Johnson

Johnson

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

High School OE

We had a great time! I am not really sure where to begin! We were in Nasuli for 10 days! On December 27, 2007, there was a great flood in this town that swept away many houses. There were a few people that died and many who spent the night in trees, while the water subsided. This is the reason the administration picked Nasuli as our location for OE. There were still quite a few very poor families that have not been able to build their houses again, so we can with our truck full of eager students to help build them a home.

Throughout our time there, we built 7 houses (6 cement houses and 1 wooden house), built 4 CRs (bathrooms), built a shade/classroom (that will be used to give literacy classes and to build relationship so that they might present the gospel), painted 14 classrooms at the local High School, and did 8 kid's clubs, where we presented the gospel!! Our schedule was usually get up at 6:30 am, go to the worksites from 8am to 4:30 pm, go back to where we were staying, wash-up, eat dinner, then have a group meeting at 7pm to talk about the day, sing songs, and listen to a speaker. Needless to say, our days were packed. On the weekend, we were able to go to the Kaamulaan festival, which happens every year. During this festival, there is a parade from people groups all over the Philippines. They wear the traditional dress and do traditional dance. It was so amazing to see. It was one of those "I can't believe I get to experience this" things! On Sunday, we split up and went to different churches, some smaller churches that had services in Cebuano, and one larger church that has services in English. Rob and I took a group of students to a smaller Cebuano church. As is the culture here, when we arrived, we were asked to lead songs for the children's Sunday School class! My favorite thing we did was on Friday bnefore we left. We went to each of the houses we had built and dedcated those houses to the families by praying for them, giving them Bibles in Cebuano, housewarming gifts, and writing Scripture on their walls! At each one that I went to, the women were crying! It was so sweet to see how thankful they were for the small houses we built them. Not only that, but I think this helps in the healing process that they are going through after the storm (Those from New Ortleans know exactly what I am talking about!) The family that we built a house for, the wife is 18 and the husband is 19. She was 9 months pregnant when the flood happened and spent all night hanging to a peice of bamboo. Praise the Lord that she was saved and had a healthy little girl (there is a picture of her in the slideshow).

It was a great week, although, as you can imagine, we came back very tired! We are so thankful that we had this opportunity. Please pray for the families we helped. Some are Christians and some are not. There are missionaries working with all the different people groups we ministered to during this trip. I think pictures speak louder than words, so here goes...

5 comments:

Fely said...

Hey there.. I'm from Mati, Davao Oriental Philippines but I'm now in Glendale, AZ... it's really nice that you and your husband are teaching there in Davao, so what particular place in Davao? Well, good luck and hope you enjoy over there. I miss the Philippines so much.

Renee said...

I so enjoyed reading this and looking at the amazing pictures. It looks like ya'll made a HUGE impact! It's exciting to know that there are missionaries there who will continue the work. I'm sure you could relate well to the people since you've lived in NO for a few years. Of course, can you imagine if FEMA tried to put people into even the fished houses you guys built? And these families were crying in joy over them. Just reminds me how much we have and how much other's don't! Very convicting. I can't wait to talk to you and hear more about your experience.

Anonymous said...

Wow,GOD is amazing! we Americans think we deserve everything and gripe when we don't get what we want> The people you helped were very humble in there actions and words.Thank you for being servants who serve a true living GOD!

We love and miss you.
Sarah told us she talked to you on skype last night.
HAPPY EASTER!!!! Melissa

Daphne said...

I love the picture of the two little boys with the shirts on their head. All the pictures are so good.

Sounds like it is going great for you guys. We are praying for you and think of you often.

Anonymous said...

Wow!! What an amazing trip and lasting impact on people's lives. It does remind me of some New Orleanian's reactions to the help they have received from the Body of Christ from churches all over the US since Katrina, but at our neediest in comparison, we Americans have so much more than most others around the world. We are so blessed and don't even appreciate it. Quite convicting!! Thank you, Christina and Rob for your willing hearts and hands to reach out to others for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Love,
MaMa Daspit