Family Holiday

Just recently we had the joy of taking the kids on a bit of a road trip holiday. We were invited to visit the place of one of the staff's family, they wanted to host us for a few days and treat the kids. We made plans and set out. During our trip though we had to change our plans and instead decided to stay a few days in Davao in southern Mindanao.

The kids had a fantastic time (and so did the adults of course)! They got to see and experience things they had never done before. The drive was beautiful, which the kids enjoyed except for a few that suffered some car sickness...we took the kids to the Philippine Eagle park where they saw lots of big eagles up close, along with some monkeys which they thought was pretty fun. In the afternoon we took them to the beach, which for many of the kids was their first time to see the ocean! They had so much fun swimming and playing in the sand and it was so great to watch. We stayed the night at a ministry centre where we all experienced some real "roughing it". I think some of the kids have forgotten what life was like before the children's home, they kept asking where the beds/mattresses were! :) But it was all part of the fun adventure.

Then the next day we took them to this brilliant crocodile park, they had a blast! They saw animals they had never seen before, from live croc's to massive pythons, talking parrots, tigers, monkeys, rabbits, ostrich, orangutan, squirrels and birds. They even bought out a small crocodile and the kids were all able to take turns holding it and having their picture taken! So much fun. Then we took them to a park with a big playground, they were just walking through the park, and as soon as they say it they all screamed and went running over, they would never have seen a playground with play equipment so big before. After a picnic lunch we took them over to a mall, and for many again it was their first time to experience that, the awe and excitement was lots of fun. Escalators were fascinating fun rides! The older ones got to go watch the new Narnia movie, a first timer for all to go to a cinema. They couldn't get enough of it! Talking, laughing and clapping through the whole thing! After the movie we were driving to a friends place for dinner and discovered it had been raining...a lot and found ourselves driving through a small flood, praise the Lord the car didn't die in the middle of it like it was threatening too. We met up with friends there who have a big house which they opened to us, all bunking in together, and needless to say everyone slept well that night!

The next morning it was time to pack up and head back home. It was a really great trip, and was such a huge privilege and blessing to be able to give these precious kids some experiences that would never have had the chance to do before, and hopefully give them some great memories they will never forget. And to be reminded to be thankful for the simple things and realising again the many things we can so often just take for granted...

Felicity Taylor
Malaybalay Home Manager

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