Right now we have an Insight Tour in the Philippines. Occassionaly the team will be updating us on how the trip is going. This was written by Jane Laurie (TEAR Fund Regional Co-Ordinator).
Hello Friends
Well, what can I say. . . . it has been a rather emotional day for the team. We witnessed levels of extreme poverty and met families who despite living in these conditions are so inspiring and being full of faith in God.
It was exciting for me to meet up with a sponsored child that i met back in 2005 – he is sponsored by a school in Gore – and to see the change in him and his mum did my heart good. There were many examples today of just how much child sponsorship is making positive changes in peoples lives.
But we also met people in circumstances that challanged us spiritually and emotionally. I think we came away with more questions than answers regarding solutions to poverty.
We have been just so encouraged by the devotion of the Compassion staff towards the children and their families.
Here are some words from the team describing our day:
* speechless : in regard to the levels of poverty, the huge needs and the cramped living conditions . Eg seeing the size of homes where a family of at least six live in an area the size of a small bathroom 2 metres x 2.5 metres with no inside bathroom or cooking facilities.
* kids very lively and smiley
* wonderful singing and dancing – the children performed for us
* kids getting an opportunity to dream for the future
* despite their hardship the prayer requests of the families we visited were very humble and were basically for good health and for the children to do well in their studies. They were actually praying to maintain their current levels of lifestyle, which we would consider to be an incredible hardship.
* despite their hardships they remain loyal to their faith in Jesus. We are rather pathetic in comparison.
Yesterday was spent with CCT where we visited a health clinic within the Visons of Hope programme, we met with Ruth the Executive Director of CCT and heads of various departments which was most inspiring. Carlos, a former street dweller shared his life changing testimony with us – that too was most inspiring. From a lifestyle of an influential businessman to hitting rock bottom and living on the streets for 3 years – to what he is today. Want to know more – wait for his hopefully soon to be published book.
Tomorrow is a rest day. Well when i say rest I certainly dont mean a sleep in. Church is at 7AM!!! and then we are having a sight seeing day with Ruth.
Monday we are off to Cabanatuan with TEAR Fund’s partner ASKI – we are looking forward to our homestay with the indigenous people. We will keep you posted when we can.
The teams consensus today was that you just have to be here to fully comprehend the value of the work being done by TEAR Fund’s partners and we hope that many more advocates can experience this in the future.
The team are all well and send their greeting.
Blessings to you all from Mama Jane with the help of Denise.
PS. Thanks for your prayers – please continue.
If you would like to support TEAR Fund’s work in the Philippines then contact us on 0800 800 777
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Hi Mama Jane and team,
We are all thoroughly enjoying your regular blogs and are following your itinerary daily. Today we are remembering you as you travel the long way to Cabanatuan. The team from TF are all very jealous of you and memories are flooding back from them.
We finally moved into our new building and have made considerable progress. Hope the filming is going well? Love to all the team, Beth xx