Day 4 (Team 3- John, Stephanie, Ashleigh, Katie, Meg)
Today was a chance to recharge after four intense days, although it started at 5am after a very late night, we began with a quick breakfast and then set off on our three hour trek to the island of Corregidor. It was great to see a different side to the Philippines with the more tropical picturesque scenery and the rich history and tradition that stems from many wars and many different nations having ownership. Its hard to believe that the Philippines has only had its independence for just under 70 years!
We arrived by boat to the island and were immediately divided into groups and given different buses. With the help of Pol, our tour guide; our knowledge of the history of the war and of the Filipino people was deepened.
A few highlights of our tour were:
1. Seeing Monkeys!
2. Pol the Tour Guide was a real jokester.
3. All the weapons and bunkers were MASSIVE.
4. The massive tunnel that was built to protect the soldiers and was also used as a hospital.
5. The Japanese war memorials to commemorate both sides of the story. Pol said we should love our enemies as well as our friends.
6. Great lunch at Hotel Corregidor.
7. The Jungle.
8. Standing at the statue of General MacArthur and learning the story of his return to the Island.
We then proceeded home where we got to lead the children's home bedtime devotions and we got to read to the kids and create new bonds and friendships with these loving, friendly children.
We went for a swim and had a water basketball competition where Rehoboth lost a tough battle to Southern Hills 8 - 9. (Although they severely outnumbered us!)
Keep us in your prayers, as we spend the next few days in intense and extensive physical work.
Via Con Dios "Go with God"
Miles away but still in our thoughts and prayers. Hoping you are all resting well at night. Trust in God, that He may continue to equip you for more acts of service both physically and emotionally. Looking forward to each day's report and photos. Keep up all the hard work.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning all you hard workers.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was nice to get into the "real" Philippines and a facinating reminder of what war is like. I pray that you are all rested after your long trek there......a 3 hour hike in the heat and humidity!!!! You guys are doing such a great job. God will pour His blessings on you all as you go about His work. We are praying you all keep well and the bonds you develop will be lifelong.
Special greetings to Erin, Katie, John and Hannah. The photos are great ..Keep them coming
Lots of love
Mum/Jennifer x
Hahaha!! Just reread your blog entry. It wasn't a hike. Duh! Still it was a long way to travel. I hope you got some extra sleep on the journey xx
ReplyDeleteHi Guys! Great to here that you are all having a fantastic time, with all sorts of new experiences! It looks like this mission trip is challenging you in both the emotional and the physical.It must have been heart wrenching to see people living in such poverty! We're praying for you all that you will continue to be a blessing to the Filipino people you meet, and that these people and this trip will also be a huge encouragement and blessing to each of you. Missing you very much Chels and Steph, but excited that you can experience a mission trip like this. xx (Steph, Roxy has claimed your bed all to herself....good luck in keeping her off when you get back!!)
ReplyDeleteHey guys (Mainly Erin and Katie) :D I'm missing you guys so much, it's so lonely here without you :( Stay safe and come back soon! Sounds like you're all having a blast, and I want more details when you get back :)
ReplyDeleteWith Lots and LOTS of love,
Ash xxx
Looking for a new blog early this morning, I discovered one thing............your blog site is highly watched. You have had over 1000 views already and you are only hitting the half way mark. My guess is that you are dearly loved and missed here. Please endow those with so little financially, with some of our love. Our treasure stores are full so share a smile, a hug, some love and laughter for us. We pray that all your health is holding up to the different weather food and the rigorous labours you are doing. Have you had any lashings of rain or wind? We are due for some rain and perhaps a storm in Perth...We had 38 degrees and high humidity but no rain only a flash of thunder in the distance. Only a small taste of what it like in Manila regularly. Stay strong in the Lord and looking forward to when computers and internet are operational once more.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again guys. Eb - bring a monkey home; we've got room for another pet. Strength for the busy days ahead; just remember, plenty of time to sleep when you get home - haha. blessings from all of us. de Jonghs
ReplyDeletehahaha I'm guessing this is Mum as I highly doubt Dad would say something like that incase i did actually bring something home :)
DeleteBut if possible i will (depending on customs)
Thanks so much for the comments!! I love hearing from you all and knowing that i can share all my experiences with you all when i get home! But it feels like its finishing so quickly :(
I must admit you may not recognise me when i come home as i am getting some pretty big muscles from all this work!!! And I am loving every minute of it (even though we're all sore!)
Love you all heaps!! and I really will look forward to the sleep (last night i got a max of 3-4 hours sleep hehe) but we're all still going!!
Lots of Love
Ebb xox
lol uummm actually it was dad!!! :D this is mum:)
DeleteI can't wait to see those muscles! hey I have a paddock that needs digging up..now I know who can do it...
I'm sure it feels like its all going fast and I'm gald you are loving it. You are all doing an amazing job!
We were a bit freaked out by the news of a typhoon in the philipines, but very relieved to see your blog this morning...very proud of you doing what you are (all) doing..Im not sure how i would cope, just reading your blogs and hearing about all he kids makes me want to cry. i think i would want to take them all home!!
Well oma is here from Victoria! and she sends her love..as does everyone else..We miss you very much and will continue to keep you in prayer. huggs and kisses hey! and give Ash and Phoebe a big hug and kiss too.
Lots of love
Mum xxx
hahaha Wow I'm shocked!!!
DeleteYES!! Well we are going shopping later today, so I may try to pick something up (if not a monkey, something else)
And...maybe my muscles aren't that big hehe
I had a feeling you would be a bit worried about the typhoon but 'it's all good' :)
And I felt about the same with all the kids last night!!! They are all so gorgeous and you would LOVE them!! I was really struggling not to cry (but I'm sure it will all come tonight when we have to say goodbye to the kids! I already had a couple writing their names on paper for me and asking for pictures so i dont forget them...)
Hey Oma!!!! I forgot you would be at our house already, it's bizarre thinking that your their while i'm not. Thank you all for your prayers!! We really need and appreciate them, especially as we begin to say our goodbyes! I'll see you all soon!
Lots of love to you all!!!
Ebb xx
Morning All,
ReplyDeleteYou are not the only ones having computer problems. I just wrote a whole screed to have it vanish off the screen at the touch of a button :(. Hope you are all well rested from all the hard physical work you are doing and doing lots of debriefing for all the emotionally challenging aspects of your trip. It must have been heartbreaking to walk through the slums with food packs for specific people and not have enough for everyone who asked. We live our lives here in such abundance and yet where you are there is abject poverty. May God give you the strength and the endurance you need to complete your daily tasks and still have a little energy left at the end of the day for some fun. Just remember we have so we can share....energy, time ,money and God's amazing love. Blessings to you all. You are all Christs' ambassadors
Hi to all readers. I notice there are a lot of viewers but not too many commenters. It is really easy.. Type your message into "add comment". Click on comment as. A drop down box will appear. Decide which account to use or sign up for. (I chose google cos it's really easy). You will be redirected to the sign in or sign up page. Fill in the details required to activate your account. You will then be redirected again and prompted to enter the two words on the screen to prove you are not a robot. Press publish again and you should go back to the blogspot with your published comment. You don't have to do this everytime, only the first. Once you have an account it's easy.....God Bless. These kids are doing an amazing job and could do with a lot of encouragement and support x
ReplyDeleteHi Ashleigh
ReplyDeleteHope you're having fun as well as making a difference in the lives of the people over there.
Sorry it took sooooo long for your OLD mum to work out how this blog works. Actually I waited until Jake came home from Singapore to show me. The photos looks great, great reading of all your travels, work and ministry over there. Keep up the good work girls ( especially Ash, Phoebe, Ebony & Meg), don't forget to keep singing, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Work and ministers with His strength and you'll won't tire so easily.
Ps . Ash, granddad has passed away on Tuesday 4/12 peacefully. Funeral on Saturday. Don't be sad for him as he is now with God and there's no more suffering. Just remember all the funny and good things about him instead to honor him. Continue with your mission in Philippines (granddad would want it that way) and doing God's work is more important, let God take care of granddad. Not much you can do but carry on. Missed you.
With love...Jake, mum & dad
Hi Toby,
ReplyDeleteIt is sooooo quiet at home! Izzy is missing you although she probably deny it when you get home. We even miss the bickering at dishes time! Hope you are all surviving the heat and hard work. Look forward to the next post. God Bless!
Love Mum, Dad and kiddies.
Hi Teams, particularly John, Hannah, Erin and Katie,
ReplyDeleteHow affected are you all by the recent typhoon? Images via the net look incredible. So vast and devasting. The flooding across Manilla alone is so widespread. We are so grateful the eye of the storm bypassed you. We feel for the affected families, but are so grateful you seem safe because of your location. Remember, God is in front of you, beside you and behind you. We trust all is well, that you are all feeling secure in God's provision, despite what you see with your eyes. Keep clinging onto your relationship with Him, just like I am clinging onto the hope you, all of you, are safe and well.
So looking forward to receiving some communication from your teams! with all our love
your Mum on behalf of your Dad, Rebecca, Craig, David, Sarah, Naomi, Esther, Ben, your grandparents. xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo