Loving on Those Children!

Brittney, teaching the children how to write their names.

The people of the Philippines have an amazing ability to improvise. Since my team has arrived, we have seen just how hard life is for the majority of Filipinos. People here do the best they can with what they have to get the job done. It seems like the everything is made out of tin, concrete, and bamboo. This has given me a new worldview, it is not just the lack of having but the creativity to use what one already has.

The streets are crammed with tricycles and motorcycles with extra seating for passengers. (This is two of their forms of public transportation.) The sidewalks are vendors selling fruits, barbecue, raw meat, and even shampoo. Everyone and everything is close together... and a little crammed!

The Love The Children Foundation building, is nicer than most of the other houses in the neighborhood. Because it is built to hold many children it is much larger than the surround buildings. Although there are a few obvious repairs needed the campus as a whole is well maintained and cared for.

Day to day life is different here. Bucket baths are a part of life here. Washing clothes means going down by the river and washing them by hand. (A weekly task.) Rice is eaten at every meal along with a small portion of vegetable. (Whatever was the best price at the market that day that could be bought in a bulk quantity.) Even with all the hardships that seem so evident to me Filipino believers are faithful in praising God for the work He has done in their lives. Since our arrival we have experienced many things, the heat and sweat that seem to never end, schooling the children, and working in the kitchen. Cleaning is an all day activity when you have 30+ kids in one house!

Rice! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sometimes for a snack!

Community outreach is something that we do in the late afternoon each day in different locations. On Saturday we do house visits, and during the weekdays have VBS in different neighborhoods located near the orphanage. The children love the music and games. Even the adults like to sit in and listen. Please pray that we will be able to communicate the truth of the Gospel not just to the children but to their aunts, uncles, grandparents, and parents that standing in the sidelines listening.

God is giving us strength. Strength to wake up early. Strength to love the children. Strength to hand wash our clothes. Strength to share God's Word!

Thank you for your prayers for our team!

Brittany