Gratitude

It is hard to believe that we were actually planning our last full day of work here tomorrow over dinner this evening.  We have all had a wonderful and impactful week of working on our projects here. Gratitude is the main feeling if we had to explain it.  We’re so thankful for the health and safety of the whole team so far.  It has been such a blessing to be able to help the people here; today we finished the 2 houses after building the interior walls, hanging the doors and windows, finishing the roofs and laying the lino.  Half of us were at another home doing a renovation all day.  They replaced the flooring, interior walls and roof on a home which had cockroaches, rotting floors (that were an actual hazard to walk over), and a roof that leaked and was damaged by the recent typhoon.  A young man approach Fran and Joanne as they were painting and questioned them ‘why are you actually doing this?’  He could not understand why we would raise money, leave our jobs in Canada for 2 weeks, come here and labour among them to relieve the needs of the locals.  What an opportunity to witness and share the love!  We are so grateful to be able to be a small part of God showing His love for His people; may He receive all the honour and glory.

There have been a few issues with the transportation vehicle we’ve been using throughout this trip however.  It’s been daily challenges of siphoning fuel and running a hose straight from a jerry can into the carburetor,  a flat tire, sinking through the bench seat, and tonight a broken front axle shaft.  Despite these setbacks, we’ve always managed to get to where we needed to go at the right time.  Tonight we did a half a dozen home visits, meeting families with various challenges and needs.  It’s hard to put into words the feeling of standing alongside these people, singing praises and praying together, and supplying them out with bags of food and supplies.  The home visits are typically the most memorable, as we get to experience the living conditions and life stories on a personal level of the families in the communities we are privileged to work in.  We had planned to participate in the feeding program at school today, but unfortunately the trend here historically is the day after a fiesta is basically a write off; most of the parents and staff are suffering from the drunkenness of the fiesta celebration and as a result the next day of school is cancelled.  We’re hoping to get that opportunity to visit the school and feed the children tomorrow.

The disparity between the natural beauty and the human suffering is incredible.  Roque, who proudly owns one of “our” new homes, works as a speed-boat driver shuttling people from resorts on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, for $15 a day.  It could be said that he now owns a $1000 home, with a $1,000,000 mountainside view, overlooking the Philippine Sea.  The good news he shared today was that he sold one of his 7 month old roosters for a few days wages, and made some extra money. 

We’re especially thankful to all of those who donated towards the various projects on Boracay.  It is always an eye opener to see how much work it takes to keep everything functioning properly and we would like to encourage you all to support Joven and Anita in any way you’re able.  We have all now seen the positive impact of Strong Roots Ministry in this community and pray that it will continue to be used for the extension of His kingdom.