Bags are packed, goodbyes said and work loose ends tied up, so I guess i must be ready. Not sure what to expect only that the Lord will be there as he is here, so looking forward to the adventure ahead. Please pray for my family that they don't miss me too much.

Blessings

Mark.h

ready to go!!!

Well it won't be long now and I am excited and really looking forward to seeing everyone again. Just finished a busy session at the Beacon and said my goodbye's, I will miss everyone but I know from last year once you get there the time just flies! Looking forward to going out with a great team and I am sure God is going to bless us plenty and hopefully we will be a blessing to the Kanlungan family
Mary

2 days to go!!!

2 days to go ... and last minute preparations are well under why (except that I'm still on a course in Sheffield!!!)

Still, I know that once I leave here tomorrow (Friday) things are going to happen very fast!!!

We are planning to leave Mansfield at 3am on Saturday morning, then its a 4 hour check in at Heathrow and we take off at 10:30am

Our flight schedule is as follows (UK times in brackets):

Depart Heathrow 10:30

Arrive Kuwait 19:35 (16:35)

Flight KU0104

Depart Kuwait 23:55 (20:55)

Arrive Manila - Sunday 16:10 (8:10)

Flight KU0411 

Manila is 8 hours ahead of UK time and you can track the flights on the Kuwait Airways website

Please pray for the team as we prepare to go, and check back because I have asked them to post their own thoughts about going.

For me - my current thought is that I want to get on with it!!! Really looking forward to seeing everyone there again. Really looking forward to coming together as a team from our different places. Really NOT looking forward to the flights!

Please do check back during the trip - I will try and update every day, including on Sunday night when we arrive. Also please do leave your comments. They really are an encouragement!!!

Many thanks for your support

Mark

Streetlight Visit 2009

14 days to go and its almost time for the Streetlight Visit to Kanlungan for 2009.

Its a new team going out this time, with 7 people visiting for the first time and 4 of us on return visits.

We fly out on Saturday 24th January from Heathrow with Kuwait Airways. So, at the moment we're getting all those last minute things done - changing money, getting travel injections, insurance, getting the itinerary sorted out and all that stuff. 

So, please keep an eye on this blog - we'll update it again before we leave with details of all the team members and details about our flights.

Plus ... we have some good news from Kanlungan, they have put down a deposit on a new house to replace the Malate Centre in the centre of the city, and they should be moved in by the time we arrive.

And finally ... we now have the ability to donate to Streetlight on-line, go to the giving page on the Streetlight Website and follow the link there.

So ... watch this space!

Mark 

Thank you

Friday 18th...
Firstly I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has prayed for us, supported us and read and commented on the blog. It has made such a difference to us all to know that people have been praying for us.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the team that came out to the Philippines with me. I know it takes a huge commitment to undertake this kind of journey, not just individually but also from the families left behind, and I wish to pay tribute to everyone for their servant-heartedness, non-judgemental attitude, their grace and the love they shared with both the children, street families and staff of Kanlungan. You were all a huge support to myself, and a wonderful blessing to Kanlungan. Thank you.
Ian H

We're back!

Just to say, we've returned safely after a gruelling 30+ hour journey! We've had a wonderful time; our heartfelt thanks go to Sol and her staff for looking after us and providing us with the opportunities to see so many things.
Two days later, I am finding it hard to process all that we have seen, but I am full of admiration for the work that Sol and the staff do. So many young lives are being changed, thanks to them. The staff and children are so grateful for the support of Streetlight and without the funding, very little of what we saw could be possible.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Kath xx

Our last night in Manila

Monday 14th April
We've had visits to the Child Protection Unit, and two detention centres. If a child is found to be 'at risk' they are referred to this protection unit. The same thing exists in England, except 30 million children here are 'at risk'. Very few actually go through the correct process. We also were shown where families are detained after street clean-ups. Once in the centre, they are segregated. Another centre housed youths awaiting trial. All very sad places.
We did however, have a fun time on our last evening. We took the Malate Centre staff to a Chinese meal then saw a dance show at a nearby Filipino restaurant. The dancing girls spotted the talent in the restaurant and Ian, Simon, Tim Bustin, Chris, Katy and Becca all wiggled their hips on stage. We even had Ian and Simon doing the hula dance in grass skirts and bikini tops. Photo not provided....for obvious reasons!!! (Its' far too funny for a blog like this!)
Tomorrow we will buy some musical instruments for the Malate centre and also look for a birthday present for one of the boys who will turn 17 tomorrow. We fly at 11.15 tomorrow night.
See you soon
love from Mrs K , Miss AK and Miss B x