In the Philippines, we managed the thrift store that my brother Steve and his wife Katy started while they were working for PAS earlier this year. The thrift store benefits the working poor by giving them quality clothing and children’s books for a fraction of what they’d pay elsewhere. It also helps us cover overhead expenses like utilities so that donations can go straight to feeding and caring for the poor. My wife and I were fortunate enough to be able to serve at our mobile soup kitchen during our visit. (I’ll post some pictures soon.)

I’m excited to announce that Philippine Aid Society will be expanding our partnership with the outreach ministry of the University of Pampanga in San Fernando. With their administrative structure and volunteer base, we will be able to help fund many new programs to help the poor and expand our service area. Thanks to all our donors for making this possible!

Katy had the isle seat; I had the middle and in the window seat sat a dark haired middle aged woman. She introduced herself as Mrs. Brown. Presenting her self as she did and introducing her self as Mrs. I didn’t need to ask what she did for a living. I already knew.  Though just for laughs I asked anyways. “I am a teacher” she replied.  I knew because she reminded me so much of my mom. Anyways I told her how we were headed to Quezon city to do some Mission work and explained what we were going to be doing.

The plane landed and we went our separate ways. We got on the next flight at around 2:30 got out to the runway and sat there. Then we sat there some more. After about two hours of literally staring out the window at the massive engine blowing the grass around the pilot got on the intercom and told us that there was a weather formation to the north west directly in our path so they were going to shut off the engines to save gas. After another hour of nothing the pilot came back on and informed us that air traffic control had rerouted our trip and we would be leaving… right after we refueled.

So finally after refueling and sitting some more we took off. That was a long ride however we did meet some interesting people aboard the plane. Including two missionaries who were traveling to somewhere 4 hours north of where we were headed. They told us how they were planning on speaking in prisons and some other things. We have been praying for their safety and hope you will too. After about twelve and a half ours we landed in Nagoya Japan to refuel. On the way down we saw some fireworks going off which was pretty neat. Since we were so behind schedule we just had enough time to get off the plane Use the restroom and board the next flight. The flight lasted about 4 hours.

When we landed we went through customs like everyone else and grabbed our bags and left. Outside we were met by Jayjay, one of the students Philippine Aid Society is sponsoring through college, and Aileen who had a cab for us.  Since the gas tanks are in the trunk of the cabs here we fit as much as we could in the trunk and the rest was in the passenger seat and on our laps.  All four of us sat in the back seat and as Aileen said we were sardines!

Finally we arrived at Tomas Morato Ave about 45 minutes later. We slept most of the trip over so the rest of the night we visited with family.  Sunday we went to Fairvew where we would be working. There was a party being held for Lola (grandmother) because it was her birthday. There were many people there.

After settling in for a while we took a walk with Romy. He took us around the community and showed us the damage from the flooding from Typhoon Ondoy last year. Many people died in this flood. The flood waters rose so quickly that those at the lower lands had little to no time to escape. The pathways are all now covered in the rubble from the houses. He showed us a tree the locals call the Miracle tree. Thirty five people climbed the tree when the flood came and they were saved.

As we walked around we could hardly believe the carnage that was set in the wake of the massive flood. Later we walked back on the way stopping at different communities here and there meeting some people and community leaders.  Finally we made it back home and got some rest. The next day we had a meeting with Tim online and then experienced our first of many Asian rains.

Tuesday we worked together with the people in what is called “Bayanihan.”  This is where everyone works together. We re-built a damaged road with them. It was very rewarding especially afterword daily walking on the road that the whole community helped build. The rest of the week was filled with random tasks such as meetings, paperwork, traveling to Morato area and more meetings.

Saturday we went out with the help of Elvira Cayabyab, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, and purchased the supplies for the soup kitchen.  Sunday we had our first weekly soup kitchen!! It was a great success. We fed altogether 300+ people plus some had seconds!. Planning for only 200, we were very blessed to have extra and gave the rest away. I hope you will continue reading the blog as we update it. May God be with you and Ingat!!  (‘Ingat’ means “take care”)

Check out some of our photos on the Facebook page.

Of course, they will be taking a big step down as far as living conditions in their move from suburban America to the urban Metro-Manila. This is a sacrifice that they have decided to make in order to serve the less fortunate.

Steve, assisted by Katy, will take on the role of “Program Coordinator” for the duration of their five month stay in the Philippines. For the first two months, they will stay in Quezon City where we are preparing to open a soup kitchen.

From there, we have not yet decided the next plan of action. Our hope is to purchase a suitable facility for a more permanent structure where we can provide food and shelter for the neediest Filipinos. We will need financial resources to do this and will begin looking into grant opportunities in the near future.

Please keep this new phase of operations in your prayers. Philippine Aid Society is growing and expanding thanks to the generous donations we have received from our supporters.

We are extremely grateful for the leadership these two new members will add to our team and look forward to working with them. Our Board of Directors meets monthly to review financial statements and discuss future ministry plans.