Day seven and eight in the Philippines is now in the books!
Yesterday morning after breakfast, we traveled about 15 minutes out to KBF for a morning church service where we sang worship songs as a team, Alex gave a touching sermon about discipleship, Ella, the twins, and I were able to lead Sunday school, and we had some small group discussion about the lesson. Ella and Becky were with the younger children while Lizzie and I taught a couple bible stories and lead the game of musical chairs for the older children. We then went back to the camp to eat lunch. Soon after our delicious meal, we headed out to MCGF for Youth Fellowship. To start off the afternoon at MCGF, we played a few icebreaker games where we were rewarded with prizes such as candy bars, pens, and highlighters. Before we got into the testimony and lesson, we introduced ourselves on stage. As we were in front of everyone, Alex, causing lots of smiles and laughter, went down the line asking our names and any other random question to put us on the spot (he even acquired questions from the crowd). After our introduction, Zoe shared her testimony flawlessly and without hesitation or studder. She shared about anxiety in her life and how God has helped her through her anxiousness and grow her as a person. Soon after, Logan gave the lesson which was about worry. He explained how worry can overcome our lives, what God says about it in the Bible, and how to deal with it in the future. We each paired with a local church leader and lead small group time. Becky and I were able to share our testimonies with our small group and were able to connect with the girls as well. Before we left we were overloaded with picture taking (this is very common, were pretty much famous to the locals). Although at sometimes the pictures can be tiring, they are also a ton of fun and great ways to bond and spark up conversations. After we got back home we ate dinner and then the boys played an exhibition game of basketball where Kerri announced and Zoe kept score. Before we went to bed we played some ping pong, pickleball, and went on a quick night swim.
We had an early morning today, starting at 5am, where we departed from Word of Life to travel about an hour or two for breakfast at Judicar cakes bakery shop. We all had the opportunity to try the bakery’s famous cinnamon rolls as well the many other bakery items available. From Judicar, we went to Talakag for a volleyball tournament, as well as our sports ministry in between games. Each day of sports ministry we have a testimony, Gospel skit, lesson, and small group time. Today, it was my turn to share my testimony. Although I don’t love talking in front of a lot of people, I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to share with everyone there and have an impact on their lives. As we’ve been improving as a team, we ended the tournament in second place. Before we left Talakag, we ate lunch and took part in some Filipino dancing/exercising that was taking place after our tournament. We then headed to a beautiful mall nearby. Here, we purchased souvenirs, practical items, and, of course, coffee. As soon as we arrived back to camp, we ate dinner and the boys participated in a basketball exhibition game where Kerri did the wonderful and enthusiastic announcing. During our team time, the camp started to flood, and later on, a couple of the boys, Logan and Zach, helped out in digging a trench to help the flooding.
All in all, were so incredibly thankful for the opportunities God has given us to reach the locals here in the Philippines, as well as the teams safety throughout the trip so far.
Peace out y’all
Marissa Helderman
Yesterday morning after breakfast, we traveled about 15 minutes out to KBF for a morning church service where we sang worship songs as a team, Alex gave a touching sermon about discipleship, Ella, the twins, and I were able to lead Sunday school, and we had some small group discussion about the lesson. Ella and Becky were with the younger children while Lizzie and I taught a couple bible stories and lead the game of musical chairs for the older children. We then went back to the camp to eat lunch. Soon after our delicious meal, we headed out to MCGF for Youth Fellowship. To start off the afternoon at MCGF, we played a few icebreaker games where we were rewarded with prizes such as candy bars, pens, and highlighters. Before we got into the testimony and lesson, we introduced ourselves on stage. As we were in front of everyone, Alex, causing lots of smiles and laughter, went down the line asking our names and any other random question to put us on the spot (he even acquired questions from the crowd). After our introduction, Zoe shared her testimony flawlessly and without hesitation or studder. She shared about anxiety in her life and how God has helped her through her anxiousness and grow her as a person. Soon after, Logan gave the lesson which was about worry. He explained how worry can overcome our lives, what God says about it in the Bible, and how to deal with it in the future. We each paired with a local church leader and lead small group time. Becky and I were able to share our testimonies with our small group and were able to connect with the girls as well. Before we left we were overloaded with picture taking (this is very common, were pretty much famous to the locals). Although at sometimes the pictures can be tiring, they are also a ton of fun and great ways to bond and spark up conversations. After we got back home we ate dinner and then the boys played an exhibition game of basketball where Kerri announced and Zoe kept score. Before we went to bed we played some ping pong, pickleball, and went on a quick night swim.
We had an early morning today, starting at 5am, where we departed from Word of Life to travel about an hour or two for breakfast at Judicar cakes bakery shop. We all had the opportunity to try the bakery’s famous cinnamon rolls as well the many other bakery items available. From Judicar, we went to Talakag for a volleyball tournament, as well as our sports ministry in between games. Each day of sports ministry we have a testimony, Gospel skit, lesson, and small group time. Today, it was my turn to share my testimony. Although I don’t love talking in front of a lot of people, I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to share with everyone there and have an impact on their lives. As we’ve been improving as a team, we ended the tournament in second place. Before we left Talakag, we ate lunch and took part in some Filipino dancing/exercising that was taking place after our tournament. We then headed to a beautiful mall nearby. Here, we purchased souvenirs, practical items, and, of course, coffee. As soon as we arrived back to camp, we ate dinner and the boys participated in a basketball exhibition game where Kerri did the wonderful and enthusiastic announcing. During our team time, the camp started to flood, and later on, a couple of the boys, Logan and Zach, helped out in digging a trench to help the flooding.
All in all, were so incredibly thankful for the opportunities God has given us to reach the locals here in the Philippines, as well as the teams safety throughout the trip so far.
Peace out y’all
Marissa Helderman