Day Six: Working 9 to 5

Again today we went on feeding programs and deconstructing the scaffolding for the extension to the children's home.
The first feeding the team went to Angon, a little village which has been flood affected earlier this year. Due to the devastation, the community had been relocated to a shabby undercover basketball court, which has only recently has walls installed. The people are living in cubicles barely the size of a bathroom. Talking to some of the people in the community, it was amazing to see their faith has not been shaken by the tragedy, but refined. The community expressed their continuing appreciation of the work done by K.I.M. to offer weekly feedings. Along with the feeding, a nurse attended the feeding and set up a first aid station where the kids in the community and the elderly were able to receive treatment for minor injuries and illness, as they are at higher risk of infection and diseases due to the contaminated water and the basic living conditions.
In the afternoon the team went to a nearby by impoverished community, which was situated right next to extravagant housing. It was mind blowing to see the the comparison between the wealth and poverty. Whilst some of the team made balloon animals, a number of the boys played street ball with some of the local men and boys. The kids were intense in their excitement to grab the balloon and pipe cleaners. Despite being a simple item to us, the kids really value the balloon animal or pipe cleaner shapes and try to get more than one.
The deconstruction of the scaffolding is almost finished with much celebration over the falling of a beam that a number of members of the team had worked on for a collective 3 hours. Ruth, Emily and Elise finally got a chance to push out the boys, climbing up the scaffolding to put down the plywood supporting the concrete pour, at times upstaging the boys with their mad skills. We have been told that many of the nails and wood will be reused and transported to Tacloban to build housing for those left homeless in the recent typhoon. We created a production line to take the wood from the pile the waiting truck. The only significant injuries sustain have been a nail to Mr Price's head, a large scratch on Miss Smoker's leg and one of Mr Ryall's arm. They are setting a great example of what not to in building.
Every night we have been doing a devotion at either the children's home or the JAZ home. Tonight at the children's home, Josh, Luke, Yande, Ruth and Eva did a skit of the story of David and Goliath. Luke played part of Goliath and they chose one of the young children to play David. When it came to the part of the David throwing the stone, the child was given a ball in a sock and threw it at Luke, hitting him right in the head, just as in the story. This was met by cheers and whopping by the audience, with Luke falling down dead.
A last minute request from Jeff Long saw the evening turn into a girl's and guy's night. The guys were asked to unload a truck filled with supplies heading to Tacloban into a sea container on the dock. Meanwhile the girls took some time for a little pampering, having a manicure and pedicure at the J Spa, set up by Josie Long who has trained a number of women from the local community in beauty therapy. The girls all enjoyed the time to relax and had girly chats. After the pampering was complete, the girls went upstairs to fill some gift bag for the JAZ home girls which we will give to them in the coming week.
Although we have only been here a few days, many of the team have fallen in love with the Philippines and in particular the people who are always smiling and cheerful.
Written by the recently pampered girls!!!

Hey Mum and Dad, just letting you both know that I am alive and not incapacitated. The whole trip has been so amazing and I can''t believe that it is already half way. Love you both. -  Emily.

Hi Mum and Dad, Mandy here! We are all well and alive, and thanks so much for your all your prayers along with those at church - we need 'em! Miss you, but love staying here too! xoxo A.J.

Hi to all the Teachers at Rehoboth, thought of you today at lunchtime, knowing that I would be missing mid-week munchies. Thanks to all for your prayers and support, can't wait to get back and share all of the stories. The money we raised from the chocolates has gone to feeding parcels for the people of Tacloban- Marilyn

Bought to you buy WorkSafe. Anything Goes.