Saturdays are our kids work day where we do a ‘Saturday school’ in five different locations. This usually involves songs, games and a message, and occasionally some crafts.
In the morning we travel to the Mangyan tribe,
Then in the afternoon we travel first to a community at white beach,
Then to two communities in Minolo,
And finally to a community at Balatero in Maniknik.
Last Friday we also hosted an event for the kids in Aninuan – 10 different activity stations to go around in teams. I led team Leon, meaning Lion, pronounced lay-on, or chanted each time first quietly and then roared as ‘team Lay-OOOOOOOONNNNN!!!’ versus teams Tiger, Panda, Horse, Spider and Gorilla.
There were a number of challenges to complete including: a laughing challenge (saying ha in increasing amounts down the line without laughing); a sand challenge (move it hand to hand down the team);
A worm challenge (moving worms twice the size of your thumb using only feet); a penguin football challenge (dribble a ball around a course using only the rubber ring around you);
A team obstacle course (tied together); an earth ball challenge (one team member must get it behind the other team whilst their player tries to get it behind yours);
A water limbo challenge (no explanation needed); sumo wrestling (with big rubber rings);
And a ‘Human ambulance’ challenge – carrying one kid on a hammock through the mountain path we machete-d through a few days prior (see previous blog).
As a brief aside, we were pleasantly surprised last night to have one of the other teams on our squad show up, having chosen to visit us for their day off. We hung out together last night then this morning went on a hike up into the mountains to an area with a waterfall, where we spent time swimming, sliding down the fall and jumping off of ledges into the water. Then it rained on us, a lot, heavily. Oh well we were wet already but it made for a fun hike back. This afternoon is back to manual labour again 🙂
One of the things that has struck me whilst being here is that whilst the area may have much less in way of physical luxuries compared with the west, the lifestyle here is still very desirable. I think people in the west aim to work in high powered jobs, buy lots of things and have a big house whilst all the while dreaming of a nice, small, hidden away place in a tropical climate by the beach. However, the people here have a nice, small, hidden away place in a tropical climate by the beach yet the dreams we expect them to have (and I would imagine many do) are to aim to work in a high powered job, buy lots of things and have a big house. It’s funny how we can want what they have whilst thinking they should want what we have and it reminds me to be happy with whatever I have, as ultimately possessions don’t matter – it’s the life you make with what you have that counts.
… I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
