On-Going Work!!

Mary & Mela are home - welcome back! Its been great to hear what they've been doing - brought back all the memories of my two trips! I just wish I could have gone with them. Its so moving hear them speaking about the children & staff at Kanlungan, about their faith and their joy.
But the work of Streetlight goes on. We're now getting ready for the next visit to go out in April - a group of about 12 people from Milton Keynes leave the UK on 5th April for about 10 days.

Keep up to date with all their news here as they prepare to leave and through their trip.
We'll also keep this blog updated with fundraising events. Meanwhile, why not check out the new look website - its been recently updated and contains details of how you can give to Streetlight.

Mark

M&M's Homeward Bound! :-(

Well ,we can't believe our trip is coming to a close .It has been an amazing two weeks with more blessings than we can say. We have seen and done so much that our heads are full to over flowing!! Yesterday Sol took us to a drug rehabilitation unit in Bulakan about one and a half hours from city centre. There we meet Dr. Ramirez (Ramirez is Mela's maiden name but not a relative!!). He's the founder and works hard to help his B.D.R.F.(Bulakan Drug Rehabilitation Foundation) family. They welcomed us warmly and even sang to us (all 59 of them) Mela and I were in tears as they sang with such passion. We told them about the Beacon and the work we do, Mela spoke in Tagalog to them about how special they were to God and I was in tears again!! In the evening Sol took us to the Mall of Asia (its so big it would take a week to walk around!). We were just in time to see the fire work display as we came out of the mall. We thought it was for us but apparently it happens every Friday night. Tomorrow we are cooking again (by popular request!!) Guess what we are doing a Beacon special minced beef and potatoes. We will also be having a farewell party with the wonderful Kanlungan children. God bless to everyone we will see you shortly lots of love Mary and Mela xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ps Thanks for your lovely comments Ian we hope to meet soon

M&M down on the farm!!!!!

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat(as you can see I'm getting very fluent with Tagalog!!, not really I have my own pocket size interpeter with legs Thanks Mela.) It was so good to get so many comments thank you it blesses us. On Tuesday we left the vibrant city and travelled to higher ground where the air was so much fresher and cooler. Firstly we went to the apartments in Alfonso where 18 boys at present live. We visited the school where they attended and were touched by how far these boys had come from being street children to a far more stable home environment and attending school Praise God. The Kanlungan mission is for each child to reach his or her full potential with Gods love. We went on then to the Farm Project where they are growing and harvesting coffee and other produce. One of Sol's vision was to have this also as a place for retreat for pray and meditation. It is a truly peaceful place with a clear stream running through it surrounded by trees and wild flowers. We drank fresh coconut water(buko) that had just been picked from the tree.
Yesterday was a different day as we were shown around different Manila agencies who were dealing with the reality of child abuse and neglect. We went to the courts and were priviledged to have a long indepth meeting with the family court judge. We were aware of how hard people are working to change the situation.
We have experienced so much in the last 10 days but most of all we have felt Gods presence and love. Psalm121
lots and lots of love Mary and Melaxxxx
ps we are praying for you all at St. John's and of course the Beaconxx

M&M's stew and dumplings!!!!!

Monday 25th Feb. 2008
Hi everyone, it was really good to speak to you all live in St. John's yesterday. I hope you heard your birthday song Mark!! Today we went to Smokey Mountain (a massive rubbish dump where people live). It was really sad to see these poor people especially the children sorting through the stinking rubbish to try and earn a meagre living. Its hard to put into words this kind of deprivation On returning to the Kanlungan Centre we were aware of how blessed the children are surrounded by so much love and care there. We decided to cook for the staff and children this afternoon, they wanted something English so we settled for on beef stew and dumplings ( except the dumplings were a disaster !!we thought of ringing Konrad!!! the dumpling king) Followed by crepes and nutella with fruit salad. Everyone enjoyed and they want us to cook tomorrow!!Thanks for all your lovely comments its really exciting for us when we check the blog. We can't believe a week has gone already its going too quickly. How is everyone at the Beacon? We are missing you and praying for you all. We have been inspired by the Kanlungan Centre and have some ideas of how to bless the lads more!! Lots of love Mary and Mela xxx
ps great to hear from you Pete and Jo xxx
pps try to relax a bit Asha and Rob good to hear from you. How's Shaloo and Perry?xx
ppps We miss you too Jodi hope you are keeping the lads in order !!xx

M&M's latest escapades!!

Friday 22nd Feb. 2008
Hello everyone, We have done and seen so much its hard to know where to start. Yesterday we went to Tunasan to the day centre, then we visited some families living along the railway, and had the priviledge of praying with some of the parents. Then we took 55 children to the park for a picnic and it rained(which made us feel at home). We visited the mens prison in Muntinlupa which resembles Butlins holiday camp!! Today Sol took us to prayer mountain outside Manila. It was such a contrast to the city , everywhere lush and green, we all felt Gods touch in this place and it was the right place for us to be there. We all prayed separately in our prayer rooms but all came out with Psalm 121 (thanks Rog also for texting that Psalm also). Yes Mark we have sung Our God is a Great Big God several times!! We have prayed for the St. Johns family today thanks for all the comments it really blesses us . Lots of Love Mary and MelaXX
p.s. to Vee we haven't had any mishaps yet(maybe a few near misses!!)
p.p.s Happy Birthday Jacob for 24th I will be thinking of you love Aunty Mary

M&M's progress report

20th Feb 2008
Hi everyone thanks for all the comments it was good to hear from you all. We are fine and settling in now. Yesterday we went with Wilmar to visit the street families. we sang and danced and told bible stories. Mela translated while I tried to tell the lost sheep parable with actions!!. It was very humbling when they all listened and joined in with the singing. We are loving just being around the children at Kanlungan they bless us with their prayers and faith in God.
Thanks Ian for your tip of Milkfish, sorry we did not get to meet before we left.
Hope everyone is coping at the Beacon without us!! We are praying for you all. Only we are not sure if we are coming back if thats OK with you Mark!!!!!!only joking but thankyou everyone for your prayers
God bless Mary & Melaxx
ps good news about the puppy Jessxx
pps love to Shaloo&Perry, Ahsa&Rob, Vee&Helen and lots &lots of kisses to Harryxx

We have landed!!

18th FEB 2008
Hi everyone, we arrived safely yesterday, WOW its a long way! The city was vibrant even at midnight. We have been to the Kanlungan Centre today to meet the children and we were overwhelmed by the love of GOD in that place. HE comes first. The children sang and danced for us and were so welcoming, they even got us up to dance with them. One of the children asked me why I was PINK!!!. I didn't know how to answer that one. Speak to you soon
God Bless Mary and Mela