Day Eight: Wednesday 30 November 2016

Waking at 6.30am we realised that the Philippines soccer tournament that had finally arrived. As we arrived at the cemetery where it was to take place, we began making the lines for the pitch with talcum powder and tying the nets to the goal posts. Soon kids began flooding in and there were about 300 or more who were ready to take on the challenge. The Reho girls opened their first game with a bang even though it was scorching hot and humid. The girls brought their best to the game and won 2-0. The boys drew their first game.

As the day went by the team kept busy with jobs, playing with kids, playing a game or cheering on the team. Much of the team was exhausted and we soon ran out of fresh water. The kids were still full of energy and drained us all of the remaining energy we had. Lunch arrived which involved fried chicken, rice and veggies. With strict orders from Ms Smoker to not share food with any of the children, it was a real tough challenge for our team as the kids sat and stared at us while we ate our food.

In one of our games, Paul managed to score a goal from a goal kick which was “pretty sik dard”.  Both the girls and boys teams made it into the finals with Reho girls versing Journey girls and the boys versing Journey boys. The girls won 2-1 with the help of Ash and Shei. The boys lost 2-0 with Isaac Koh scoring a goal for the other team and crushing the morale of the boys, and then another goal scored soon after which sealed the deal.

The awards ceremony took place, which ended the day. It was a great day over all with our team finding it easy to bond with the kids over a game of soccer even though there was a language barrier.

Once we had come home, had a swim, a shower and dinner, we headed out to karaoke for a fun night of rukus singing, finishing the night belting out ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

Sara – Yo fam. Hope your keeping well. It’s pretty hot, humid and full on over here, but still heaps of fun. Feeling pretty knackered tho. Stay safe! Xx

Kate- Hi Yall!! I love your update Mum on your life; it’s making me laugh and some others! I’m having a blast, today was pretty exhausting with having at least 3 children hanging around you wanting piggybacks all day, I love it though. Hope you are all good. See ya soon!!

Day Seven: Monday 29 November 2016

Today’s day, while less hectic than others, was jam-packed with a range of various activities. One group endured through blood, sweat, and piles of tears in order to build a structure referred to as a sump (a septic tank), while another group pushed through extreme fatigue and exhaustion, feeding hungry children, pumping balloons and bringing joy to as many kids as they could manage.

Although the day was full of highlights and challenges, one theme remained constant. Today we all banded together, worked as a team, and bonded within our groups. We overcame challenges, including the confronting nature that a country like the Philippines brings. We revelled in our highlights, such as dancing with the girls at the children’s home or getting to know the team from Journey.

We are all feeling exhausted, but despite our limitations and often impatient mindsets, we as a team are aspiring to continue working at our highest standard, until we return to you all.

To all the Rehoboth students reading our feed, thanks for your continuous prayer and support. Especially the Year 1s; you guys are the best.

Goodnight y’all

Hi Mum, Dad, Emma, Joash and Jun.  Love you guys.  Having fun here but I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

Hey Sarmiento family just wanted to say I love you all.  Hope you’re having a great time.

-       Rowell

Hi family, I’m having an awesome time. Haven’t hurt myself that badly.

-       Josh (he’s not hurt at all – Mrs Stewart)

Hey family, all good here, looking forward to seeing everyone again and Telly.

-Love Nels

Day Six: Monday 28 November 2016

Day 6 saw the team get back into the rotations of feeding, construction and painting. Yellow began the day digging out the space for a septic tank. Six feet by six feet, the red team completed the ditch after lunch. The yellow team was met with the challenging reality that not everyone is able to be given aid. An elderly woman asked for money but with nothing on them to give, the team struggled with the confrontation of a need they were unable to address.

The red team headed off to the Journey Centre in the morning. They painted both the railings and walls of the centre, continuing to develop a fresh look for Journey for Hope. Later into the day red switched over to the construction as yellow left for a feeding. The kids' laughter and energy ensured it was not only the team providing joy for the children but the children bringing warm smiles to the team members' faces.

For the blue team the day started with a trip out to Tent City. The team served out the regular lugau along with balloons and pipe-cleaner novelties. Kids constantly swarmed the team as they handed out the items, excited by the visit. A crowd of the children gathered to watch Yami and Matvey play basketball against some of the boys. The constant humidity ensured the experience was met with lots of sweat but the smiles of the children definitely ensured the visits are worth it.

Later blue team went out to Journey for Hope continuing with the painting the other teams had begun on previous days. A stencil for the ministry’s logo was also drawn on the side of the building in preparation for its painting tomorrow (shoutout to Yami). While at the Journey Centre the blue team ran devotions both acting out the actions to “My God is so Big” and a small skit about King Saul. The team finished off the session with a craft, involving the kids as they created mini King Sauls out of paper cups. Spending direct time with the Journey children, having only the one team of students at the centre, allowed for greater bonding with the kids.

After dinner at the children’s home the blue team repeated their skit for the children there. Following the short devotions the team, along with half of the yellow team, enjoyed quality time playing with the boys and girls; dancing, playing basketball and the classic ‘red light green light’. At the Journey for Hope Centre the red team, joined by the rest of the yellow team, provided a bible study for the children and teenagers.

Day 6, a little more relaxing in contrast to the previous days, but nonetheless full of opportunities to serve both God and others. As the team has been encouraged through nightly devotions from Mr Butson, they were given the chance to love God, love others and do stuff.

Paul – love you lots bae, stay strong without me, also love you mum dad and gloria

Yami – love you mum, dad and maya

Shei – hola familia, estamos todos bien saludos y feliz cumpleanos a Manuela. Los quiero mucho.

Cath – shoutout to benny jen

Day Five: Sunday 27 November

We started off the day by going to church at Victory Life, which was located in a shopping mall. The service started at 9am. Both the praise and worship was very fulfilling.  We headed off to Max’s with the Journey kids for lunch and ate traditional Filipino food.  We headed to get changed for the soccer game which was held in a cemetery. Despite the humidity and the heat, it was a great time bonding with the Filipino kids. Soon after, we split up and some of us headed to the shops to buy stuff for the people living on Smoky Mountain. It was an interesting experience pushing around a cart full of supplies. As there was no space was left in the car, the rest of the team took a jeepney back to the YMC. The group left to wait for their next soccer game were swarmed by the local kids who wanted non-stop attention from Cath, Sheisla and Ash. After countless games, the Reho team managed to get it together to win a game against the talented Filipinos. The sweat-drenched team headed back to base on motorised trikes (Took-tooks). We showered and ate dinner quickly, then started prepping for the gift packs for the residents of Smoky Mountain. We then headed out into the city for a surprise night, which consisted of getting drinks (mostly frappes) and donuts at J.CO and also a completely relaxing massage. It was almost like we stumbled on the city because the immediate change in the scenery was completely different. Everyone felt extremely grateful for the massage and beverages after a challenging day of soccer. We headed back to the YMC and now are hitting the hay at around 12am. Good night fellas.

Sara – Yo fam.  Hope everything’s going g. Pretty wrecked from the constant workload and early wake up times. Catcha!

Kate- Hi guys!! Hope you’re all good.  I’m having a good time, but feeling pretty exhausted. Miss ya J

Abel – Hi guys, miss u already hope everything is g. Exhausted, had a busy day today but just need to sleep it off. Miss u Catcha .

Isaac – Hey everyone back at Perth! Massages and J.Co donuts were amazing tonight! Can’t believe it’s half way through the trip already, time’s flying real quick.  Miss everyone back at home.

Mitch-Missing you all very very much and I can’t wait to see you all again. Love Mitch

Gwen -  Gwen is really really really having a great time here! Don’t worry about me!

Reuben – Time’s flying but it feels good to be doing something productive and beneficial with my time! Can’t wait to see you guys again, but will definitely miss this place when I’m gone. Hope all is well over there, stay safe J