Special June Report

Report from the Kilcona Mission Team

The Kilcona Team is a huge blessing!! They came to serve!!! In the process they have established many relationships and touched many lives in the name of Jesus Christ. I thought you would enjoy the excerpts below from emails sent back to Canada from two team members ……. Derek Van Ryckeghem

Cathy
I am typing on an older lap top with a plastic covering over the letters which makes it tricky to type. My last email was done in shifts because we had a power failure. Then I was typing with a hundred tiny flies all over me and the keyboard. They were drawn to the only light in the room. The battery pack would only last 15 more minutes.
Ok, so how can I tell you all what it is like? It is too much for words. Although I love you all I believe it is only the people I miss. If I could stay here forever I would. Every bit of this trip has been an adventure.
After being met in Manila by Derek we then had a 1 hr. amazing if not somewhat scary ride to Los Banos. There was not one single stop light or stop sign for the 60 km and lines on the road are just suggestions. At 80 -100 kph we weaved in and out of traffic in the dark, just missing trucks, motorcycles and jeepneys (funny buses).
In the rural areas we swerved around construction signs, children, pigs, goats, and dogs on the highway! We arrived at Splash Mountain where our accommodations were very nice. It was hot but the pools were hotter. We were treated like royalty and fed well albeit differently.
A signal 1 typhoon was still leaving nasty weather over many parts of the country. Our next flight from Manila to Cebu was the scariest flight I have ever been on! Lots of turbulence. We attempted to land twice and both times pulled up at the last minute - not a good feeling! We were then redirected to Davao. After an hour or so they decided to redirect the plane back to Cebu but our flight from Cebu to Siargao Island had been cancelled so we had no need to go to Cebu. We pulled all our luggage and rented 2 vans and drivers and headed across country to Surigao city.
After a 9 hour amazing drive through the rural Philippines we arrived. We ate at Russell’s chicken shop - not a place you would consider eating at if found in Winnipeg, but Derek said it was a good place. After consuming a lot of Gravol, some were too tired to eat. Derek’s team found us a clean but inexpensive pension house (accommodations). Somewhere on our trip we stopped at a Mc do's (McDonalds).
The next morning we went by little tricycle motorcycles to Jollibee for breakfast - good - and then did a little shopping for supplies. Jenn phoned from Hope For The Island and said they were in the middle of a two day brown out or power failure. All the food and chicken was in the fridge. Derek decided it was time to get that generator they needed. He saw us to the ferry, got us checked in and then Levi and he took off to buy a generator. We were able to bless them with a sizeable contribution to the generator. With 15 minutes to spare, Derek and Levi made it back to the boat.
The typhoon was still in the north and the south was getting better. Our ferry ride was calm and again eyesight of adventure. We arrived in Dapa and had to squish all 13 of us, the generator and our luggage onto one open windowed jeepney. The 1½ hr drive was hot and the roads (if you can call them that) were terrible. - we have nothing to complain about. The reception along the road was amazing - town after town people waived and yelled as these 13 white people in 13 white t shirts waived back, lots of hooting and hollering. When we arrived at HIF the staff came out to greet us with ribbons with coconut decorations and bunches of flowers for each of us. Si” Welcome Kilcona Team signs were everwhere. Our beautiful bungalow is 30 feet from the ocean that rocks us to sleep at night.
The next morning we heard that a ferry from Manila to Cebu had sunk and approx 800 were drowned. We feel God’s presence and blessing continually and pray for the families of the lost ones. Our team has cried many tears as we have experienced the love and hospitality every step of the way. The poverty is like nothing I have ever seen, but the people are amazing.

Pastor Bruce I just want to tell you that the team is doing fantastic - we all have had some health issues - mostly poor Dave - but his spirit has been amazing. This team has blended in and is working so hard. Jenn commented about how great our team gets along and how easy we are with each other. I knew before we left that the team was special but I am so thankful that the love of Christ is shining through each and everyone of them.
The guys have been building and rebuilding 3 homes (huts) for 3 elderly widows. Paul and Dave have teased and hugged them so much. They are amazed that we would come all this way to do this for them. Some of the workers from other job sites have now volunteered to help us and Derek said that they are witnessing first hand what love is all about. It has been good for them to see this. The guys will easily loose their 10- 20 lbs as they have to lug the hand cut (by chain saw) 2x4s about a kilometer. These are at least 12-15 feet long and are still wet and they weigh a ton. You can only carry one at a time, so they carry for a while, drop, go back, and carry another one, and so on until they cover the kilometer. They come home exhausted, sore and happy happy happy with great stories.
At night we do the Bible sharings and again wonderful stories. I asked the team today who would like to come back. They all put up their hand and said we have to do this once a year – Kilcona church be on alert!!!
Our meals are delicious. Most of us have had squid, flying fish and last night they made this amazing Mahi Mahi dish. When we were on our walk along the coast on Sunday the Filipino girls gathered some sea urchins that they broke open and we tried.
As part of Livelihood Training I started teaching a massage therapy class yesterday with 10 students.
The work that is being done and has been done here for the people is nothing short of miraculous. Derek and Jenn have created a safe sanctuary for so many, especially the children as their home lives are not great. Everyday the kids come to play and have been so excited with the team. Jesslyn is a big hit with all the kids, the guys love to play volleyball and basket ball - when not exhausted
Derek and Jenn have overcome a lot here and done an amazing job. They are wonderful, humble and gracious hosts. The needs here are continuous.
I am having the time of my life and know in my heart I will be back. It truly is better to give than to receive.
Melanie

Well, we have been working here at the island for a few days now and have started getting into a bit of a routine. We get up around 5a.m. personal devotions at 5:30, group devotions at 6 & breakfast at 7. It is so inspiring to have these times with God and each other, with the sunrise & ocean in the background, our 80 year old friend climbing up the coconut trees and the village starting to wake up. We have each taken turns leading devotions and have really been able to grow and get to know each other better.

After breakfast, Marirosa, Elfreide & Jesslyn teach a Bible lesson at the Preschool. The kids are getting a bit more brave and these three are really enjoying their time at the school. Cathy has been teaching massage classes to the locals, to have another way to work to provide for their families. The rest of us have been constructing two houses for widows in the community. It has been long work in the hot sun, but it is so rewarding, especially when seeing the women's gratitude. These houses are made of coconut wood which is cut by chainsaw in one part of the jungle and needs to be hauled to each worksite. It is exciting to see how hard each member of the group is working on the site, especially seeing the younger ones learn from those who have more experience. Dave has learned how to say all the names of the tools in the local language and makes sure to practice this skill often, to the delight of the locals.

We have had the privilege to participate in home fellowship groups. One person prepares a message and another shares their testimony. This has been a stretching but rewarding experience as the group members have been asking questions and are eager to learn. One young woman made an interesting statement. She said she felt like she was being "courted" by different religions (as she has heard from people from many different faiths), and how was Christianity different. This led to an open discussion in the group.

I would like to include perspectives from other group members in these updates. Cathy was asked what she would miss the most when she went home. Here is her response:

"This morning I was sitting on the lanai (front porch) sipping my tea, the ocean breeze at my back, writing my anatomy notes and outline for the massage course I was teaching this afternoon. About 15 feet away a small group of 4- 5 young girls (13-14 yrs old) started to sing. Their voices were beautiful and they sang from their heart. They were singing "Shout to the Lord." It is hard to describe the feelings going through me, just one more moment of amazement and joy."

Just a few prayer requests before we close:
That God would give us wisdom as we speak to home fellowship groups and that He would open up the hearts of the participants
That the construction projects would continue to run smoothly as there have been a few problems receiving supplies in time
For the families of those who lost loved ones in the typhoon & the ferry that sank near Manila (700 died, 4 survived)
For the continued health of team members (specifically, Dave's tummy & a small infection on Cathy's foot to clear up

It is amazing how much God has blessed us and has been teaching us throughout this trip. We are so thankful for this fantastic experience!

HIF PRAISE & PRAYER

For each elderly widow that has been blessed with new nipa huts.
For the Developmental Care for Children with Disabilities seminar June 28. This seminar is the first of its kind with over 150 participants coming from all over Siargao Island to attend. Pray that parents will see how special their children are and the potential each child has despite their disability. Many of these children are presently seen as a burden and even a curse. They are hidden in isolation and not involved in everyday activities.
For our post Fathers Day celebration on June 29. Sadly, many of the children we minister to testify that they do not have fathers who care about them or spend time with them. Many men spend most of their time with their barkadas (friends) and neglect their family. The little money the family has is usually spent on alcohol and gambling. HIF is praying that Sunday will be a day that fathers can reconnect with their children and see that their relationships are vitally important. It will be a day filled with activities, games for children and their fathers.
For massage therapy classes. This is a very practical Livelihood Training that will help local women to generate income for their families.
For our visit to the local hospital on Monday to pray for and love the many patients. The team will also be helping to liven up the run down hospital by painting the rooms.
For protection and health as the Kilcona team continues to join the staff of Hope For The Island in ministering to the many needs in surrounding communities through the Medical Clinic, Children's outreaches, Youth activity day, Preschool etc.

God is good!

Derek Van Ryckeghem –