Day - Mountain Drew

3:00am WAKE UP for group Charlie for the last time in the bakery.  They arrived at the bakery and bagged the bread to sell. We then walked around the suburbs with Pastor Pete selling the Pandasal for two pesos for one piece. Then they arrived back for breakfast at 7:00am.   

Our food challenge started when we ate lugaw for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This dish is the local food that working families eat and depending on the income that depends on how thick the dish would be and whether it would just be rice or chicken and vegetables. We only had a single bowl each for breakfast, lunch and dinner to eat like the local Filipino’s. We all sat down at 7:00am and sang happy birthday to the oldie Drew. After breakfast we got changed into our work clothes and walked to iRC. It took us 10 minutes to walk there. Once we arrived we got straight into our rotations.  

We all started off with the construction and then broke off into groups with some continuing construction, others trying their hand at broom making and weaving. Unfortunately, there were 3 victims of sunburn today even though Mr Beacham gave us numerous warnings! In an emotionally challenging experience six of the guys and girls were asked to build a coffin for a local community man that passed away from sickness overnight. This is the sad reality of living in a community such as this as the locals only work for food and cannot afford plywood for a coffin.  The body was wrapped in a rug and but because the mountain people cannot afford cremations or funeral processions the body was buried in the afternoon within the grounds of the community.

Around 12:00pm we stopped and went to lunch and had another bowl of Lugaw. After lunch we got back into our work clothes and went to the sugar cane fields to harvest some of the sugar cane. We got to taste some and it was really sweet but tasted nothing like sugar. After we harvested some of the sugar cane with machetes (yes mum they let us have machettes!) we took the sugar cane to the truck and loaded it. We took photos of the group cutting down the cane and cleaning it.  It is really hard work and we found out that 90% of the islands people are employed to work the sugar cane fields at $3 a day, working 10 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We got back into the bus and went back to the house and got into our basketball and volleyball uniforms and went down to the local school to play. The students were so excited to see us and we were paraded around the town and the school, then into the court to get ready for the games. The basketball game was really close, but we lost 42-43, the guys were up by two then the other team got a three point shot on the buzzer.   It was a great game with a solid effort by Evan, Rueben, Elliot, Nic and Matt who don’t normally play basketball.  After the game we took a group photo and traded shirts. The girls played volleyball; the game was close as well but lost 20-25, but it was a significant improvement on the previous game. After the games we mingled with hundreds and possibly thousands of students and made balloons animals and bracelet with pipe cleaners. We then  got back into the bus and headed back to house.

When we got back to the house we all had showers and sat down for dinner, dinner was like breakfast and lunch, a single bowl of Lugaw! After dinner, Mr Beacham had a huge surprise, BIRTHDAY CAKE!!! The cake was a chocolate one and everyone sang happy birthday again to Drew.

Matt and Drew

Drew: Hey everyone, missing you all and I’m looking forward to coming home and seeing you.

Matt: Hey family, having a fun time but starting to miss you can’t wait to be home xoxo

Rach: CONGRATULATIONS KRISPAN AND CODY SIMPSON!!!! WOOOO IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS AND I DON’T THINK I HAVE EVER SCREAMED SO LOUD FROM EXCITEMENT!!
HOW DID IT HAPPEN?! IS THE RING PRETTY?! TELL ME EVERYTHING PLEASE! I miss you all so much right now and really, really wish I could give you guys a massive hug!
Feel free to pick me up from the airport on Friday and tell me everything!!
I am so happy for you guys and love you so much!! Have the best time in Bali! xoxo

Day 7 - The awakening of Carabao man

Title: #filipinolyfe

It was Group Bravo’s turn to wake up before sunrise;

3.30am, even before the rooster cries.

It was off to the Bakery for packing and selling;

“Fresh hot pandisal” (bread) is what we were yelling.

We returned for breakfast, eggs and pancakes;

Then off to work at iRC, no time for breaks.

Some did construction, building the Children’s Home;

Others worked in the rice fields, through thick mud they did roam.

They were up to knees and elbows clearing the fields with the beast;

Before heading to the picturesque spring to wash flour bags - no time for a feast.

We all had a go at each different Filipino trade;

Until the whole group came together, to get one step closer to the Children’s Home being made.

Then home we went. “NO SHOWERS!”, The Beacham yelled.

So we ate a yummy dinner then quickly crammed into a bus even though we really smelled.

Tonight’s activity was really hard to bare,

We were welcomed into the locals’ homes, their lives they did share.

We were given a new perspective into our lives and time here,

The reason we came has now become more clear.

To help and to serve, those who are in need;

Even if it is to put a smile on their face, or to provide a few weeks feed.

We then said goodnight to the beautiful children of iRC,

It was then we fully realised the reason for the construction work that needs to be.

Their beds consisted of doors, benches and bamboo mats;

Outside they slept, in the dark, among the monkeys and cats.

So tonight we go to bed, with heavy, thankful hearts;

Until tomorrow, the challenge has been set, and all the hard work starts.

-          The Leaders (Bek, Emily and Evan)

P.S – Hi to our families. 

Day 6 - We bought a Jeep

In the early hours of this morning, team Alpha (Reuben, Emily, Emma, Matt, Evan, Michaela, Drew and Naomi) arose at 3:30 to begin the bread delivery at the IRC. They arrived back at the white house as the rest of the group woke at normal time. The breakfast was slightly under par today compared to what we usually are served, after Jay made the comment that nothing was edible, we left the table slightly hungry and looking forward to lunch.

At 8:30 we headed into the mountain community  to the Ikthus ministry site to hand out 400 parcels of rice, noodles and sardines to those most in need in the community.  This was difficult for some team members as there were allot of young babies and pregnant mothers.  After everyone had received their parcels of food we entertained the kids with balloon animals and pipe cleaner creations.

After we  finished, we galloped down the road to a secluded natural spring where we were treated to a refreshing dip in the pool, it was a beautiful natural pool fed by a fresh stream of crystal clear water. The waterfall cascaded down various rocks and gullies almost 100ft high. After, we returned to the white house for a lunch that satisfied all our wildest hopes and dreams, a beautiful assortment of salads, fresh salmon, and gourmet pork.

 “Okay guys, time to chill” were the words spoken by Drew after lunch as we reached our favourite part of the day, nap time. After Ley, Keegan, Bek and I (Elliot) woke from an afternoon kip we then headed to the IRC for an afternoon session of construction. Today the construction session was different to others; we had a surprise visit from the Governor of Negros after he heard of the work we were doing at the IRC. This was a really big deal as he came along with a significant security team and numerous staff and photographers.  We kindly greeted him in the local tongue, and he invited us to come have Chicken Inasal (chicken on a stick) when we head into Bacolod city which in the Philippines is a significant honour.  

After we took many photos with them we carried on with our construction for another hour. Then we left the IRC and went back to the white house for dinner, delicious chicken and rice. We had a small break and prepared for our night activity which is always a surprise. Tonight, we went to a prayer meeting at the church down the road where Emily Peirce shared her testimony which lifted the spirits of many. The prayer meeting was followed by our night activity which included the famous filipino tradition, Karaoke.

It was lots of fun and it was Stephen and Josh’s time to shine.  They both belted out numerous songs and Stephen even threw in a few dance moves to get everyone laughing.  The youth from the bible study stayed on to help us with a few songs and we finished with Pastor Pete and his Queen rendition of ‘We are the champions’.  The surprise of the night was our Filipino co-ordinator Pastor Gary who belted out ‘Moon River’ with record quality vocals.  

 With such a late night and with Charlie group on bakery duties tomorrow we arrived back at the white house after completing journals and debrief. 

With special thanks to a number of supporters specifically the Beckenham ladies bible study group we were able to purchase a car for the IRC mission site today.  This will really help with their livelihood projects and help further their ministry with the mountain people of Negros.  So as you may have seen on the TV advert ‘we bought a jeep’.

Elliot Chase & Nic Dawson 

Day - 5

Day 5– First full day of hard labour.

Our day started as usual getting up around seven and straight up to breakfast, today we had to wait 10 minutes for Stephen to eventually find his way through the apparent maze and down to the breakfast table. Before we started, Nic expressed another side of himself by saying grace in French. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs, steamed rice muffins, toast and Filipino frankfurts. After breakfast we went straight up to the IRC community where we received matching work shorts made out of sacks of flour and then split up into our groups.

Team Alpha piled on the back of a jeep and went down to the river to wash clothes and sacks. It was a spectacular view that resembled a tropical paradise. The river had two levels, one was for swimming and one was for washing clothes. At the end there was time for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water. There was a similar occurrence from yesterday as Evan was very popular with the locals. Team Bravo was working on construction first counting and moving the reinforcing rods that would be support for the concrete we will pour later during the week. As Team bravo were working up a sweat team Charlie was in the bakery crushing colourful bread in order to make new bread. Once all the bread was crushed finer than sand, they joined Bravo on the construction site. Both teams formed an efficient line to pass the metal rods from the floor up onto the roof on the soon to be orphanage.

After working hard and with the relief of some rain we finally finished and returned to the house for yet another delicious lunch. On offer was rice, nuggets, and a savoury jelly with corn and cheese dessert as well as soft drink. After lunch we had well needed down time, lounging around getting to know one another a little more before we headed back to the IRC for more hard but rewarding work. Almost all of us climbed back onto the roof and began the slow process of tying metal ties to the rods on the roof. The orphaned children who we are building the home for were eager to help and provided us entertainment as we worked with their unique bubbly personalities and beautiful singing. We finished the job and then spent a few minutes getting to know the children individually before we returned back to the house for showers and dinner.

Dinner was fulfilling and included rice noodles, fried chicken, rice and pork followed by a delightful mango and biscuit cheesecake. 

After our delicious meal we grabbed our journals and made our way off to the community church to complete a food challenge. There was a range of options starting with the pig intestines followed by chicken gizzards, chicken feet, chicken head and last of all the balut (partially developed chicken egg at 14days.) Emily, Emma, Abi, Keegan, Nic, Elliot, Rueben, Micalea, Chenoah and Drew braved eating the balut. Drew and Chenoah then decided to take on the unofficial world record and eat more than 9 in one sitting. This was an amazing and brave move and Chenoah succumbed on number 8 and Drew finished on 11.  What an amazing effort as most people struggle with eating one Balut.   They started off coping well but are now paying for it, and will be sleeping with buckets, also along with the other brave students that passed the 4^th challenge who are now not feeling %100. 

Goodbye from everyone in the group, today was a great day!

Tanika: Hey everyone, miss you so much, I just want to say I have felt so at home here, cant’ wait to come home though (: miss you xx <3

Georgina: Hey everyone! Having an amazing time over here, the people are so friendly and happy over here it is beyond belief! Can’t wait to come home and see you all again! Big shout out to Mum, Maddie and my closest friends, love and miss you all heaps! xoxox

Day - 4

Hey everyone back in Australia

Today's the 25th of November and we started the day with a breakfast that consisted of pancakes with a Filipino sweet cinnamon syrup, pork spam and an omelet and rice. After our breakfast we drove to the IRC and started our mission work,  team Alpha and Charlie did some construction work while Bravo worked in the bakery, near the end of our work, for last twenty minutes we worked very hard in the construction work, even the children at the IRC were helping us out with moving heavy bags of sand. We left the IRC at 10:30 am to go back to the guest house for lunch which was a variety of dishes including spring rolls, chicken dish, Filipino potato and sweet corn salad with rice.

After lunch we boarded the bus and left for a La Carlota, on our way we stopped at a supermarket where we were given P60 (Peso) to purchase anything we wanted, after that we were treated to time at a internet Cafe where we could contact the outside world. Once we had finished we again boarded the bus and headed for a school where we would compete in a basketball game for the boys, and a volleyball game for the girls. Upon arriving at the school we were warned about the students in the school, and that they would treat us celebrities. And, they were not wrong, we arrived to over 4000 screaming students  and I mean really screaming. We then started our games with a prayer and we went off to have a good time, we played three quarters of basket ball lasting eight minutes each with an end score of 49 (Australia) to 57 (Philippines team), the volleyball game had two halves ten minutes each with the end score being

25 for the Philippines team and 10 for the Australian girls. As soon as the end whistle blew we were swarmed by the 4000 students asking us for our pictures and names and autographs, four of the boys were really popular Elliot, Nick, Jay and Evan. Micaela signed a guy's face and Evan was asked by a girl if she could have his sweat towel. Sadly we had to leave our new friends and fame behind.

Before our hour trip home, we stop at a church where dinner was cooked for us, we enjoyed chicken on a stick, barbecued pork with rice. We stayed in the church for a while after dinner just talking to each other before returning back to the white house.  We then all had showers, wrote in our journals and reflected on our day as a group. Lights out.

Well that was our day today, see you all when we get home Jay and Stephen.

Day 3

Hey Everyone!

Today was yet another exciting day in Filipino land. We luckily got a Beacham sleep in (7am).  Well the girls did anyway. The boys on the other hand, due to their need to make sure they were all gwapo (beautiful) and that their makeup was flawless, chose to wake up mostly at 6:30 except for Nic Dawson who woke up at 5:30 just to make sure his makeup was especially flawless for all the Filipino ladies (and it worked). So watch out parents, it looks like all the boys are coming back with Filipino girlfriends.

For breakfast we had were given a delicious meal of scrambled eggs, French toast, spam (which was interesting for most) and of course rice. It was amazing. Everyone ate heaps and we left ready for a busy day.

At 8:30 we had church down the road. It was a massive service with over 1000 people and we were all made to feel very welcome. We all introduced ourselves on stage and Evan shared his testimony. We tried our best with our very limited local language experience. They were obviously enjoying themselves laughing at our attempts to copy their greetings. The service was very good. We were given the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. There were many selfies and group photos taken with the locals. It was heaps of fun.

After church we came back to ‘The White House’ (The place that we are staying at) for a lunch of fried chicken, chow mein and rice. Then we had a desert halo-halo (Filipino fruit salad). It was AMAZING!! After lunch we had a rest time. We were all relaxing in our rooms and on the balconies enjoying the breeze and the views.

We then went down the road to the IRC and went to our second church service. We got to meet a lot of the community members and children. They were all very welcoming. Ps Pete preached the sermon on thankfulness being a superpower from God while Ps Steve translated for him. It was a great word. During the sermon some of the girls helped out in the Sunday school.  After the sermon our team made balloon animals for the children who attended the service.

 Then we all climbed back onto the bus and made our way back to the first church that we attended and packed bags of supplies that could feed a family for a week or two. These bags consisted of rice, sardines and noodles. The whole group and some volunteer’s from the local church who helped us pack these bags. Between us we made enough packs for 800 families who will often travel a couple of days to receive the gracious food that we are giving them.  

After quickly finishing all the bags we hopped back on to the bus and went higher in to the mountains to a smaller city called La Castenella. On the way to the city we saw the most beautiful sunset over the rice paddies. Once we arrived in the city Mr Beacham allowed us to spend 60 Peso in a small store where we were allowed to buy some food and drink as an afternoon snack.

Once we had got a little something to eat and drink  we once again hopped back on to the bus and headed back to “the white house”, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner of spaghetti, chicken cordon bleu, Filipino style coleslaw,  sour  bread and  for dessert we had a mango cream dessert.  

After we had finished we sat down and wrote in our journals about how our days went, once we had finished our journals we went for showers (in our case we are writing the blog!)

Once we had finished shower time we started debrief, as we sit here and listen to debrief we are still writing the blog…

Tomorrow we start our first full rotation in our work groups, building an orphanage, working in a bakery or working in the chicken coups. We can’t wait to get started and show our hosts how hard Australians can work (hey we have Mr Beacham as a leader, of course we can work hard!!!!)

Love Micaela and Chenoah xx

Micaela – Hey Everyone! Missing you all heaps. This place is absolutely amazing :D Can’t wait to tell you about all the memories we are making. Js; Haven’t even lost a thing! Love you heaps!! xx

Chenoah – Hey, Hey J Missing you all heaps. This place is amazing, can’t wait to get back to and tell you all the stories that I have to tell. Miss you all xxx 

Day 2 -The arrival

Day two – The arrival

Early wake up is what started us off this morning. Except Drew and Evan of course, they were busy doing their make up while the rest of us were piling onto the bus. Our first breakfast in Bacolod was McDonald’s; a good start to the day.

We began our 3 hour drive through winding streets of Bacolod to arrive at our exquisite guest house. We experienced many new things just by sitting on a bus seat such as learning new things about the Philippines and our team members. The bus ride taught us that Filipino drivers have two speeds: stationary and furious. We were shocked at the sights we saw, felt and smelt. One of the many interesting sight that we observed were gold fish being sold in beer bottle. People were actually buying them too! Old men were flashing their bellies to us as we drove past to show their wealth. There was confronting visuals on top of the funny and exciting experiences including the state of living and many without basic needs such as limbs. La Carlotta was our morning tea stop at Jollibee, Filipino maccas where we had coke and ice cream. (Yes we are eating healthy don’t you worry mum!) Many team members got friendly with the local drivers and got group photos, they were pretty excited. Our last long stretch was to the destination of Pastor Day’s luxurious mansion in Beulahland, what a lovely place!!

We took a quick group snap in front of the enormous volcano which is just 12km away from our accommodation and then were allocated our sleeping arrangements. We quickly got settled and grabbed sunnies and hats and drove 2 minutes to IRC (Ikthus Redeemed Communities).

The greeting of the community was overwhelming! Children were running behind the bus with a huge banner reading ‘Welcome team Australia’ and waving ribbons and flags. Greeted by the sound of drums and confetti showers at the IRC gates we felt a rush of royalty. We were spoilt by their hospitality and massive feast of a rotisserie pig (lechon baboy), crumbed fish, hanging rice and sprite and coke in glass bottles. In-between our royal feast and orientation we met the gorgeous children of the community and learnt their traditional nursery rhymes and games. During orientation we got a glimpse of the hard work that is yet to come with manual labour. At 3:30 we stopped and got to play with the children, this included Evan recovery from his sleep in and winning the jumping competition and thong baseball which Emily, Emma, Matt, Georgina and others played. The kids experienced the excitement of hop-scotch for the first time today also. We departed from IRC eager for a nice cold shower and dinner. Which is what we are about to do now!

Tomorrow we are looking forward to church which is a 3 minute walk from our accommodation and introducing ourselves to 1000 people. Talk to you tomorrow night with more exciting adventures, Love Naomi and Rachel xoxox

Rachel- Hello everyone back home! Having such an amazing time already and the food is so good! See you all so soon! Love and miss you! xxxxx

Naomi- Hey fam! Having so much fun and having really good experiences! So many stories to tell already! Miss you so much guys, see you in 2 weeks. Love yous! 

Day 1 - The Beginning

The Beginning: Keegan and Emily

Our days began much the same as they were different. With Emily beginning her morning with an Outdoor Ed exam and Keegan driving her brother around the town of Perth to get his braces removed, its only now coming to the surreal moment when the juxtaposition of everyday life to now; our upcoming two weeks in the Philippines is hitting home.
With both our expert last minute packing, nothing seriously important has been forgotten. Arriving at the airport and joining everyone to depart Perth, we bravely faced three flights from Perth to Kuala Lumper, Kuala Lumper to Manila, then our final flight which was domestic, Manila to Bacolod. All totalling ten hours, all in one day. We  discovered that sleeping on planes is a talent held by some, including Reuben Barham completely taking up all Em's personal space and Mr Beacham straying his ridiculously long legs in the walking isle, accidentally almost tripping over fellow passengers. Curries received on the plane including a special fish one containing sardines and the special meals Keegan received were "inedible to say the least." The flights felt long and the thick humid clouds of the tropics made our journey rough and bumpy. On our last plane ride scenery contained lightening causing nervousness in the mind and unwanted thrills in the tummy.
After finally arriving in Manila the Filipino custom officers gave no mercy as to why so many "gubbas" (white people) were entering their country on tourism. After Elliot and I (Emily) explained we were here for missionary work they let us through still slightly unsure of our goals.

Matthew 6:33
"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Pastor Pete gave us the challenge of making this verse coincide with our day today. Keegan and Emily had their epiphany whilst writing this blog.
We feel like today we came to the inevitable conclusion that as relatively affluent individuals we see the world in tiny materialistic detail. After arriving in the Philippines we were reminded (as this is our second time) that these details are irrelevant and that physiological needs are the bigger picture and the one that we need to focus on. Whilst in the Filipino sky looking down on Bacolod we saw lights foregrounding blackness. To us, this represents the beauty that shadows the grim as in the happy smiles in the face of poverty. After spending the day with everybody we heard many comments that were unneeded as they reflected the materialistic ways we are trying to leave behind. The purpose of our trip is to serve the kingdom of God and by doing so we will all benefit from it. So from here on we will ignore all the materialistic details and serve the Kingdom of God ( the bigger picture) and allow the small things to be added to us.
Thankyou for reading.
Ps. We all arrived safely

Keegan: To everyone at home, and Harry, I love and miss you guys. xxx

Emily: So glad to be back. Miss you Mum, Dad, Taris and Lil xxx

Introduction

Welcome to the Blogspot of the 2013 Southern Hills Christian College service trip.  This year we will be partnering with Gary Visitacion of the Federation of Christian Athletes and Ikthus church and their project Ikthus redeemed Communities.  The students will be travelling to Bacolod, La Castenella and transiting Manila and Malaysia. The purpose of this trip is for upper secondary students to experience the culture of another country and assist in numerous areas where help is needed. Currently these areas involve teaching, building and food preparation and distribution to slum areas.

Whilst the majority of the trip will involve working in the above mentioned areas, there will be opportunities for the students to experience traditional work practices and personally experience life in a poor rural community. Other ministry areas include water purification projects and participating in a basketball/volleyball game at a local high school.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to your comments and prayers during the trip. Remember the Blogspot will be updated late every evening where possible.


God Bless


2013 Southern Hills Service trip team