This year's trip was much different. Stephen came again, David (our little brother), and our friend Zach came. We had a very pleasant one day layover in Hawaii, and spent the day swimming in the ocean and walking around town and down the beach. It was beautiful. We also climbed a bunch of trees, and swung on their vines till our hands were raw. It was awesome. We also saw a bunch of homeless people, but they weren't begging or moping... They looked pretty happy. I would be.
Makes me wonder though, is anything being done for them? Do they want to be that way? (Haha, I wonder if anyone would support a missionary to Hawaii?)
In the Philippines, I started off the trip laying in a tent for two days, listening to planes fly 5 ft above my head every five minutes (not much of an exaggeration). I had a headache so bad, I didn't even realize I had a fever too. When I was feeling a little better, we went to the hospital. I was fine, just a little tonsolittis. I spent the rest of the time on 6 pills, and a mouth wash. It was a good adventure.
The rest of our time was spent mostly rushing from place to place, or doing absolutely nothing - but fighting off red ants, and filling their holes with dish soap. We also had fun picking mangos off our tree from the top of our roof. We also had a guava tree. I thought guava's were pink, but now I know they also come in white. They tasted pretty good.
One night, we went out to the streets to "observe." We talked to a bunch a kids, and basically asked them why they live on the streets, and how did they got there. Most of them have run away from their homes because of abuse. Two kids, John Mark and Omar, wanted to come live with us, so we brought them home. It was so funny though, because our bus kept breaking and kept breaking, and it took us three times longer to make it home.
John Mark opened up quickly and told us a lot, but had a problem with disobedience. After a couple days he had to sent back. Not to worry though, Pastor Rey will keep checking up on him. We're not finished with him yet.
Omar, on the other hand, is a great kid. He's only 11, and i still don't know why he was on the streets - probably also because of abuse. He is such a goof ball and such a love. My favorite memory of him was when I gave him a toothbrush. He was so tickled! He was laughing his heart out, and running around the house shouting "toothbrush, toothbrush!" Everything we gave him, would send him into heaps of laughter and excitment. It was great.
I'm excited for him too, because soon he'll be able to go back to school, and I know he is so loved at the orphanage!
We also met a woman named Beth, who ran away from her home with her six kids and has been living on the streets, selling peanuts 12 hrs a day to make a living. Scratch that, to earn a meal.
Her face says so much, and she is one of the most beautiful women i have ever seen. I can't believe all she has been through. It is so heart breaking, and yet she is so strong, and so easy going. Her personality just draws people to her. Especially the street kids; it took me a couple days to figure out which ones were actually hers.
Praise God, we were able to get her a bright pink house, and got her started with an electric stove, some food, and some other stuff you need for a house. Because of that we spent a lot of time in the market, and made a bunch of friends! Mostly kids, and they would follow us everywhere. We were quite a sight.
Most the time though, we were at the orphanage, just hanging out with all the kids there. I don't think I have ever played more ninja destruction in my life. ( Or, "ninja construction!" as Omar would say).
One of the girls, KC turned 18 that month, so we had a big birthday party for her, and more than 80 people showed up! She is such a hard working, loving girl. I was happy for her. :) She's the one who makes us bracelets and necklaces every year.
We also drove a couple hours away to Taygaytay. We visted a look out on top of a mountain, and prayed over the north, south, east, and west areas of the philippines. We also visited Colossians Gardens - a beautiful place! Pastor Rey's friend owns it, and is a very strong christian. He allows Pastor Rey to us it as a bible camp for all the kids in the program. (Papa Rey provides scholarships to kids who are truely in need, and really want to finish their education; pretty awesome!)
We also traveled to Borcay of Novelta. A gorgeous beach tucked away on a marine base. My favorite parts were the water, all warm and fantastic, climbing trees with a three year old (Beth's daughter Elisa), and eating bbq-ed pork. So delicious! Our last day was spent riding a jeepney to the mall. Riding another jeepney to a train. Taking a train to the market. Working our way through the market, buying some not-worth-all-this-hassle souvenirs, and then repeating to get back to the mall. Then to the airport.
I will miss all their beautiful faces! It's ridiculous how much we fall in love with them, and how amazing how much God loves them! It was a good trip.
