Day 6

We finished up last night with an amazing trip to the swimming pool at the missionary school. The water was amazing and Erin flew through the air from the diving board making all the boys green with envy. While Joelle and Liam won the shoulder wars in between a game of water basketball which was dominated by the boys, Cameron J and Sam C, whereas the twins Dean and Matt cheated by jumping out of the water in an attempt to slam dunk. As we returned to the Centre, we had to be as quiet as a mouse to ensure we did not wake the already sleeping leaders and Mr Bent, Mr Puzey, Jamie, Mrs Burnes, who were headed off early the next morning at 5 am, to Isabella, which is to the north of Manila. We found out later this was the first time the airport had opened in 2 weeks due to intense flooding of the area, so the leaders will have their work cut out for them, being involved in feeding programs, rebuilding and cleaning until Wednesday when we will reunited with them.

Excitment was had by all as we meet the challenge of starting the dig on the children's swimming pool which will be situated where the grass area once was at the Ministry Centre. Sweat, tears and laughter was shared as the clay was split, shovelled and bucketed to the back of the truck with Joanna and Kezia created a chant which was soon translated to Togalog, which helped to raise the spirits of all. 9 Truck loads later Beacham called for lunch and there was a quiet silence of achievement as we headed for one of the best lunches (hunger rained down). It was a well deserved feed as there was a happiness shared by all as the effort the morning included as we all chugged down our fall.

Within 50 minutes the filthy, dirty, hungry and tired 34 students and 5 teachers were showered, fed and heading out to a theme park called Star City. At the park everyone entertained themselves with rollercoaster thrills that tipped us upside down and threw us about, freezing toes in snow world and riding sledes in thongs and shorts, which made everyone's feet freezing cold, and the sound of chattering teeth could be heard from every direction until we escaped into the heat again. Slowly the crowd swelled as students who had fifnished school arrived in hoardes.

A quick tip to anyone planning a trip to Manila, don't drive at peak hour otherwise a 1 hour trip can turn into a 2 and a half hour trip, travelling 5kms in an hour, and ending up with a busload of teenagers needing to go to the toilet and all them having rumbling tummies as they were late for their regular appointment with the dinner table. The second meal of the day to be scoffed down in under half an hour to be ready to go to the children's home at the normal time, which was spent in the usual way of singing and watching a bit of tv with the kids. We were able to relax to a few minutes of Mr Bean with a turkey on his head. The relationships are growing between the students and the children as Joelle and Liam shared JP, and Amy B became a temporary bed for a little girl named Angel. Kezia and Jordan were asked to sponser a little girl Alex in the fun run which is to be held next Wednesday afternoon.

At our return to the Ministry Centre, Beacham had organised us to ride in a "jeepny" to Starbucks. A "jeepny" is a type of bus which we have often seen on the roads during our travel away from the centre. They are similar to trams in the sense that people just jump on and off when they reach their destination, and they often pass with a loud pumping music and crazy lights. At starbucks, we were all able to endulge in a ice cold drink of different flavoured frapaccinos, fruit juice or coffees, and we all appreciated the refreshment after the long day of work we had.

We came home to debrief which was everyone sharing the highlights of the day, challenges of the day and a discovering others. We were all able to laugh and enjoy listening to each other. After this Mrs Scrivener shared her testimony with us, which was touching and deep. Hearing stories like these make us all much more appreciative of the lives we live and that we come from loving caring homes who hopefully all miss us. God Bless.


Amy B- If any of the Bowen family can acces this blog, just saying I still miss you, I am alive, and assuming you are too. love you lots xxx

Jo-Elle - To Mummy & Daddy, Jess, Blake & other brothers, I miss you all lots, and Love you's even more than i did before i left :)
love yous all xxx.

Joanna - Hellooooo :) mumma and dad and my lovely family. I miss you all so so much and loveyouu guys heaps :) cant wait to tell you stories and see all your faces :) lots of love and hugs x x x

Sally - I love you mummy and daddy, hope yous are well :) tell Paully Happy Birthday :) miss you's xx