Saturday - October 18 (What a Day!)

Before we tell you about yesterday (Saturday), I wanted to let you know that we will be traveling to Mindanao later today and we're not sure of the availability of internet access there. So it may be as many as 5 days until we are able to write another blog (but we hope not!)

Kevin - Saturday was one of those highlight days that you always remember from trips like this. We started the morning as a team in prayer and singing some songs together as each felt led. We moved over to the Children's Home and along with members of the local church, the home and some kids from the World Race team (you can learn more about them at www.adventuresinmissions.org) we packed up the food and bible packages that are one of the major initiatives for our trip. Following that, we set up for the block party and opened the gates of NFFCH and just watched a flood of people pour through! In the first 30 minutes, we had given food packages to over 600 families and all told, delivered well over 800 packages. The rest of the time was full of kids playing in the lawn, getting their faces painted, coloring with crayons or chalk, dousing each other with water balloons, playing basketball or soccer and then getting an apple and a little gift (stickers, hotwheels, pens, hairbands, etc.) as they left. It was wonderful to see the expectant crowd and to know that we were offering something to meet their hunger (physical and spiritual)

Mack-The afternoon and evening was dominated by an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new addition to the children's home. Two influential and wealthy Chinese ladies who are native to the Philippines sponsored the day. The ladies invited many people and it was a very festive occasion. Food, entertainment and fun prevailed. The children were dressed up in traditional and beautiful garb. You must see the pictures when we get home. We are leaving within moments for church, then lunch and a little shopping for the ladies then off to Malaybalay for the next five days and hopefully rewarding service.

God bless.