childrens ministry week

some kids and I at the dump


the entrance to the dump


praying for teens at a ministry event


the streets of the philippines


kids at the dump



a house at the dump


a girl workin at the dump


sunset


josh (one of the interns) playin with the kids


girls at the center


playing at the center


Wow…I cant believe it when I look at the last couple of posts! I have done so much since then it is going to be hard to fill you all in on everything! So after the feeding ministry we did various ministries with college kids, young professionals, and kids. However, then I got really sick! For two whole days, I couldn’t even get out of bed. I don’t think that it was from any food or water here because Aaron was sick too with very similar symptoms. So, I’m guessing I got something while in Australia and it took a while to manifest itself.

So anyways that was a hard, being here, in a third world country, not knowing anyone and away from home. My fellow interns and the other staff are so caring and helped me out so much! They were such a blessing. It has been great getting to know them and to see their passion for what they do.

This week we focused on Childrens Ministry. One of the outreaches we did was going to a dump called Calajunan. It was such an eye opening experience. When I went, I felt so many different emotions that I just needed time to process it. People live there, a lot of people. Children dig through the garbage for cans or things that they can sell. They run around in the trash dump with bare feet. Their houses are on top of the dump and all around it. I was just so overwhelmed because I want to help them, but I don’t know what I can do.

These people at the dump are part of a sub-culture in Iloilo. Some of the kids have piercings, not with metal but out of plants and its through their lip. The young girls look for love and affirmation in sex and have children at very young ages. There are girls that are 17 and 18 years old and already have 3 kids. A 16-year-old girl went missing on Saturday and her body was found on Tuesday. She had been gang-raped. There is a darkness that covers that place.
We went back on Saturday and had Camp with the kids and just got a chance to hang out with them. It is amazing how they recognize you and just run up and hug you even after only visiting one other time. The kids loved the songs and the skit. Even the parents were watching. I had so much fun just being silly with them and loving them.
I really want to fix their problems but I know that I can’t.

If you help a person one day, that is all that you did, but if you teach them to help themselves you are helping them for the rest of their lives. When you go into the dump, you just want to fix all of the problems there. But these people need to learn that a new way of life is possible. For example, the people there have equipment for the dump, but it just sits there and rusts because they were never taught to use it. I want to help but I am still learning how and what I can do.
This week we are learning about Community and health development. It will be so good to learn ways that we can help the different communities in Iloilo. We are going to partner with a barangay (what they call their communities) and put what we learn this week into practice. Please just continue to pray with me as I am learning, growing and experiencing many new things.