Well here we are in Brunei at the Palm Gardens Hotel having successfully completed the first leg of our trip home. We are now very close to the very end of a momentous tour. Scott Puzey at the blog tonight as we see the youngsters into bed as early as possible.
Our day started early.....very early, with all aboard the bus to the Manila airport at 3.30am. We were quite successful with packing the night before so it was a simple "rise-n-shine" and trip to the airport. It's hard to shine at 3.30am! At that time of the day the roads are relatively sane so we were all set to board our plane well and truely on time.
We lifted off enjoying the luxury of a Boeing 777 with masses of legroom and individual entertainment consoles. Breakfast was served when in the air and we landed in Brunei just after 9am. A smooth transfer and checked into the hotel by 10.15am.
With a couple of hours of rest back in the sleep bank we headded out to lunch, enjoying more local traditional food then back to the hotel for the main debrief of the tour. Parents and caregivers are asked to look through the information posted on "Day 12" by Pastor Pete which provides information on how parents can assist with the transition back into home life. After all, these youngsters have experienced a significant event in their lives and they need as much support as is possible as they return home.
A little more relaxation time then out to KFC Brueni style for tea and then a movie. Unfortunately it was quite a shocker of a movie. Little script, poor acting and one bad scene after another. It could have been Jacky Chan meets Woody's girfriend from Toy Story.
All is quiet now with students in their rooms enjoying their last night of the tour. A reminder to all that we fly to Perth tomorrow (4th December) with an anticipated arrival time at the International Airport of 6.00pm. Our flight number is BI065 flying Royal Brunei. Please check that there are no delays to our flights before going out to the airport tomorrow.
That wraps up all the details of today giving me the opportunity to tell you all how proud we are of the 2010 Manila crew. The students have worked unbelievably and really bonded as a group. They have achieved so much with the work that have completed and impacted so many lives in their short time away. We have enjoyed so many comments about how positive and uplifting our youngsters have been and those living at the YMC in Manila have been amazed at how supportive and honest our students are with each other. They have been shining ambassadors for ACC and the wider youth of Western Australia. All staff who have been a part of this tour have been so proud of everything that has been achived and everywhere we travel we have people stop and ask us about what we are doing. They are all really impressed.
Be sure to congratulate your youngsters as they return home. They are increadable.
See you all on Saturday.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Information for Parents/Carers
Dear Parents/Carers of the 2010 ACC Philippines team.
The following pages are provided to resource you in receiving your students back home. We suggest that you print out these pages and re-read them several times to help you feel better equipped to help your student process the experience they have just had. We would also like to suggest the printed material be handed to significant others so that many of your family are all working together to make the students growth and transition as smooth and possible.
Our hope in running this Philippines trip is to further equip these young people to became ‘extra-ordinary’ adults, and to grow a healthy ‘others’ mindedness. We also would like to assist families to pull together to share one another’s lives as we see this as vital in teaching all the children that move through ACC.
If at any time you feel like you need some assistance with your students re-entry please make contact with the college to arrange a chat or meeting with Pastor Pete.
Re-Entry Stress
Definition:
Re-entry stress is like culture shock in many ways - only in reverse. While culture shock is associated with a sense of disorientation brought on by a new and unfamiliar environment, re-entry stress is precipitated by returning to a setting you presume to be familiar, but which in reality is no longer the same because you have changed.
It is the unexpected nature and subtlety of such change that will cause stress for your student. Your once familiar and comfortable environment no longer appears the same. Something definitely has changed. But you don't easily recognise just what has been altered.
Suddenly you find yourself out of phase with your own culture. Your reaction may come in the form of bewilderment, dismay, disillusionment and perhaps even irritation or anger. Somehow, "things are just not the way they used to be.", "nobody seems to care.", "nobody really understands.".
There are several contributing factors to re-entry stress. One is that you are being caught by surprise - you do not anticipate change and consequently are unprepared to cope. Another factor is value conflict. Your values, once taken for granted and even highly cherished, now seem of lesser significance or of little importance at all. Your way of thinking, your manner and your responses to many situations have been changing. Often these changes are not apparent until you are back in your own culture.
Common symptoms and effects of re-entry stress
1. Disorientation - feeling out of place, not fitting in
2. Feelings of loneliness, isolation, or being lost in the crowd
3. Restlessness - a desire to "get away" from those who don't seem to understand or care
4. Feeling that nobody understands your experience or that nobody cares
5. Feeling tired, listless
6. Critical attitude toward home country - its waste, extravagance, wrong way of doing things, etc.
7. Loss of identity - just "another cog in a big wheel"
8. Inability to communicate new ideas, concepts freely
9. Feeling of superiority - standing aloof from others because of your overseas experience
10. Feeling of dissatisfaction
11. Defensive in responses
12. Retreat, withdrawal, lack of concern
13. Unnatural, uncomfortable responses to "ordinary" situations
14. Confusion over conflicting attitudes and responses
15. Rejection of overseas experiences or a desire to forget and not talk about them
Basic Debriefing Tips for Family and Friends
1. Listen, listen, and listen some more.
Student will have many emotionally laden stories to tell. The most loving response family and friends can have is to sit regularly, without time constraints, and listen until all the stories have been told (and re-told). One great way to spend time unpacking the trip for your student is to spend time with them over this blog and/or their Personal Journal. Move through day at a time, the stories will flow and will really help your student to feel heard and understood.
2. Expect the student to be a different person.
Global experiences change a person. Encounters with poverty, a new culture, inability to communicate in an unknown language, and being an ethnic minority possibly for the first time will alter the way your student views and interacts with the world, including you and your family. Seek to discover the changes in your student and help him/her to make adjustments to living in Australia. Also allow the changes in your student to bring changes in your family, if your student has grown, then your family will have to grow to make it meaningful. Also your student may be experiencing grief at saying goodbye to people with whom they have connected.
3. Help the student find places to share his/her story.
Encourage returning students to speak at gatherings and help them to make contact with churches, youth groups and any other groups that would be interested in hearing about their experience. If a student does not like to speak in public, encourage him/her to invite family and friends over for small gatherings where stories and pictures from the trip can be shared.
4. Help students in their church and youth groups for service by encouraging them to:
a. Learn more about the nation they have just visited as well as any other nation they have on their heart
b. Commit to giving financially a regular portion of what they earn (a regular and defined portion assist people to fit their personal changes into regular life without it being forgotten or producing a fanatic)
c. Consider planning the next year so that a similar trip can be taken soon
d. Study the Bible for, and lead Bible studies about, God’s heart for the nations
e. Mobilise fellow students and friends to consider giving time and money to international mission service.
Between Two Worlds: Returning Home
Dr. Miriam Adeney, a Christian anthropologist, tells her students that they "will never be able to go ‘home’ again. They will probably always leave part of themselves behind, and thereafter will be split. And home may be in more than one place. But that is the price they pay for the richness of having experienced more than one culture deeply."
Some suggestions for Christian Families:
1. Help your student to find other returnees (short-term volunteers, missionaries) with whom you can share and have fellowship.
2. Give your student time to readjust. Be patient.
3. Recognise and accept which transition stage your student is going through, and remember that "reverse culture shock" or "re-entry shock" is a normal part of the process of returning home.
4. Encourage your student to have a good sense of humor. Be aware, though, that your student could feel that you are laughing at him/her and the mission experience if you make too light of their experience or feelings.
5. Use this time of re-entry as a growing process for your family to learn about your student, the people group/culture in which your student served, and how you can continue to minister to the people group from home. Re-entry provides an opportunity for you and your family to become bi-cultural or multi-cultural people.
6. Express to your student what God has done in your life and your family's life during your student's time in another country. Possibly the changes God prompted were the result of your student serving internationally.
7. Help your student find opportunities to share the story of his/her international mission service. Examples of this can be a church service, Sunday School classes, or other groups.
8. Help your student learn to tell his or her story well. There are many tips to help people effectively tell their stories, please spend some time researching these.
9. Review the most significant changes that have occurred while your student was gone on mission. Talk through the events and changes, show pictures and videos of events, if possible, and discuss the implications of those events and changes on your student's future.
10. Talk with your student about his/her great expectations in returning home. How relevant and realistic are they? What are steps your student can take, and your family can take, to meet the realistic expectations?
11. Keep a clear perspective and remember that God is with you!
Conflicting Values
Preoccupation with materialism
Back in Australia, the desire for material comforts and possessions is a dominant theme. Are you prepared to face this fact if you are returning from a culture where people are content with little or have only the basic necessities of life? Has your sensitivity to basic human needs been heightened by your experiences abroad? What response might you have to affluence, waste or overindulgence?
Suggestions:
1. Do not be quick to condemn; realize that others have not had the same exposure to another way of life. Their preoccupation with "their world" as they know it is only natural.
2. Be prepared for a sensory bombardment if you are accustomed to simplicity in choice and lifestyle. An overabundance of goods, choices, etc. can overwhelm you at first.
3. Expect others to not fully understand how you feel when their "materialistic ways" strike you as sinful.
Doing things the "best" way
This is often referred to as ethnocentrism. It's only natural that every culture values its ways. Is bigger, better, faster and more accurate really best? Do other cultures have something to offer us? Expect to receive blank stares or an air of disapproval from your compatriots if you question traditional ways.
Suggestions:
1. Be on the alert for a "holier-than-thou" attitude. Do not be too quick to judge others for their ethnocentric stance or to think that your way is the best way.
2. Share your perspectives, but at the same time avoid becoming involved in arguments . Do not allow yourself to withdraw or refuse to discuss matters because of opposition.
Personal worth and recognition
Possibly one of the most difficult areas to address is personal fulfillment. Your questions may include: Was my service valuable? Will anyone recognize my contribution or my sacrifice? Will I be just another fish in a big pond? What will the situation be like upon my return? Quite likely you are returning from a position where you were the focus of attention, where you felt needed, accepted and loved.
Suggestions:
1. Do not expect to be in the limelight for long after your return. Some may ask to see your pictures, have you speak, etc., but soon you will be back to your "ordinary citizen" status.
2. Realize that your worth and recognition comes first from God. View your service as service to Him, not something with which to gain recognition and praise from others.
3. Do not allow yourself to feel hurt or sorry for yourself when people do not notice you or your service. God does. Look for ways to meet others' needs; this will help you take the focus off yourself (Phil. 2:3-4).
The following pages are provided to resource you in receiving your students back home. We suggest that you print out these pages and re-read them several times to help you feel better equipped to help your student process the experience they have just had. We would also like to suggest the printed material be handed to significant others so that many of your family are all working together to make the students growth and transition as smooth and possible.
Our hope in running this Philippines trip is to further equip these young people to became ‘extra-ordinary’ adults, and to grow a healthy ‘others’ mindedness. We also would like to assist families to pull together to share one another’s lives as we see this as vital in teaching all the children that move through ACC.
If at any time you feel like you need some assistance with your students re-entry please make contact with the college to arrange a chat or meeting with Pastor Pete.
Re-Entry Stress
Definition:
Re-entry stress is like culture shock in many ways - only in reverse. While culture shock is associated with a sense of disorientation brought on by a new and unfamiliar environment, re-entry stress is precipitated by returning to a setting you presume to be familiar, but which in reality is no longer the same because you have changed.
It is the unexpected nature and subtlety of such change that will cause stress for your student. Your once familiar and comfortable environment no longer appears the same. Something definitely has changed. But you don't easily recognise just what has been altered.
Suddenly you find yourself out of phase with your own culture. Your reaction may come in the form of bewilderment, dismay, disillusionment and perhaps even irritation or anger. Somehow, "things are just not the way they used to be.", "nobody seems to care.", "nobody really understands.".
There are several contributing factors to re-entry stress. One is that you are being caught by surprise - you do not anticipate change and consequently are unprepared to cope. Another factor is value conflict. Your values, once taken for granted and even highly cherished, now seem of lesser significance or of little importance at all. Your way of thinking, your manner and your responses to many situations have been changing. Often these changes are not apparent until you are back in your own culture.
Common symptoms and effects of re-entry stress
1. Disorientation - feeling out of place, not fitting in
2. Feelings of loneliness, isolation, or being lost in the crowd
3. Restlessness - a desire to "get away" from those who don't seem to understand or care
4. Feeling that nobody understands your experience or that nobody cares
5. Feeling tired, listless
6. Critical attitude toward home country - its waste, extravagance, wrong way of doing things, etc.
7. Loss of identity - just "another cog in a big wheel"
8. Inability to communicate new ideas, concepts freely
9. Feeling of superiority - standing aloof from others because of your overseas experience
10. Feeling of dissatisfaction
11. Defensive in responses
12. Retreat, withdrawal, lack of concern
13. Unnatural, uncomfortable responses to "ordinary" situations
14. Confusion over conflicting attitudes and responses
15. Rejection of overseas experiences or a desire to forget and not talk about them
Basic Debriefing Tips for Family and Friends
1. Listen, listen, and listen some more.
Student will have many emotionally laden stories to tell. The most loving response family and friends can have is to sit regularly, without time constraints, and listen until all the stories have been told (and re-told). One great way to spend time unpacking the trip for your student is to spend time with them over this blog and/or their Personal Journal. Move through day at a time, the stories will flow and will really help your student to feel heard and understood.
2. Expect the student to be a different person.
Global experiences change a person. Encounters with poverty, a new culture, inability to communicate in an unknown language, and being an ethnic minority possibly for the first time will alter the way your student views and interacts with the world, including you and your family. Seek to discover the changes in your student and help him/her to make adjustments to living in Australia. Also allow the changes in your student to bring changes in your family, if your student has grown, then your family will have to grow to make it meaningful. Also your student may be experiencing grief at saying goodbye to people with whom they have connected.
3. Help the student find places to share his/her story.
Encourage returning students to speak at gatherings and help them to make contact with churches, youth groups and any other groups that would be interested in hearing about their experience. If a student does not like to speak in public, encourage him/her to invite family and friends over for small gatherings where stories and pictures from the trip can be shared.
4. Help students in their church and youth groups for service by encouraging them to:
a. Learn more about the nation they have just visited as well as any other nation they have on their heart
b. Commit to giving financially a regular portion of what they earn (a regular and defined portion assist people to fit their personal changes into regular life without it being forgotten or producing a fanatic)
c. Consider planning the next year so that a similar trip can be taken soon
d. Study the Bible for, and lead Bible studies about, God’s heart for the nations
e. Mobilise fellow students and friends to consider giving time and money to international mission service.
Between Two Worlds: Returning Home
Dr. Miriam Adeney, a Christian anthropologist, tells her students that they "will never be able to go ‘home’ again. They will probably always leave part of themselves behind, and thereafter will be split. And home may be in more than one place. But that is the price they pay for the richness of having experienced more than one culture deeply."
Some suggestions for Christian Families:
1. Help your student to find other returnees (short-term volunteers, missionaries) with whom you can share and have fellowship.
2. Give your student time to readjust. Be patient.
3. Recognise and accept which transition stage your student is going through, and remember that "reverse culture shock" or "re-entry shock" is a normal part of the process of returning home.
4. Encourage your student to have a good sense of humor. Be aware, though, that your student could feel that you are laughing at him/her and the mission experience if you make too light of their experience or feelings.
5. Use this time of re-entry as a growing process for your family to learn about your student, the people group/culture in which your student served, and how you can continue to minister to the people group from home. Re-entry provides an opportunity for you and your family to become bi-cultural or multi-cultural people.
6. Express to your student what God has done in your life and your family's life during your student's time in another country. Possibly the changes God prompted were the result of your student serving internationally.
7. Help your student find opportunities to share the story of his/her international mission service. Examples of this can be a church service, Sunday School classes, or other groups.
8. Help your student learn to tell his or her story well. There are many tips to help people effectively tell their stories, please spend some time researching these.
9. Review the most significant changes that have occurred while your student was gone on mission. Talk through the events and changes, show pictures and videos of events, if possible, and discuss the implications of those events and changes on your student's future.
10. Talk with your student about his/her great expectations in returning home. How relevant and realistic are they? What are steps your student can take, and your family can take, to meet the realistic expectations?
11. Keep a clear perspective and remember that God is with you!
Conflicting Values
Preoccupation with materialism
Back in Australia, the desire for material comforts and possessions is a dominant theme. Are you prepared to face this fact if you are returning from a culture where people are content with little or have only the basic necessities of life? Has your sensitivity to basic human needs been heightened by your experiences abroad? What response might you have to affluence, waste or overindulgence?
Suggestions:
1. Do not be quick to condemn; realize that others have not had the same exposure to another way of life. Their preoccupation with "their world" as they know it is only natural.
2. Be prepared for a sensory bombardment if you are accustomed to simplicity in choice and lifestyle. An overabundance of goods, choices, etc. can overwhelm you at first.
3. Expect others to not fully understand how you feel when their "materialistic ways" strike you as sinful.
Doing things the "best" way
This is often referred to as ethnocentrism. It's only natural that every culture values its ways. Is bigger, better, faster and more accurate really best? Do other cultures have something to offer us? Expect to receive blank stares or an air of disapproval from your compatriots if you question traditional ways.
Suggestions:
1. Be on the alert for a "holier-than-thou" attitude. Do not be too quick to judge others for their ethnocentric stance or to think that your way is the best way.
2. Share your perspectives, but at the same time avoid becoming involved in arguments . Do not allow yourself to withdraw or refuse to discuss matters because of opposition.
Personal worth and recognition
Possibly one of the most difficult areas to address is personal fulfillment. Your questions may include: Was my service valuable? Will anyone recognize my contribution or my sacrifice? Will I be just another fish in a big pond? What will the situation be like upon my return? Quite likely you are returning from a position where you were the focus of attention, where you felt needed, accepted and loved.
Suggestions:
1. Do not expect to be in the limelight for long after your return. Some may ask to see your pictures, have you speak, etc., but soon you will be back to your "ordinary citizen" status.
2. Realize that your worth and recognition comes first from God. View your service as service to Him, not something with which to gain recognition and praise from others.
3. Do not allow yourself to feel hurt or sorry for yourself when people do not notice you or your service. God does. Look for ways to meet others' needs; this will help you take the focus off yourself (Phil. 2:3-4).
Day 12
Just when you think that we can't fit any more into a day we have pulled off another day that was the most packed day of the trip so far. After the evening basketball game of last night, the boys finally got their reward for being totally awesome. The sore muscles of each of the non-leader boys came under the care of some of the local ladies in the same room that the beauty therapy (whatever that is??) happened earlier in the day. All the soreness and tension of racing around for almost 2 weeks was massaged out of the boys. ( I just thought you should all know that the boys were looked after 'cause that is important to all of you )
Today started at 6 am for many of the ladies and the usual 7 am for the fellas. (your students are now well skilled at rising early so you should expect it on their return) We were expecting a container to arrive at 6 am and we needed to load it but as it didn't arrive at all in the day the boys took the opportunity to grab a few more minutes. We had the usual amazing breakfast of eggs and fruit. We needed to get into our basketball uniforms (some very fruity smells were following a few after their game last night). The team went through all their stuff to find gear that they could donate to the container that we were waiting for so we could send it off to south Philippines. The scene was of the whole team tearing about with arms of personal stuff, some were packing, some were still waking up others were catching up with kids and others from the ministry centre, I'm going to miss that scene.
At 8.30 the girls grabbed the beads, nail polish, make-up, soap and a guitar and headed off to the local ladies prison; the boys grabbed a basketball and a guitar (plus some muesli bars) and headed off to the prison we were booted from earlier in the week. At the women's prison the girls introduced themselves to all and then were welcomed wholeheartedly by the spokeswoman of the inmates. They were then treated to an awesome worship session that they got sing together with the ladies. Mrs Scrivener shared a testimony and then we got down into the nitty-gritty of secret women's business - nails, make and jewellery!! It was such a lovely time and each of our girls can share the fantastic conversations that took place in that 60 minute session. Thanks to Rolly who found out what the women needed before we went (hence the soap bars). There was a request from all the women that there would be more frequent future visits. We have forwarded that request. At the guys prison we were all checked through to the court that we were rushed off from earlier. This time we had a permit, and in the Philippines permits make things happen. An amazing game of basketball was had and after a see-sawing game the final siren sounded with a 84-84 score line, very fitting. At half time in the game the guys introduced themselves with shouts of fun when Sebastian (aka today's Justin Beiber) said hi with great delivery and timing. We sang Lord I lift Your Name on High, a song that all the inmates knew so our voices were helped by the whole crowd. Pastor Pete shared a short encouragement to lift the spirits of these amazing guys, we all felt very privileged to have the experience.
Both teams met back at the Ministry Centre and presented Jeff and Colene Long with a certificate and some ACC coffee mugs to them. We also presented Josh with a certificate and mug for his excellent skills in basketball playing and game organising. Then we jammed food in our mouths (something that we have become skilled in doing - not actually considered a skill normally but we have come to appreciate it as a skill) and headed out for our shopping expedition and Ateneo v's Adamson basketball match. The trip to the markets was so long and then we had a very short time (about an hour) to shop (and all the women say, "WHAT!") Yes the Beachman cut short our shopping time so that we would be on time for the game. Good thing that he did because we arrived just in time. Manila traffic is incredible. At times we thought it would be quicker to walk. Our drivers were excellent and had such a knack of picking the quicker lanes but it still was a long drive. Mr Puzey had the brilliant idea of buying some vuvuzela's to blow at the game showing our support. Not sure that we'll get invited back to another game. We had some stressful time as we watched Ateneo lose by 2 points but we cheered and encouraged even harder.
The drive home was even longer than the drive there. We arrived back at the ministry centre at about 8:15pm and then got straight into our Lechon Baboy (Whole Roast Pig) It was excellent. :) Then in his usual style, Mr Beacham had the whole team running around in circles packing furiously (but also orderly). The floorboards above at the moment are rumbling with footsteps as everyone searches for their lost articles of clothing, ipods, shoes, etc. Packing suitcases might be interesting in light of the purchases made at the markets today. We are up again at 3am and we're supposed to be lights out at 10pm but that is looking a bit difficult at this stage. Could be interesting tomorrow.
We write this to you with mingled heavy and glad hearts. There are smiles and also sadness on all of our faces. It is not an easy ask to spend so much quality time, working shoulder to shoulder with people and then walk away without feeling a great sense of achievement but also a deep anguish at having to leave this new family behind. The older children from the children's home have been to see us off tonight. They have added us on Facebook and promise to keep us up to date about how they're doing. Our kitchen ladies received a standing ovation for all their cooking skill and care for us.
From this position of our final post from Manila it is good to give thinks, firstly to God who has been so faithful in keeping the whole team well and full of energy and emotional control, He is so good and faithful. Secondly I would like to thank you parents for raising such a wonderful bunch of young people. They have been a delight to watch serve, care for, bless, love, help and encourage each other and all they have come in contact with. We will be delivering home young adults that have been streachedand grown, hopefully you will still recognise them!
Due to the busyness the photos will be coming tomorrow, it takes 30-40 mins to get the photos onto the blog and we have not had those 30-40 mins spare, think you for bearing with us.
Sorry if this post seems a little muddled, firstly we are tired, secondly several people have written bits while others have packed and cleaned.
Love to you all. see you all very soon.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day 11
So, Day 11. What can I say?
we had an awesome day :) starting without the leaders, It was a good sleep in until about 7:00am.
to start off the awesome day we went to tent city for some food distribution. (a place of extreme poverty because of earlier floods in 2009). where we first went to a school to sing some songs, play some games and blow up balloon animals for all of the kids, oh and dont forget, distributing food. It was an awesome time, the kids loved singing songs and playing games (stealing luke's hat! dont worry he got it back eventually) the trip there took about 45 min to an hour. Tent city was the main site of devestation were a whole community was destroyed by a flood in 2009, there we gave them one of the only two meals that these people get every week, we first aided them and pumped water for the oldies that weren't very strong, it was hard work and great fun.
From there we went straight to a school called antipolo christian college, what a great experience, first we sung songs (one way and lift your name on high), then we played some basketball and after the kids stopped being shy we were bombarded by kids that asked for, autographs, full names and email adresses, we were treated like the biggest celebraties in the world, and apparently everone thinks that i ( luke) have a strikingly close resemblence to justin beiber. We headed back to the ministry centre at 1:30 for lunch and after the very full on morning we were very ready for food.
After lunch, the day changed pace from tearing around to sitting. The girls headed out to the back of the ministry centre to a beauty therapy room where many of the Philipino ladies from the area do weird girls stuff to help earn some money and gain some skills. The boys had a time of driving around trying to shoot something. It started with shooting paintballs which didn't happen! Our driver then told us of another place where we could do some real firing range shooting but when we got there we found out that we needed our own guns. For a few short minutes Mr Beacham and the boys were thinking about fixing up that problem, but we didn't. Well, to cut a long story short we ended up having a hair cut!!!! Go figure.
The evening activity after dinner of shepards pie was a long and very emotional visit to the childrens home to have, quite possibly, our last time with them. There was some crying and long hugs but all this showed just how special everyone has been to each other in the 10 days we have been visiting the home. We then ran from the childrens home to play a game of basketball with all the workers we had been building along side for the week and a half. We had a great time and if it wasn't for Mr Beacham, Mr Mack, Pastor Pete, Katrina, Liz, Shelby, Matt, and a 14 yr old boy from the ministry centre called Jude we would have been completely smashed.
All in all another great day here, sad that it had to end, but we are certainly fitting as much as we can into each day.
Thanks to all who have been following our trip, we have another 2 days to fill until we head home so keep reading until we can tell you all the stories face to face.
Much love from us. Now a note from the returning leaders..............
__________________________________________________________________________________
From Boracay With Love, (Alex, Matt, Kaitlin, Olivia, Mr Puzey, Mr Mac & Mrs Nicholas)
It was Monday night when we sat down with Mr Puzey to find out what little we were allowed to know about Mr Beacham's suprise for the next day. We were giving a packing list and told to pack our backpacks and get to bed for we would be having a rather early start the next morning.
Our whole adventure started at 2:30 Tuesday morning except for Alex who had been up pacing around since quarter to two, the excitment had begun! We boarded a twin prop plane which didn't make the entire journey particularly settling! Olivia was super excited because she got to sit next to Alex on the plane We arrived at Cataclan Airport, possibly the worst airport in the world, at around I have to idea what time and hire a couple of trikes to take us to the port. Because Mr Puzey bought the tickets wrong or as he would put it, perhaps didn't buy the tickets right we ended up on a ferry to Boracay rather than a tradtional "banka" outrigger and freaked out the whole boat with the digeridoo.
Once we landed in Boracay was a man who came to pick us up to take us to the Jungle Barn, which was to be our accomodation for the next day and a half. It was right on the beach and was picture perfect with clear blue water and fine white sand. The leaders were each given a list of things to do and so we spent the rest of the day trying to do as many as possible. This included: going to the markets, drinking shakes at 'Jonahs', having a relaxing massage (well the girls found it relaxing anyway :), boys found it creepy), going swimming and sailing, drinking mangos shakes, and helping in a food distribution. The food distribution was so good! We first sang some silly song, then Teresa (pastor's wife of the Church on the Rock) taught the kid about Jesus using colours to help them remember, then they coloured in a picture, got yummy vitamins, had fun with balloons and then was given food and first aid with any sores. The kids are fortunant in that area as they are right on the beach therefore they go swimming in the salt water which means they don't get as many sick diseases as children in other areas of the island. It was a challenge though, going from the food distribution with hungry children back into the tourist area with people spending lots of money on silly knick-knacks. there is a huge difference between the rich and the poor in Boracay.
We finished off the day with Mongolian BBQ dinner and a walk along the beach. The next day we toured the island and had lunch which included the manager singing and playing the piano for us. We then had pizza and some last minute shakes before we packed up and headed back to the mission centre. An uneventful trip, although our flight was shorter than our drive from the Manila airport to the mission centre. I will never again complain about peak hour traffic, it is nothing compared to the craziness of Manila driving :)
And so that was out Boracay trip in a nutshell. We all had lots of fun and it was a great experience :)
Thank you so much Mr Beacham
Alex, Matt, Kait and Oliver, Mr Mack, Mr Puzey and Mrs Nicholas
Mrs Nicholas says 'Hi' to all staff, students and parents at Rehoboth. Can't wait to organise this for the student next year, have had a fantastic time so far :D
Mr MacK here - just read some of the above - would like to add that Mr Puzey snores and must have been feeling unwell today.
My thought for the day is: "if life is like a vapour (James 4:14) then any of these desperately poor people who have found the reason for living and a relationship with Jesus, are far more fortunate than any Westerner who has no need for God".
Signing off now - I would just like to say that Mr Beacham runs a brilliant mission trip and his students are a tribute to a quality school - producing future leaders with a wide range of experiences.
(Mr MacK - Deputy Principal - Somerville Baptist College)
Nina and Katie, have a great time at the dance concert, I'll be thinking of you Friday night. Love to you El, Caleb and Molly, and of course my wonderful wife.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Day 10
Firstly just a quick update on what our leaders, Matt, Alex, Olivia, and Kait are doing. This morning the lovely leaders and the teachers, Mr Puzey, Mr Mac and Mrs Nicholls, had the joy of rising at 2am for their mystical adventure that they had no idea of what it involved until they arrived at the airport. Well Katrina and Paisley are going to let you guys all in on a little bit of a secret!!! They left on a twin prop aeroplane to relax on a resort island which was rated as having the second best beach in the world, however it is not all fun and games as they are also going out to help at a ministry centre, doing food distribution and construction. So unfortunately for the rest of us we're going to be missing them until Wednesday afternoon, but we'll all hear about their adventure when they return!!
Meanwhile, we had a little bit of a sleep in to 5am. Having breakfast served at 5:30am and a coach picking us up at 6am leaving for the Manila Bay port, this is where we then travelled across the fierce sea on the MV Bay Cruiser to Corregidor. Corregidor is an island where the Americans and Filipinos fought off the Japanese during World War Two, and today the island is a memorial for tourists to come and learn about the horrific past and honour the people who fought and lost their lives. This is a really significant area to the Australian history, as theJapanese expected to take control of this island and then Australia within 5 weeks. Instead the Filipinos and Americans held them off for 5 months so the Japanese were unable to get to Australia, ultimately giving us a totally different future.
Arriving at the 'tadpole-shaped' island at 9:30am we started our tour (separate from the Japanese tourists) and had a fantastic buffet lunch at 11:30am. On the tour we were able to view huge cannons that were the actual ones used in World War two, they even had shrapnel hole marks from where explosions hit them. The machinery was so massive that we were able to fit Cameron in the gun barrel of the cannon. However we were also able to view the damage that one of these guns could do, this being the huge crater holes in the ground, buildings that were demolished only having frame work standing, we were even able to explore through these massive buildings. One of the buildings that was really quite eye opening was the Malinta Tunnel. This tunnel was designed to look like a train tunnel, but internally it was accommodating thousands of Americans and Philippenos including the injured and wounded. The tunnel was bomb proof making it a secure place in WW2, having a mini hospital, beds and food and water supply.
After three years of war and hardship Japan finally surrended, freeing Corregidor and the Philippine islands. This is why this amazing story is so eye opening and touching because without all of it Australia could be so different.
The tour finished and we arrived back in Manila at 4:30pm where we went to the Mall of Asia (second biggest mall in Asia) there we had dinner which consisted of some new dishes of Pig Face and Pig Brain, YUMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! Then for dessert we enjoyed a fantastic and very impressive dish called Halohalo. After filling our bellies we headed off for own little surprise of ice skating in the middle of a shopping centre, amazing!!!! And KRISPY CREME donuts!!! Jealous much??? We then continued onto time zone where we ran a muck for an hour acting like big kids :)
We then left the Mall of Asia at 8:00pm and headed back to base at YMC, arriving back at 9:30pm having devotion, showers, and now everyone is off to bed.
So thanks for being with us and for all the thoughts, prayers and support so please keep them coming :)
Peace out! Love Katrina and Paisley :):):) oxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxox
Monday, November 29, 2010
Day 9
Hey y'all, family, friends and random followers!
Allow us to enlighten you with today's extraordinary and improvised events.
Today started with our usual 7am roll out of bed, and at 7:30 we staggered tiredly down the stairs following our noses to an amazing breakfast consisting of egg on toast, mango and apple. After our delicious feast we were presented with our team basketball uniforms. ACC crusaders represent. After the excitement of receiving our new uniforms, we all raced up the stairs, tearing down anyone in our way, to get our first glimpse of how we would look like as profiz b-ballers.Yo!
Jumping into cars we took off down the road to the nearest prison, all anxious to meet new people and share the word of God. When we arrived the boys and girls were separated, the boys to play basket ball, and the girls to sing songs and do what girls do best, jewelry making and manicures. It was all going well, singing songs (even though one of the guys hogged the mic) and Mrs Scriv sharing her powerful testimony, and outside we could see the boys and hear the familiar sounds of "pass the ball" and "over here", us girls then moved on to making beaded bracelets and doing manicures, until we were told to swiftly leave the prison within the next five minutes. A lot of us were anxious and worried as to what was happening and why we were being kicked out, mixed with the feelings of disappointment and sadness as we had only been making the bracelets for 5 minutes. In our cars we were explained the situation which was: Although our visit was scheduled and our intentions were good, the new warden of the prison apparently didnt know we were coming, or who we were. On the way home, we were treated to Jollibee (Mr Beacham never ceases to amaze us). At jollibee we sipped our coke and downed our ice creams :) yummy!! Taking awesome photos with the staff of jollibee replaced the feelings of sadness with feelings of warmth and joy. Laughing at Jollibee and Cayleebee sitting at the front of our group photo grinning away ( mainly cos' Caylee got a prezzie ;) woohoooo)
When we arrived home we went to the childrens home and took a photo (cheeese) with the American missionaries and the faith family home children and staff. walking back home we were greeted with the smells of turkey, yams and pumkin pie, that the awesome Jeff Long and fam. Prepared for us in order for us to celebrate a traditional American thanksgiving. (The turkey might we add was flown over from the states! oh yer!) The food was amazing, being able to experience the holiday was a even better treat as we learnt about the reasons and history of thanksgiving. It really stirred a lot of our team, as we all remembered what we should be thankful for. After lunch we exchanged the Aussie buck for peso's and donated some of it to K.I.M and Pastor Ray.
After our deicious lunch and relaxing break we were treated to our usual routine of afternoon rotations consisting of construction, reading to the childrens home kids and food distribution. Following our rotations most of us had our showers, washing away the days filth and grime and had an early dinner of spag bog :D delicious. We then went to the childrens home for devotions and worship which was lead by; Miss Phoebe Chase , Miss Hanna Burne, Miss Tara Murauer and Mister Sebastian Dawson. Read the kids a book and sent them to bed. We then all parted our courageous leaders, as they wouldn't be coming with us to Corigedore tomorrow, and piled into cars for the night activity. Once again to our favorite coffee shop starbucks, resulting in the team more awake than they should be.
Which brings us to now, as our team is once again gathered around tables participating in our daily de-breif, offloading the events including higlights and challanges, uphills and downhills. Lifting todays occurances and trials up to our loving God, knowing that he will take care of our worries and give us all the strength we need to continue on our journey.
Encouraging you all to leave the comments, we love to hear from you and read your comments, so please ... Don't be shy!
Much love to everyone back home, we look foward to seeing you soon, we are all missing you dearly.
God Bless
Kaity and Phoebe xx
P.S - To my little bro Drew hope you have had a fantastic 14th birthday and got everything you wanted.
Love always Jade and Luke xx
P.P.S - I miss you Stephen very much! And the rest of the Jano family :) I miss you too Christel and Wade !
love Liz xo
P.P.P.S - I miss my ponies !!!
<3 Caylee xxx
P.P.P.P.S - Mummy can you please record gossip girl tomorrow (Tuesday) on fox8. Thankyou , love you :)
Love Shelby x
P.P.P.P.P.S - Hey lovely's, miss you , love you, blah blah :) Cant wait to see you !!
Heart Bree-pee
P.P.P.P.P.P.S - to my family and Jeanette, who is pretty much family anyway.... i miss you, and Jeanette you have to come into work when i get back, i will be sure to give you an echoing hello :) love you all
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoox and all that stuff love kaity
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Day 8
its the Muzz and the Buzz filling you in on todays events,
Woke up at 7,, totes got dressed, had some pancakes,,oh the compliments.
As we walked down the road to go to church, dressed ever so nicely,
The time we arrived was 8 precisely.
As we sat and we sang and listened and prayed,
for what he spoke our lives were changed.
For the next thing to come was chillin at home,
Where we could sleep, play guitar, play games or just be alone.
For Hanna and Tara decided to jam, wondering if they can play??
HECK YES THEY CAN!
Once 12:30 was here, and the surprise was more near,
Traditional lunch at Mang Insal, chicken and pork on a stick,
rice wrapped in leaves...eating it was the trick.
Of course the movies were to follow,,
Yes thats right it was Harry Potter-The death Hallows...(part one)
Sitting next to eachother (Muzz and Buzz) was the dream,,
Romance was definietly the scene!
As Muzz made a move on the Beachman,
Parrot on the shoulder,
he moved away,,Leaving Muzz colder
Driving home in the Van,
constantly the brakes we had to slam,,
again it was time to chill,
No nobody there was called Bill...(just incase you were wondering)
Our famous friend Kirk Long came along,,
to share with us his life story, for it was very inspirational and strong!
To the children's home we were to go,,
Songs to sing, what was instore we didnt know.
But fun was shared between everyone, as we said goodnight,
we will see you tomorrow when we can play in the light :)
When we arrived home, we enjoyed pizza for tea,
and we cant forget we drunk real pepsi! (Not coke but still very tasty!)
While everyone is in debrief we are writing this blog for you
for we dearly love and miss you (some of you) :P
You may wonder why this blog is not particularly informing,
but today was a day of rest and we had little plans regarding working.
We need this rest so we can continue to work the rest of the week and perform our best!
Can i say a little Halla to Taras family, Josh Justin, Jono and Dad,,
Missing you guys hope no-ones too sad
And a shout out to the Burne family, Missing you Dad, Cal, Nick and Kie,
Keep the comments coming,, we love reading them all,
You all sound so cunning :P
Damn right we are having a ball :)
Much Love,, Muzz and Buzz (Tara and Hanna)
TOGETHER FOREVER!
xoXXoOxx
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Day 7
G'day Folks, it's Kait and Caylee here!
Whats happening in the land down under? How is the weather and what's the latest news?
Wanna hear what we got up to today???
It started off with the sweet and delicious smell of fresh hot pancakes and juicy mangos. Jealous much? Today was to be a regular day of rotations between the two building sites, the children's home and food distribution. Our group (consisting of ourselves, Hanna, Luke LB, Mrs Nicholas and Mr Mac) headed off to the building site to mix cement and sift sand - OBVIOUSLY our most favouritest activities EVER! We realise that that may sound sarcastic, but we honestly do love giving the Filippino workers, Randy and Arnold a hand. Watch out we're gonna be muscle machines when were back!! It was a bit of an eye opener though for we were talking to Randy, asking him about how much he worked at the different building sites. He explained to us that he works everyday, even weekends. :O He also told us that he had been doing this for 10 years now. We learnt that without higher education, like university, Randy will never get the opportunity to earn more money for his growing family - which we found extremely devastating.
Today is a very special day for one of the orphanage girls. ITS IRA'S BIRTHDAY!!! she turned 11 years old and to celebrate the orphanage put on a birthday party for her. It was our group's turn to head to the children's home (lucky us!!!) as we got to join in the birthday celebrations. Never did we imagine that a series of interesting events were about to unfold..
So you see, here in the Philippines they have a very popular chain restraunt called Jollibee. It is like the equivelant of our Maccas. Like our Ronald McDonald Jollibee also has a mascott. It's pretty much a big happy bumble bee. As the kids were finishing their meal, out jumped, much to our delight, JOLLIBEE :D
We frantically pushed the small children aside to get our time with the super cool and cuddly bumble bee. There were masses of children everywhere and we could see that it wasn't going to be an easy mission. Tactfully we each picked up a child and holding them above our heads we surged through the growing crowd, dodging grasping hands and using our recently learnt jungle survival skills. It was tough work, but we made it..... just. Up close he was just as awesome and totally squidgie as we imagined *sigh*
As we made it to the front, Jollibee glanced across and something caught his eye. He smoothly made his way over and grabed Caylee by the hand and swooped her onto the dance floor. The two lovebirds (or lovebees?) danced the morning away bee style. But wait! It gets better!! As Jollibee was swinging Caylee around he fell onto his knees and looked up lovingly at the smiling, yet confused and overwhelmed face of Caylee. He was proposing!!! The whole crazy yet romantic shinanigan ended with free fast food for all the hungry tummies and us to head back to the ministry centre for our lunch.
Meanwhile, two other groups had headed out for a food distribution. Through awesome team skills and comunication we heard that this session had been a raging success involving inflatable balloons for the children, mounds and mounds of high protein and carbohydrate stew for everyone, the singing of lyrics and a game about my little pony.. (you may have to ask Pistol Pete about that last one). Of the distributions performed thus far, all groups have done well to handle the situations presented before them and the balloon animals have been ever so popular with the kiddies.
After our break it was on to our third rotation for the day... and it was the children's home again! We excitedly rushed up the hill to the big blue gates of the orphanage desperately seeking the friendly face of Caylee's new fiance. Much to our dismay, he had gone :( Even so, we were just as excited to have an evening with the kids. We have all fallen in love with every single child so much so that we all get very excited when it's our turn to spend time with them.
Construction was our last activity for the day. This particular session consisted of transporting buckets of sand to the top story of the childrens library...by hand.. up four flights of steps! It's incredible what we take for granted in Australia. Our builders have luxuries such as wheel barrows and cement mixers. Here, everything has to be done manually. For example we have to sift the sand before we mix it with the cement. This sand then has to be transported in buckets or bags to its intended site. We then, with shovels, start turning the mixture over and over again until its consistant, adding more water as we go. It's hard work but as we said, we will all return fit and toned. BOOYEAH! Also, Hanna incured a bit of an injury catching a falling bucket and consequently had a booboo :( Practitioner Pete patched it up so its all nice and dandy now.
We had an early dinner of ENCHILADAS! which were extremely tasteful and satisfying. We skipped our way back up to the Children's home to have devotions, sing a few songs and settle the kids down for bed. Despite their hard day of partying they were just as insanely energetic and lively as usual. :)
Then it was time for our secret night activity!!! We were given a strict instruction to wear bathers and pack a towel - our guessing of the outing quickly became narrowed down to a few options. Swimming... or swimming? We all jumped into our allocated automobiles and headed towards our unknown destination. ALAS WE WERE RIGHT! We were swimming indeed... at the Manila Resort! This place was home to a giant wave pool and water slide. We all had so much fun, nearly drowining from laughing. All attempted surfing but a major hit was the water slide. This was purely because we had to try lots of different ways of actually sliding down it. Most resulted in various superman glides.
Back at the ministry centre we gratefully gobbled down the leftovers from our previous meals which had been prepared by our lovely kitchen ladies. Kudos to them. Debriefing and devotions was a quick occassion for everyone was rather sleepy from our long day.
So here we are, sitting recounting the events of this awesome day, and we are both just blown away with the experiences we have all shared. We are all having the time of our lives and we all appreciate your thougths and prayers! Your support has been amazing! Keep those comments rolling for we all love to hear from you!
Catch ya later!!
Love Caylee and Kait
xxx
PS: Hi to Jeanette, Bev and Cindy. Hope all is going well, miss you guys!! Love from Nat and Kaity xxx
Whats happening in the land down under? How is the weather and what's the latest news?
Wanna hear what we got up to today???
It started off with the sweet and delicious smell of fresh hot pancakes and juicy mangos. Jealous much? Today was to be a regular day of rotations between the two building sites, the children's home and food distribution. Our group (consisting of ourselves, Hanna, Luke LB, Mrs Nicholas and Mr Mac) headed off to the building site to mix cement and sift sand - OBVIOUSLY our most favouritest activities EVER! We realise that that may sound sarcastic, but we honestly do love giving the Filippino workers, Randy and Arnold a hand. Watch out we're gonna be muscle machines when were back!! It was a bit of an eye opener though for we were talking to Randy, asking him about how much he worked at the different building sites. He explained to us that he works everyday, even weekends. :O He also told us that he had been doing this for 10 years now. We learnt that without higher education, like university, Randy will never get the opportunity to earn more money for his growing family - which we found extremely devastating.
Today is a very special day for one of the orphanage girls. ITS IRA'S BIRTHDAY!!! she turned 11 years old and to celebrate the orphanage put on a birthday party for her. It was our group's turn to head to the children's home (lucky us!!!) as we got to join in the birthday celebrations. Never did we imagine that a series of interesting events were about to unfold..
So you see, here in the Philippines they have a very popular chain restraunt called Jollibee. It is like the equivelant of our Maccas. Like our Ronald McDonald Jollibee also has a mascott. It's pretty much a big happy bumble bee. As the kids were finishing their meal, out jumped, much to our delight, JOLLIBEE :D
We frantically pushed the small children aside to get our time with the super cool and cuddly bumble bee. There were masses of children everywhere and we could see that it wasn't going to be an easy mission. Tactfully we each picked up a child and holding them above our heads we surged through the growing crowd, dodging grasping hands and using our recently learnt jungle survival skills. It was tough work, but we made it..... just. Up close he was just as awesome and totally squidgie as we imagined *sigh*
As we made it to the front, Jollibee glanced across and something caught his eye. He smoothly made his way over and grabed Caylee by the hand and swooped her onto the dance floor. The two lovebirds (or lovebees?) danced the morning away bee style. But wait! It gets better!! As Jollibee was swinging Caylee around he fell onto his knees and looked up lovingly at the smiling, yet confused and overwhelmed face of Caylee. He was proposing!!! The whole crazy yet romantic shinanigan ended with free fast food for all the hungry tummies and us to head back to the ministry centre for our lunch.
Meanwhile, two other groups had headed out for a food distribution. Through awesome team skills and comunication we heard that this session had been a raging success involving inflatable balloons for the children, mounds and mounds of high protein and carbohydrate stew for everyone, the singing of lyrics and a game about my little pony.. (you may have to ask Pistol Pete about that last one). Of the distributions performed thus far, all groups have done well to handle the situations presented before them and the balloon animals have been ever so popular with the kiddies.
After our break it was on to our third rotation for the day... and it was the children's home again! We excitedly rushed up the hill to the big blue gates of the orphanage desperately seeking the friendly face of Caylee's new fiance. Much to our dismay, he had gone :( Even so, we were just as excited to have an evening with the kids. We have all fallen in love with every single child so much so that we all get very excited when it's our turn to spend time with them.
Construction was our last activity for the day. This particular session consisted of transporting buckets of sand to the top story of the childrens library...by hand.. up four flights of steps! It's incredible what we take for granted in Australia. Our builders have luxuries such as wheel barrows and cement mixers. Here, everything has to be done manually. For example we have to sift the sand before we mix it with the cement. This sand then has to be transported in buckets or bags to its intended site. We then, with shovels, start turning the mixture over and over again until its consistant, adding more water as we go. It's hard work but as we said, we will all return fit and toned. BOOYEAH! Also, Hanna incured a bit of an injury catching a falling bucket and consequently had a booboo :( Practitioner Pete patched it up so its all nice and dandy now.
We had an early dinner of ENCHILADAS! which were extremely tasteful and satisfying. We skipped our way back up to the Children's home to have devotions, sing a few songs and settle the kids down for bed. Despite their hard day of partying they were just as insanely energetic and lively as usual. :)
Then it was time for our secret night activity!!! We were given a strict instruction to wear bathers and pack a towel - our guessing of the outing quickly became narrowed down to a few options. Swimming... or swimming? We all jumped into our allocated automobiles and headed towards our unknown destination. ALAS WE WERE RIGHT! We were swimming indeed... at the Manila Resort! This place was home to a giant wave pool and water slide. We all had so much fun, nearly drowining from laughing. All attempted surfing but a major hit was the water slide. This was purely because we had to try lots of different ways of actually sliding down it. Most resulted in various superman glides.
Back at the ministry centre we gratefully gobbled down the leftovers from our previous meals which had been prepared by our lovely kitchen ladies. Kudos to them. Debriefing and devotions was a quick occassion for everyone was rather sleepy from our long day.
So here we are, sitting recounting the events of this awesome day, and we are both just blown away with the experiences we have all shared. We are all having the time of our lives and we all appreciate your thougths and prayers! Your support has been amazing! Keep those comments rolling for we all love to hear from you!
Catch ya later!!
Love Caylee and Kait
xxx
PS: Hi to Jeanette, Bev and Cindy. Hope all is going well, miss you guys!! Love from Nat and Kaity xxx
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