So my trip to Mindenow was a much longer trip than I thought. After sleeping only 3 hours we left at 2:30am and then checked in at the airport and boarded the plane along with almost 20 others from Australia, Manila and Jeff and Colene Long- we were off! Once we arrived they have transportation arranged for us to get to the children's home- it was a two hour drive of very windy roads that are very rough with mixed traffic (meaning lots of abrupt stops and then they take off fast)- everything but a smooth ride!
Thankfully we arrived safely- so that was a blessing. After taking a small rest- we interacted with the children that were home at the time. There were only about 5 or 6 while the others were still in school. Because these children haven't been in the home long- as this one was just opened this past fall they speak little english- so there is a language barrier- but they are kids and all kids love to play so it's been quite easy. It's interesting to see how they interact with eachother and with guests- you can tell who is new to the home and what kids were abandon on the streets by some of their behaviors. There is one boy that has only been here amonth or two- and he's so thirsty for love and attention- he was a beggar in his former life- and the way he interacts with people you can see this still- except hes not begging!
There is another little boy who has only been here a month, and they say the dentist told them he's about 2 years of age. They said he had translucent hair when he came and he was so weak he could hardly move- Grace- one of the natives also said the first meal they fed him he ate like he'd never seen food before in his life (and this was going to be his one and only meal!) WOW- you should see him now!! He's a chunk- runs around and plays and is beginning to talk- the little boy that was within days of death is now a healthy and growing little man!!
Another blessing:
Word got out that there is a large group of people visiting- most of the Aussies are HUGE guys (all stand at least 6'4") they are bball players and eat lots of food. So tonight someone dropped off 8 boxes of bananas, several boxes of pineapple and papaya!! ALL fresh and raised here- ready for export- but they brought it here and provided us a meal. We also had roasted pig- yes the whole pig was butchered and roasted- aparently a Philippino specialty! See the pictures- it was good- the taste was different but I did enjoy it!!
Thursday morning I helped at the construction site- where the future home of the recreation center, camp ground facilities and children's home that will house 96 orphans will be. Currently they are building the first cabin- and working on a third of the building to finish it before they move on. It's going to be absolutely amazing- a dream come true. This island is beautiful and the valley is very green and luscious- surrounded by mountains. I saw the plans and drawings for the future buildings and multi purpose field, amphitheater, gym and cabins. There is much work to be done yet- but it will be absolutely amazing.
We were working on moving cement- bucket by bucket in an assembly line fashion- to make one of several poles- and then once that was finished we moved a huge pile of dirt down the hill to fill up and level off the second floor so they can pour the concrete. It's a large area and about 3 feet deep- and when you move the dirt bucket by bucket (these buckets are only about 10lbs maybe- it takes a very long time to accomplish.) The overall experience was great- and I had a great time working the Aussie team doing the construction.
Friday morning I helped the kids with their school work and played with play dough ( a great fine motor function) it was fun to see how they would copy the things I created- like cars and houses and bowls of cereal- and how far or close they could come to matching my creations.
Once the time came I jumped into the van and we were off on the 2 hr. journey back to the airport- on the way the driver- who didn't speak much English stopped the car, pulled over and said "Water pole" or so I thought- and I looked at him and said what? and He goes "Water pole" - I thought the van needed water- or maybe this was a chance for me to get a drink- so I jumped out of the car- camera in hand because the view was beautiful- and walk over the edge of the little hill and there is a magnificent Water FALL!!! It's HUGE- several hundred feet- absolutely amazing- he just laughed and helped me find the perfect place to stand and get a picture of the entire thing- a great beauty of God's creation!
So the plane was a little late- but time here isn't a big deal- so we walked out on the runway to board. Because the sun was at its peak (even though it wasn't extremely hot) they handed each person an umbrella to walk under on their way to the plane (about 300yds.) Shows you the extreme caution Asians take to staying as light as possible (note everything in the beauty sectoin of the store is "whitening cream, lotion, soap, etc.- they desire to be white and we desire to be tan...) I thought it was funny.
I made it safely back- took a taxi without too many problems and met some of the other girls for dinner. So far- time has gone well here. I am enjoying it- but missing people at home as well.
Excited to get involved with the kids again tomorrow- I've missed them!!
email me at:
mission2serve@gmail.com
God Bless
Tessa
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