We are here! Well, actually, we've been here. We arrived in the Manila on September 11th (after having skipped September 10th; which, is what happens when you travel west for two days, with 20 of those 48 plus hours ON planes, and cross over the International Date Line). I could blame the delay of this post on jet lag but I've done surprisingly well. Like freakishly well; God is good.
The real cause for delay is due to a myriad of variables: Internet preference being given to those teams that are not staying in Manila and, frankly, the first few days have been, in a word, full. So full that I am struggling to compress it all into a single post.
Were I to write a thesis statement for this post it would be: A briefing on the Philippines, Kids International Ministries and what service projects the next four weeks include for Majil Franz….maybe I'm not doing so great with jet lag as I really just wrote about writing a thesis statement….zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
About the Philippines:
Made up of 7,107 islands
Total area: 300,000 sq km, about the size of Arizona
Comprised of mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Population estimate as of July 2011:1 101,833,938 (Median age = 22.9)
Population of Manila (Capital): 11.499 million
Time Difference: 13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time
Conventional long form country name: Republic of the Philippines
Government Type: Republic
Independence: 12 June 1898 (from Spain), 4 July 1946 (from US)
GDP by Sector: Agriculture 13.9% (sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish), Industry 31.3% (electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing), Services 54.8%
Bonus Factoid: In wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top
(There maybe a future pop quiz…open book if you are good)
Kids International Ministries (K.I.M.):
I'll do my best to keep to the facts. Fact #1: this place is pretty exceptional. With accommodations far surpassing my expectations (my own bed, sharing a bathroom (w/ a shower) with the four other single ladies on my team, and delicious food) we are not even close to roughing it yet. Moreover, the options for service are just as abundant. We conducted a campus tour, yes, a CAMPUS tour on Tuesday. Speaking to brick and mortar structures alone; K.I.M is made up of:
1) YMC – Three buildings where we are staying that include our homey dormitory living environment, a salon/spa where they train women in the community in cosmotolgy like services, an office that produces a community magazine publication, and a new building that holds a workshop on the garden level (for the fellas to be apprentices in cement work, painting, masonry, etc.), an AMAZING library on the second level, and third & forth levels that are under construction. I love the vision for the building as a analogy for the each Filipino K.I.M comes into contact with….1) Move people from digging ditches to having a trade, 2) Investment in Education (Library), 3) Future KIM offices to further formalize the business behind the far reaching nonprofit, and 4) Office space for Filipinos who go on and establish themselves as professionals. Moreover, I love that on the fourth floor, where, per the analogy, you've attained a high level, there is a prayer room going in. A physical reminder of God's blessing and gateway for our provision; awesome.
2) JAZ House – Up the road, this home houses girls from the community who would otherwise be living in abusive situations. They call them Josie's Angel's. The home provides structure (chores, rules, etc.), sweet Filipino house moms, and support for their educational endeavors. It is a serene environment and my heart strings just about snapped when I read the following verse that was painted on the wall, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety." Oh that these dear ones have ever had to know the fitfulness of fearful sleep!
3) CCC/CCS – A four story community center up the hill, this space houses a dental clinic, classrooms for instruction during the day and a fourth floor enclosed basketball court. Right in the center of the community, it is a safe haven for kids to be kids instead of getting involved an any number of other distractions/activities.
4) NFFCH – With the coolest tree house I've seen in awhile gracing this property, this is the orphanage and home to bundles and bundles of little Filipino pumpkins; so joyful, smiley and cute!
My Next Four Weeks:
Options are often overwhelming. I know you know what I mean because most of you have reviewed a Cheesecake Factory menu. I came with a willingness to be available to do whatever so it is kind of rattling my cage to be asked where and how I'd like to serve. Just goes to show the Lord is bound and determined to spoil me 😉 That said, I've narrowed my focus, for now, with the option to rearrange in the future, to the follow four projects: 1) Bible Study/Discipleship/Tutoring with Josie's Angels, 2) Volunteering at NFFCH in the nursery, 3) Participating in daily community feedings offsite (driving to tent cities and other parts of the slums to conduct/create a soup kitchen experience), and 4) help write an article for the community publication.
I look forward to sharing with you detail from the above experiences as well as anecdotes on life in the Philippines. To begin the process of transporting you here let us engage our senses…
Five Sense Show Down (initial reactions to my first few days in the Philippines):
1) Sight – A country of contrast. The YMC, where we live, is surround on all sides by what we would refer to as slums in the US but the street name is Vally View Country Club Drive, there is a nice golf course just down the way, and it is a gated community. No lie, you have to yield to guards to get in.
2) Sound – Bustling. The roosters crow before dawn and the taxi's, called Jeepney's, attract patrons by pretending they have a latest in car stereo technology (alas, these subs and amplifiers really can't cut the volume level being asked of them).
3) Smell – While on campus, delicious. Something is always cooking. While on the streets, well, let us just say I have a new appreciation for emissions tests.
4) Taste – Delightful but that is because the ladies at YMC not only can cook but they provide dessert at every meal…trouble.
5) Touch – I think it was Mark Twain that said you need daily hugs to survive. Whoever it was, I will survive. The Filipino's I've met are a warm, inviting people. We'll get along just fine.
