Apologies for the lack of updates. I enjoy breaking free from electronic chains that used to hold me captive. Nonetheless, here is an update.
I am currently in Malaybalay, City, on one of the many islands that makes up the beautiful countries of the Philippines. We have 5 teams here and lots of different things we are taking part in. We are primarily here through an organization called Kids International Ministries, or KIM. KIM is an orphanage that reaches out and help impovershed Filipino children in every facet that they can. We are living right next door to an orphanage that we are lending our hands at with continual 8 hour shifts. There are a few dozen kids, a handful younger than 3 that require a little more attention.
We are also going to a prison just up the road daily to meet and establish relationships with the inmates. There are over 200 men and around 20 women there. The age range is from 14-upper 60’s. The crimes they are incriminated range from smoking dope to murder. Surprisingly they are all very friendly and receptive, this is really a part of the Filipino culture that is ingrained in them. The first day I went I ended up singing some Beatles songs with a new friend. Let It Be was a crowd favorite. We play games out in the yard with the adolescent kids during their 1 hour exercise break. It is fun to just do life with them. They don’t get many visitors so it is quite a pleasure to hang out with them.
We are working on a lot of service projects here around the orphanage. Our main task lately has been fixing a muddy dirt road that keeps entrapping vehicles.
It turns out Filipinos LOVE basketball. It is funny how different countries will adopt different sports. The majority of the world we have been to will play and follow football (soccer). Last night we went to the city courts to ball it up with the locals. We figure this will be an ‘in’ to establish relationships with them. We hope our sportsmanship will resemble Christ. We ended up losing our first game, 37-40, but it was a ton of fun. My leg isn’t quite 100% since the accident back in November, but it is improving.
Turns out it is my birthday today. It was our day off so we went and hiked on some trails in the jungle. We found a few incredible waterfalls. Contrary to what the eye sees in the pictures, the water was crystal clear in the rivers. We even found a cliff diving point. Kimberly used my back as a diving board… on accident… long story about how she almost died.. ask her.
