Philippines - Open Team - Day 7

Last night I encouraged the team to stay in bed as long as they could this morning.  The team is getting tired in the afternoons, and much of that is because we are sleeping less than favorably.  Since we don’t have power, we opened the windows, and without the ambient noise of the fan and the air conditioner, the outside sounds surrounded us.  This made sleeping a little more difficult, but nonetheless, we got a good night’s sleep.  Thanks to Kendra, the kids have discovered where we are sleeping, (she was reading in her bed with her flashlight on, and the kids were watching), so at first light, they are yelling for us to come outside and play.

This morning we ate breakfast, did our devotions in Philippians, and then loaded up to go to one of the child care centers here in Manilla.  We drove about 30 minutes or so, and arrived in this little center.  They told me that they had about 60 kids there.  We went in and sat down with the kids who were having an English lesson.  They finished their lesson and then asked us to share our “presentation” – which was rather interesting since we hadn’t actually prepared a presentation for them.  However, the team jumped right into action.  Songs and games and a word of encouragement came from the group as we interacted with the kids. They shared a song and a game with us as well.  It was a great visit.

From there we went to Jollibee – a fast food restaurant here.  Some had spaghetti, some had chicken, but I had an Aloha burger – Hamburger with pineapple, bacon, and some delicious sauces.  It was a great lunch, followed by ice cream (that we purchased at a supermarket and ate back at the center).

The afternoon was back to much of the same games and activities with the kids.  The team is really loving playing with the kids.  Today we did face painting, took individual pictures of a lot of the kids, and sang songs and played games with the kids.  Many of the adults stand back and watch as we interact with the kids, and want to know why we are here. Kendra and Harrison had the opportunity to share the gospel with more of the kids on an individual level today, and that was cool to hear.

This evening the kids from the church came by, so we spent a couple of hours playing with them, talking with them, answering and asking questions about them, and just encouraging each other in Christ.  It is great to see that the next generation here has some solid believers.

Tomorrow is more of the same, but we really don’t know exactly what we will be doing.  This type of situation is unsettling for me, but I am reminded that God did not give me the large group I originally wanted to go on this trip, and how difficult this situation would have been if there were 20 people here.  I am always amazed when things don’t go the way I wish they would, or had planned them to go, but they end up so much better than I could have dreamed.  This trip has been a perfect example of that so far, and I am just waiting to see what God has in store for tomorrow.

We will see – I am looking forward to rest now.  One of the difficulties with situations like this is that from 6 in the morning to 7 at night the kids are right outside asking for us to come out, so we have to make sure we take time to rest when we need it, but also balance that with the desire to do as much as we can while we are here.  The team is tired, some have had periodic headaches, Dee was dizzy and nauseas this morning, and Ashlyn has had back pain.  Yet in all of that, God has been honored as the team has pulled together to help those who are struggling, and no one is complaining.

Tomorrow is another day – thank you God for the strength for today.

Philippines - Open Team - Day 6

1:00 in the morning, Liza turns the light on in our room and informs us that our flight has been cancelled.  I got up an made sure everyone else knew they could sleep in.  We had packed all of our stuff for the flight, but it seems like we are staying another day.

As the morning came, the winds and rain were very bad.  Many of the team members talked about lying in bed praying for the kids as the rain likely means that many homes will be flooded, and the wind is strong enough to destroy their frail homes.  Eventually we got up and had breakfast and after devotions discussed the plan for the day.  We had not plan, but it was about to happen.

The plan – do VBS type activities for the kids in the neighborhood.  We would do games, bible story, crafts, songs, etc., the whole shooting match. We would also go through our craft stuff and prepare for the crafts in Samar (assuming we are going to make it) So, that is what we did. 

After going over the crafts and showing everyone what the idea was, we did the prep work for the crafts.  We also decided to do “wordless book” bracelets for the kids here today, so we prepared that stuff as well.

Eventually it was time to begin the events.  We brought the kids into the center and played a few games with them. We taught them some new games and played some of the other games we had already played.  They are a very smart bunch, and they pick up on the games quickly.  Then we sat them down and sang some songs.  Ana helped us by leading a few songs we knew they were familiar with, and then we sang songs that we had taught them since we arrived.  Then we shared the story of the Good Samaritan with the team acting out the story as we went.  They enjoyed the lively performance.

We then moved to the other side of the gym for crafts.  We taught them the “wordless book” song and told them about the purpose of the colors of the bracelet they would be making.  Then we helped them make their bracelets.

Since this was the end of the formal plan, we then began to improvise.  I had taken a bunch of pictures with the camera that God gave me from Berean Bible, so I put them on the projector that God gave me from Easton Baptist, and the kids watched themselves in larger than life imaging on the wall.  Other team members played with kids, sat and talked with kids, and basically just loved on them in a variety of ways.  Just when we were getting ready to let the kids go, Thet (the pastor’s wife) brought them all together and shared with them the message that we shared, told them why we are here, and reminded them that Jesus loves them.

The kids moved outside as the older church kids arrived.  Some of us played basketball with them while the others played with the younger kids outside.  After a few games of basketball, we pulled together for a bible study.  Thet looked at me and asked that I speak with the kids on prayer – because the speaker who was supposed to be here wasn’t here.  Interestingly enough, we talked about prayer in Philippians this morning, so I was already thinking about prayer.  We talked about prayer in the Bible and landed in Colossians 1 – where Paul prays and shows us how to pray.  After the discussion, we broke into groups and prayed together – it was wonderful to see the kids sharing requests and praises and praying together.

The rest of the day was interacting with the kids and the adults in the area.  I have heard stories from team members about kids and parents asking why we are here, opportunities to share the gospel, and just basic questions about AMG and the church.  My wife had a long conversation with a couple of ladies about AMG around the world and in the Philippines. It was a great outreach opportunity.

We are without power and have found out that we will not be leaving for Samar until Saturday, so we will watch what God will do with us and through us in the next few days.

Philippines - Open Team - Day 5

Well, today began a lot later than had been on the regular schedule.  Our flight was delayed a day, so we slept in until about 6 – or at least we laid in bed until then.  Most of the team was awake at 4 – Harrison even got up and showered until I told him to go back and lay down.  By 5, though, he was back up and ready to begin the day.

We ate breakfast and then had our devotions. A number of the staff here at the office joined us for our devotions as we began the book of Philippians.  Seems late in the trip, but actually it was our first morning to be together as a group (yesterday we attended their devotional time).

Anyway, after devotions, we gathered the kids from outside and brought them into the gym to show a veggie tales video.  In the middle of the video, one of the kids unplugged the power to the projector, and the unit turned off. So the kids got up and the team started singing songs with them.  We gave them starburst candy and sent them on their way – because we were going to visit ASHTEC – a ministry of AMG Philippines.

We hopped in the car for the 1 ½ hour drive to ASHTEC – AMG Skilled Hands Technical College.  A technical school focused on giving the poorest of the poor the opportunity to be trained in technical skills like welding, pipe fitting, computer and media skills, etc.  Kristine gave us the orientation and shared with us the purpose and goals of ASHTEC and then proceeded to give us a tour of the facility.  ASHTEC has the only simulated EEI facility in the facility – which is a simulated oil processing plant fashioned after the plants in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.  The training helps them be marketable to go and work there, which is a very valuable skill for them. 

ASHTEC has tons of partnerships with companies and organizations that need technically skilled and morally balanced people, and that is the focus of ASHTEC.  It was cool to hear their passion for not only preparing the students academically and skillfully, but also spiritually and morally. 

We had lunch at the school and met with Richard (COO), Eric (Head of Moral Development) and Jun (the founder and head of the school).  I told them that I had a treat for them – Dee could help with their future dental school, Ashlyn could help in the Bible training and moral development classes, Kendra could help with their math teaching, Harrison could help with their Science teaching, Brooke could help with their Music teaching, Don could work with their technical school, and Bevan could work with their English classes!  Everyone had a role for the future at ASHTEC.  We all had fun dreaming about the possibilities, but seriously, only God knows what the future connections will be as a result of the connections that happened today.

After a long discussion and finishing our very “fancy” lunch, we headed back to the AMG headquarters 1 ½ hours away.  The team sang songs, made plans for our work with the kids, laughed, and just developed and deepened relationships with each other and with Pastor Jun and Jing as they drove us back to the center.

When we returned, most of the team went and lay down to rest – because tomorrow we have a very early flight, so we will be getting up at 2 in the morning.  Before dinner, many of the team went out to play with the kids – they didn’t even want to come in for dinner.  I really think we could have spent the entire trip right here, and they would have had a wonderful time.  I look forward to our trip to Samar tomorrow.  I know God has some amazing things for us as we head that way.

Early night tonight – early morning tomorrow – we need to get to bed early.    

Philippines - Open Team - Day 4

What an amazing thing air conditioners are.  I slept like a rock.  It seems like others on the team did as well.  As I woke up (to Don bumping his head on my bed), I realized that Harrison was already out of his bed, so I started reading the Bible, and he came in shortly after and told me that Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup.  Apparently, Ashlyn woke up and went downstairs and watched it – it was played from 3-5 AM local time.  Then, when she returned to the room, she alerted everyone there to the fact that Germany won.

Anyway, we started the day with breakfast and then were getting ready for devotions when we were asked to join the AMG staff devotions.  So we headed upstairs and Pastor Ray shared with us from 1 Cor 12 and 13.  He challenged us that all we do needs to be done in love – because without love, everything we do is nothing.  At the end of his devotional, he asked if anyone else had anything to say, and Mrs Layda talked about how the people from the World Cup played their best for their country.  How badly they wanted to win the “gold” for the pride of their country.  Then she said, “I just want to have some gold to give to God”.  Both the devotional and her challenge were helpful and encouraging.

After devotions, Jing gave us an orientation to the ministry of AMG and what an encouragement that was.  The team enjoyed hearing about the purpose and programs of AMG.  They asked a lot of good questions, and I think they got a solid understanding of what to expect for the remainder of the week.

After lunch, we took some time to rest, do laundry, and then go on home visits.  We visited about 12 homes and encouraged and prayed with many of the people in the homes.  It was like walking through a maze as we made our way through the small winding passageways between the buildings.  The first home we went to held three families with about 10 people total in 3 rooms.  The floor creaked as Harrison walked across it, and the ladder to the upstairs (where the three rooms were) was dangerous and treacherous. 

The people at each home were hospitable and very welcoming.  They shared with us their stories and we asked questions about them, their families, their children, etc.  Tith and Ana walked with us and helped us communicate with those who had limited English ability.  Our group of 10 slowly grew as we moved from house to house – picking up stray children along the way. 

By the time we returned to the church/AMG corporate, we had about 30 or so kids following us and trying to play with us.  So we spent the next hour or so playing games, having fun, sharing the pictures on the wall (with the projector God provided from Easton Baptist Church) and just love the kids as Jesus would have if He were here in the flesh.  By 6:30, it was time to say goodbye to the kids and head inside for dinner.  Kendra said that one of the boys said, “please come back, pretty please...” and kept “begging” us to return.  Tith told us yesterday that never has a team come and played with the kids like this team has.  She thanked us a number of times for showing love to the kids by playing with them.  What an encouragement that was to me that what we were doing was being well received by the kids, the local people, and the church as well.  I reminded Tith that we are here for the purpose of showing Christ love to the kids, and that if Christ were here, He would probably spend time playing with the kids as well.

After dinner we sat and talked about the day – it was a great day.  However, we found out that our flight has been cancelled for tomorrow because of the incoming typhoon.  We are “stuck” here for another day.  That’s okay, because it is in God’s plan, and so we will be going to ESHTEC tomorrow to see the school (and child care center) where the kids go to get trained for business.  This should be an excellent visit.

Well, it’s almost 10:00, and I am fully exhausted. I am still trying to recuperate from the long days of travel, so hopefully a good night’s rest again tonight will help.  Maybe that is why God cancelled our early morning flight tomorrow – who knows??

Philippines - Open Team - Day 1-3

Talk about a long start to a missions trip – try to follow this schedule…

We left the house around 1:45 AM on Friday morning, July 11.  We drove from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and met with Bevan and Ashlyn at the Waffle House 1 exit up from the Atlanta Airport.  By 10 minutes to 5, we were heading to the airport.  I dropped the team off and I took the van back to the rental place.

By 7, we were loaded up on the plane and were flying out to San Francisco.  We arrived after our 5 hour flight, but it was only 9:45 in the morning.  Then, after a 5 hour layover, we boarded the plane at 2:00.  By 2:30 PM we were off (actually we left 6 minutes earlier than the flight was scheduled – that was a first for me).  We arrived in Beijing, China 12 hours later at 5:30 PM.

Our 8:00 PM flight was delayed, and we ended up sitting in the airport until 11:30 PM.  Finally we were loaded up on a bus and taken to the tarmac where we boarded our plane.  By 4:00, we had arrived in Manilla, and by 5:00 AM (Sunday morning) we were at the corporate office – and our lodging for the next 2 days. 

Traveling over 39 hours (losing 12 along the way), traveling across the date/timeline, this has been a very different beginning to a trip.  As we headed toward our lodging, it was neat to again be a “newby” as I was seeing things for the first time.  Cool, weird-shaped busses that were short (in height), and had open backs to them were driving around, most looked like they were completely chrome.  It was the first time I had ever seen a bus like this.  They have things they call “tricycles” that are like a “tuk-tuk” and a “moto-taxi” combined.  It is a motorcycle that might (or might not) have a roof of some sort, with a fully enclosed side car and the third wheel.  They are very unique vehicles.  Other than that (and the English and Tagalog signs) the rest is familiar – even though it is distinctly Philippino.

The team was tired, so they went to sleep.  However, Harrison, who had slept pretty well on at least 2 of the flights, was refreshed, so he decided to stay up.  I took a shower and decided to stay up with him.

We had the privilege of attending the teen Sunday School class where they talked about David.  They spoke in both tagalong and English, so we understood most of the lesson.  The kids read in Tagalog, but allowed us to read in English.  Mark (the teacher) did an excellent job presenting the story of David.  It was neat to listen to the story and the lessons through his eyes.

After Sunday School, we went to the church service.   They sang in English and the teacher taught in Tagalog-English.  Again, it seemed like I could understand what he was saying, then all of the sudden, we got lost in the foreign speech.  It is nice being able to understand most of what is being presented.

The church service ended, and most of the team was awake – they were getting dressed and ready for the day.  However, the older teens were having another Sunday School class, so Harrison and I (and eventually Brooke) attended that as well.  They talked about Daniel and prayer.  Tith (her name is Teresa, but friends call her “Tith”) taught the class.  She handed out candy for kids that got answers correct.  I kept trying to help the kids (since the answers were in English) but they didn’t trust my answers – until I got a few right.  It was fun to be in the class with them – I felt like one of the students.

We had lunch – KFC – and the group interacted with the people here.  Liza took care of our meals for the day.

Immediately following lunch, it began to rain – torrentially!  Thunder, lightning, power outages – the whole shooting match – this was a real deal storm.  So, how do the Pilipino people handle it? Well, apparently they go out and play in it – or at least that is what happened today.  I walked out of the lunch area and saw kids playing in the rain.  I pretended to push Brooke out into the rain, but then decided to join the locals.  I was instantly met by some of the men who live next door.  Fredrick – I learned his name and story later – met me with open hands and we slapped hi-fives as I entered the torrential rain.  Water was running off the roof, and kids were “showering” in the cool water. 

What I had failed to mention so far was that – it is hot here!  Yes, I love being hot, but I am sweating most of the time.  So, the rain and the coolness of the air was a very welcomed event.

The rest of the team – or most of them – joined us outside in the rain (I think Don and Dee where the only ones who remained dry).  We were splashing kids, chasing them, just laughing and having fun with the local children and the adults.  For some reason – and my kids tell me that it is universal – when I went after the kids, they all ran away.  I was chasing kids all over the place.  My children said I am universally scary – apparently they are right. 

Eventually the storm subsided, and we headed back inside for basketball and volleyball with the church’s youth.  Some of the team remained outside with the kids singing songs, playing games, etc.  Some of the team played table games inside with the teens from the church.  It was neat to see the different strengths of the group used with the various kids in various ways.  From singing songs from “Frozen” to playing “I want the shoe” to the LRC game, our Pilipino guests were enjoying their time with us, and our group was enjoying time with them.

The time came for a “birthday” party, so all of the teens got together and we learned some new songs, like “I love my Jesus”  and we taught them “River of Life”.  Then we played games – “Gorilla, Man, Gun” and the “Ship” game.  We all had a wonderful time.

Eventually it was time for cake and ice cream – AND – some kind of noodle concoction.  But just as they brought it out for us, we had to go eat dinner – McDonalds Big Macs.  We feel like we have been eating constantly, and we haven’t even been here a full 24 hours.

Since we hadn’t had much sleep, we met and talked about the day, and then headed to our rooms for bed.  We were a little worried about sleeping (or at least I was) because, have I mentioned, it is hot here.  We prayed that God would give us the rest we need – in spite of the temperatures – and that we would be able to get the strength we needed to serve Him tomorrow.  However, as we were walking back to our rooms, Tith stopped me and asked why we hadn’t used the air conditioners in the rooms. J  Yes, there were air conditioners in the rooms, and since I didn’t go in the rooms, I hadn’t seen them.  I did find out that the team members had seen them, but they just thought we weren’t supposed to use them.  Well, prayer answered!  We went to bed in air conditioned rooms.  It has been a long three days, but I know God is going to do great things with this team in the next 13…

Thought for the day:  Culture Shock!  A concept that we discuss as we prepare for heading on a trip, but something that one cannot actually be prepared for.  How can we enter another culture and be prepared for the differences when you cannot know the differences until you have actually entered the culture.  The food, the language, the personalities, the norms…  things that are common place to anyone in the culture you are visiting is abnormal to you because you are not of “that world”.

How can the receiving culture help with culture shock?  Just like the people traveling, they can study about the culture of the visitors.  They can interact with others who visited their country, or talked with their people.  But frankly, unless they are actually from that culture, they really cannot engage the other culture fully and understand it well.

My thought today – we try to engage the culture of the world by challenging them to understand the culture of heaven.  Christianity is a new and living culture, but the world that we left is a dead and lifeless culture.  There are huge, HUGE differences between the two cultures (if there isn’t, we are doing something wrong).  We cannot expect the dead, unregenerate person to be able to understand, comprehend, and especially not engage Christianity apart from the Holy Spirit illuminating their eyes to the heavenly way, but we can interact with them by being sensitive to the reality of the culture they know and understand and helping them to see their condition without Jesus Christ.  We cannot expect them to understand our culture whatsoever!

God help me to love the people of the world that you love in the way that you love them, so that they might come to know you and be made alive in you.