Well, now seems like a decent time to let everyone in on how our time in the Philippines is going. We arrived in Manila on the 3rd where we met our contact Vince Burke and family. The next day we headed to the other side of Manila to work with Vince’s Church, Christ Commission Fellowship. During our first week in Manila, we stayed with host families so we could be near the church. From Monday thru Saturday, we did Daily Vacation Bible School with the church for about 300 kids. In the afternoons, we did several different things such as: prison ministry, squattor ministry, and sports ministry. It was an amazing week. Time and time again the Lord poured out more blessings and gifts then we could think of. Our time spent with Peter and Evon was fantastic. They showered us with hospitality and love. It was truly a blessing to spend time with their family. On our last day in Alabang (part of Manila), we all dressed up like the children of Narnia and gave graduation speeches. It was really silly, but it was fun.
Our next several days where spent on the island of Mindoro in a small town called Puerto Galero. We stayed with Pastor Al, his wife, and two daughters. They have been pastoring there for two years. They were sent there to minister to the communities who were involved with a earlier started ministry called Threads of Hope which allows women to provide for their families by making brachlets which are sold in America. We were able to do a few things such as: help with the construction of their new church building, help finish a volleyball court for the community and play in the inagural game. We made friends with many of the children in the community, and a few of the adults. The night before we left we were forced to receive professional massages from a few of the older community leaders.
Once leaving Mindoro, we were on our way to Taal Volcano. After some craziness, we reached Talisay were we stayed the night. In the morning, we packed everything we would need for our night at the volcano. We took the boat over to the island and then hiked to the highest point where you can look down into the crater. Taal is an active volcano, but the main crater is field with water. After enjoying the spectacular view, we picked our spot deep down were we wanted to camp and began hiking. After a while there wasn’t really a trail anymore, but we were determined. To make a long story short, we finally made to the edge of the water inside the crater were we set up camp for the night. Early the next morning, we packed up camp and hiked out. After hanging in a local fishing community for about an hour, our boat arrived to take us back to our room. And off we went back to Manila.
We have spent our last week at the Burke’s home. The Burke’s have been missionaries to Manila for quite sometime. They have 4 grown children who have grown up in the Philippines. They are an amazing family. Truly a blessing. Honestly, the hospitality and love we have been shown has been beyond our dreams. Because the Burke’s have been hear so long they know people in all types of ministry so we have had the priviledge to do several different things this week. Some of us have substituted at the missionary school that their youngest daughter Julia attends, some have helped at nearby school and orpahange for underpriviledged youth, some have helped with homeless ministry, and the list continues. This week has been full of opportunities to serve and experience all sorts of different ministries to find what we love and were God may want us.
In close, I love the Philippines. Our experience here could not have been any better…really. I am confident that I will return here for some amount of time even if only to visit our new friends and family.
P.S. Apparently, I am a little behind schedule with my fundraising. I still need about $2,000 to have the world race completely paid off. I was told to share that with my supporters and readers. If you would like to give a donation of any amount, you can do that by clicking the link on the left of the page. All donations are tax-deductable. I sincerely thank you.
