Weekend Mission Trip to the Philippines

God blessed me with the funds (through my Grandaddy) to go on a mission trip with a few people from my care group. One of the guys from my care group works for ICM (Click here for more information on their ministry), so he organized the trip for us. I think everyone needs to go on a trip like this one - no matter what your spiritual beliefs are. It will make you so grateful for things we take for granted, like: eating three meals a day, taking hot showers, and sleeping on beds with mattresses (not bamboo poles).

The guy on the far left is who organized the trip. This was all of us who went, minus myself of course.

Getting in a wonderful nap on the plane on our way to Bacolod. The lady in the background kept giving Peter weird looks for taking pictures of three girls, haha!

Those mountains were gorgeous with the clouds and sunshine. I wanted to go there so badly, but we didn't have enough time.

The food was so tasty! In the picture that is garlic rice, chicken and congee. Yum! (minus the congee)

This is the church where ICM hosts the Preschool+ Program: 25 children are given food, education and a uniform for a year where they are educated to become literate, while the mothers of these children are trained on basic values, health and livelihood opportunities. We came to see the program and spend time with the children, playing games and making a craft. Only $200 is needed to sponsor a child and their parent for a YEAR in this program. The meals they receive here is often times the only meal they will eat that day.

Here we're playing duck, duck goose with the kids, but we translated the words into their native language (which I can't even remember now). The children in the background live in the nearby neighborhood. Some of them are siblings of the sponsored children (those sitting in the circle) and others are just curious to see the foreigners. If more people give money towards the program, more children can circulate through.

These boys were so funny! They kept posing so I would continue taking pictures. Their favorite part was looking at themselves afterwards on the camera screen. :)

I took this picture of the sunset when we returned to the hotel after going to the preschool and helping build houses.

The next morning we went to another church to attend their service. They also have a feeding program here and the program teaches them about organic farming. ICM provides the education and the worms to begin the process. This next picture shows part of the organic soil process.

The program has been so successful that nearby villagers have copied the process for themselves!

This man was the "worship band". He didn't play perfectly, but that's what is awesome about our God. He takes delight in our imperfect praise to Him, no matter how it sounds!

I was touched by the church members faith and obedience in giving to the church. These people have so little, yet they give and trust God to meet their daily needs.

These are some of the families that are able to participate in the feeding programs.

Please pray and consider where and how God can use you. We can give so little and it reaps such a rich harvest for the people in these slums. My prayer is that you will respond in obedience to however the Lord calls you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me or ICM!

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