Not So Subtle Reminders

Brokenness, I am constantly reminded of it, and ever grateful for it. I was sitting in church yesterday and was reminded of the brokenness that exists all around us. It was missions Sunday, so the emphasis was placed on all the missions that we as a congregation support everyday through prayer, emails, and financially and I was all at once transported back in time to our visit to the Philippines. As we saw the faces of the children on the streets and in the government hospitals, it was akin to reliving the experience all over. I could almost smell the sickeningly-sweet smell of the garbage at the Baloc site, or feel the joyful gaze of the children for whom home is the streets or a slum dwelling. As I saw the images tears began to swell in my eyes, the subtle reminders of brokenness that we become anesthetized to.
I must admit that I have found the anesthetic to the realities of the world creeping in with every day that passes. I am anesthetized to my own experiences as a foreigner visiting such disparate circumstances from my own. Life is filled busyness. We have to provide for our families. We strive to be good parents and spouses. We’re making meals, and cleaning rooms, doing laundry, calming teary eyed loved ones in the middle of the night, helping friends, and finding somewhere in the midst of it the time to enjoy life which usually means watching something on some kind of screen because we’re too exhausted to do anything else. Slowly, the anesthetic of life here in the west makes its way into our hearts and minds.
While the gap in geographical distance between my situation and the situation of those I encountered in the Philippines is vast, it seems that every day I am apart from them the gap in my heart between my experiences there and here is ever widening. Then, with the flash of a photograph or small video clip the distancing gap is all at once condensed and I find those feelings that I thought were lost over time and am reminded of something I heard a psychologist on the radio say once: emotional pain, when recalled from memory, acts on our minds as though it were happening for the first time. The pain of sympathy is one that I hope never to forget. It is the antidote to the anesthetic of a culture steeped in materialism. So how do I teach my son the value of this personal revelation?

Our Final Days

I'm on the airplane right now writing this blog entry. By the time many of you read this Josiah and I will already be home. Our last days are a bit of a blur to me now. We finished up the conference at the Frontline Worship Center, and on the last day of the conference we had the privilege of serving the people of the Baloc campus.
Privileged. That's honestly what I feel; privileged. It's hard to describe the feelings I have any other way. I'm almost 100 percent certain that the poor of Baloc, of Gruar, of the Philippines, were more of a blessing to Josiah and I than we could ever have been to them. The way in which their faces reflect gratitude exemplify how we ought to be in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. They lack so much that the slightest act of kindness fills their hearts to overflowing. The weight of the lessons I have learned here will no doubt loose their potency with time, as I reenter the material wealth and comfort of life in Canada. I only pray that the images that I have will fan a flame that can resist dulling effects of life back home.
The poor, Jesus said, will always be with us. In Canada, the poor are invisible. They are hidden in shelters and low income housing. Unless you intentionally place yourself in their path you may never know them. In the Philippines however, the poor are everywhere. You cannot escape the evidence of their existence and it breaks the heart.
I have so many questions for the Father. How do I carry on with this breaking in my heart? How do I let myself continually be broken on their behalf? How do I keep from being dulled, made passive, by the care and concern of the material life? I need Him to Father me in these areas if I am to father Josiah in like manner. How will I help him to understand the weight, the full weight, of what the Father has privileged us with? How do we carry what He has placed in our hearts and still carry on in the life that He has given us? How can we do Him justice? How do we seek justice for the poor on His behalf? I am now more than ever full of questions than I was before, and so much more aware of my need for is Fathering than I realized.
Josiah and I had a wonderful day in Taipei together. We managed to take a free half day tour of the city. We got to see some beautiful sights, in what I would describe to be a beautiful city. All in all it was a good opportunity to transition back into western life. But as we were swept up in the day I could feel dulling effects setting in; the glitz and glamour of the west. I didn't recognize it at first, but after reflecting I realized I could feel my heart grieving. Grieving the loss of fully feeling the plight of the poor as I allowed myself to be caught up in the clean and clear sheen of glass, steel, and technology. I grieved the presence of the poor who cause us to consider their lives. They are not matter out of place, as we are socialized to believe they are, but they are a treasure to behold and a reminder of our own state of being. Jesus said blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom and heaven… blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. From what I experienced among the poor in Manila and San Pablo, the Kingdom of God is there in their midst. By His grace I tasted it and I am broken by it.

An Afternoon of Hospital Ministry

Yesterday was a difficult day. We accompanied a lady by the name of Nelia to the local pubic hospital to pray for the sick in the surgery and pediatric wards. The scene was incredible to me, and not in a good way, when I first saw how they administer care to the people there. The hospital looks something like a scene from a world war 2 film with dirty walls, broken floors, beds that are falling apart, and medical equipment that is antiquated. We prayed for a lady who had been in the hospital for four days for a surgery that would have been a simple day surgery back home. Many people in the hospital are prescribed medications that they cannot afford and they cannot leave the hospital until their bill is paid. So, if a person cannot afford their hospital bill they must remain there until they can pay it, and every day they stay their bill cotinues to accumulate. Nelia is often an advocate for these people negotiating hospital bills down from 80,000 pesos to 4,000 pesos. But, when the minimum daily salary can be as little as 240 pesos a day it is hardly affordable, even for public health care.

In the pediatric ward, 90% of the children we prayed for were there because of dehydration from diarrhea. We prayed for one lady who was in the hospital with her 11 day old baby because she had given birth to him at home and the baby had sepsis from the home birth. I'm not even sure what the prognosis was for the baby but we prayed for him nonetheless. Another man had his son in the hospital with a kidney infection for 16 days simply because he could not afford the medication. My heart was so broken for the people there I can't even describe the feelings. We ended up buying medications for those who couldn't afford them, but even that contribution feels like a tiny drop in the bucket because the need is so overwhelming.

As I was waiting with Nelia for the prescriptions to be written out so we could buy the medications, a woman came out of the room with her 20 month old son John David. No one had prayed for her son yet and I was told he had leukemia. I laid hands on him and prayed for healing in his little body, and told her I would have my family back home praying for him (so when you think about it please pray for John David). I ended up paying for antibiotics for him as well. The pharmacy was outside of the hospital, not in the hospital and there were several from which to choose. I was in disbelief at the fact that even though they are in public care, the hospital doesn't supply the necessary medication.

Sitting here a day later, our visit to such a derelict hospital seems almost as though it wasn't real. I don't know if that's because of the shock of it, or because I could never have imagined public health care being so poorly supported by the state. All we could do was pray.

Arriving in San Pablo

Well we have arrived in San Pablo after a full day yesterday. We checked out of the resort at one o'clock and then got on the bus at three to make our way back to Manila. We stopped for supper along the way and finally arrived at New Hope at a little after nine pm. Josiah and I were both feeling under the weather and a bit homesick yesterday which made the day feel even longer than it was. Before getting ready for bed we said our goodbyes to the team in Manila and I could feel the weight of the emotions building inside of me. I love the people here. I love their hearts, their generosity, the way in which they serve the least as though they are the greatest. They prefer everyone above themselves and I know that I can, and have, learned a tremendous amount from the people in there. My heart grieves leaving them behind.

I had the opportunity to share some of the material I have taught with men's fraternity (a program that I used to facilitate that teaches biblical masculinity) and the teen boys there received it very well. I had them gather in groups afterwards to discuss and pray with each other which I'm told was very well received. It was great for me to revisit the material from that course. It brought me back to the reason why I had looked into it in the first place: to learn what it means to be a father to a son, but also a son to a heavenly Father. I took the group to Proverbs 17:6 that says "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers." This has been a revelational passage in my life. It made me realize the amount of influence fathers have in their son's lives and inspired me to be a better father knowing that my kids look up to me with such unreserved admiration and trust. Because of that scripture, I have journeyed a path that has inspired me as a father to bring my son to the Philippines to share the love of our heavenly Father in whatever small ways we can with as much love in our hearts as we can offer.
But, it seems that the Lord isn't done with my personal journey yet. As I have been digging into the material again it seems I can feel his pull on my heart telling me that I need to fully embrace my sonship in him. Even now, as I write these words, I can feel the tug on my heart pulling me towards abandoning my reserved nature and to boast in him, giving him my full confidence, saying with my life that my dad is the best dad, because he really is my glory. My prayer is that I can inspire others to do the same with their lives. Most of all, I hope that I can inspire my own children to boast in their heavenly Father in full confidence of their role as His sons and daughters. As we enter the second phase of our trip here in San Pablo, I do so fully anticipating my Father to continue the work he has begun in my heart.

Sitting here watching God's version of fireworks

As it turns out there is wifi here at the resort, so I didn't need to blog in a panic after all. As I type this blog I am watching God's version of fireworks. Every few seconds the sky lights up, illuminating the bay with bursts of brilliant white and purple. As it is everywhere in the Philippines this time of year it is hot here. I feel like a snow man melting in the heat at times, and then I am rescued by a gentle breeze. Then, the sound of rain as it plays its song on the leaves of the trees and the rooftops of the picnic shelters. It's a wonder to me that anyone can experience these moments and fail to see the splendor of our Father in it.
Today was a day of travelling as we made our way to camp (or as Marlies said earlier today, Alan's version of it). We left Manila on Philipino time today which means we were supposed to leave at eight, but actually left at 9:30. As we were leaving the city the evidence of poverty was all about us. Squatters set up their makeshift homes wherever there is space or wherever landowners turn a blind eye. Where a river once ran, evidenced by the concrete structures of causeways and spillways, the poor harvest the lilly pad stalks and dry them by the roadside to be used for making baskets and shoes as they try to etch out a living in the heat of midday. It's a jumbled compilation of people and places devoid of any sort of city planning committee's influence.
To alleviate the overstimulation of the senses I read for a while only to lift my gaze upon what seems to be a totally different Philippine experience. As we enter the resort area all of a sudden the roads are clean, less congested, and the makeshift homes have disappeared from view. It was a weird experience as I fully expected to see what I already knew to be the Philippines, but instead saw a tourist destination. I had the odd sensation that this was an artificial representation of some kind. People who come to these places don't have to see the faces that make up most of the Philippines: the poor. It's not that the Philippines don't have their wealthy here, they certainly do. But unlike home, there is little semblance of a middle class so the wealthy are few in comparison to the many poor here.
At first I struggled to be here, but when I saw the faces of the youth, for whom this is really meant to bless, I quickly changed my perspective. For many of them the air conditioned bus ride alone is an event they haven't had, never mind a trip to a resort. I suppose perspective is important to consider on occasions like this. So, I am grateful to be here. Grateful to have small role I have been privileged with to bless these youth. And the Father blesses me with his version of fireworks on the sea.

Superkids as promised

So I'm not sure if I'll have an internet connection when we are camp and I don't want to forget the events of the weekend here so I thought that I had better write another blog about the Superkids program here at New Hope. But before I do that it is probably a good idea to tell you some of the history about it as told to me by Pastor Ding.
As he tells it to me, when he and Mona took over New Hope they didn't really have much of a passion for the kids ministry as we have the privilege of seeing it now. But as Ding tells me it was around Christmas time several years ago that it started. Every Christmas the kids from the squatter villages make their way out into the main streets knock on the windows of the vehicles and sing carols for the drivers in the hopes of collecting a few pesos. Ding felt challenged by the Lord to do something about this and so he and Mona decided to invite the kids from the local squatter villages to come for a Christmas party and only expecting about fifty kids (only really prepared for 100) they had over 500 children come for the Christmas party. From that one party was sparked Superkids. Now years later the program is run by some of the very first young people that they reached out to plus so much more. Every Saturday they feed anywhere from 350 to 500 kids and had to stop advertising because their facilities couldn't accommodate the numbers.
Ding, Mona, and the volunteers here at New Hope feed the poor on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. During the beginning and middle of the week they go to various squatter villages, and the remaining days they feed children and youth right here at New Hope. First for superkids on Saturdays, and then at the Sunday evening youth church. Also, they run a school for kids in K-3 and each year they hope to add another year because they have a desire to see these kids lifted out poverty and see that a powerful tool for that is through an education that is better than the one public schools here offer. Right now they are in the process of negotiating for land across the street so they can build more classrooms for the children.
My heart is broken for these kids, and for the work that Ding and Mona do here. Surely they will be among the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, for they are truly the servants of the least, and by doing so they serve us all. Please pray for New Hope that the Lord will bless all that they do here, and that they will have favour in their endeavours. If anyone is deserving, it is them.

I am truly humbled by the way in which they serve.

A Bit of Time to reflect

It's eleven o'clock here on Sunday and I've just come away from chatting with my wonderful wife who I miss more and more as the days go by. I discovered that Blackberry messenger can be used while signed in to a wifi connection and had the wonderful privilege of hearing her voice as well as the voices (and in Shiloh's case sounds) of my other kids. We shared voice notes back and forth and laughed at hearing Titus in his two year old way, try to have a conversation with our recordings.
Being apart from those you love is both a difficult and blessed event. Difficult because you're apart from those who are most dear to your heart. A blessing because you are removed from the numbing effects of daily routine just enough to realize how much you really do love those who are closest to you. Things you take for granted like to cooing noises of a baby, the bright and cheery sound of a two year old's greeting, the endearing words of your daughter, or the loving sound of a spouse all cause your heart to remember its first loves.
While it was nice to hear the sounds of loved ones, it also came with its sadness in myself and Josiah. I think that the past few days have had an emotional toll on him and while hearing the voices of loved ones was good, it also brought up few other issues with it. Just after breakfast this morning I could tell Josiah was having a difficult time when one of the young people came up to him to give him a high five and he didn't return the gesture of friendship. I quickly took him into our room and asked him what was going on and I could tell that the heat combined with late nights were taking their toll when, with tears in his eyes, he told me that he was having a hard time because he couldn't understand the language, and that he thought that the kids were making fun of him. I had to explain to him that the kids here thought he was cool (after all they either called him Justin Beiber, or asked how he was related) and that when they were talking to him without understanding him that they laughed as a way to deal with the frustration they were feeling and not at him per se. Instead of getting angry and frustrated they laugh and giggle. The people here are very kind-hearted and happy so it isn't an illogical explanation. What I think was really going on though was a little home sickness. After a few minutes of discussion and some settling down we managed to gather ourselves together for the church service.
It made me wonder though, how many times in life do we have similar emotions? Perhaps we're going through an overwhelming situation where we don't understand what is happening and in our longing for the familiar misdirect our melancholy feelings on others whose intentions are farthest from our assessment of the situation. How many pep talks has the Father tried to give us to help us through the situation, and how many of us are really listening to what he is saying? As I journey on this faith walk with Josiah, I have to ask myself these questions. Am I really listening? Am I misplacing or misdirecting my emotions in areas that are not the cause. And so I look to the Father to help guide me through. Look for His pep talk or His insight when I can't tell the forrest from the trees. What I know for sure is that if I am interested in my own son's heart and can see what he's going through when he cannot, our heavenly Father sees and knows infinitely more than we do and is far more interested than we have the capacity to conceive.
Well I intended to write more detail about what we have done in the last couple of days but it seems that this blog has taken me elsewhere... probably the doing of the Father. Perhaps next time I'll talk about superkids and the amazing work that pastors Ding and Mona are doing here in Manila for the poorest and least of the city.

First Couple of Days

Today is day two of our adventure here in the Philippines, and it has been a lot to take in. We arrived yesterday at 9:30 in the morning and once we finally cleared customs and made it to our destination in Cainta Manila it was nearly 11:00 am, but felt more like 6:00 pm. We managed to get to our room, get our stuff settled, have lunch, and rest a little bit before we made our way to Gruar squatter village.
The movement of life here is completely by feeling. Drivers on the roads weave in and out of traffic by feel as there are few, if any, lights at any given place. Where there is traffic direction from an officer, it too is completely by feel as they seem to have some kind of sixth sense for traffic flow. The days are hot and humid and that combined with the travel makes for dozy evenings.
It's amazing the things that you take for granted about the place you call home when you go to visit other places in the world. The sun sets here at around 6:30 pm and rises at around 5:00 am, and I'm sure that since this country is close to the equator there is little variation to that schedule (but I could be wrong). I hadn't expected the sun to go down so early as back home the days are becoming longer with the approaching summer season.
Anyways, I digress. Back to Gruar squatter village. It was an amazing experience. We arrived at our destination by van and our entrance to the village was a narrow walkway between to buildings that suddenly burst onto a flurry of children as the team set up for their Thursday evening meeting. The village is built up beside a muddy stream with all kinds of remnants of garbage and other refuse floating on its banks. Here in this seemingly inhospitable environment fish, like the people of Gruar, have etched out a life for themselves in an environment that is harsh tattered and torn like the refuse that surrounds them.
Yet the people are beautiful. Children, at least a hundred if not more, all with smiles and song and play surround you as they come to partake in a worship service and get some soup and rice. They have every reason to be angry and bitter for their situation, but instead they are grateful for the company of newcomers and a hearty meal. Josiah and I had the privilege of handing out out the small portions of soup and rice wrapped in small plastic bags, and as each child was handed their portion I prayed blessing over their lives. Completely undeserving of their lot in life, they remain joyful and playful: unlike children back home. Lessons from the poor I will take into my heart as long as I can remember these days.
We came back from Gruar and Josiah was exhausted (I could tell when we were in Gruar that he was fading and by Ding's kind generosity Josiah was able to have a Coca-cola to tide him over) and immediately went into the room and crashed. I tried to wake him for supper, but it was useless: he was out for the night.

Friday morning arrived, and we were both awake by 5:00 am (actually I was awake at 3 but I forced myself to sleep until 5). Invigorated by an evening of much needed rest we were ready to begin the day. We had breakfast by 8 and without morning activities planned set to doing some work. I on my notes, for any opportunity at which I might be called to speak, and Josiah for his homework assignments. By 11 we were given lunch and shortly after 1 we made our way to visit Ileena, an LPN who runs a clinic as a ministry in Antipollo. From there we had the privilege of visiting the squatter village that she has served faithfully for the last six years, and were greeted once again with smiles. As we made our way through the village the crowd of children seemed to multiply instantaneously. We were greeted with gifts for our visit and as we left several of the children wanted to have their pictures taken with Josiah. As we got into the van I heard one of the little girls say goodbye to Justin Beiber (the name they gave to him). It was pretty cute.

The people here at New Hope are amazingly generous, and demonstrate tremendous hospitality and servanthood. While perhaps a little overwhelming, our experience thus far has been pretty amazing.

A Baptism and an adventure with sidetracks

Well it's currently 12:30 am Wednesday morning and after a couple of unexpected days in Vancouver we are now sitting in the waiting area for our flight to the Philippines.
Our adventure began with an amazing momentous occasion as on Sunday I had the honor of assisting in Josiah's baptism. Getting to share in this occasion was beyond words for me, but one I will never forget as it is a milestone in my son's journey with the Father. It made my wife and I think of the time when Jesus was baptized and his Father was there to mark the occasion with a pronouncement over him. Jesus was launched from that moment into his ministry life and it was sealed by the Holy spirit.
When we baptized Josiah, I too had the wondrous opportunity to pronounce blessing over him and, with our mission team leader Alan, was able to pray for the baptism of the Holy spirit over him. Our journey couldn't have been launched any better. But, as with all journeys we take with the Father, it never works out as our limited vision causes us to believe it will and often we wind up in unexpected places.
As we arrived in Vancouver ready to make our connecting flight to Taipei, Josiah and I encountered a problem that would cause our journey to take us to just such an unexpected place. Since my passport did not have more than six months left on it before expiring, I was denied entry to Manila by their customs office and forced to remain in Vancouver until I was able to renew my passport. While Josiah left the terminal with me quite disappointed and exhausted, I had the opportunity to explain to him that when the Father calls us on an adventure we have to be open to where he will lead us as He knows what our hearts need even more than we do. I explained to him that we need to trust his plans for our adventures. Stuck in the airport lobby without anywhere to go, I immediately called my brother, who lives in the lower mainland, and within no time we were at his house and in good company.
What's amazing about this little rabbit trail is that the Father knew exactly what both Josiah and I needed. I had said, only just days before I was preparing to leave, that I was missing my brother and wanted to try and reconnect with him. The Father heard that desire and gave me just that opportunity. It was great to see him and spend time with him. Times I have missed from our early childhood days thqt we had rare occasion to share as adults. We were able to share laughs, tell stories about our children and share in deep and meaningful conversation; all moments I will cherish as a gift from the Father. Not only did I get to share in this gift, but the Father also gave me the gift of seeing my son's heart delight in His goodness (He always knows what our hearts delight in). With the extra time we had in Vancouver I had the privilege of taking Josiah to Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium. It was great to watch him move from exhibition to exhibition as his youthful curiosity about the world we live in was tantalized by nature's beauty and the amazing gift the Father has bestowed upon us in the creative discoveries made by the world of science. The Father, knowing the disappointment of His son provided a gift that would serve to show His incredible goodness towards us.
In the end, my passport renewal was expedited in timely fashion with the support of friends and family in both prayer and word, and now we press on to the Philippines where I'm sure more adventure awaits us.

Itinerary

So we had our last meeting about the trip to the Philippines and I thought I would share our itinerary so people will know where we will be and when.
We'll be leaving Lethbridge on Sunday the 15th at 6:30 to arrive to the airport for our flight which leaves from Calgary to Vancouver at 11:00 PM. Then we change flights in Vancouver and our plane to Taipei boards at 1:55 AM for a 13 hour flight. From there we transfer to a two hour flight to Manila where we arrive at 9:35 AM local time on the 17th of May. We'll have a few days in Manilla to get organized and most likely visit the squatter village near to where we will be staying. On the Friday we'll participate in a home group meeting, and then on the Saturday we'll participate in a kid's ministry and on Sunday we'll participate in church and Sunday evening the youth events. Then on the 23rd we head out for a retreat that we will be helping to put on for the children's ministry there for three days or so before we transition to San Pablo for a youth convention where we will be assisting as well until the 28th. Then we leave on the 30th to come home.

All in all it looks like we'll be having a whirlwind of a stay in the Philippines. I'm looking forward to what the Father will show us while we are there.

Praise the Lord!

Well thanks be to God for His provision! All the money has been raised for Josiah and I to go to the Philippines. Thank you to everyone for your continued support in prayer and friendship as Josiah and I prepare for our journey together. As we continue I am reminded of Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." It's amazing how when we feel the Lord lead and commit ourselves to His ends, He alone establishes (or another translation says makes successful) our plans. Pslams 37:23 says "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand." Our steps are established by the Lord, and He will not let us falter; all great lessons for a Father to teach His son, and a father to teach his son.

Praise the Lord

Well, Josiah and I have some great news! The Lord has been faithful and provided us with nearly all the money we need for our trip. Over the weekend the Father provided all but $625! It has been incredible to see Him at work for us, and it has been awesome to journey with Josiah on this adventure of faith. With just over two weeks before we leave, I have no doubt that the Father will provide all that we need.

Extra Info

Ok, so thanks to some keen eyes I have realized that the dates that we are going to be in the Philippines are not in any of my previous posts. So, the dates we will be travelling are May 15th to the 30th. The rest of the team will be there until the second of June, but since that is my convocation date, Josiah and I are coming back early to attend (even though we will most likely be very jet lagged!). Also I thought it might be a good idea to let people know how much money we have raised and how much more we need to raise.

A good friend of mine once told me that a journey of faith is made cheap if all we do is tell about all the miraculous moments that the Father does for us without the details on the gritty moments that produced the faith it took to get to those great moments. That had me thinking that perhaps this journey of faith that my son and I are on is one that could be shared among many, and not just to ourselves. So, as I mentioned in our first blog, we felt that the Father wanted us to go on this trip back during the Christmas season and decided in faith to commit ourselves to that end. Not really knowing the dates or what would be required of us, either in time or finances, we embarked on preparing our hearts as much as we could. Having a toddler and an infant at home as well as a full course load and tutoring at the University has not afforded me a whole lot of time to garner the support that we have needed, and at times I have found myself in tremendous anxiety about whether or not we heard from the Father correctly. But, every time I begin to feel that way He always comes in reassurance that going on this trip is part of His desire for our journey together as a father and a son. It began with the generous gift of one of our tickets being purchased on our behalf. This to me was a major miracle! Then as the weeks have gone by, little by little, the Father has been pouring in His support for us, and always just at the point of my own anxiety.

I cannot help but be reminded of James 1:17 that reads "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows." His gentle reassurances along the way have been a constant reminder of His unfailing love, of the fact that He does not change like the shifting shadows of this world. As we come closer to our travel date I know that Josiah has had his own anxieties about being able to go, and just like the Father has for me, He continues to prove Himself unchanging to Josiah. My only hope is that I can do offer the same reassurances. That I might be able to coach him in the way of faith; in the way of the Father.

As it stands now our journey is far from over as we continue to seek the Lord to raise the funds we need. At present we have been blessed with one ticket and raised approximately $800.00, and are in need of roughly $2200.00 more. But, for me, the last five years have been a journey of faith in seeing the Father provide time and time again wondrously and miraculously for our family, and from where I sit at this moment I do not doubt His ability to provide for us now. My hope is that as we move towards the travel date I will be able to help Josiah see firsthand, the ways in which our heavenly Father takes care of our needs. But more than that, I hope that Josiah will see that the Father loves all His kids and will go to great lengths to show them His love for them. My prayer is that Josiah and I will be a representation of the Fathers love to the people of the Philippines.

Great Support & Wonderful Community

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the team yesterday. We were a little worried that with our spring rain...I mean snow, that numbers for the fundraiser were going to be low. But we filled just about all of the nearly 160 seats in the gym. Also I want to give special thanks for all the help that we had in putting this together.

After giving some personal reflection to fundraisers I began think about it from the other side (as is often my role) where participants come and volunteer or support by attending. I've always believed in supporting missions trips and missionaries but, since being a student, have had little resources to offer and so thought little of my own contributions. At times, I have even questioned their value, as in my opinion, they have been miniscule. After putting one on with a team with whom I am personally traveling however, my feelings have changed. The simplest of tasks performed by the remotest of people in my personal sphere have borne tremendous gratitude. The feeling of community one gets from a scenario like we had yesterday is surprisingly overwhelming. The sense of camaraderie palpable. We came away tired from hours of effort, but full of love.

So to those who have supported don't discount your efforts as minuscule or meaningless, as I have in the past, but know that what you contribute in whatever way you can, fills the hearts of those you are sending.

Vaccinations

So we got our vaccinations tonight and Josiah was extremely brave. When asked who wanted to go first he jumped to it and told the pharmacist he would go first. One shot in each arm. He had plenty of questions about the vaccinations, and I answered them as best I could. So it looks like we're good to go now, at least from a health perspective.

Bagong Silang

A documentary being made of one of the areas in the squatter village of Bagong Silang.

Giselle H Santos from 50mmprime on Vimeo.

Spaghetti Luncheon

So we are well into the planning for our trip now. This Sunday, April 17, we will be having a spaghetti luncheon to raise support. So if you are available come out to River of Life Church after our 10:30 service and partake in a great lunch for a great cause.

ps. if there are any helpers out there we could use it.

Thanks a bunch!

We Can Do No Great Things, Only Small Things With Great Love

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matt 25:40)
Over the Christmas season our family spent time in prayerful consideration of a trip to the Philippines this coming May. As a result, at this time we feel that it is a good opportunity for Josiah and I to make this trip.
Some of our activities on this trip will include working with children and families in in the squatter villages. Assisting in the feeding and clothing of up to 650 children, as well as taking the children for a special trip to treat them to a day of activities, fun, and care. Furthermore, we will be providing support and encouragement to the staff at each location we go to. The two organizations that we will be cooperating with are Philippine Frontline Ministries in San Pablo city, and New Hope to Asia in Cainta.
As we prepare for this trip, we are in need of support for the various aspects of the trip required for us to go. The most obvious of our needs are financial to cover such needs as vaccinations, flights, and money to buy medications needed by the Filipino people for the most basic of health needs. While we have managed to raise some of the money, our most current expenses require about an additional $3oo0. Any support is appreciated. For those in the local area of Lethbridge, we are offering yard cleaning, pet waste removal, or other labours of love around the yard to raise support. One of Josiah's ideas is to collect any bottles and cans that you may have. Once again, we are willing and able to work in an effort to raise support and are appreciative of any and all support.

A Word from Josiah:

"I want to go because I'll get to experience how people in the Philippines eat, sleep, and live. I'm excited to travel with some of our friends and my dad on a long plane ride, and so far I'm nervous about that. But I think It'll be fun, and there will be hundreds of kids there that I can meet. I hope that you can help me and if you do, I'll appreciate it a lot. Also for those who live around us I am willing to do odd jobs or collect bottles to raise money."