our trip to the philippines backfired a bit.

the kids loved it. had a great time. made friends immediately (of course they were objects of interest to the slum kids, they were visitors, they would be giving away their clothes at the end of the day, they were from a different world those kids will ever know). for sebastian, he could run, either with other kids or by himself over dirt and other i don't want to think too carefully of what covered hills, racing long distances. there were rickety bridges. doggies. people smiling at them. they got to help, and when they wanted, they got to stop and play with their friends.

and at the end of the day, they got to leave the filth, and shower it off with the aveeno shampoo we had brought along, and sleep in an airconditioned room with lovely sheets and a flush toilet. after eating dinner where they could leave food on their plates if they were no longer hungry.

but it was a start. sebastian gets it. but he also loves the freedom and the running and the space and the wild. the triplets didn't really get that the slums we were rebuilding are the homes where their new friends live at the end of the day.

one of the saddest things i remember seeing this long weekend was at the tuberculosis recovery shelter. there was a big sign on the wall that read, VISITORS MAY NOT EAT THE PATIENT'S MEALS.

a couple of patients gave their testimonies, told how they had gained 7kg in 10 weeks, mainly because they were eating three square meals for the first time in their lives. can you imagine, when their families come to visit, how tempting it would be to share your food with them, knowing they hadn't eaten that morning, knowing how much they need the food, knowing what it is like to have the dull gnawing ache of hunger in your stomach. and how the visitors must wonder if a missing meal, or even half a meal, would make such a difference to their relative's recovery. oh the guilt those patients must feel when their relatives must come to visit.

it was a great trip.

briefly, here are the highlights:

1) visiting our preschool. the kids sang and danced for us. we gave them tinned beef, a new pair of shoes each, knickers, pencils, sweeties, and many school supplies to the teacher.

Christmas 2008 our family was meant to go to Queensland for Christmas, to stay on the Gold Coast. We decided to sponsor the preschool instead. We didn't have the money to do both. We decided that giving the children a chance for an education was more important than the trip. I was very very sad that we didn't go to Australia for that family trip. Seeing our preschool, seeing those children made it worth it. I am so glad we made the choice we did. We prayed for them, and the kids prayed as well.

2) taking pictures. we brought our "polaroid" type camera and took instant pictures. so many mothers didn't have pictures of their children, or of themselves and their children. seeing their faces as the images began to appear was wonderful. charles deserves all the credit for coming up with the idea of taking the cameras.

3) packing. six days before i left for the trip, i sent 12 people an email, letting them know that most girls do not wear knickers, because they can't afford them. my friend meg succinctly said, "it's bad enough when women who have knickers choose not to wear them...but it's a tragedy when girls don't wear them because they cant afford them." i asked people to donate knickers their children had grown out of, or clothes, or toothbrushes, etc.

i ended up with six full suitcases, large suitcases, full of shoes, clothes, over 500 pair of knickers and toothbrushes, pencils, teaching supplies, corned beef, socks and other such times. remarkably, the majority of the knickers were brand new. people went out and bought beautiful brand new knickers for the girls and boys. it was overwhelming. i have learned people want to help, they just need to know how. i am so grateful i know of a fantastic charity that can take their old clothes, or where they can donate funds, no matter how small.

seeing the ladies at the ICM head office in the philippines as we brought the full suitcases in was wonderful. they were full of such joy as they planned what items would go to which province or program.

it was a great trip.

i want to go again. soon.

A video of Sebastian's June ICM trip can be found at Charles' blog.

Comments

[jill]

Tess - what a wonderful gift to give and to show your children firsthand the importance of helping others. We are so fortunate to have the lives we do. Many in the world would trade their problems for ours without hesitation. Thank you for sharing this and your family's experience. It reminds all of us how we can help.

[Jody]

What a gift -- and I am so touched at the thought of mothers holding photos of themselves and their kids. Everyone who goes on a mission trip should know about that bit of wisdom.

[Auntie Pammie]

What a fantastic trip you all had. I am so proud of you and your family for doing the work that you do. It makes a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. You are my inspiration!
Love Auntie Pammie xoxo