met. It became a strong desire to be able to open and maintain a facility where the family could be more directly involved in lovingly shaping these many young lives. Many months of prayer and counseling were sought, and upon returning to the Philippines in September 2006, after a visit to the States, the Piets began pursuing the necessary legal documents for setting up a foundation with the purpose of opening a residential care center for some of these needy children.

As things progressed, the “doors” of opportunity seemed to open almost effortlessly, thus confirming their desire and God’s ability to see this work come to be. On November 27, 2006, the foundation received it’s incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (reg. No. CN200630488) and it’s registration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (TIN 006-222-041-000). By February of 2007, a starter facility had been secured, and the necessary staff was hired. The home was granted its registration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on March 30,2007 (reg.# 071-CAR-2007), the first client was placed in April, and the grand opening was held in May of 2007, with over 100 people in attendance. The Department of Social Welfare and Development granted our license in May of 2008, and we received our accreditation in May of 2010.

In 2008, while the Piets were on furlough in the States, Brian and Gloria Burns arrived in the Philippines, and began to volunteer at S.H.I.P. They have since grown into a very important role in the organization, and are partnering with us to support and lead this ministry. The Burns family arrived in the Philippines as a family of four, with two sons. One of their sons is a special needs child they adopted from Vietnam in 2006. While visiting Vietnam, the Lord planted the seed in their hearts that would eventually blossom to their entrance on the mission field. They now are a family of seven. In March of 2009, they became licensed as foster parents by the DSWD and took in the three oldest boys from S.H.I.P. One was later adopted by a family from Tennessee and joined his "forever" family at the end of November, 2009. Another one was reunited with his birth-mom in January of 2010. The Burns are now waiting to meet the qualifications to adopt the oldest of the 3 boys (far right). For more information about the Burns family, visit their website.