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| Philippines MP3 2005: |
| Baguio City |
| March 17-27, 2005 |
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| A group of 128 enthusiastic young people and adults gave up their spring break to change the lives of Filipinos in Baguio City. They participated in the construction of a "lamb shelter" (addition to Bible classrooms) near Baguio City, evangelistic campaigns, medical and dental clinics, children's ministries, and orphanage outreach. When we see them with tears in their eyes expressing their joy, we discover that this has been a life-changing experience for them as well. Although the work was exhausting and they were far from the comforts of home, the participants wholeheartedly agree, it was well worth the price. |
Amy Purviance, Dinuba, CA: My most memorable experience here in Baguio City happens every night. My children' s ministry team heads out to the Bitag church and we lead the children in singing. Then we do a skit and puppet show, and a nature nugget.
We started out
with 20 kids and each night it has grown. Tonight, we had
43 kids! They were shy to begin with, but now they are enthusiastic
and always excited to see us. Some of the children mimic
us and it's just hilarious to watch them! In a short amount
of time, I've fallen in love with these kids and I wouldn't
mind staying another two weeks! I haven't even gotten homesick
yet! |
Bryan Fellows, Seale, AL: OK, so I am going on a mission trip! Growing up as an SDA kid, that is all I have heard: Mission this! Mission that! Give your hard earned money to the mission field, Bryan."
I'm a high school student. I don't make much money and now I have to give it up. Well, I paid my $1800 to go on this trip. It's what good SDA kids do. But when I walked down the dirt path to Quirino Hill Church, the church plant we were assigned to, my heart melted! To hear 69 kids singing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of their lungs has made this trip 100 percent worth it.
Growing up in our church we often forget what really matters. The gospel becomes mundane. The thoughts of "Oh no! Not another Sabbath!" are ever present. We even count down the hours until sunset so that we can have fun. Coming here to Baguio, Philippines has given me a new perspective. Instead of looking at how it will benefit me I look at the way I can use my life to bless others. As a friend and I stood there listening to the kids singing, she whispered to me, "I don't want to go back home! I wish everyone could understand the joy that comes from having this adventure."
There is now a new meaning to that song, "Jesus Loves Me!" It's a meaning that touches my heart and soul. I may not give Him the respect and time He deserves. He still loves me in spite of all of my weaknesses, or how much I've hurt Him! He's still there with open arms calling me home. "Yes, Jesus loves me."
How can I serve Him? |
December Cummings, Dinuba, CA: Without a doubt, my most memorable experience was when our group went to the orphanage this afternoon. We sang songs and did a skit about David and Goliath. The kids loved it! We had a song we wanted to teach them, and they ended up teaching us a new version of the song! Really neat!
Then our group took all of the kids outside and had them form a huge circle. We stood in the middle with bags of toys and goodies for them. When we gave the word, it was like a stampede. All of the kids came running toward and reaching and pulling and grabbing anything they could get their hands on. I had an armful of stuffed animals and within seconds I looked down and my arms were empty. An amazing experience! But they were so sweet and so thankful. So many kids came up to me and thanked me for all their little treasures.“Thank you ma' am for my things,” they would say. Then they would ask us to take pictures with them. So we did. Then they would all run over to us to see the digital picture we had just taken of them. Some of us got to play with them. We stood in a circle and tossed a bouncy ball back and forth to each other in no particular order. That was a blast!
When it was
time to leave, some of the kids followed us to the vans
and wanted to shake our hands. As we were driving away they
shouted, "I love you!" So we shouted back, "Mahal
kita, Mahal kita!" ("I love you, I love you"
in Ilicano). That was super special to me!! There were so
many smiling faces shouting, "Mahal kita!" That
is something I will never forget! It will stay with me forever! |
Jonathan
Wold, Arlington, TX: I've been completely amazed
by the children of the Philippines. They always seem to
have a smile on their face. They show great respect, and
they're eager to learn. I've seen the light go on in their
eyes and the smiles on their faces as we've shared Jesus
with them. This trip has really inspired me.
I
came to the Philippines with no real idea about what I had
to offer or even what I'd do. That changed the moment I
arrived. I saw the passion in our leaders, their true desire
to serve, and I knew that even if I didn't know exactly
how, they would guide me. It
is now several days into the trip and I'm exhausted! My
body aches and pleads for rest, yet there is a fire inside
my heart. I've seen the difference I' ve been able
to make in the lives of others, and I've seen the
difference in my own life. I' m not stopping! Each
night I pray that this trip will not be about me, but how
I can serve others.
I' ve seen people here who actually love Americans, despite all of our problems. I' ve seen people who listen to what we say and show through their smiles that they care. I've seen a church on fire for God and growing fast. A people who, despite their poverty, still respect and care for others and lead an example Jesus calls us to lead. I've seen that it' s not about the number of baptisms we have, but it's about the lives we affect (and may never know until the kingdom).
I' ve seen how important and powerful it is to set a good example. People really are watching. Whether I know it or not, my example makes a difference! |
Jonathan Woodruff, Spokane, WA: An important lesson can be learned from the Filipinos. Most have almost nothing, and yet are so happy! They have found the secret of happiness apart from possessions. Their hearts are not hindered by things. I have so much stuff. I thus face a continuing struggle against materialism, and of letting temporary things becoming my focus. Since they are not tied down by possessions and have so little, I think it is easier for the Filipinos to let Jesus become their all-consuming passion. What I find difficult to do seems to come easily to the Filipinos.
I had the privilege of visiting an orphanage while in Baguio. We had a wonderful time there and gave the kids lots of toys. Right before we left, the kids sang us a song about how even though our skin color and languages may be different, we still are one in Jesus, and we all have the same Father. You know, there really isn' t any difference between me and those kids in that sense, and someday in Heaven we will all be together with Jesus. I can' t wait! |
Jason Melton: This mission trip was incredible! I learned so much culturally and spiritually. God was definitely seen working around us and through us. He answered many prayers on this trip. Here is one instance in which He heard and responded to my prayers.
During one day of our trip we went to visit a local orphanage. I have to say it was one of the best experiences of our trip, however that's a different story. Well, when we returned from the orphanage I realized I had left my backpack at the shelter with my wallet and other important stuff inside it. I prayed that I would somehow redeem my bag and found a ride back to the shelter. When I arrived I found a few adults in charge and they informed me that no backpack had been returned. We looked around for a while but were unable to find the bag. The adults and I both began to panic when a little girl stepped out of her classroom holding my backpack. She held it up to me and said, "Here's your backpack, sir." The little girl had found my backpack outside and kept it safe for me. When I returned to our mission compound I found everything in my bag as it had been, and thanked God.
I have many more experiences I could write about.
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| Justin Gibson, Lincoln, NE: Interacting with the Filipino children was simply amazing. They were so respectful, loving, energetic and grateful. They called me “sir,” shook my hand, taught me some words in Tagalog, and remembered my name without reading my shirt. The most overwhelming moment came when my VBS group was mobbed by little children who wanted autographs. It seems truly ironic that I came to touch their lives but was inspired so much more myself by their actions and spirit. |
| Krista Woodruff, Spokane, WA: I had come to share my gifts with them—a little time, hugs, music, stories, and some small toys. What they gave me was so much more. Their love for Jesus in the face of having no earthly parents or many possessions of their own was so humbling and inspiring that their faces will never leave me. |
Melissa
Eek, Kelowna, BC, Canada: Philippines 2005 was my
second mission trip with The Quiet Hour and I had the most
amazing experience. Baguio was a very beautiful city with
beautiful people who did everything they possibly could
to make us feel welcome and comfortable. While our group
was there, we had long days and short nights, with roosters
waking us up every morning--early! We tried not to complain
because we knew we were here for God and not for us, and
when we saw the children running to see us every evening,
and seeing 170 people baptized, we knew some of His
reasons for us being there. I feel privileged to have been
on this trip and it won't be my last!
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Michael Woodruff, Spokane, WA: Sabbath afternoon's assignment was to explore the hillside houses in Baguio and let people know about tomorrow's program. The people were all so friendly, even though they have almost nothing. Happiness is obviously not measured by stuff in the Philippines. Normal housing in the area is incredible! The shacks are built of concrete and scraps of metal that somehow are carried up the mountains bit by bit, bucket by bucket. Just climbing to the top was an exciting adventure! There is so much I could write about. It was a huge eye-opener for me to see how these people live in comparison to us.
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