Day 7: Rippin’ Rotations!

Today was technically an “ordinary” day, but that would be incorrect, for there are no “ordinary” days in the Philippines. We went into our regular morning rotations with Blue Crew on construction, Yellow Fever up at the Children’s Home, and Team Dragonfruit (Red) heading out to a feeding.

Blue Crew’s task for today was to remove a thatched roof off a shelter so that a better one could take its place. It was lots of fun being involved in our own #DEMODAY, though we soon found the roof was infested with insects. As the team worked, bugs and arachnids alike rained down, bathing them in insect glory. The insectologists returned sweaty and a touch red but mightily successful in their deed. As Filipino tradition would have it, Nelson worked so hard that he ripped his pants… for the second consecutive year. It was quite amusing, and true to form Nelson laughed, and then continued to work just now with a little extra breeze.

The Yellow Fevers went up to the children’s home, Keziah got the chance to spend time with a one year old named JM (John Michael) who only had one ear. JM is a timid boy and struggles to interact or communicate was others. It took time for a relationship to build and for JM warm up to his surroundings, however when he became adjusted he wasn’t able to let go of her. The team really enjoyed engaging with the kids through blowing bubbles and sharing many hugs.

Team Dragonfruit had a challenging morning as they went out to a feeding at Antipolo. The environment was crowded and enclosed. The main battle they faced was seeing an open casket funeral. A family had lost their father to a senseless stabbing incident by his own friends. The casket placed under a large white tent was surrounded by family members gambling for money to be able to bury their own. Despite the jarring incident the feeding was successful and busy. Mrs Van Wyk and a few had quick opportunities for first aid and others were straight into pumping and making balloons for the never-ending flow of kids.

The afternoon rotations began with the Blue crew heading to the cemetery to paint the goal posts for our soccer tournament on Thursday (did we mention that we will be playing a soccer tournament in a cemetery?). As the tired team members arrived it became apparent that some of the oil based paint didn’t make it onto the goal posts. David is now rocking some sweet new white patches in his hair while, Sui may have aged a touch as she is showing some grey streaks.

The Yellow Fevers had a community swim with some kids for the early afternoon. They headed out to round up some kids to come for a dip in the Y.M.C pool. Matvey took on all comers in some swimming pool basketball. Unsurprisingly the 6 foot 2 Russian defeated the 3 foot nothing Filipinos rather easily.  After the swim the team headed to their feeding at Cuarto, just 250m up the road. It was challenging to not have a car or any shelter and being pushed and nudged by kids desiring a balloon animal. The stress and lack of time got to them and their balloons weren’t of the highest quality but the kids embraced and love what they were given, which is a blessing for the team to recognise.

Team Dragonfruit jumped into construction after lunch, working to clean up the left over roof from the earlier. As nothing goes to waste they were also tasked with pulling apart the wood supports removing the nails so it all could be used later. It was amazing to have the help of CK (construction kid) who is a mute boy. He can only get out little sounds but many of us adapted to communicate and work well with this little local legend. He is eager to help in all tasks and more than willing to teach a few of us how to properly handle a shovel or move a bag of sand.

Blue Crew headed to the children’s home to do a devotion on Humility after dinner. The team enjoyed doing crafts and playing with the kids. Yellow Team headed to Journey where they shared worship and a message from Josh about grace and the impact it had on his own walk with Christ, overall an uplifting experience. The Red team was halved between the two places helping out and enjoying their time as well.

The day was also scattered with a lot of humorous moments on the team. Including ‘Not so fun facts with Mr Butson.’ He informed us that a pig can consume 2 pounds of uncooked meat every minute, that titles of a movie are created towards the end and a duck’s quack does not in fact echo. This inspired the rest the team to share their interesting facts with Mitchell revealing his genius in telling us that strawberries are in fact a fruit, and Shona noting pigs don’t sweat! – Ok so maybe they aren’t fun facts or necessarily true.

The night concluded with a devotion about finding our identity in Christ and as everyone sat overlooking the pool we shared our highlights, challenges and Love Attack moments from the day.

Maya: Hey Mum, Dad and Yami ! I miss you guys so  much I’m loving it here but I am extremely tired. I had Starbucks for the first time!- .s Yami you were right Jolibee is AMAZING!

Shona: Hi everyone!!!! MISS YOU ALL SO much lol and luna especially, hope that Christmas decorating isn’t getting out of hand dad J love you!!!!!

Mitchell: Hi everyone! Missing you heaps (especially Amberosity) and can’t wait to see y’all again. Having a fantastic time!!

Cam: Hi Mum and Dad, from Smokes. Hi George, from Butson. Hi Kita, do your maths, from Mrs Van Wyk

Noj: Hi Mum and Dad, it’s pretty cool over here you should visit me sometime.

David: Hi everyone! Everything is going great, missing my family and friends (especially my dog), all the teachers are wonderful and caring :D.