tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2009-11-07:/MokoFeed2009-11-07T17:28:04+01:00tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-31:/2005/07/31/we_are_home/revdmark2005-07-31T06:59:43+02:002005-07-31T06:59:43+02:00 <p>Many of you will know this already, but we arrived safely at 6:15am yesterday morning where William and Libby Mather were kindly there to meet us.</p> <p>I think I must be suffering from a bit of jet lag as it is now 5:55am on Sunday morning as I write this! Still I don't really mind as its good to be home. I'm sure that by tonight I will have readjusted to UK time.</p> <p>The flights were mainly OK, just long - though there was some bad turbulence, due to the Monsoons, as we flew over India which was not very pleasent.</p> <p>There is much more to be said about our trip which will need to be said at some point. But at the moment its just good to be back, though we miss all our friends that we have made in Manila.</p> <p>I guess this really is the last post on this blog, and I shall miss that too.</p> <p>Thanks again for being part of what was an amazing experience.</p> <p>Mark</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/31/we_are_home/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-28:/2005/07/28/my_final_post_in_manila/revdmark2005-07-28T17:51:02+02:002005-07-28T17:51:50+02:00 <p>Well, we've had a great day today. Just relaxing before the journey home really. Some people have had manicures, been to the pictures, shopping etc. Then we had a bible study time together before going down to the Malate Centre for a farewell to the children. Finally we went to a really nice restaurant in the business district which included excellent chocolate fondue (but its OK because I had the healthy fruit-dipped-in-rich-chocolate-sauce option!</p> <p>We need to leave for the airport at 11am Manila time (that's 4am UK time) so there won't be much point in posting again in the morning.</p> <p>Thanks once again for all your support on the blog while we've been away, it really has made a difference.</p> <p>This has been an extraordinary trip, thank you for being part of it with us.</p> <p>Next post from Milton Keynes!</p> <p>Mark</p> <p>PS I will check the blog in the morning, so if you want to post anymore comments, please do! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/28/my_final_post_in_manila/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-28:/2005/07/28/flight_details/revdmark2005-07-28T03:10:47+02:002005-07-28T03:10:47+02:00 <p>OK, just for clarifictaion here are our flight details (times in Brackets are UK time)</p> <p>Depart Manila 29 Jul 15:30 (8:30am)- Flight GF0155<br> Arrive Bahrain 20:00 (6pm)</p> <p>Leave Bahrain 30 Jul 01:10 (11pm) - Flight GF7<br> Arrive London 30 Jul 06:25 (6:25am)</p> <p>Will post more later</p> <p>Mark </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/28/flight_details/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-27:/2005/07/27/tunasan_centre/revdmark2005-07-27T11:36:55+02:002005-07-27T14:11:45+02:00 <p>Had a great day at Tunasan today ... the end of our formal programme! Its a drop-in centre which works with kids in the area. There is no residential there, the children live at home but come to the centre for education and to make paper, cards, etc. so that they can earn some money. This keeps them from just being on the streets - and away from glue sniffing and substance abuse.</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5658.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5658_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5673.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5673_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p>We spent the morning there, had a great lunch,<br> <a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5678.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5678_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br> then went to see where some of the children live, down each side of the railway line. We had a ride on a trolley down the tracks, you just have to make sure you get off if a train comes (though don't worry, none did!)</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5683.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5683_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5682.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5682_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p>Then we went to visit some of the people in their houses and bought some flowers. </p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5700.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5700_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a></p> <p>Now back at the hotel, we will eat later, then rest tomorrow before going to say goodbye to the Malate children tomorrow night and a meal with the staff.</p> <p>Inevitably thoughts start to turn towards home, what it will be like to get back and how this experience will change us. I think its fairly safe to warn members of St Mary's & St John's that you can expect to hear somehting about it in my sermons over the next few month! Plus it may be that those of you reading this blog back in the UK may wish to respond in some way. The project here is always in need of on-going financial support and has great plans for the future if the money is available.</p> <p>On other matters, Helen has told me that our caravan has been damaged in its storage yard and I'm waiting to here if its usable (we have someone coming to inspect it). Please pray for her, its bad enough this happening two days before New Wine when she has been planning her work there for a year, but for it to happen when I am 1000's of miles away is extra tough.</p> <p>Anyway ... photos of today below, and I'll update soon on flight details home.</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>Mark</p> <p>Update ... just heard the caravan is damaged but roadworthy, so that is good news!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/27/tunasan_centre/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-26:/2005/07/26/lorna_1/revdmark2005-07-26T16:11:28+02:002005-07-26T16:11:28+02:00 <p>Thank you so much for the blogs. I dunno which friend has bitten me but i'm hunting whoever it was down lol.<br> Thank you for the passages dad and for the stories they did make me smile and have abit of a giggle which got me strange looks from the people around me hehe. Send my love to sadie and mum.<br> Right only 2 days left so making the most of it. Had swimming today which was lovely and had such a gd time, got totally burnt tho :-s so slapping on the after sun oh well it'll turn brown lol.</p> <p>see you soon love lorna xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/26/lorna_1/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-26:/2005/07/26/hey_everybody_back_in_england_from_katie/revdmark2005-07-26T15:04:43+02:002005-07-26T15:04:43+02:00 <p>hey everybody, </p> <p>don't no whether all of u know but i was playing with marvin one of the children at the centre. i lost my balance and i fell over onto a table. behind my ear was bleeding badly, got bruise on my knee, 2 cuts on my shoulder, cut on my face, sore neck. went to hospital had loads of x-rays done but we all prayed to god that it'll all be fine and it was which i'm very grateful 4. </p> <p>went to a swimming pool today didn't go in the swimming pool because i'm hurting too much. i was really looking forward to it, but i didn't want to reopen a cut. </p> <p>2 more full days in the philippines then head ome on the friday, get back in uk on sat morning. looking forward to coming home to c my family, matt, my friends back in england and of course my cat. but it will be sad to say goodbye to the kids. </p> <p>2morrow we r going to tunasan to another centre which we were meant to go to on mon but didn't because of the politic stuff. so we r going tomrrow, thurs is a free day. thurs morning all the girls r getting a manicure, so excited. then we r going to pack, once we r packed we will go and say goodbye to the kids, take the staff out 4 a meal.then come back to hotel then head off on friday, back to england. yey. c everybody soon. bye bye xx (special hugs and kisses to my family, friends, matt and my cat) </p> <p>Katie x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/26/hey_everybody_back_in_england_from_katie/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-26:/2005/07/26/swimming_1/revdmark2005-07-26T12:37:25+02:002005-07-26T12:37:25+02:00 <p>Had a real fun day swimming today. The water was really warm! It was a nice place as well, next to a mountain and with Table Tennis and a Karaoke machine by the side of the pool.</p> <p>We also had some really nice 'sticky rice', a traditional Philippine dish that has rice cooked in coconut milk with lots of sugar ... delicious!</p> <p>Shoulder fights were fun (Sarah only beat me by resorting to tickling!), plus lots of fun on the Karaoke machine ... see photo below!</p> <p>Going out for tea soon at the Mall, then maybe even an early night (though probably not). Just two more full days left ... looking forward to coming home though it will be tough to say goodbye.</p> <p>Medical bulletin ... Katie & Rebekka did not swim today but came with us and we're fine. Katie is still in a bit of pain. Lorna's ankle is still a bit swollen by she was able to swim today.</p> <p>All in all though the group are doing really well, it is a brilliant group to lead. </p> <p>Mark</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5640.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5640_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5586.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5586_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5634.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5634_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/26/swimming_1/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-25:/2005/07/25/lorna_s_hospital_up_date/revdmark2005-07-25T17:26:25+02:002005-07-25T17:29:21+02:00 <p>Right i've just got back from the hospital, We've found out that it wasn't a snake bite as it looked like it could of been for a while but instead it's a bacteria infection (lovely).They've given me some more of the same antibiotics as they said they should start to work within 10 days of first taken (19 july) so by friday i should see an improvement(i hope)Thank you for your blogs it's really made me smile and just to know that no matter how far away we are from each other you're praying for me.</p> <p>Well me and ladders should be interesting atm but painting sounds gd. Can't wait to get to pz and see you all again.</p> <p>Hope everyone is ok</p> <p>Love Lorna xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/25/lorna_s_hospital_up_date/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-25:/2005/07/25/r_e_keep_praying/revdmark2005-07-25T15:14:12+02:002005-07-25T15:14:12+02:00 <p>Hi, all at home<br> again thankyou all for praying for me, feel a bit rough at the moment because we've not eaten much today and we've been living of chips and burgers.<br> Today i went to the clinic r.e. my rash which in a nutshell is very bad heat rash,and means more medication. I also cannot go swimming which i'm really disapointed about as it was the one thing i was looking foreward to since i missed so much of the first week.<br> Also the mood today, although we had fun is a bit tense, people half ill, half not. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0">.<br> I'm also very worried about going home and is really bothering me. i don't want to go as i'm having fun and really getting a feel of life here, because i have been ill and what it must be like for people here. But i am really concerned because i haven't cried yet and i know going home may be all too much for me, particularly going to work and everybody here is so nice, sometimes too nice.<br> Also so many of the experiences that the children have had in their lives i can identify with which at the moment doesn't hurt, but hurt me at home all the time and possibly more now that i see other people/ children go through them.<br> Also concerned about the flight as their both so awfully long and incredibly cramped and the food is awful. The food being the main reason why i was so ill and really not an experience want to go through again, particularly in mid air.<br> Thanks all, and pray for strength within the group, all who are/have been ill (except kerry, were still waiting for her to collapse,)and for Richard, Glenda's and Hannah's safe return. For all people in the world who have been used and or abused of any kind.<br> Rebekka </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/25/r_e_keep_praying/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-25:/2005/07/25/please_pray/revdmark2005-07-25T13:52:13+02:002005-07-25T13:52:13+02:00 <p>Hi, i know you've read about my ankles and that i thank you so much for praying but i've come to the end of my antibiotics and my right ankle and foot is still swollen. i dont want it to annoy me or stop me from doing things but it's starting to get to me now and i really do just want it to go away. Like my mum said, maybe this is a way of god showing me how people who live on the streets have to deal with it but i am really starting to feel depresses about it. I'm going to try and go to the hospital tomorrow for a re evaluation and hopefully they'll give me something else to take and clear it up quickly. I really do ask for your prayers that they will give me something to take the swelling down. Thank you, Lorna xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/25/please_pray/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-25:/2005/07/25/monday_17/revdmark2005-07-25T13:40:58+02:002005-07-25T13:41:31+02:00 <p>We spent the day at Malate Centre again today, which was good. It feels as if we have got to know the children there really well.</p> <p>Every night when we say goodnight to them they stand at the gate waving and shouting, and we are seeing them tomorrow! Godness knws what it is going to be like when we say goodbye to them on Thursday!</p> <p>We are into out last few days now, which feels good and sad at the same time. Tomorrow we are going swimming with children from Malate and Tunasan - the Laguna children will be in school. Then on Wednesday we will be at the Tunasan visit we were supposed to be at today. On Thursday we have a free day, and then we will go and say goodbye to the Malate children in the evening before taking the staff out for a meal. I think they may have a Filipino restarent lined up for us!</p> <p>Not many photos today, except this one ...</p> <p>Mark</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5576.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5576_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/25/monday_17/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-24:/2005/07/24/hi_everybody_back_in_england/revdmark2005-07-24T16:58:26+02:002005-07-24T16:58:26+02:00 <p>Katie here.</p> <p>This weekend didn't happen as planned but i still had a good weekend. we were meant to go on a trip but as some people weren't feeling to good they cancelled us going which was disapointing coz i was really looking forward to going. but instead this weekend, we chilled out on friday evening, then on saturday went to the malate centre for most of the day, then finished it off with a trip to the bowling alley with some of the leaders from the malate centre, then went to tgi fridays. today we went to church this morning, then later on in the day we went to a evangelist concert which was perfrmed by the children the went for dinner.<br> tomorrow is quite a worrying day coz theres a politic thing going on so i'll scheudle for 2morrow as been cancelled for our own safety, is near tunasan, were the protest will be happening. i'm a bit worried but thats normal to be worried. we will be fine (please don't worry mum,craig,darren,elysha,matt i will be fine). i have 2 low days emotionally. i missing home real bad now. missing my home, my family, my boyfriend, my cat just everything bout home. but its not long now, can't wait to c everybody.</p> <p>speak to u all soon<br> katie<br> bye bye xx</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/24/hi_everybody_back_in_england/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-24:/2005/07/24/sunday_7/revdmark2005-07-24T16:43:02+02:002005-07-24T16:43:02+02:00 <p>We had an early start this morning for church ... the service began at 8am and lasted till 10 - though we were half an hour late getting there, not that it seemed to matter, timekeeping is much more laid back here!</p> <p>The worship was great, talk was mainly in Philippino with odd bit of Engliah every now and again.</p> <p>Then this evening there was an evangelistic concert, also at the church, which went really well. There were 250 people there, lots of parents of the street children and they almost all had counselling while we watched a puppet show with children.</p> <p>Then TGI Friday's for tea again! It was all that was open, but I don't think I shall want to see another TGI's for about a year when I get home!</p> <p>Tomorrow they are expecting lots of political demonstrations here, there is a bit of a crisis around the current President and as you may see something about it on the news I just wanted to assure everyone back home that we are in good hands here> Sol is very aware of the situation and has suggested that we don't go to Tunasan centre tomorrow. </p> <p>Thanks for all the support ... it is really good to hear from you on here. Has anyone at New WIne logged on yet?</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>Mark </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/24/sunday_7/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-23:/2005/07/23/hello_all_2/revdmark2005-07-23T17:02:54+02:002005-07-23T17:02:54+02:00 <p>Hi! Im becoming a regular on here now. Am getting the hang of reading comments at last. We've just been out for a meal at TGI's which was lovely. Lorna and I are becoming accustomed to the ice cream sundaes in there!!! We took 4 of the staff from the centre with us and they seemed to really enjoy themselves. We took them bowling beforehand which was great fun - especially as one of them had never bowled before and was very excited!</p> <p>Anyway todays been good- spent time with the children and staff at Malate centre. I took my new puppet along- its not so annoying anymore as its lost its squeak!!! </p> <p>It was good to know you that you were praying for us last night. Thank you to all of you for keeping us in your prayers. It means alot!!!!!</p> <p>Will blog again son,</p> <p>Catherine </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/23/hello_all_2/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-23:/2005/07/23/message_from_mark_scott/revdmark2005-07-23T16:59:16+02:002005-07-23T16:59:16+02:00 <p>I have to apologise for lack of reporting on my side, I'm just not very good at this sort of thing. Like Rebekka I do not want to go home, I will miss this place like mad and am loving every minute of it. The trip being cancelled was a bit of a downer but we had a really good day today and just took some of the staff out bowling and they had a brilliant time, the person who had never bowled before (Chris) won both games and was rubbing it in to us all evening. Was great fun, will try to put more comments up another day.</p> <p>Mark S. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/23/message_from_mark_scott/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-23:/2005/07/23/bowling/revdmark2005-07-23T16:56:31+02:002005-07-23T16:57:07+02:00 <p>Well, as Rebbeka has said, we had a real fun day today. Playing with the children and helping out at the centre, followed by a great time out bowling and TGI Friday's with some of the staff from Malate Centre - one of whom had never been bowling before, and scored 104!</p> <p>I think the photos below tell the story better than I can ...</p> <p>Thanks for all the prayers, its great to have people pryaing all over the world!</p> <p>Thanks again</p> <p>Mark</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5295.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5295_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5346.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5346_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5448.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5448_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5453.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5453_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5483.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5483_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5489.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5489_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/23/bowling/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-23:/2005/07/23/thank_you_4/revdmark2005-07-23T16:56:13+02:002005-07-23T16:56:13+02:00 <p>Can i just say thank you so much for praying for me it has worked wonders. I have managed to walk around and enjoy today with the children and i know it's all down to you! Last night i slept with ice on my foot and lets just say in the morning i couldnt feel much lol. anyway hope everyone is ok. love lorna xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/23/thank_you_4/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-23:/2005/07/23/r_e_hi/revdmark2005-07-23T12:43:43+02:002005-07-23T12:43:43+02:00 <p>To all at home,<br> today we had a great day, as Mark said just played with the children all day and did cooking, although not me <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> and cleaning. </p> <p>Eerybody;s been OK today, were getting there i hope and were all loving it. Some of us want to go home, but not me <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> I really wish i could stay, even though i have been ill, i'm the happiest here than i've ever been, it really makes you feel good. </p> <p>Thank you all for praying at home, i'm better today, best i've felt for ages, my cold is better but my chest is still very raw, but i'm ok, have been taking lost of paracetamol to eaze effects.<br> i have stopped taking malaria tablets as i have a horrid rash up both arms and accross my back which is very painfull and itchy. Plaese pray that i don't now get malaria although the risk is very low.<br> Rebekka </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/23/r_e_hi/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-23:/2005/07/23/saturday_7/revdmark2005-07-23T11:53:20+02:002005-07-23T11:53:20+02:00 <p>We have spent the day today in the Malate drop in centre. Playing with the children, colouring, basketball, serving their lunch, washing up andmopping the floor (there are even photos to prove it!)</p> <p>Tonight we are going 10pin bowling with some of the staff, which should be good fun.</p> <p>I'm also feeling a bit better today ... please keep praying!</p> <p>Mark</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/23/saturday_7/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-22:/2005/07/22/trip_update/revdmark2005-07-22T12:40:24+02:002005-07-22T12:56:38+02:00 <p>Unfortunatly we have decided not to go on the trip to Legaspi, so I win't be able to bring back any photos of the Volcano.</p> <p>There is no way I can do nine hours on a coach as I still need to go to the toilet fairly regularly. Lorna's ankle meant that it was not going to be possible for her to go either and I was concerned about splitting up the group. We are going to go back to the Malate drop in centre instead tomorrow.</p> <p>I went to the health clinic this morning and had to provide a stool sample (nice!) which was negative. Good that I have not got an infection, frustrating that there is nothing they can give me for it other than rehydration salts and Lucozade. I am OK, not in any pain, its just uncomfortable and I feel bad that it is partly because of me that we have had to pull ut of the Legaspi trip.</p> <p>I hope New Wine goes well - as I think they also have an Internet Cafe there, please keep in touch with us. If someone e-mails me on <a href="mailto:revd_mark_adams@hotmail.co.uk">revd_mark_adams@hotmail.co.uk</a> I will tell you how to post main items to this blog - that way it can become a sort of Interactive Philippines / New Wine experience.</p> <p>The Puppet show last night was brilliant. I've attached some photos below...</p> <p>Take care and please keep us in your prayers</p> <p>Mark</p> <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5255.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5255_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5270.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5270_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5274.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5274_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5282.JPG" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/r/remix-philippines/img/DSCF5282_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/22/trip_update/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-22:/2005/07/22/catherine/revdmark2005-07-22T10:40:33+02:002005-07-22T10:40:33+02:00 <p>Hello again!! </p> <p>We've had a free day today which has been good. Think we've all needed some time to relax and have a lie in!!!!</p> <p>We've got a lounge area outside our rooms in the hotel which is just for us, which is great as we can sit and chat together comfortably there. Some of the group have been to the cinema today. They went to the duluxe showing which cost a whopping 1 pound 10 I think!!! (don't think there's a pound sign on this keyboard).</p> <p>We're becoming very familiar with some of the songs out here now. They're very catchy and the kids love to dance to them - well so do we! Anyway Joy (one of the staff workers at the centre) got a couple of CD's for me today with the songs on them!! We've been playing them on Marc's lap top.</p> <p>Well thats all for now! Will blog again soon!</p> <p>Catherine </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/22/catherine/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-21:/2005/07/21/message_from_marc/revdmark2005-07-21T18:50:31+02:002005-07-21T18:50:31+02:00 <p>Howdy all</p> <p>This is my first time on the blog so please be gentle. Thank you so much for all your comments. It's been great to share our experiences with everyone at home. I'm very sore at the moment because the mosquitos seem to have Marc on the menu. I'm being eaten alive! The kids are fantastic - so energetic and genuinely happy to see us. It's great to spend time with them - even though they think I'm Harry Potter!</p> <p>Today we went to Smokey Mountain which is totally unimaginable. It was absolutely horrific and honestly the worst thing I've ever seen. The area is so muddy and polluted; there is rubbish as far as the eye can see, there is lots of smoke from the fires which are burning - You then realise that it's not just rubbish that you're looking at, but hundreds of people as they search through the litter for things to sell or use. It's so much worse than I could have imagined.</p> <p>I'm going back with Joy (one of the centre staff) to try and capture some of it on video because it's really something that needs to be seen. I hadn't intended to film because it felt like an invasion of their privacy, but Joy encouraged me to do so and I think it's really important. She's been great and has looked after me whilst I've been filming. The kids love being on camera.</p> <p>Anyhoo; it's a lay in for moi in the morning. I won't be getting up in a hurry! Then off to sample some traditional local cuisine at Starbucks.</p> <p>Thanks for all your prayer and support. Even though I don't post much, I read the blog every day.</p> <p>Marc xx</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/21/message_from_marc/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-21:/2005/07/21/london_2021/revdmark2005-07-21T16:59:59+02:002005-07-21T16:59:59+02:00 <p>Thoughts are back home at the moment, seeing the news from London. Good to see it looks like no one has been hurt. Hope everyone who travels into London from Church is OK. Somehow seems safer to be in Manila at the moment ...</p> <p>Mark </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/21/london_2021/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-21:/2005/07/21/thursday_21st_2005_in_the_philippines/revdmark2005-07-21T16:50:47+02:002005-07-21T17:16:22+02:00 <p>hey to all my family and matt, love u and missing u all so much. hope u r all ok. plus hi to everybody else who is praying for us. these past few days has been an emotional rollercoaster. seein all the poverty everywhere, loads of street famillies, its horrible, all i want to do is bring them all home but i know i can't. i hate saying goodbye to them when we have to go back to hotel. i'm having a life changing experience over in the philippines and i'm loving every min of it. today we toured manilla then went to a place called smoky mountain it was awful, i cried seeing it, its a massive rubbish dump, piled very high, and its very smoky, and theres rubbish piles nearly as big as mountains, hence the name. thwn we went to a street puppet show, i had three street kids sitting on me, and we played with all the children, they all r happy over the little things. it makes me realise what i've got, i loving family, friends who love me, a roof over my head, food on the table, clean water, a boyfriend who loves me so much. its made me realise how we can all be greedy, and not grateful 4 what we have. 2morrow we r going to a place called lagazbe (think thats how u spell it) going 2morrow at 7 in evening, got free day before that then we come back on sun, its a long trip there. i'll tell u bout the trip when we come back. speak to u all soon, thanks for the support. lots of love to all my family, matt, all my friends at home, c u soon peeps. bye xxxxxxxx :-)</p> <p>Katie </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/21/thursday_21st_2005_in_the_philippines/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-21:/2005/07/21/a_walk_around_manila/revdmark2005-07-21T12:38:56+02:002005-07-21T12:38:56+02:00 <p>We walked out of our hotel and turned left, then first on the right. Down about a block and a half and we stopped to talk to 2 boys lying down in the back of an old Nissan pick up truck. Wilmar (the Social Worker) spoke to them and they crawled out from under the old taupulin cover that was over the top of the pick up. Next to the pick up a man slept in a bicycle sidecar. I man came up and tried to sell me a Parker Pen, I declined. We spoke to the boys for a few minutes and invited them to a puppet show tomorrow. Then we moved on.</p> <p>Walking carefully we picked our way along the pavement, past people selling food. We turned left and crossed the road. A mother with two small babies, one on her lap, one in an old pram, was sitting on the street corner underneath a shop overhang. The babies have dirty vests on but no pants. This is their home. We stop to talk to her, she smiles at us because she is pleased to see us. Other children gather around where we are and one of them starts playing peek-a-boo with Sarah around my legs. While Wilmar and some of the others talk to the mother, Ian spots an old women sitting a few feet away along the street. She has a jar of sweets that she is selling for 2pesos each (about 2p). She gets up and Ian offers to buy some, she starts to count them out into his bag, but then Ian offers to buy the whole jar, and a cigarette for 200pesos. Her face cracks into a broad smile. 'Hide your money' we tell her. We move back to the family on the corner. The game of peek-a-boo has now turned into a game of jumping up and swinging. I take one arm and Sarah takes the other and we play Zac's favourite game 'One, two, three, whee' except that this time another child joins us. We hold one arm each, their arms are tiny so I can easily wrap my hand round. Both children jump up at the same time and lock their legs together. We play this for a while until it is time to move on again. One of the children comes with us ... holding Sarah's hand. 'Should she be coming with us?' someone quite rightly asks, but its OK this 4 year old knows her way around here very well and she can easily get back. Doesn't make her any less vulnerable though.</p> <p>We move down to the next street. Another Mother with a baby on her lap, living in the street. The game of 'One two three whee' continues here, and then it is time to move on again.</p> <p>Dowm the street we meet a whole family, Father, Mother, Granparents and of course, children. More 'One, two, three, whee'. A child lies asleep on a covered hand cart. We are introduced to the family. the children take our hands and touch them foreheads with them as a sign of respect. We chat to the family for a while and then move on again.</p> <p>As we're walking down the street we walk past a beautiful hotel that would look quite at home on the edge of Park Lane. There is a picture of a beatiful lunch being advertised, all you can eat for 850 pesos (about 8pounds 50p) on the restaurant on the 23rd floor. It must be a great view from up there, but the view down here is not quite so good. Easy to get angry at such affluence next to such poverty but the trouble is I am forced to reflect that, metaphorically speaking, I live in the hotel, not on the street.</p> <p>It starts to rain, and when it rains on Manila, it rains! We shelter for a while under an overhang. 3 girls come up to us selling roses for 30pesos each (about 30p). I buy three, and the other buy some as well. The truth is that if they don't sell flowers they will be forced to sell themselves.</p> <p>The rain stops and we movbe on. We find another family, mother and son. The son has been in the Kanlungan centre and knows Ian, Malcolm and Terry. He wears a T-shirt that says 'Lola (Grandpa) Malcom loves me' - I realise that this is talking about our Malcolm, from a previous visit. I take their picture together. I man comes up selling puppets and wooden snakes that he seems to be able to move in a frighteningly relaistic way. Not the bext way to get me to buy something, but Catherine buys a really annoying noisy puppet!</p> <p>We move on and find another family around the corner underneath another overhang. There is a mother, father and five children. I realise that one of the girls looks familiar - she was with us at the wedding and had taught us to dnace. Her family used to have a house, but they could not afford the rent so had to move out. So now they live in a small trailer that her father has built. Its about 6 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet off the groubnd with a pitched roof. We peer inside - the children are watching batman on the TV. What looks like a school uniform and school bag is hangin up inside. The girl from Kanlungan is playing 'thumb wars' with Mark Scott and I join in - she takes on both of us at the same time - and wins!</p> <p>Eventually it is time to move on ... we continue our journey, but hopefully you might have got the idea of what it is like by now .... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/21/a_walk_around_manila/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-21:/2005/07/21/hello_everyone_4/revdmark2005-07-21T11:47:30+02:002005-07-21T11:47:30+02:00 <p>Hi everyone!</p> <p>This is my first blog!! I've just been reading all the messages- it's great,there are so many! </p> <p>I am really enjoying it out here. Every day is completely different. The staff here have put so much time and effort into planning the programme and they've done a brilliant job.</p> <p>We've been to smokey mountain today (a rubbish dump) which was an experience. It was filthy, smelly- just disgusting really and full of children. They were playing in what was probably sewage and running around with nothing on. The families that live on and around smokey mountain pay rent to be on the land. If they did not have the make shift shelters there they would be on the streets.</p> <p>Last night we saw and met street families near our hotel. The social workers that came with us from the centre knew most of the families as we walked along. They have really good relationaships with them. One child held my hand as we walked along and I carried him for a while. When I put him down and just walked away it felt horrible - it went against all my instincts to just leave a small child on the street and walk away knowing that he would sleep there that night.</p> <p>It all sounds quite depressing but actually although the conditions are terrible the children are always smiling and playing happily. They love to dance and sing. They've been teaching us some new dance moves - some of which are on film!!!!</p> <p>Although people in the group are recovering from various things - tummy bugs, swollen feet etc... please pray for their complete recovery and for good health within the group.</p> <p>We are all having a fantastic time!!!! Keep blogging on!!! </p> <p>Catherine</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/21/hello_everyone_4/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-21:/2005/07/21/re_hi/revdmark2005-07-21T11:35:08+02:002005-07-21T11:35:08+02:00 <p>Hi everybody,<br> Sorry that not many of us have been writing but it's been so manic we've been going to bed at 1-2 in the morning, and i know that when we get back we'll sleep for a week.<br> Today i'm not too great, sore throat, cold,(back to hospital for me <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> i've been sucked to death aswell, the mozzies love me.</p> <p>Please, please continue praying as the toughest is yet to come, i think for me not much has sunk in yet and going home will be the toughest, seeing the greed and selfishness of people who have so much materially but so little spiritually.<br> We will also be thinking of you all at New wine.<br> Bex</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/21/re_hi/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-21:/2005/07/21/lorna/revdmark2005-07-21T11:26:22+02:002005-07-21T11:26:22+02:00 <p>It's taken so long to work out how this works that I haven’t been able to write. Thank you so much for your comments it's rly nice to hear from all of you. It's so amazing here and the staff and children are amazing and im going to miss them so much when we leave. We've just spent the last couple of days looking around the street family’s homes and it’s been an emotional time for all of us. I hope you are all well! We are just about coping with the weather and the climate here after all of us has had something. I'm currently 'damaged' as I’m putting it lol as ive been bitten by a mosquitoes on my right ankle which I then realised it had been on the other ankle aswell but not as bad (I just think it felt left out)and had to be taken to hospital and given antibiotics to calm it down (I just have to make this trip a little bit more exciting) anyway I’ve spent Wednesday with it up on pillows and today managed to get out and look around manila thought it's still quite painful. I would love it if you could pray for me as I want to be able to enjoy the time here and it’s hard to when it's hard to walk, I would really appreciate it if you could :-) Apart from that everyone seems to be ok and loving it here. Hope everything is ok over there!</p> <p>Lorna xx</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/21/lorna/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-21:/2005/07/21/message_from_sol/revdmark2005-07-21T04:07:18+02:002005-07-21T04:07:18+02:00 <p>TO ALL THE PARENTS OF THE ST. MARY'S CHURCH YOUTH GROUP:</p> <p>Loving greetings from all the kids and staff of Kanlungan sa Er-Ma:</p> <p>We are all very happy and so blessed that you have allowed your children to come to the Philippines and to visit our ministry with the children here in Kanlungan. Each one of these young people have shown their enthusiasm and great concern for the children and have well integrated with them-- laugh, play, dance, praise and have fun with them, and with all the staff as well. That is such a big blessing to us. However, we are just sad that some of them got ill - Rebecca has made a full recovery from her illness and she has been joining the activities fully well and has integrated with everyone; and everybody else seems to be recovering well and getting adjusted to their new environment.</p> <p>Ian, Malcolm, Terry and Neil are leaving tomorrow for England and please do not worry for your children and leaders even if the four elders (Ian, and co) are not around anymore. We will take care of your beloved kids very well to the best of what we can. Please trust us and we assure you they will never be the same when they get back to England -- I mean, that God would have surely done something different in their lives and in their hearts. On our end, they also made a difference in our lives - among the kids and the staff for bringing joy, love, concern and God's presence.</p> <p>Once again, our sincerest thanks for your trust and love for the Kanlungan ministry that you extended through your children.</p> <p>2 Cor 9:12</p> <p>With love and prayers,</p> <p>Sol and the Kanlungan Family </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/21/message_from_sol/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:remix-philippines.blog.co.uk,2005-07-20:/2005/07/20/20_july_2005_in_the_philippines/revdmark2005-07-20T12:18:05+02:002005-07-20T12:18:49+02:00 <p>Trip to picnic grove today, in Tagaytay. travelling there on the jeepney and the tyre burst, we werent going as fast as normal which we are grateful for! we were on the freeway and luckily found a place to stop. safely got the 9 children out and to the side of the road. the driver changed the wheel, that took 30 ish mins, then we got goin again, then he decided to stop again to fit another new tyre. another 30mins...was very confusing, the people we were with couldnt speak that good english. the trip was long crowded hot... but when we got there (to Taal mountain - volcano) it was amazing. so beautiful. we all got bitten and burnt. we'll write more later!</p> <p>Sarah </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://remix-philippines.blog.co.uk/2005/07/20/20_july_2005_in_the_philippines/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>