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
Friday, April 18, 2008
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
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
Monday, April 14, 2008
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
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday and a bit of Monday
Hey all, Tim B here! Just to keep you up to date with our movements: we went to Cathedral of Praise church yesterday, a very big pentecostal church. The pastor was Ian's long lost brother, with a funky shirt, and you know, was a man of 'substance'. Great worship, but Ian's brother started to wind us up a bit, by asking us to repeat everything he said, to the person sat next to us. Can't see it catching on at St Mary's!
We then went out for lunch, and then to a handicrafts shop. The team swarmed all over it like locusts, buying presents for lots of you lovely people! A few of us went out walking with Ruel the street educator, and some went to visit BMS, a school run by Sol's Sister. This morning we had 'devotions' with the staff at the Malate centre, with a word from Pastor Flipflop. We loved worshipping together, and had a really precious time. On a quick lunch break now, before we head off to the court, and detention centre. (Its OK, just a visit, not a permanent stay.) Love to all, Pastor Flipflop
We then went out for lunch, and then to a handicrafts shop. The team swarmed all over it like locusts, buying presents for lots of you lovely people! A few of us went out walking with Ruel the street educator, and some went to visit BMS, a school run by Sol's Sister. This morning we had 'devotions' with the staff at the Malate centre, with a word from Pastor Flipflop. We loved worshipping together, and had a really precious time. On a quick lunch break now, before we head off to the court, and detention centre. (Its OK, just a visit, not a permanent stay.) Love to all, Pastor Flipflop
Saturday, April 12, 2008
TIM'S UPDATE
Hi everyone
Its Tim May, just giving you my perspective on the trip so far. Well, this has got to have been the most moving experience in my life to date !! The Kanlungan team are are the most dedicated and servant-hearted people I have ever met. What they give to these children is basically their whole life and more, and it shows in the kids.
The children are amazing, so loving and thankful to everyone they meet. Each one of them melts your heart and makes you feel so proud to have met and interacted with them, even if only for a short time. Its so easy to get tied up in the emotions of whats going on, yet very hard not to.
Today was so uplifting, to see all the kids come together and have loads of fun and a great day out. Near the end of the day we had some great worship time, during a couple of the songs I just stood and watched the kids worshiping. Boy do they know how to lose themselves in worship !! Looking around at them and watching the expressions on their faces as they lost themselves in worshiping god was so moving.
This day has been one of the most heart warming days so far. Not to mention head warming as I got sunburn on my head after spending about 4 hours in the pool without a hat on. I might regret that tomorrow lol.
Anyway will bring plenty more stories back along with some amazing pics !
Bye for now
Tim
Its Tim May, just giving you my perspective on the trip so far. Well, this has got to have been the most moving experience in my life to date !! The Kanlungan team are are the most dedicated and servant-hearted people I have ever met. What they give to these children is basically their whole life and more, and it shows in the kids.
The children are amazing, so loving and thankful to everyone they meet. Each one of them melts your heart and makes you feel so proud to have met and interacted with them, even if only for a short time. Its so easy to get tied up in the emotions of whats going on, yet very hard not to.
Today was so uplifting, to see all the kids come together and have loads of fun and a great day out. Near the end of the day we had some great worship time, during a couple of the songs I just stood and watched the kids worshiping. Boy do they know how to lose themselves in worship !! Looking around at them and watching the expressions on their faces as they lost themselves in worshiping god was so moving.
This day has been one of the most heart warming days so far. Not to mention head warming as I got sunburn on my head after spending about 4 hours in the pool without a hat on. I might regret that tomorrow lol.
Anyway will bring plenty more stories back along with some amazing pics !
Bye for now
Tim
Graduation and swimming
Hi everyone
I'll fill you in on the last couple of days. Yesterday we had a visit to a beautiful training centre to art camp graduation. 15 boys from the centres attended an art camp and received certificates and displayed their art work. We had a tedious journey (nearly 2 hours there and 2 hours back) in a jeepney and the pollution was very bad.
Today over 100 children from all the centres and those literally living on the street had their annual trip to the swimming 'park'. It was very special. Over 30 inflatables were purchased at a nearby shop and the kids had a fab time using these and having water fights with some water guns we also bought. If you look closely at the picture you can see Lito, the driver, fixing the lilos on the roof of the vehicle owned by the Malate centre. Can you see Malcolm through the back window? Pastor Tim is now known as Pastor Flipflop. Ask him why when you next see him!
Hope you are all well.
Kath and the gang
Friday, April 11, 2008
The Farm/Jungle/Plantation...
Hi beautiful people! It's Katy here. Yesterday we visited the plantation owned by Kanlungan (2 hours away from Manila). There was much debate amongst the group as to whether it is a farm or a jungle. When you see the photos you can decide for yourself! It's run by the teenage boys too old to stay in the Malate centre. It's the most amazing place! They harvest coconuts, pineapples, pepper, coffee, bananas, mangoes and Jack fruit. The boys used to have to stay in tents but now have a small building to sleep in. Simon was brave enough to spend the night there with them. I'm happy to say he survived his night in the wilderness and rejoined the rest of us today in one piece. When we'd finished sampling the farm's fruit we found a waterfall deep in the 'jungle' and some of us jumped in for a dip! Nigel wound me and Becca up for ages by telling us that we'll probably get dissentry from the water...we seem okay today though!
I am proud to take full credit for inventing a successful Jeepney time-passing game on the way home. It involves a mexian wave of our hands grabbing the handrail then being released in sequence - hours of fun!! Chris also created Banana Man and two talking Mafia Pineapples to keep us all entertained. I'll try and get some photos so you can experience the fruit people too! ;)
I am proud to take full credit for inventing a successful Jeepney time-passing game on the way home. It involves a mexian wave of our hands grabbing the handrail then being released in sequence - hours of fun!! Chris also created Banana Man and two talking Mafia Pineapples to keep us all entertained. I'll try and get some photos so you can experience the fruit people too! ;)
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