First Visit

Liz Philllips (Nashville, TN) and her sister Ellie and brother-in-law Mark Hymes (Kansas City, MO) came to Manila and the NFFCH to provide teacher training on use of the Academic Associates Reading Course—a comprehensive phonics-based reading program—being incorporated into the Cuatro Christian School’s curriculum. Below is a poem Liz wrote of the sights and experiences of being in Manila.



First Visit

By Liz Phillips


Should I go to Manila with Mark and my sis?
Leaving Scott back at home, it would be him I would miss.
Though the kids needed care and money was low,
I was off to the Philippines, friends told me, "Just go!"

The jet lag no fun, all your strength it will sap,
2 a.m. arrival, then tucked in for a nap.
We woke to the sounds, Filipinos out walking,
We peered from our porch, the roosters were cocking.

The sights, sounds and smells; the food, heat and training;
The pool time with Ellie when it wasn't raining.
The jeepneys! The traffic! No one could conceive it!
So many close calls! I still can't believe it!

The time on the train, not my favorite place.
Oh, WOW! It was full! Sardines have more space!
First view of the squatters, sights too sad...Oh, my!
This pen can't convey, I won't even try.

Orphans inside the gate, so well cared for,
Can't help but notice the smiles they wore.
Fed other kids who were hungry, the poorest of poor,
We'd give them their scoop—ran out...needed more.

The sweet time at Erroll's, so proud of his place,
No wealth from this world, just quite rich in grace.
The teachers we trained, those women so dear,
Last day said good-bye, with gifts, hugs and a tear.

How can I say thanks for a privilege so rare?
To learn what I mean, you too can come share!

The Norco Gals

Hello everyone! We are Rachael, Trisha, Jessica, and Jocelyn from
First Baptist Church Norco in California. We arrived here on May 10th
and have about a month of service to go, as we are planning on
returning to the States on July 5th. It has been an absolute delight
for us to be here and we have already been blessed ourselves in many
ways.

Our involvement here has been diverse, allowing us to gain a wide
variety of experiences and serve in several different areas. Rachael
and Trisha, for example, were able to spend their first few weeks in
the Philippines serving in MalayBalay before returning to us here in
Manila. Jessica and myself have been rooted here in Manila from day
one and it has been fabulous.

One of our key focus areas since we have been here has been working
with a group of 18 community girls that Josie Long disciples, each
with their own unique personalities and stories. Serving at the
children’s home has also been a priority: spending time with the kids,
working shifts in the nursery, and leading devotions. Other activities
have included participating in community feeding projects, and simply
doing whatever else arises as a need. We have grown to love all of
these kids so much and are sad to be leaving in just a month, but
cannot wait to see what God does in the time we have allotted. It is
crazy to us how quickly our time is passing. Our trip has certainly
been dynamic, as we are continuously gaining new environments to serve
in and to be grown in. God has already blessed us in innumerable ways
just being here; we feel right at home and pray that our service is a
blessing to those around us.