This is my last blog for 2016 Philippines trip. I met many good friends and memories. If there were not friends like them, I might not enjoy the trip as much as I could. And I am so thankful for the trip because it made me a good opportunity to meet new people. One of my most memorable event throughout the trip was going to the Happy Land near the Trash Mountain. This was my hardest experience ever. When I first got there, I was so shocked by the environment and I could not understand why do they call it the “Happy Land”. It was terribly disgusted with trashes and seemed like a road made of vomit, which I wanted to give up. However, I thought it will be an unforgettable memory and a good lesson for my life. Therefore, I just ran into the road without thinking anything. When the wind blows, the smell of the trashes went in to my nose and my face scrunched. Later, we started to sing worship songs. And I sang as loud as I could to forget about the smell. At that time, I felt so angry to the Philippines government. How could they make their citizens to live in the trashes? And why aren’t they helping them? However, in that environment, people did their laundries and did what people normally do. It was not a place where people could live. When we were in the subway coming back to YMC, people were covering their noses because of the smell of trashes from us. Yet, I was not embarrassed, because I did a good thing and even though I might not be a very helpful person there. I did my work to share some of happiness for them. I was so proud of myself. And of course I definitely want to comeback next year.
Today, I can write my final reflection of 2016 Philippines Trip. This is my second year and I did many things similar to the last year. Teaching kindergarten kids and first grade kids, swimming lessons, and feeding many people. It was great even though I did those works before, but the greatest thing was I learned different things. I learned how God accomplishes His plan and how does He uses different people at different situations. Moreover, I was able to say good bye easier rather than last year, and I was able to build deeper relationships with more kids. It was awesome to meet my friends in Philippines, but I was very sad because it could be my last time meeting them. The same thing about this year’s trip and the last year’s trip is I experienced so many high and lows in one day. I was mad and angry at the situations of people, but at the same time I felt happy that people are not giving up their lives. The happiest time of this year’s trip was when I was able to help needed people, and when I found out God is actually using me in His plans. I was able to share God’s love more than last year. In addition, I felt I was more matured than last year. I had a chance to go to the Trash Mountain, and Happy Land where has the accumulated trash. The place had the terrible smell, and terrible environment. If I went to the place last year, then I might give up and did not go. However, I enjoyed a lot when we were singing worship songs, and I did not think I want to give up at all. I loved the time at there and it was such a bless that I had a chance to get there and look at the people who are living in an extremely terrible environment. No one will even imagine the situation of the Trash Mountain and Happy Land. It was the most shocking and unforgettable memory of this year’s trip, and it was the experience that made me think a lot about myself, the world, and the way of helping people. If I did not join this year’s team, then I might regret a lot. This year’s trip was amazing and fantastic. I met so may wonderful people. I also saw so many people are living in a weak environment. I really hope I can visit the place again in the future and share how did their life stories and mine have changed. I was thankful for really super many things, and I am thankful the Lord that our team had a wonderful time safely.
-Sharon We have come to the end of the 2016 Philippines Service Trip and are sitting in the airport playing more card games during our layover. Everyone is still processing all that has happened over these past ten days and are working through the many goodbyes. Last night was our last time with the children at evening devotions, so many people said farewell and were given cards. I was pleasantly surprised at seeing how impacted the children were, even though we were only there for a short time. I had opportunities to connect with several children in different ways. I connected with some of the younger ones in the beginning of the trip during swimming lessons, the older girls a little bit each night at devotions, and others only once at special one-time events. Although I felt that I did not have a deep relationship with any of them, on the last day my eyes were opened when I received many hugs, letters, and goodbyes from the girls I knew. It was an emotional evening for everyone as we also had time to read encouragement letters that had been collecting in our personal encouragement envelopes over the past one and a half weeks. I was especially moved by Miss Baker’s final devotion with our Manila team. She had shared in our very first morning devotion about hope, which I wrote about in my first blog post, and last night in our final evening devotion she shared, in a new light, about that hope. Having seen God work through those ten days and provide hope was incredible. The testimonies that were shared and the things we saw or experienced could only have happened through Him.
I learned so much over this trip and find that it was different from any other service trip I have been on. There was such a variety of ways to serve through teaching, doing construction, going on feedings, giving swimming lessons, leading devotions, going to a government shelter, working with people with disabilities, and even by speaking truth into the lives of my teammates. It was really good for me to have the opportunity to speak with some of the leaders from other schools and share about life. Everyone was so encouraging and had the same focus in their lives. I really appreciated the many people who checked in on me once in a while through the busyness of the day to just give me a hug or see how I was doing. It was really nice to be reunited with my twin brother who was in Tacloban, since this was the longest time we have ever been apart. I know when we arrive back home, we will have a lot to share about our experiences and the way we grew. I continue to praise God for what He is doing and make myself available to Him. I have so much to share and unfortunately we are boarding soon, but I want to share one impacting experience. At our session with the people with disabilities, I was able to connect with three girls that were all deaf. We had some worship, skits, games, and crafts for all the people and I could not help but think how sad it was that they could not hear. At the same time, I was praising God because I knew that songs are not the only way we can worship God. Also, several of the skits did not have words and could be understood by just watching. The girls were all around my age and they were so happy. It is really cool for me to see how I am able to relate better with more people as I grow older and grow more mature in my faith. I used to think that I could reach out best to the very young children because they were easy to love. Later, I realized that the older children could understand more. Over this trip I have realized how much deeper I can get with people my age. I can now relate to all three of these groups, and am learning more about myself and God’s plan for my life. Overall, I learned a lot from this trip and would love to come back to Manila next year, if that is what God has for me. Thanks to everyone who have been lifting us up and supporting us in prayer! -Louisa It’s Sunday here, so we went to church in the morning. I was really tired and had a small cold, but the message and the song, Cornerstone, really reminded me how good God is and how I can always rely on him to relieve my burdens. After church, I felt better, and I thanked God for helping me. I was able to have fun with my friends on the shopping trip, and not burden them by being grumpy and tired. Today was really chill, but I am really thankful that I could have this opportunity to rest and know the other ISC students better. Tomorrow is another work day, but I think I can face it with full strength.
Yesterday was a quite meaningful day for me. It was a sports day, and we had a worship concert. During the sports day, I was so touched by some teenagers. There were some teenagers who are about 17. They always tried to help the smaller kids, and stay back for them to play more. I thought the games were not very interesting for them, because those were planned for both little kids and teenagers. However, during the free time, I could see them playing the game with their friends. I could see that they did not try to stand out because of the games, but for little kids. For the whole sports day, they were not busy playing, but busy to care for the kids and helping them. After it, Ms. Baker told me that JFH kids are waiting for this day for a whole year. It broke my heart again.
After the sports day, there was a worship concert. We prepared some skits, worships, and some testimonies. All of them were so good. I usually like the worship the best, because I feel like we are talking to God altogether, but I really liked all three of them this time. The most memorable thing was “everything” skit. I thought it is the same thing happening to me, and it made me cry. Overall, worship concert was so great. Today, I went to the church. Then, I went shopping with my friends. It was a fun day. I bought a lot of stuffs, and I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you. Plus, I’m already sad to see the end of the trip. TT I have been witnessing much over the past week, familiarizing myself with the sorrows of this world. I interacted with kids who were suffering from neglect and poverty. I built houses for people who call metal tins their shelter. I met kids who have been abandoned by their parents for various economic reasons. Did these situations shatter my heart? Yes, they did. Even though this is my third time in the Philippines, these scenes do not fail to evoke a sense of sorrow within my heart. Actually, now that I think about it, I think these scenes leave such a strong impact on me primarily because this is my third time in the Philippines.
I have witnessed much, but I haven’t done much in any sense. Sure, I built some houses, fed some kids, and served the afflicted – but how much do these count if I have done them in my own strength and wisdom? My faith is in God, and I believe that He had arranged me in the right situations and in the right moments during the last week. I believe that it was Him who accomplished His will when my hands were holding that shovel, I believe it was Him who blessed the kids when I was scooping that porridge- I believe it was Him who comforted the afflicted when I was serving them with a broken and scattered heart. One of my favorite memories for today is the worship concert. Last year, I did not participate well and did not like to play with the kids. However, I sang worship songs with my full heart. I sang with the kids and friends and I really liked it. I also liked to watch people enjoying the activities. So I noticed that I have changed a lot in a year and I can change more as my life goes on.
Theresa It's hard to believe the trip is half way over. The students had a ton of fun at the waterfalls today, and everyone enjoyed the Movie Nights tonight... one at Journey for Hope and one here at the YMC with the Children's Home kids. We watched The Good Dinosaur and Kung Fu Panda 2!
Everyone here is healthy and happy! Super tired, but everyone got to rest today. (Including me!) Tomorrow is another full day - Sports Day, Worship Concert, and then basketball with the boys from Children's Garden. I posted more pictures today.. you can find new pictures from each day. I got ahold of an SD card from another leader... :) Hope you're enjoying the pictures and blog posts! In the last few days I have received more high-fives than in my entire High School career. And that is despite having construction half the time and as such not spending as much time with kids as others. What does this say about the people here and the people back home?
The difference I see is the value put in a high five. At home in Shenyang it may be used as a greeting or in a way of congratulating one another after a success. Here, especially the children are very fond of stretching out their hands and asking for a high five. It is still a greeting, but more about the simple attention than anything else. It is a sign of recognition and acknowledgement. ‘I have seen you and I am here for you.’ Today I went to my first feeding, very close to where we are staying. There was a great influx of children, standing in line with tubs and bags in an effort to collect food. They varied greatly in size, colour and shape, but their purpose couldn’t have been clearer: ‘I am hungry and I need food’ was the basic message. But despite this need, the kids were in good spirits. Near the food container, one member of our team was handing out vitamin gummies. The children loved them, many coming back to get more and more, despite their being a one-per-person rule. Regardless, the feeding was a success, although I believe that there were one or two who didn’t get any food before it ran out, which made me feel sad. Before that, we had a double shift in construction (again). To be honest, I enjoyed it more than I would have thought. I have never been good with kids, and I feel super uncomfortable in their presence, so construction makes me feel useful and that feeling is immensely pleasurable. Sadly, I failed to put on sunscreen in a proper fashion and ended up with sunburn. Ah well, it’s part of life. Now it’s time to go to our group meetings and discuss our day. I hope you all have a wonderful day and night and that the message of love we are learning here will be passed on at home and in other places of the world. I did teaching, two constructions, and feeding. My teaching lessons are getting better and better. I could manage the kids there, and try to make them remember the information I’m giving. Usually, people don’t like to do construction, but I like it so much! Not very much, but at least, I think it’s okay. I’m so interested in shriveling. I also like how our teammates cooperate. For the feeding, I went to a new place from last year. I was so excited to go feeding, since it was the first time this year, but the people there broke my heart. Can you imagine people eating without a bowl? About half of the people there did not have a bowl or cup. Therefore, they brought a thin and small plastic bag to eat. The food was really hot, even we couldn’t touch it, but the kids were brave enough to touch it, eat it, and bring it for their family. I felt something weird. I should think more about it. Then, I had a rest night instead of devotion in JFH. It is one of my favorite part of the trip, so it made me sad, but I had a good time with my friends. I miss my JFH friends.
Overall, I’m doing the same thing as last year, but I could learn and feel different things. Plus, I’m good, mom and dad! |
SYIS Manila Team
10th - 12th Grade Students from Shenyang, China Archives
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