FCC_2008 Philippine Mission Trip

Los Banos (continued)

fcc2008phil — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:07:35 +0000

As the team wraps up it’s trip here to Manila, I want to share a few highlights from our time here. We mainly supported ministries in Los Banos near the Laguna, and in Antipolo just outside of Manila.

We worked in Los Banos for about five days. Our days were long but very rewarding. We helped out with a children’s ministry that involved feeding children from poor families, helping with education, giving out rice to families in need, and visiting the poor community.

The first day in Los Banos I noticed a very sweet little girl who showed up with no parents just the other older kids to get some food, and participate in some singing and coloring. After sometime I approached the little girl and said, kamusta ka (how are you), and in a very tender little voice I heard a very faint mubuti (good). I met other children that day and had a great time over all. The very next as we were getting ready, she showed up again. This time the kids were having a snack and coloring. I asked the little girl her name and found out it was Kayle. She was so prescious and as the other children were coloring Kayle seemed confused. At most she could have been 4 years old but it was like she had never seen a crayon before. I observed for a while and could see she really didn’t have the coloring skills of the other kids. Eventually I went over to her and using a crayon began to draw happy faces, eventually I helped her to draw one and after I walked away I could see that she had attempted her own. I was overjoyed to see her progress.

Many of the poor kids in the Philippines have no opportunities for preschool and can often be developmentally much further behind than the other kids. That is why the Los Banos ministry is so important. Children who normally wouldn’t be getting attentions and support with school are able to get it. Below I have posted some photo’s of Kayle, with myself and Daisy.

Along Da Riles(rails)

fcc2008phil — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:46:01 +0000

If San Francisco is famous for Cable Car, well, Los Banos is not too far behind!!!

I got up this morning early and suddenly felt an urge to do this little music video. I don’t know why so, I thought I just share this little adventure trip with you guys. Have fun watching and enjoy!!!

By the way this is on our way to IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) during our trip in Los Banos. Ate Glo (one of the Nav staff) came with us today to sort of show us around a bit.

-Amy P

Who would have thought…?

fcc2008phil — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:19:32 +0000

Last night, I got a hot and sticky slice of heaven. We visited one of the home churches pastored by Willie Manubay, one of the Navigator leaders in the Philippines. It was one of the warmest groups I’ve ever visited. The couple who rent this house lost their oldest son just a couple of weeks ago, and last night, they hosted a home fellowship there. The actual title that they use is “prayer meeting”, but there is more that happens there than prayer. Testimonies are given, prayer requests and opportunities to give thanks are given. The LORD is worshipped. It is interesting that one church I attended spent thousands of dollars in a study to try to determine how to re-create the Acts community church, and didn’t quite succeed. Yet, this broken group of very simple, impoverished people has it down. I got up to share. I kept my English slow and simple and I threw in a few words of Tagalog whenever I could and I mentioned how there are many ways to be broken, and how my belly was full before I knew the LORD, but my heart was empty. It was wonderful to see how they took it in. Pastor Henry shared and I got as much help with translation from one of my team-mates as I could. It was hot, sweaty, sticky and wonderful. Although I had never met these people before, they accepted and welcomed me. Many shook my hand and thanked me for sharing. I was just the messenger.

It is my conviction that I tend to over-analyze and over-complicate things that are really very simple. To reproduce the Acts community church is not complicated. It is actually quite simple. Just share, love, invite and welcome, and it happens. The people come. No complexity involved. Everyone, no matter how well-off financially, needs to be loved, needs to share, needs to fellowship. Who would have thought that a group of broken people could help heal my broken heart? Well, obviously, Jesus did, and I am a very fortunate man, blessed and highly favored to see this.

-Chris McFadden

How Do I Describe…

fcc2008phil — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:10:21 +0000

How do I describe what I have seen? Pictures seem inadequate to describe this sight. This is my 3^rd mission trip to the Philippines and nothing has brought tears to my eyes except this trip. People who know me know that I don’t cry easily. But, the sight I saw here broke my heart.

While driving back to Los Banos we decided to pass by an impoverished area in Manila called Tondo. I have traveled to many places in the world before and have seen poor and impoverished areas but nothing prepared me for what I was about to see or feel. My first thought of the area as we were driving through Tondo was “What a crowded, old, dirty and poor area this is”. What I saw were stacks and stacks of housing units that went on and on for blocks and blocks. I thought the sight of these stacked units would end soon but it just continued on for many more blocks. It was on my left and on my right. I couldn’t escape it. Even if I wanted to look elsewhere the sight was the same and it just continued. That was when I broke out in tears. I felt an over whelming feeling of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness for these people. I thought to myself, “God are you here in this place? Do you see the plight of these people? What are you doing to help them?” Then, I imagined, somewhere lurking behind those old, dirty, cockroach infested units were little hearts crying out for help with no one to hear them or help them. Even as I write this, those same feelings are returning and I’m crying again (glad my team isn’t here to witness me weeping again!) Then I recalled that we have a great God, a compassionate God, a God who knows exactly how these people feel and who knows every detail of their pain and suffering and HE has a plan for their lives. He cares about those little hearts more than I could possibly feel for them. And, he is at work. He is always at work to draw those little hearts to himself. I know He is watching over them because He is able.

Rose

Hi!

fcc2008phil — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:33:36 +0000

Hi, this is Megan. I hope everyone is doing good back home in Fremont. My time here in the Philippines has been AMAZING. I just have so many stories to tell that I don’t even know where to begin. But I guess for this particular blog, I’ll write about yesterday (Sunday, July 6) because it’s still fresh in my mind. It was a long and busy day, but it was also fun and interesting. We first went to a church in Muntinlupa City called the “Vineyard.” Pastor Henry was invited to speak, so we all came to give our support. The people we met at the church were amazing. They were extremely welcoming and warm to us, and they gave us these flower necklace things that were really beautiful and smelled great. And everyone greeted us and shook our hands. I just felt so much love from these people, even though we’ve never even met them before. The service itself was amazing, too. When we sang and worshiped, everyone was singing with so much passion and love for God. It just made me so happy to see all these other people so happy as they’re coming together to worship. Pastor Henry’s message was about 1 Corinthians 13, which is all about love. On Saturday night, Pastor Henry had asked me and Iona to share our testimonies in the church. So after he had read the passage and introduced the topic in the service, I was first up to give my testimony. Oh man, if you’ve ever gone up on stage in a church to give your testimony…it is really a nerve wracking thing. Before I went up on stage, I was so nervous and I was just asking God to help me stay calm and confident. And right when I got on stage, I didn’t feel nervous at all. I hadn’t written anything down and had just vaguely planned in my mind what I wanted to say, but when I was on stage, I just knew exactly what to say and the right words just seemed to come to me. After the service, a woman came up to me, shook my hand, and said, “I wish someday my daughter can be like you. Because I’m always inviting her to church but she’s always saying, ‘I have to do this first or I have to hang out with my friends first.’ Your testimony was very encouraging.” That was absolutely amazing to hear and really touched my heart.=) After the service, we went to lunch with some of the pastors and main members of the church. After lunch, we drove to Antiplo because we were having a feeding and giveaway for the kids. We gave them McDonald’s, ice cream, clothes, toys, and school supplies. They were so excited and you could just see the joy in their eyes. We gave the moms clothes, too, and they were just as excited as the kids. Spending an afternoon with these people and making them feel special and loved just filled me with joy. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside (as cliche as that sounds haha). And I was just talking with these kids and they were calling me “Ate Megan” and I just felt like they were all my little cousins or something. I had met these older girls and took pictures with them. Just taking pictures with them made them so happy because the kids here LOVE taking pictures. They like being able to see the picture right after it was taken and seeing their pose or smile or silly expression. It was truly an amazing experience meeting these kids. Well, after the feeding and giveaway, we went to the mall to eat dinner. Then, at 7:30 we visited a house church. It was a very small space and there were a lot of people, so it was very crowded. With all the bodies there it was also really hot. I don’t even know how many people were there, but it was A LOT. They’ve been meeting every Sunday night for a long time now. A lot of the kids I had met before were there, and when they did singing and worship, they all knew the words to the songs. The sound of these people singing in this tiny house was beautiful. I thought it was amazing how these people just didn’t care that there wasn’t enough space for everyone or that it was hot or that there wasn’t enough songbooks for everyone; they were just happy to come together to have a church. Basically, it was a great day yesterday. I’m sorry that I’ve used the word “amazing” so many times, but I really don’t know what other word I could use to describe it. Words can’t even describe it. I can’t believe that this missions trip is almost over. This experience has been fun, different, challenging, hot, sticky, tiring, and interesting. But even more importantly, this trip to the Philippines has been life changing and – dare I say it – amazing! =)

Once a day

fcc2008phil — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:01:24 +0000

Sunday, June 29th

On our way to Los Banos, Laguna, we stopped at Jollibee for lunch. It was raining. And as we were eating, something urged me to look outside. I saw a girl selling walis ting-ting (broom) and two other girls selling sampaguita (smells pretty & it’s Philippine’s national flower put on a string to adorn altars). They looked cold and hungry. I asked if they’ve eaten. When they said “No”, I invited them inside. The girls hesitated at first but they eventually allowed me to buy them food.

Dave suggested we take a picture together and I was glad the girls agreed. Aren’t they precious?

From left to right: Mary Joy (thirteen), Maricel (ten), Roselyn (eight) & Ren (young at heart, LOL!)

The team later met more kids from Villegas community during the NAV’s feeding program in Los Banos. It’s heartbreaking to find out that the kids only eat once a day.

The following verses came into my mind: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:35 & 40, NIV

-Renelyn

The Kids of Antipolo

fcc2008phil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:39:16 +0000

062808

Today we traveled to a small suburb of Manila called Anipolo where the Navigators (Navs) staff have set up a ministry to the poor at a local Catholic church. The Navs have started a ministry to help the kids with education and with feeding. This keeps the kids off the streets on the weekends and gives them some extra nourishment they might not get at home. God really touched all of us this day. The kids lightened our hearts and put smiles on our faces. They were so excited and full of energy.

We met on of the fathers whose name was Obit. Obit has 3 daughters and a son. He and his family survive on very minimal funds, I was told less than 100 dollars a month. A few of his daughters looked malnourished and I felt moved to pray for him and try to understand his life. He was a very happy warm-hearted man even in the mist of poverty. He felt like a teacher to me and while in his house praying I felt that it was a Holy moment where God was telling when we serve those in need we are serving Him. I had the Nav staff forward him a little gift from me and I am praying as to how to learn and deal with this in the future.

The poor will break your heart and I believe God can use the brokenness. Meeting the poor is a Holy encounter that I believe God uses to open us up to love more deeply, more sincerely, and learn to cherish even the small sustenance we have, because so many in this world have so little, and those of us who have so much often do not understand what we have.

D-

My 18th (wink, wink) Birthday

fcc2008phil — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:57:28 +0000

Buzzz, Buzzz, my borrowed phone (from a very great friend) woke me up this morning between 6:00-6:30am. It was a call from home. As soon as I answered it a little voice came out and started to sing “Happy Birthday” in the most beatiful tone I think I can imagine. It was my little brother calling from the other side of the world just to greet me on this special day. Aaahhhhh. This alone made my day (so, I thought!).

Today, we were all leaving for Los Banos and will soon be participating in a feeding program for kids. Of course before arriving to our final destination Kuya Gene had taken us to a pit stop for lunch, Jollibee. I had spaghetti just as Ate Daisy promised. As we arrived at our destination we automatically made preparation; the girls were putting table cloth, the guys were putting streamers on the metal part of the roof; I, Jared, Liam and Megan were blowing balloons in preparation for games for the kids. Little did I know that this day would be a memorable one because……My Team had thrown me and Jared a surprise birthday party. And these beautiful kids we were helping to feed were my special guest. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

I thank God for my life and I thank God for all the things that he has given me. And I thank Rose especially for putting up this great surprise as she whispers to my ears and pass by me while I write this blog.

To the Team you guys Rock!!!!!

Amy

The Reality of Urban Manila,(we made it).

fcc2008phil — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:11:46 +0000

We arrived yesterday morning in Manila after 14 hours on the plane. The flight went well and I think a lot of were able to get some good sleep. After going thru customs and loading our boxes onto the truck we headed into a city which really seems to be changing my life from the inside out. Amy, Daisy, Ren, and myself piled into a car with a driver who we didn’t know and after a few blocks we finally realized we were with the right person..

The ride from the airport out to the Navigators headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City (metro Manila) was more intense than any rollercoaster ride I have been on. Riding into Manila was like walking into a world which I was not expecting. So much poverty, brokeness, and traffic. People riding on things that I am just learning the words for. All packed into streets which were probably made for 80% less..

All I can say is Tijuana on steroids. Wow! Manila is eye opening place.

After arriving we went to the market and walked the streets and had some opportunities for ministry. More to come.

David Nothhelfer

I hate interruptions. I like schedules. I like productivity, and I like accomplishments. That has been the rule of my life from the time I was in junior high school up until about half a year ago. When I became a Christian, I tried to accomplish great things for God. Now, I am here in the middle of a culture that doesn’t recognize schedules or timetables, and that doesn’t even recognize that there is such a thing as a corporate ladder, let alone how to climb it. Asaph wrote Psalm 79:1-4 in grief and outrage over the invasion, subjugation, and defilement of God’s people. Today, the Filipinos are in the same place. They were under the Spanish for 330 years, and they exploited them. Then, they were under the Japanese, and they bled them dry. Are the Filipinos regarded by God as less important than the Israelites over whom Asaph grieved? What about the homeless guy on the street? What about the co-worker who interrupts me in the middle of an important project? What about …? The list goes on. That is a question I have to answer every day. That was a question I had to answer last night. I was trying to keep up with the group, paranoid about getting robbed, trying to get back to the hotel where we were saying. I was actually angry when a small child tried to get my attention by tapping on my arm. I resisted and I stiffened my arm. The child got the message and didn’t interrupt me again. Isn’t it amazing how kids can sense things without our needing to say a word? I caught up with the group when Jesus used a sister in the LORD to show me the kids. These were little ones, three or four years old, on the street, without any parents. They wanted to eat. Is my schedule or my convenience more important than a child being able to eat? Well, I answered that without a word. I also answer that when I pass a guy begging on the street, or I sneer, or I say something cynical under my breath (“Get a job, dude!”) or when I get interrupted by a co-worker who just wants to talk. I hate interruptions. Am I going to be resentful the next time Jesus wants to interrupt me? What am I going to do? That is a question that I’ll have to answer, and answer soon.

-Chris McFadden

Dear loved ones,
What a culture shock! On TV, watching commercials like the World Vision which talks about poverty and hungry children in poor countries, I can easily turn off the TV or change channel to avoid responsibilities to respond but not this trip. As God whispered to me this early morning “Get up and look outside the window, look at the impoverish, I am taking care of them too”. “How?” I asked (I know about how God takes care of the birds etc) but God says don’t worry about that, I am taking care of that. He has a huge weblink of committed missionary such as the kuyas and their wifes Bobot, Kim, Wensey, etc. The challenged for me is will I support the missionaries. I am skeptical about trusting organizations financially because of the mismanagement of funds or the corruption within the organization that the poor don’t receive the hard work donation that I make on a monthly basis. But God showed me in such a short period of time that the missionaries are sincerely committed to their ministries because of their love for Jesus. They too have needs. And I believe that God is calling me to serve the Missionaries at this time to meet their needs. Health needs in particular. I still don’t know clearly what I am to specifically do but I know He will let me know, and the question again will be “are you willing to obey” I come Lord and I will

-Daisy DelaPena

On Our Way To Manila!

fcc2008phil — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:01:08 +0000

We are here at SFO on Wed 062508 with Pastor Henry and the gang waiting for our plane to take off. Checking it went very smoothly except for a little hold with one of our members Dave Nothhelfer who was detained by TSA. Fortunately after a detailed scrutiny of all of his personal items he was free to head to Manila. Unfortunately Pastor Henry and Chris taunted Dave to the extreme. So we will board in about an hour and then on our way. We will update you upon our arrival. Blessings, FCC, family, and friends!