Philippines team's busy week
Wow! It has been a whirlwind the past few days!
The team has been working hard with the Philippines students and staff getting the driveway poured. The team starts the day working at 6 AM due to the heat, and with the exception of breakfast and devotions, they work until noon.
We have our classes after lunch along with library reading time and they have been going with the Circuit Riders later in the afternoons and doing Gospel presentations (singing, testimonies, drama and puppets) to the children. There have been a lot of children attending. We have been also teaching the staff and students dramas and puppets.
After work and lunch on Saturday, the staff and students took us to a resturant where we had chicken and rice along with other Filipino dishes. We went to the mall in town and enjoyed walking around and spending our Pesos. The team had the option of eating out or taking a sandwich(s) from the base. Most everyone experienced their first famouse "Jolly Bee" chicken or hamburger. There is a Jolly Bee on every corner here in the Philippines.
We woke up bright and early on Sunday and traveled to a church in the mountains. The team did their presentation. Simon preached the message. After the service, the church fed us a yummy Philippine meal. We waited at the church as we had an afternoon presentation scheduled, so the team did their memory verse reviews and we had a fun quizzing session. Their presentation was just down the road and it went well. When we came back to the church, the ladies had prepared a "snack" (i.e. meal) for us and many got to try the fried banana sticks dripping with brown sugar. Then it was back home for evening devotions and bedtime.
On Monday morning, we got up EARLY and left at 5 AM for our "sightseeing day". It was a 2 1/2 hour drive, but so worth it. We took two boats out to an island and the Philippine staff and students had prepared us another yummy meal, complete with a pig (and yes, the head was included, but not consumed). We spent some time swimming in the Philippine Sea before getting back on our boats and going to the "Naked Island" (no trees or vegetation) and spent a little time there before getting in our boats for the third island. Most everyone pitched in their pesos and rode the "Banana Boat" around all three islands. At the end, the driver did a sharp turn which sent everyone in the water. It was so much fun! Before leaving, the Filipinos provided another meal. Once we reached the mainland, the team put their bartering skills to good use.
After arriving back at the base, we had supper, classes, then evening devotions and off to bed.
The leaders start arriving tomorrow for Leadership Training Seminar and the team members start arriving on Saturday. Our team will be helping teach classes and doing anything else that is needed. They are very excited about this opportunity!
A word for a few of the team members:
The Philippines has been great so far. We have made a lot of progress with the concrete and have done a lot of evangelism with the kids. The team is going through some hurdles, but we are bonding well. We are going to the beach tomorrow before the Boot Camp starts here.
-Donny
The last couple of days have been very exciting! My team had a very productive work week, then this weekend we have had a lot of fun. Today we went to church and the locals made us a wonderful meal. It was very good. The Philippines is beautiful! I love it here! All of the people are so nice and you can tell they love Jesus! -Evie
Yesterday was fun—we went to the mall. And before that, we ate at a nice restaurant and some of us ate the Filipino way—with our hands. Today we did a presentation and door-to-door evangelism. Miss you mom and everyone too. -Geli
The past few days in the Philippines have been great. Evangelising to children has been a major highlight and I cannot wait to see what other opportunities we have! -Charity
Philippines LDT (23009)
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