Tim Tebow talks about his mission trip to the Philippines: 'There are so many people who need our help'

Tim Tebow poses with schoolgirls from the Philippines. (Instagram/Tim Tebow)

Former NFL star Tim Tebow has a special affinity with Filipinos. After all, he was born and spent most of his early life in the Philippines.

Because of this special connection, Tebow's charitable organisation Tim Tebow Foundation often conducts missionary trips to the Southeast Asian country.

"I love the Filipino people – they're some of the friendliest, warmest, nicest people in the world. And, to be able to come back here and care for them and love them, well it's truly a dream come true," Tebow tells PEOPLE.

During his most recent trip, Tebow visited an orphanage and shared inspiring messages to people in schools and prisons. He also visited the Tebow CURE Hospital, a facility in Davao that his foundation opened in 2014.

Tebow said he was happy to know that the hospital has already treated some 3,300 patients who did not have proper access to healthcare.

The best thing about the hospital is that it has a "Timmy's Playroom," which is a special facility for children who are seriously ill.

In this facility, "kids are being carried in and they're walking out," he said. "They're coming in with their heads down and walking out with their heads held high."

One thing's for sure: Tebow is going to do even more great things for the Filipino people. In fact, he considers his philanthropic works there as even more important than his sports career.

"We're just getting started because there is so much to do, and there are so many people who need our help," he said. "We want to continue giving people hope, giving them love they've never had their entire life and introducing them to a God who loves them and has a plan for their life. I just think that when you're in a place like the Philippines, you realize it and it hits you just how important this is."

related articles
Donald Trump praises Tim Tebow as the \'living breathing example of 2 Corinthians\'
Donald Trump praises Tim Tebow as the 'living breathing example of 2 Corinthians'

Donald Trump praises Tim Tebow as the 'living breathing example of 2 Corinthians'

Tim Tebow surprises fans while shooting video for new book \'Shaken\'
Tim Tebow surprises fans while shooting video for new book 'Shaken'

Tim Tebow surprises fans while shooting video for new book 'Shaken'

Tim Tebow considers coaching career: \'It\'s mentoring and it\'s loving and it\'s being a father figure\'
Tim Tebow considers coaching career: 'It's mentoring and it's loving and it's being a father figure'

Tim Tebow considers coaching career: 'It's mentoring and it's loving and it's being a father figure'

Tim Tebow isn\'t stressed about football career limbo: \'I\'m gonna trust whatever place God puts me\'
Tim Tebow isn't stressed about football career limbo: 'I'm gonna trust whatever place God puts me'

Tim Tebow isn't stressed about football career limbo: 'I'm gonna trust whatever place God puts me'

Tim Tebow to pursue new career in professional baseball
Tim Tebow to pursue new career in professional baseball

Tim Tebow to pursue new career in professional baseball

News
English Heritage accused of whitewashing Christianity from Easter
English Heritage accused of whitewashing Christianity from Easter

One visitor to an English Heritage site took exception to what he called the “whitewashing” of history.

US criticised for failing to bring up religious freedom in Iran talks
US criticised for failing to bring up religious freedom in Iran talks

The USA has failed to bring up religious freedom in its engagement with Iran

US missionary kidnapped at gunpoint is rescued unharmed
US missionary kidnapped at gunpoint is rescued unharmed

Five days after he was kidnapped by armed men from his church in Motherwell, South Africa, Tennessee missionary Josh Sullivan was rescued and “miraculously unharmed” following a “high-intensity shootout” that left three people dead.

Will Christian movies ever make an impact in the UK?
Will Christian movies ever make an impact in the UK?

More recently, I’ve enjoyed Christian movies Unsung Hero and Jesus Revolution on limited release in the UK, but it’s rare for such films to make the multiplex chains.