Child of God
a fun-loving cheerful group of L9s
from the Church of Holy Spirit
a Catholic parish in Singapore
This blog journals our mission trip
to Bicol in the Philippines
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Reunions and First Meetings
WHAT A DAY
FLASH REPORT
One More Day!
Countdown Continues
Let Us Not Be Afraid!
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Saturday, December 13, 2008
12:27 AM
Friday's outreach in Tagaytay was another day full of miracles.
It started with great uncertainty with news of a storm looming, and accentuated by a downpour throughout the night till the early hours of the morning. But the early morning prayer conducted by Sr Angeline and Uncle Al's pep talk and honest updates on the typhoon calmed all fears and reassured everyone of God's ever-continuing protection.
A hearty Singaporean breakfast of bread and curry and coffee, prayers, and lots of waiting characterised the first part of the morning. It was raining when we took the bus for Tagaytay, but the sky gradually cleared and the downpour stopped. After a scenic but rough journey via Mauraro and Danao, we reached the disaster resettlement centre of Tagaytay. We were welcomed by the homeowners' association president, Mrs Marilyn Napay, and hundreds of children.
We set up our equipment on arrival, tried to understand the place and buckled down to work with our array of activities - games, party songs, praise and worship, stories, or simply making contact with the young children.
After lunch we split ourselves into two groups - one for praise and worship and entertainment with the children, and the other went to fetch water for the residents.
The praise and worship team worked really well with the children, teaching them action songs and reaching out to them with a variety of songs and games. The other group found out how difficult it was to fetch water to the households. First we had to fill our pails with water by getting the liquid from an artesian well.Then we had to lug the pails to the various households, by negotiating the steep slippery slopes. But we got to see how their 4m x 4m houses looked like, how basic their necessities are, and generally appreciated how they lived.
It was really inspiring to know how these people - victims of natural calamities in 2006 - are rebuilding their lives and getting on with it. Some residents have evens set up their little domestic cottage industries, producing handicraft and souvenir items. The materials they produced were so nice and cheap that we went on a shopping spree.
After fetching water, the second group joined the first and interacted with the villagers. ‘Many of them were like little small smurfs, all of which were so cute!’ said Melissa Chan, a member of our mission group. Many of us found the time to buy souvenirs as there was a major change in plan.
We continued playing with the kids while another group led by volunteers Mark Monatnez and Abon Suataron set up games. Eventually, they ran out of prizes to give away such that Uncle David and Uncle Al had to raid a little provision store and bought everything they can lay their hands on which can be used a prizes.
Just before our departure, some of went to the top of the Tagaytay hill to watch the sunset. Overall it was a great success as our last image of Tagaytay were the small smiling faces of the little kids as we rode into the sunset back to home base.
After dinner, our Bicol volunteers, again led by Abon and Mark Montanez, set up a camp fire outside the university's auditorium. It was probably one of the best campfires we have ever participated in. Anne Tan led us throughout the two-hour campfire, which featured praise and worship, campfire songs and some songs performed by uncles Anthony and Al. At first, we thought the campfire was going to be a non-event as there was a slight drizzle and there were rain clouds above us. I suppose, we were simply a people of little faith when it came to these things, as in the middle of the campfire, the clouds cleared, the rain stopped, and the December full moon came into view. We also celebrated the birthdays of Nicholas Neo (Dec 15) and Cheng Yee Kei (Dec 13).
Supper of noodles, curry and fruit cocktail wrapped up the day. And it was bedtime for everyone by 1am. We got to sleep late as the next day is rest and recreation day.
We began with a rainy morning, but a glorious, spirit-filled and faith-filled evening. No talk about typhoons and storms. As far as we are concerned over here, the Lord has calmed the waters. Look at His providence at every step that we make. He is truly with us and has been guiding us and protecting us every step we make here in Bicol. And this faith and trust was expressed rather eloquently and full of conviction in our individual sharing during the campfire.
Please pray for us as we continue our mission here in Bicol, and also please pray that the group returning on Sunday - Juliana, Richard, Anne, Yee Kei, Sam Pang, Nicholas Neo, Frederick Tan, Liz Kow and Sarah Mao - may have a safe journey back to Singapore.
1 comments
Friday's outreach in Tagaytay was another day full of miracles.
It started with great uncertainty with news of a storm looming, and accentuated by a downpour throughout the night till the early hours of the morning. But the early morning prayer conducted by Sr Angeline and Uncle Al's pep talk and honest updates on the typhoon calmed all fears and reassured everyone of God's ever-continuing protection.
A hearty Singaporean breakfast of bread and curry and coffee, prayers, and lots of waiting characterised the first part of the morning. It was raining when we took the bus for Tagaytay, but the sky gradually cleared and the downpour stopped. After a scenic but rough journey via Mauraro and Danao, we reached the disaster resettlement centre of Tagaytay. We were welcomed by the homeowners' association president, Mrs Marilyn Napay, and hundreds of children.
We set up our equipment on arrival, tried to understand the place and buckled down to work with our array of activities - games, party songs, praise and worship, stories, or simply making contact with the young children.
After lunch we split ourselves into two groups - one for praise and worship and entertainment with the children, and the other went to fetch water for the residents.
The praise and worship team worked really well with the children, teaching them action songs and reaching out to them with a variety of songs and games. The other group found out how difficult it was to fetch water to the households. First we had to fill our pails with water by getting the liquid from an artesian well.Then we had to lug the pails to the various households, by negotiating the steep slippery slopes. But we got to see how their 4m x 4m houses looked like, how basic their necessities are, and generally appreciated how they lived.
It was really inspiring to know how these people - victims of natural calamities in 2006 - are rebuilding their lives and getting on with it. Some residents have evens set up their little domestic cottage industries, producing handicraft and souvenir items. The materials they produced were so nice and cheap that we went on a shopping spree.
After fetching water, the second group joined the first and interacted with the villagers. ‘Many of them were like little small smurfs, all of which were so cute!’ said Melissa Chan, a member of our mission group. Many of us found the time to buy souvenirs as there was a major change in plan.
We continued playing with the kids while another group led by volunteers Mark Monatnez and Abon Suataron set up games. Eventually, they ran out of prizes to give away such that Uncle David and Uncle Al had to raid a little provision store and bought everything they can lay their hands on which can be used a prizes.
Just before our departure, some of went to the top of the Tagaytay hill to watch the sunset. Overall it was a great success as our last image of Tagaytay were the small smiling faces of the little kids as we rode into the sunset back to home base.
After dinner, our Bicol volunteers, again led by Abon and Mark Montanez, set up a camp fire outside the university's auditorium. It was probably one of the best campfires we have ever participated in. Anne Tan led us throughout the two-hour campfire, which featured praise and worship, campfire songs and some songs performed by uncles Anthony and Al. At first, we thought the campfire was going to be a non-event as there was a slight drizzle and there were rain clouds above us. I suppose, we were simply a people of little faith when it came to these things, as in the middle of the campfire, the clouds cleared, the rain stopped, and the December full moon came into view. We also celebrated the birthdays of Nicholas Neo (Dec 15) and Cheng Yee Kei (Dec 13).
Supper of noodles, curry and fruit cocktail wrapped up the day. And it was bedtime for everyone by 1am. We got to sleep late as the next day is rest and recreation day.
We began with a rainy morning, but a glorious, spirit-filled and faith-filled evening. No talk about typhoons and storms. As far as we are concerned over here, the Lord has calmed the waters. Look at His providence at every step that we make. He is truly with us and has been guiding us and protecting us every step we make here in Bicol. And this faith and trust was expressed rather eloquently and full of conviction in our individual sharing during the campfire.
Please pray for us as we continue our mission here in Bicol, and also please pray that the group returning on Sunday - Juliana, Richard, Anne, Yee Kei, Sam Pang, Nicholas Neo, Frederick Tan, Liz Kow and Sarah Mao - may have a safe journey back to Singapore.
1 comments