BATA
( bátà: n. Filipino child )
Follow the Compassion Bloggers HERE
And join us in Sponsoring a Bátà !
10 comments
June 3, 2011 - 7:37 am
My favorites of this round – the two boys smiling and hugging and the group of LDP ladies.
June 3, 2011 - 5:21 am
Gorgeous. And that little boy in the red? LOVE HIM.
June 2, 2011 - 5:40 pm
The picture of the little girl looking up sitting on the tricycle rocks. my. world. A-mazing photo.
June 2, 2011 - 4:20 pm
My heart just breaks and yet they are all smiling through all that poverty! Praying for all of you…;-)
June 2, 2011 - 4:20 pm
My heart breaks and yet they are all smiling through all that poverty! Praying for all of you!
June 2, 2011 - 3:11 pm
Your photos are changing people’s lives.
June 2, 2011 - 3:11 pm
Your photos are changing peoples lives.
June 2, 2011 - 10:37 am
You just keep bringin’ it! Wonderful job!
June 2, 2011 - 7:52 am
Oh, and can just point out? — more blue backgrounds. 
June 2, 2011 - 7:52 am
Beautifully captured, friend. Well done.
Be sure to head over to these two blogs today…
See more about sweet Emily, her home, her community and her story.
3 comments
June 2, 2011 - 11:45 am
Pictures tell what words never will.
June 2, 2011 - 6:41 am
You take some mighty fine pictures. This reminds me that I would like you carry around your camera more…:)
June 1, 2011 - 12:00 pm
Heartwrenching and heartwarming all at the same time…so many moods and feelings swarm everywhere when I look at these pictures. Your artist eye is capturing full on emotions. Again, thanks.
As we were doing the normal “tour the Compassion Development Center” this morning I couldnt help but notice all the bright colors covering the walls.
Some filled with writing, some with diagrams. . . but every wall was Art.
We walked into a room that had a handful of beautifully painted canvases displayed on the shelves. . .I was in awe and quickly knew someone at the project had talent and sees talent.
Admiring the art I asked one of the project staff members who the art teacher was. . .I had to meet them!
With a big smile they said “Our director Susan, she is an artist”.
I saw Susan in the next room and I had to know more. . .
Susan was a vice president at a large bank in Manila and 7 years ago she left knowing she was called to join her church and become the Compassion Development Center Director.
Soon after arriving she saw that some of the children were suffering, some abused. She began to focus on using simple art to help “get them out of their shells”.
During our conversation she explained how she sought out artists in the community to help her build a program and stock her materials.
She began experimenting with the kids and their moods using music, texture, space and color. Quickly she found that children have so many ”unfinished stories” that need to be expressed and one way she could help was thru art.
Art has been so effective in her center that they just started a Creative Arts Ministry.
A Creative Arts Ministry!
OH . HOW . I . LOVE . THAT!
AND they just had their first student graduate from the Compassion Program and move into the Leadership Development Program. She is now studying Fine Arts at a University in the Philippines.
“Art isolates a Child from the world for a moment. And they are able to express that moment in a way they couldn’t before. . .And like a landscape God is painting THIS center’s stories together”.
There is even a wall full of paintings and open spaces. . .supplies are available where kids can fill “the expression wall” . It is a space where they can go to “express” themselves. . . their emotions . . . their art.
I loved everything Susan said today.
I was
hanging
on
each
word.
And as she ended the story of art at their center she said, “Everybody has stories – community workers, family, children, even bankers and together it is a melody to God”.
Be a part of a Child’s Story thru Sponsorship. . .
15 comments
June 4, 2011 - 9:39 pm
thank you.
thank you.
thank you.
June 1, 2011 - 8:57 am
Prisons — to Prisms… everywhere, His colors and beauty and story — if we will look and see.
This ministered to me in deep ways, Keely.
*Thank you*
All’s grace,
Ann
June 1, 2011 - 5:31 am
Reread and showed this post to my 12 year old son last night. He was blown away, too. We love being able to see this trip through your “eyes”. Thankful to have met and spoken with you @ Pieces of Our Lives tour in FL. Blessings.
May 31, 2011 - 8:16 pm
Wow, Keely, just wow – what a fantastic living color testament to Compassion and its amazing staff. LOVED this one!!!
May 31, 2011 - 8:08 pm
What a beautiful story and as always, beautiful pictures!
May 31, 2011 - 7:49 pm
My favorite picture is of the two little girls laughing against the blue wall. Thank you for capturing a piece of the world and sharing it here. You truly have a gift.
May 31, 2011 - 7:13 pm
LOVE that! What an incredible and special way for kids (and adults!) to express who they are and see themselves in His bigger story.
May 31, 2011 - 4:55 pm
Windy, I’m sure this is my Cirelle’s center as well. It is a wonderful center! They have so many activities there and go on many fun trips. I’m definitely writing to her about this.
May 31, 2011 - 11:16 am
I see CCFC written on the wall!!! That’s my Lordylien’s center! What wonderful pictures. I love knowing that art is such an important part of that center.
May 31, 2011 - 10:10 am
Wow. Who would think a little girl from a poverty-stricken community going to college to major in FINE ARTS? This is how awesome God is!
Beautiful! Thank you!
May 31, 2011 - 9:28 am
This is so beautiful. What a wonderful work God is doing through her! Thank you for sharing this!
May 31, 2011 - 8:22 am
Great photos Keely!!! looks like a great trip do far!
May 31, 2011 - 8:20 am
Beautiful….
May 31, 2011 - 8:13 am
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful!
May 31, 2011 - 7:46 am
Beautiful…
Today was day ONE here in the Philippines!
We started out with a visit to our Country office!
Our Country offices NEVER cease to amaze me.
The whole process, the staff, the organization. . . amazing!
Before leaving the sweet staff prayed over us and over this week.
See what I mean?
Now let me just say this afternoon was a blast!
My absolute favorite part of going on trips is getting to introduce a sponsor child to their sponsor!
We spent the day hanging out and playing with the kids at the zoo
aka
The Fun Ranch
So meet our bloggers and their sweet sponsor kids!
Be sure to check out their stories from today!
Meet Kat and MariCor
Stephanie and John Mark
Tsh and Denise
Lindsey and Angel
and Emily and Stacey
As Patricia said, ” You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced a zoo in a developing country”
And I must agree.
Whatch’all lookin at Shauners??? ( and owl)
Ohh Why yes, that is an orangutan takin a photo with me
and her name is Jenny
and she was dressed and wearing crocs.
9 comments
June 1, 2011 - 11:28 pm
Keely, I think you may have one of the best jobs in the world! (Can I be your assistant, please, oh please?!)
I have been following the blogs for a while now, and one of my favorite parts of all the blogs is always your photography. I just love the pictures of the sponsors interacting with their kids at the zoo.
Thanks!
May 31, 2011 - 3:56 am
I just dropped by from Emily’s Chatting at the Sky, I love your pictures, and how to capture the atmosphere in your shots. Have a great day. Nics
May 31, 2011 - 3:54 am
Keely, I have just dropped by your blog from Emily’s Chatting at the Sky. I love your photographs. I too am a photographer, and your shots are brilliant, so atmospheric. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.
I love the pics of the cowboy boots in Texas, makes me want to go there right now. Thank you for posting them, they made me smile.
May 30, 2011 - 4:32 pm
Love it all! Thank you for capturing the trip with your camera!
Praying for you this week!
a
May 30, 2011 - 3:58 pm
I love love love this post, girl. And you.
May 30, 2011 - 11:27 am
The pic of the staff praying for you all is priceless. Just a beautiful image. Thank you for being so good at what you do, no matter how tired you are.
May 30, 2011 - 10:26 am
Just so amazing that you are able to witness and capture the bloggers/sponsors with their sponsored children and families. Loved the peak at the bin of letters in the offices…another reminder for me to get off my duff and write to my kids. Oh boy…right after I finish reading the blog posts 
Looking forward to the entire week with Compassion in the Philippines. Fondly, Roberta
May 30, 2011 - 9:44 am
Awesome shots, Keely! Thank you for giving us a visual reminder of what Compassion is doing in Jesus’ name! Can hardly wait for more!
Susan @LilbearMe
May 30, 2011 - 8:52 am
Keely, Just *love* the pictures! You capture the spirit of the people on this trip so beautifully. Thank you for using your gift in this way and for sharing it with us. Praying for you from Florida. -Joelle (@goldenchances)
The Compassion Bloggers are off again!
Tomorrow I get on a plane and fly:
Nashville
Dallas
LAX
Tokyo
MANILA, PHILIPPINES
** yes I realize my map is not “travel accurate”**
So excited about this trip for multiple reasons!
1. I have never been to the Philippines and I am SO looking forward to meeting our staff there AND seeing our kiddos there!!
2. Sharing photos with you!
3. I am SO READY to meet these ladies!!!
Be sure to follow our blogs and twitters!!
See you Sunday from the Philippines!!
no comments
by keelymariescott
11 comments
Ashley Honea - Love all these pictures!!!!!!!! The kids are beautiful. I grew up in the Philippines so it’s my home away from home. And the picture of the sari-sari store! I loved those as a kid.
Lucinda - Found my way over here from simple mom… Absolutely stunning photos. You really depict a story – many tears in my eyes as I slowly scroll through. Big brown eyes reminding me of my own daughter. Wondering what it would feel like to put her to sleep on the floor. Thank you for sharing. x
Jonathan - Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. Brings back the memories of the past. I thank God for the people of Compassion, for having the heart for our people.
Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE - {{golf applause}}
Stunning. Hope-filled. Heart-bursting.
I so wish I was there with you, and through your lens (and the words of the team), I can be.
You’re a treasure.
Catherine - These photos are wonderful!
Sarah Markley - amazing, keely.
so amazing.
Stacey - Your images take us with you and leave part of our hearts there!
Amazing!
Tsh @ Simple Mom - Lovely. That last photo, this week, you. I’m glad to know you now.
Kat - You’re amazing…
Dollywood 2012. I’ll call you.
Jill Foley - these are great. I love the little boy looking through the window and the two girls in the doorway…and the group of teenage girls laughing….I agree with Lindsay that you tell a story with your pictures.
Lindsay - I love the way you tell stories, Keely. Ending with “Lovely”? Ugh. Catch in the throat. Tears in the eyes. Gratitude in the heart. Prayers on the lips.
Thank you for investing the gifts God gave you into these kiddos and this organization.