more from the mind of michael

today we went to the tunasan center outside the main city with Willie. first we went to a sort of town like place where all the people who used to live by the railway have been relocated to. it was a bit odd but it was probably better than the railway they used to live on.then we went to this other dump site which was a bit like smokey mountain but worse. then we went back to tunasan and played basketball for a bit then we came back to the shallom.

michael

from the mind of mike

today we went to smokey mountain and saw all the people living on the rubbish. we went to the church on the heap which is just being rebuilt. we met the pastor and his wife who showed us around. it is weird seeing people do things on the rubbish. there are people sweeping up and doin there washing whilst surrounded by rubbish. now we are at the open day centre and we have done some songs and eaten a wierd fried banana thing.

michael

A Quick Update

Mark here with a quick update:

We went to Smokey Mountain this morning, which is always a difficult experience. Great to see the work that is being done there though ... and it is better there than the last time I visited. They have seperated the dumping site from where the families actually live, which is an improvement.

Then back to Malate Centre for lunch (which was delicious as usual) and we've spent the afternoon at the Drop in Centre. Its great to see how much this work has developed over the last couple of years. Oh ... and we taught them all the song 'Shine' as well!

Helen will update more later ...

Thanks for your love and prayers.

Mark

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamen!!!!

We've only been here two days but we've seen and done a lot. Mike and Zac are doing brilliantly.

Yesterday we went to a swimming gala at which a number of NGO's brought children from across the city to compete for their teams. The Kanlungan children where from the drop in day centre who live with their families on the streets around Malate. Watching Zac swimming, play and have fun with this lovable group of children it was hard to imagine the lives they live and last night as I tucked Zac into bed knowing that he was the only child there who was sleeping in a house last night I didn't sleep very well.

Today we visited the residential centre which is very quiet as most of the children have been moved on to the Laguna centre ready to start the new school year. Running repairs are being made and new children have already been spotted by the street teams who may take their places in a couple of weeks.

This evening we walked the streets with Wilma and some of the older children gathering children together to sing, pray and play. We sang 'our God is Great Big god' and I taught them the 'Stepping Stones Amen' I will be leaving a little part of New Wine on the streets of Manila. The commitment to these families is just mindblowing and the way the team know everyone and are greated by everyone is amazing. It is hard but it is also uplifting to see the commitment and faith of the people who are dedicating their lives to these families.

Talk again soon.

Love Helen

Philippines by Zac

It's hot but it's 'cool'. Today we went to the Malate Centre then we went onto the streets to give out sweets to the children who don't have homes. We sang song with Kuya Wilma and prayed with groups of children. We sang 'Our God is a great big God.

On the way home we rode on a jeepnee which was so cool.

Tell you more soon

Love Zac

Arrived Safely

We've arrived! Its been a long flight but a good one. Cathay Pacific looked after us well and Zac and Michael were really good. Helen was grumpy most of the way but she blamed the travel sickness tablets. Ate Sol meet us at the airport with Ate Maricar and Kuya Leto.

Then on our ride into Manila, every time Zac saw a Jeepney he said ' Jeepney' ( they are a kind of extended Jeep that are used like buses - and there are lots of them!)

Then we had a meal at Tgi’s with some of the Kanlungan staff which was great, although Zac feel asleep while we were there! Then a good nights rest ( we woke up at 11:15!) and now in Starbucks for breakfast!

Going to see the children in a swimming competition this afternoon which should be fun!

Thanks for all your prayers and support

Mark, Helen, Michael & Zac

2 Days to Go!

Its nearly time to go ... in just 2 days Mark, Helen, Michael & Zachary Adams will be heading off to visit Kanlungan in Manila.

We leave Heathrow at 8:20pm on Friday night and are due to arrive in Manila at 6:30pm on Saturday (that's 11:30am Saturday morning UK time).

Just getting packed now, but its a bit difficult as Helen's Dad is having another hip replacement operation this afternoon. Please pray that all goes well.

We'll update again when we arrive, so please check back sometime on Saturday evening or Sunday morning!