Day Two: Thursday 24 November, 2016

We woke up to a delicious breakfast cooked by Marilou and the other wonderful YMC ladies. We split up into two groups. One group went to construction where we pulled nails out of wood to be reused, mixed and poured cement, did some bricklaying, we cut grass with hedge trimmers. 

The other group did a feeding which was hectic and sweaty. Walking around the streets, the kids and their families were really friendly despite their tiny houses and hungry bodies. The kids massed around us and scurried away with bowls and cups filled with chicken rice soup. They came back soon after when we began making balloon animals. 

After lunch, one group of eight jammed into a five-seater car packed with lots of donations. Reuben had to sit on top of them with his face pressed to the roof. We went to the Filipino equivalent of Bunnings. We must have been a sight to see as everyone dropped their job and stared at us intently for 40 minutes, whilst taking sneaky photos.

 

When we arrived at Journey For Hope we cleaned the walls and painted them. We danced with the kids as they streamed into the room, flooding it with love and affection. We had a group dance party, including gummy bear and ra tap tap tap and guli guli. We did an improvised drama of the story of Samson. We did a colouring activity with the kids, and enjoyed spending time relaxing with the kids.

Mitchell lost an arm wrestle to Mrs Stewart.  Nelson managed to rip his shorts while doing construction. Thankfully he had undies on! He soldiered on and worked another 45mins shocking the rest of us and the locals alike.

We finished the day debriefing over tasty frappuccinos at Starbucks and sharing the highlights and lowlights of the day.

Reuben – loves his parents and wants to tell them that he’s having a really good time and that they shouldn’t worry about him running into low lying poles designed for smaller Asian people because that wouldn’t happen at all on this trip! He certainly doesn’t have a huge welt on his forehead now J

Mitchell – Tells his sister to not read another chapter without him.

Abel – Hey, I miss you fam

Isaac – Hey Mum, Dad, Grandma, Joy & Wendy! Having a great time over here, it’s great to see everyone again! Hope to see you all soon!

Kate- Hi, thanks for all the messages. I loved it!! I’m having a great time and it’s been great to experience it all over again. Miss ya J Hope Hosannah is saying Aunty Kate hehe

Calvin- Alaina, I’m following the rules. They guide me and shape who I am.