What today was like.

So like everyday there was something new and interesting to do- Some good, some better, but always different. Today we started with praying, (as always) then eating breakfast, and then off to our first task to do.  My group and I went on a feeding where we go to the slums and feed a bunch of poor families. Then end with playing with he street kids and anyone one else who would join us.  Yesterday was probably the best day of the week as I got to take over feeding a baby his food successfully, then got to go and join a bunch of guys in cleaning up a river for the land that Jeff had just acquired. Which was amazing and super smelly, but in the end worth it, great bonding for the guys and myself.
Not afraid

to say this
But I miss you Dad and Mom
If your reading this
Your Son: Austin

Monday - Kean

So we made it safely to Manila, day 4 and we're still alive. The food's good. The people are nice. The beds are sweaty. The bathrooms are less than clean. It really has been an amazing 4 days. We've been constructing, teaching, swimming, and a whole lot more, but the most fulfilling moments on the trip have been ones we spend with the kids here. The kids are everywhere. They literally jump with joy every time they see us because they are genuinely happy to see us. We've only been here for a short time, but the kids treat us like they've known us their whole lives. They remember our names, the things we do, the games we play.
Today has been one of the best days so far. My group, the Dolphins (Aaron, JaeHoon, Lucas, YuJin, Shannah), started off at the children's home taking care of toddlers. We sat down thinking about the best ways to avoid getting drooled, but when the kids came out of the rooms smelling like fresh baby, we went straight into work mode. The idea that those kids didn't have anyone more to than us to take care of them just made us connect with them even more. Or, you know, babies are just cute in general. After that we came back to our dorms to find around twenty kids all waiting to jump into the pool. The activities didn't feel forced like what I thought it would be like. All of us had a lot of fun playing with the kids even though we only just met them. There was this one kid that was just super cute. He couldn't swim yet because he was too young, but he kept trying to put his foot in the water, so we picked him up and waded him through the whole pool, carrying him all the way. By the end he was swimming as well as anyone and it felt just... fulfilling.

- Kean

Nick's Blog Entry- Day 5

We've made it to day 5 of the Manila trip and the team has really been bonding well together. Everyone at this point is feeling a little worn out but thanks to the closeness of the team members as well as the constant encouragement of the team leaders (Miss Bandy ESPECIALLY) everyone has been able to remain strong. This trip has definitely been a big eyeopener for me and to experience the day in the life of someone who isn't as blessed as I am, really teaches me to be more appreciative of the things I've been blessed with, such as the environment I've grown up in. I have really enjoyed myself on this trip and I look forward to what God has in-store for us in the next 4 days to come.

Angono Feeding on Friday 13 March - Inez

The Emu group (Daniel, Seohyun, Jungmin, Tristan, Inez) was assigned to the feeding trip last Friday. It was a relatively long ride to Angono. All of us with the exception of Daniel were not sure what to expect on a feeding trip. Angono was in the middle of nowhere, near a place where they burn garbage. Many kids were excited and came running to us when they heard that the 'feeding' truck has arrived. After we gave out all the food, we played with the kids. I scraped my knee while playing with them. I am thankful and grateful for everything I have after seeing the living conditions of the Angono's people. The Emu group would love to go back to Angono for feeding!

P.S Mum, if you're reading this, you can book Thai massage on Sunday night

Manila Trip Journal - Sunny

Manila, and the Cuatro region our headquarters is in is an area of need. There are impoverished children everywhere that need the support of organizations like KIM. We see so many kids with nothing but they are supported by the children's home and the schooling that KIM provided. It is amazing how deeply impacting the children. It is also amazing how we can be apart of this movement. We feel such involvement in the community when I see recognizable faces in the street, and when kids at the children's home recognize us and call us by name. My favorite day was when we went to Children's home(where children stay). On the first day, they did not welcome us and not really opened their mind. However, on second day, some kids remembered me and called me Sunny. It was the moment when I felt achieved and happy.

QT3.14 (from Lucy)

AHAHAAHAHAH....where do i even start
First 3 days = Manila = gained nearly 500 kg
Manila is actually amazing. I didn't think it was gonna be this awesome but WOWZERZ
I do miss my family, jazpoop, and mingzi, but I'm so glad that I got closer with most of the team members here! They're awwwwwwwesome
OHOHOHOHOHOH and I've been getting muscles in places where it's not necessary (fingers, second toe on the left side, and right side pinky)!!
I feel like I'm slowly finding my pace, and my inner identity. AND I'm so glad that God has been so faithful in keeping my team members safe and opening the hearts of the kids at KIM. :)

Saturday and Sunday from Shannah

March 15, 2015

Yesterday morning, after waking from a deep and refreshing sleep, we all arose to a bright sunny day, a hearty breakfast, and a whole new load of physical labor. All of us sore from the previous day with muscular aches all over our bodies, proceeded to transport bags of dirt, cement, and rocks, whilst the others went to undo nails, and take out wooden planks. Our whole team was wholeheartedly working on those physically demanding projects which were assigned to them. Blood, sweat and tears were put into all of our tasks until finally, that fateful moment, we got told we were able to stop and go to lunch. Relief.
After a wonderful lunch we had the privilege of going to the children's home to teach them dances, play with a parachute, make balloons, sing songs, and learn different sports. Tiring and draining as it might have been, rewarding it certainly was. To end this wonderful day filled, we went back to the children's home after dinner and had a movie night, share pop corn, and have more bonding time with the children, and our team.

This morning we attended church as a whole team and were able to spend some time to put our focus back on God. Mr. Whittaker had the privilege of sharing a testimony, and we were blessed to hear it. After church we came back to the KIM Center and were given some wonderful hours of free time at the mall, and we got treated to a delightful lunch at Chili's. Being able to go shopping in our animal groups this morning was so wonderful as we really were able to get to know each other better and laugh a lot. All in all, these first three days here have already proven to be greatly effective; construction, playing with kids, investing in their lives, giving swimming lessons, and simple team bonding activities have already been impacting our lives tremendously. I can't wait to see how we will be transformed by the end of the week!