We gathered at Melbourne Airport at around 1.00 am Saturday morning. The Russell’s arrived considerably later as Andrew was blow drying his hair and attending to basic personal grooming needs. After an uneventful flight we were met at the airport by a procession of vans. We had so much luggage (picture Eddie Murphy in Coming to America). I imagine a cavalcade like this has not been seen in Manila since the death of Amelda Marcos. The trip from the airport to our HQ took 2 hours and 20 mins. It’s less than 30 km’s. It’s not our quickest trip, but it’s way better than our slowest.
Saturday arvo and night were reasonably relaxing with the kids (and some adults) in the pool. Rusty has announced that he intends to launch off the high dive platform at least once a day. After tea we had an inspiring tour of the community with Norman. He guided us around the many exciting programs that KIMS are involved in. He had incredible stories of God’s provision as we looked at the new School site, the food prep area, the birthing clinic and the children’s home.
We were early to bed Saturday night. Some managed a massage which was impressive. We had been on the go for close to 30 hours (since waking up on Friday morning).
Saturday started early for some with a cheeky coffee by the pool or a modest lie in for others (by lie in I mean around 7.00 am). We then set off in our finery for Church at CCF in Manila. It was a good morning with great singing and a solid message. In order to fit everyone in, we spread across 3 vehicles. I drove here last year and really enjoyed the challenge. This year it was Starry’s turn for initiation. Like me, he soon discovered that driving in Manila seriously suited his driving style. Braking late, scant regard for road rules, cutting people off and constant tail gating came very naturally to him.
After church, we headed to Greenhills Market. We fended for ourselves for lunch before hitting the markets for some quality replicas. It’s always a good outing. We were home by just after 3.00 pm.
The lovely cooks gave us an early tea, before 14 of us set off for a PBA basketball game at Araneta Stadium. It was a fantastic outing. We followed "local Dave" to the game with the idea that we would follow "local Josh" on the way home. At around half time, local Josh said he was leaving early. Consequently, we were left to fend for ourselves to navigate our way back home. I was driving, Rusty (middle front) was responsible for passenger comfort and special comments as he mucked around with the aircon, and Spidey worked the Google maps and offered well placed directional instructions and words of affirmation. We smashed it (the trip home, not the car). We may move home and start our own transport operation.
We were home by around 10.20 pm - most went to bed, while some of the young He-men did a workout and then had an illegal swim (well outside the operation times of the pool).
This morning - Monday - started with our 7.00 am breaky, before heading out to out first feeding program. The program this morning was in Tent City. It's a bit of a drive, but there's some lovely rural scenery. All the people that live there were displaced from Manila following a major typhoon in 2009. A community has grown there and now they have little houses instead of tents.
it’s always fun going out there. There are familiar faces there and it’s good to catch up on the news. As usual, after the feeding, most crammed into a little home for a greeting and words of encouragement. Rusty (with around 7 minutes notice) produced a pearl as usual. Spidey brought a greeting and Simone encouraged the Mums and prayed for them. 27 home made bags (with goodies) were handed out. The bags themselves had been made by my Mum who worked tirelessly prior to our departure with the sewing machine. She has made about 100 of them.
It was very wet, but as profound as ever. It was awesome to see the our kids getting involved with the local kids and families. Starry and myself drove the vehicles with a much needed pilot leading the way. I drove a 14 seat van and Starry is driving a Mitsubishi L300 box van. When he drives it he looks like a paramedic from Bangladesh. It’s even got a 5 on the tree (just like his farm Ute from his childhood).
I drove a number of others to the afternoon feeding at The Junction. This is a community located about 10 minutes from KIMS. This community made the news early this year when it burnt to the ground. Nearly every building was destroyed. These people are resilient. They told me that they have no money and struggle to get food, but they said that they were content and happy. Their philosophy is that the more money you have the more money you want. Simple but profound.
