A Long Overdue Entry

Hi all,

This is a short summary of my Philippines trip during May. Yes, it's long overdue. Well, I just got the photos this Monday. I guess I'll keep this post not as wordy but shall let the pictures do the talking.


Our first day at Philippines! Upon arrival at the airport, we decided to take a group photo. For me, it was the first time I stepped down a plane and walk on pavement instead of a link-bridge to the arrival area. Well, that's budget flight for me!

Just look at our happy faces! All excited for what is in store!

And when we got all our luggage settled, we were welcomed by Pastor Sam and his family. Naan, Pastor Sam's daughter, was super shy when she first saw us and kept hiding behind her mummy. Sister Jane told us she won't be like that for long and we realised it was true!


The next thing that begun was a crammed ride on the jeepney. It sure wasn't an easy time. We had to squeeze our backpacks and there were 15 of us plus Pastor Sam considering the fact that Sister Jane and Naan sat in front. For once, we knew how it felt to be like sardines in a can. Still, we didn't allow it to dampen our mood.

But well, as you know, Philippines isn't small like Singapore. For us to get from Clark Airport to Napo was more than a 15-hour ride on the jeepney. So, soon, the zzz bug hit us.

On day 2 afternoon, we finally arrived at Harvester Cornerstone Church at Napo, where we were welcomed with a sumptuous meal prepared by our dearest Filipino brothers and sisters! It was really heartwarming.

We had time to rest and settle down for a while before setting of to the mayor's for a courtesy call.


A photo taken with the Iriga City major. Let's keep praying for God to raise up godly leaders so that Philippines can see a change to being a powerful nation for God! (By the way, the sisters each got a bright yellow t-shirt from the mayor during our visit.)

That night, we went to the Iriga Presbytarian Church and it was a great time being with our brothers and sisters in Christ together in their service. They were really people who allowed God to use their talents! Their music is fantastic! One of them told us about how he had this desire to serve God, yet he didn't know how to play the instruments and he just came day after day to the church to practise with the instrument. And God did work through him powerfully. Now, he's able to play the drums, guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, sing as a vocalist, lead worship and even mentor others in the worship ministry! I was just amazed and that was when I truly understood what it means that God looks for a willing heart.

And that was also when we learnt the song 'Babad', which means soaked in Tagalog and totally loved it!


*I posted Wesly's and my photos only cos the whole team of us each took individual shots and I only selected some partially cos I was lazy and partially cos I guess it'll be better to post photos of those in the NTU group!

And on the next day, back in Napo, we went visiting the burangay captain of Napo who owns a HUGE garden. At there, we prophetically planted cocoa plants and even harvested sweet potatoes and a big papaya! Indeed, we believe we're there to harvest and sow and soon there'll be a GREAT multiplication of born-again Christians in the village!


Our Filipino brethrens really went all the way out to give their best for the outreach we had one of the nights in Napo. They decorated the stage and made it really so beautiful. It was really a blessing to have them. I was constantly reminded how important it is to be practical in showing love throughout the trip.


And one of the most exciting adventure we had was a climb up Mount Garayon. It was the first time our team had to climb terrarin. It was something challenging because most of us weren't physically prepared for that! I was super red by the end of the climb.


But it was truly worth it. Being able to be there to bless the villagers who don't even have much. What really moved me was the extent of our brethren would go to fulfill the Great Commission. I was told he would make a trip to climb the mountain and another behind just to get to the village and conduct bible study classes for a small group of villagers! Just one climb and I personally found it tough. How commendable the perseverance and the determination to carry through. Let us not just start well, but end well too! Amen?


On our way down Mount Garayon to get back to Harvester Cornerstone Church, we decided to take a short-cut and ended up going on a detour. We went to a wrong place. But God brought us to a beautiful sight. I simply love God's creation of the nature!

We went back drenched because it rained. But our hearts were all ready to join the rest of the team for an outreach at a basketball court! And that night, for the first time in my life. I saw fireflies! How lovely.


Another day, a small group of us went to Busay, where we had a short children church session with the children there. It was a time that was so well-spent. The children loved the story we shared from the Bible - the parable of the great banquet. And they even weaved takraw from leaves and gave the different one of us! And just before we left, when asked who wants to take photo, they were so eager to be near. There were so many of them trying to sit on my lap that I was almost squeezed out! Haha. And they really were nice people. When we left, they walked us all the way out and waved until they see our tricycle leave.


There was one night which we had this 'Encounter @ the Park", where we crazily sang songs of praise and danced in the middle of a park! Just imagine the weird glances we caught. But, it was really a good way to get people to hear what we wanted to share. After all the craziness, we acted a skit, which was something like the video Nic posted some time back. (Click on this if you need to refresh your memory!) And after that, we went around the park sharing with people about Jesus! That was when I understand, it's ok to be crazy for God!


Our climbing was not just once. We went up early in the morning at about 5 am to climb and pray for Ligao City. It was really refreshing and awesome. The view from the top was just breath-taking. The majesty of God's creation beautifully displayed.


We headed for Marinab during the last few days of our trip. This was where we had the church camp together with our Filipino brethrens. Thank God for such a lovely place! We were truly blessed.


The night we reached Marinab, we went climbing over this hill to get to the village on the other side. The village was a entirely different place from that in the previous picture. It was an area run-down and filled with darkness. The night when we went there to pray for the burangay captain, there was a sudden black-out. The whole village was turned into almost complete darkness. After walking out of the village, we climbed up and stayed at the hill top to praise and worship God, then took time to pray for the areas we can see from the top of the hill.


The next day, after witnessing the baptism of a few of our Filipino brothers and sisters, we climbed the hill again to the village. This time, we carried out our medical missions in the school compound there. There were just so many people with needs. I learnt how to treat wounds properly! And I'm an assistant to Jonathan, our hypo-count specialist! I learnt practical skills to meet the needs of others.


That same night, we had an outreach in the school compound. The whole area was just lit up by that one lightbulb you see in the picture. Yet, that didn't limit the move of God. The medical missions proved to be successful in softening the ground. That night, we saw 50 salvations from the children and 60 salvations from the youths and adults! It truly was a mighty move of God. Some of those I prayed for said they felt better after being prayed for. I believe it was so for the rest who prayed. Because, it was truly nothing else, but God working in our midst. Praise God!


And just a sunset taken in Philippines to mark an end to this post. This was taken on the last evening at Marinab. We took it after heading back to the resort from following up with those who got saved during the outreach in the village. It was really beautiful. I have always marvelled at how the sun is just a little glimpse of God's glory. It was so at Segamat. And again, it was so at Philippines.

All in all, God really worked in the different ones of us. I'm glad that I went. Going to Philippines was something I had all along said in my heart that I wished to even when I was a few month's old Christian. It was truly a great experience and I thank God for the lessons learnt. I thank God for the things He revealed to me and how He just led me through.

Missions - we all have a part to play.

Continue to pray together with us for Philippines ya? You may think that you don't know them. But God does!

Go. Give. Pray. :)