God's love in Tent City

Today I went on a feeding to tent city with other team members.

It was really a hot day but everyone worked altogether to prepare the food and transferring to the place.

The place was very organized with the little shelters for about 4000 people misplaced by the typhoon that came through few years ago.

People there were very kind and lively although they were living in limited resources.

When I saw people lining up for the food and finishing it very quickly,

I felt God's real love toward the people who needed help.

I personally think this feeding ministry positively impacts people around us.

So, we as God's children need to continue serving people wherever we are.

-Scott Shon-

With struggles, tears, & a dose of humility

Precaution: My apologizes for the repetitiveness of the following passage. This is a journal entry of mine written during our devotional time.

"I feel ashamed I have become so complacent in my that I can sit here and complain about my life when others have it so much worse. I can't believe I have become so caught up in my own world to believe I was the only one to face struggle. Who am I among these people who have nothing? Who am I among these people who have lost those they care about so much? Who am I among my peers whom have faced such hard lives? I honestly can't believe that I let myself feel sorry for myself for so long. To get caught up in my own little world, my own problems, that I so easily believed that I am the only one who has ever seen hardship or struggle. All of these people have faced a life much harder than my own and I have had the nerve to be so upset, hurt, pained. The humility that Manila brings me never fails. The reality check of how lucky I am never ceases to amaze. And as I sit here writing all this, I look around at these people and I am truly shocked by the bitter honest they are willing to share. No longer are we a group of kids trying to get on and help others but we are a family."

-Remy

And now...a word from a guest blogger!!

God is at work!
I have been given the opportunity to work alongside a fantastic bunch of students as we endeavor to bless the people of  Manila.
We have witnessed poverty, homelessness, orphaned children, and much more in the short time we have been here. BUT, we have seen God at work! We have helped in feeding the impoverished, and playing with and comforting the orphaned children. What a joy there is when the children just want to be picked up or held or played with. What sorrow when we have to leave them. We attended the chapel service of the children and to hear them sing with loud joyous voices was so uplifting to know that Gods Word was being taught in song and through learning scripture. When one our students referenced a passage of scripture the children immediately got their bibles out and followed along. Oh that put joy in my heart
We have also been working on securing the girls (JAZ) home by finishing up on a wall that was built around the perimeter of the property. Through this construction the students and myself have been reminded  that this work is to be done as unto the Lord and to be joyful even amongst the trials we are encountering. Our trials are small albeit trials they are( heat, exhaustion, physical labor and  emotions)   God is at work in us as our hearts are being tendered and lives are being changed. Oh I see God at work all over the place.
Will you continue to pray for us as we go into this week expecting God to be at work in the lives of the people in the Philippines and yes in our lives as well? To God be the Gory!
Dave Byrd

What's going on...

Hey guys!

       
Yesterday in the morning to the afternoon, we had a sports clinic with the children from the children's home, from the Jaz home, and from a partner ministry. We played soccer and volleyball. It was an amazing experience being able to play with all of the children. The amount of talent and energy they have is really inspiring to me. Even though they don't have the best equipment, they are still content with what they have and make the best out of it. For me personally, this is something that I need to be able to grasp. So far, I feel that I've learned from them more than I have taught them. 

This morning, we attended two church services. In both services, everyone was very involved and full of energy, this was something different from a lot of churches in Singapore. Today was also a day where we took a "break" from our normal schedule, which was much needed! We had an amazing lunch at the mall after our second church service at a place called Sbarro's. Afterwards, we went shopping at a place called Greenhills, we all could not believe how inexpensive the things were there! After shopping, we headed to the children's home and played with the kids. I managed to bond with Alvin, Jonathan and Jude over a basketball game, I could really see why they say basketball is the main sport of Manila, it seemed as though basketball was something that ran through their veins! I hope to be able to make an impact on their lives and get to know all of them more over the next few days. Also hoping to finish a lot of construction work during the time we have left.

-Chin 

His little ones - He wants it all.

Hello there!

I just have to say... the bread in Manila IS as good as they say! First off, I just gotta say thank you Jesus for getting us all here safely. It has been a crazy couple of days. From the second we got here it feels like we have been going on and on. It's only been two days! But we must have some serious supernatural help because there is no way we would be able to accomplish as much as we have without His mighty help and sweet guidance. God is faithful.

Like I was saying, I know I speak on behalf of us when I say that it has been the craziest 72 hours of my life. From feedings, to the Jaz home (where the beautiful Josie's angels reside), to the darling children's home. We have already managed to get on one another's nerves and take patience to new and extreme levels. But through that, we find ourselves learning, constantly challenged, and growing!

This is my very first time to the Philippines. And man, I love it already! I love what God is doing here and I look forward to what He will be doing. I could go on and on about the adorable children. Welcoming hearts, smiling eyes, and precious laughter. But at the same time, I see the disappointment. People go in and out of their lives. I see the hurt, feelings of being unwanted. And the worries of what's to come or what's to end. I see a people who don't know what or rather WHO to cry out to. They want hope, freedom, true joy! My prayer is that we would be the hands and feet of Christ. And through that, they would know that they are apart of the body. They are such a significant part of The Kingdom. And He wants them ALL.

I had the opportunity to go on a feeding for the first time with a couple of my team members. It was overwhelming. The whole way there I was asking: "Please God, please fill every hungry stomach. Multiply the food! Every person that comes will eat. Whether they come with a bowl, cup or plastic bag. Feed your little ones." (I had heard that several times there was not enough food and they had to leave the village without feeding everyone) I was determined that that would not be the case this time around. And sure enough, the whole village ate. In fact, some even came back for seconds! Praise The Lord!

So yes, we are being challenged in different ways! Personally, I find this trip very revealing. You learn a lot about yourself and one another. You have time to slow down and reflect. In a sense, you are forced to deal with yourself and where you stand with God. And what that means to stand with God. You can either chase after lies or run to the truth.

"How long are you going to love what is empty and seek what is a lie?" - Psalms 4:2

My prayer is that each and every one of us would be hungry for the truth, a real relationship with Christ. Because once you got that down, everything else just flows. I pray that He would speak to each of our little hearts and that we wouldn't just think about it and be like "oh, that's a cool thought!" But also dig a little deeper and let the things that we learn translate in our hearts and reflect in our very beings! :)

Thank you so much for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts.

Be blessed!
- Tabby

Day 2/Friday:

Whoever said construction was for men has clearly never been to Manila. Struck by the heat and back pains, we were truly tested on what our teachers call "having a servants heart." For those who don't know, JAZ (Josie's Angels) have moved into a brand new huge home. But with this new home comes some huge construction. Girls, boys, and humans alike were put to work shoveling dirt, carrying bags of dirt, painting fences, filling walls with grout, and many other taxing activities. While most of us were working on construction, others went on a feeding. Luckily, later on in the day we got to hang out with the kids at the orphanage and then the girls from the JAZ home. None the less we are in high sleepy spirits here, but excited for a new day of adventure!

-ICSTEAMMANILA BLOGGERS

Leaving on THURSDAY!!!!

Hey guys, 

Thank you for taking the time to follow the ICS 2013 Manila Team's blog! We are so very excited for all that God will do with us, through us and for us! We would love for you to be involved by helping us pray for the following things!

-Travel mercies (safe flights, no injuries or sickness)

-The Holy Spirit would dwell in us and work through us

-God's love would be overflowing and transparent

-Wisdom in every situation

-That we'd be servant-hearted

-Strength to survive the week!

-Boldness to speak up and share 

-Patience with the kids

-Pray for eternal fruit. That we would not be discouraged by immediate results, but be encouraged that God will do something and we played a part of it :)

-That we would be an absolute blessing as we go to bless

-That we would be understanding and really learn from one another

We will be taking off from Changi at 10:30! So if you'd to come pray for us or stay home and pray, we'd appreciate it too (: 

*Pray for the leaders as well! Please pray that they would be have to patience to put up with us for the whole week! (We know that it might be tough for them) Pray also for calmness especially in unexpected situations. That we would get along well and learn from one another! 

Stay tuned! 

Blessings,

- Manila hotties