How to Overcome a Calamity

How does one overcome? How does one continue on with life? I'm back from Manila and already I'm exhausted. What more for those who have lost everything? How does one sleep at night on muddy ground with pieces of debris as shelter?

How does one wait? There's nothing else that can be done except to wait for clothes and food to arrive, if ever they were to arrive... From knowng to not knowing. From having to nothing. There were no goodbyes, no time to let go. Just as the day 26 September 2009 goes off never to return again so are lives changed forever.

This past week I've experienced the power of "overcome". A man lost his house in Isang Dakot, Payatas. Yet when we saw him at the end of the week, he was sitting in wooden makeshift home, next to the very house that had been washed out to the creek. How?

Maycool and Syndey lost their home. The floors can't be seen as it's covered in layers of mud. No one would have guessed where the kitchen, living room and dining room once were. Yet they came to Paaralang Pantao and helped sort the relief aid for the others. We would never have guessed they were victims of Ondoy who had to flee for their lives.

Yet not everyone is as resilient and as ready to overcome. How can they when they've spent their lives building their dreams into reality? Start all over again? Dream all over again?

There are many people who want you to dream and they want to help you make your dream a reality. Whatever Ondoy or earthquake or tsunami has snatched away... no one can ever take your dream away. After every storm comes a rainbow. You know what? It's up to each of us to give of ourselves so that the rainbow can be as beautiful as it was made to be.

acts29 wishes to acknowledge the efforts of people who have been part of that rainbow connection, to give hope when hope was lost.

1. The many who gave more than 300kg (and still counting) of relief aid.
2. Timothy Ho, Jeremy Nonis and Herman Lopez who collected and packed the aid.
3. Paul Goh, Colin Seet, Gerry Teo, Eward G who gave their time, their determination to get all our boxes on to the flight.
4. Terence and Phyllis Spykerman for the VAN!
5. Jasmine from Church of St Anthony's who dared!
6. Youth Ministry Office at CAYC who gave us the space for collection of aid.
7. Raymond and all at Caritas for their quick and effective support
8. Gerald the travel agent who's motto was "Fly us 1st, pay later!"
9. Catholic doctors who gave medical aid
10. Laura from Catholic Nurses Guild who never says no to all our requests!
12. Pascual Laboratories (Philippines) for medical supplies
13. Willie Cheng and ACCT for responding to our appeal for aid
14. Drs John and Priscilla Lee. What an amazing team!
15. Evelyn and family... for taking the 4000 purification tablets to Manila.
16. The logistics help at Payatas: Julian, Kuya Dave and Mr. Loydy.
There's no road you can't get to and no box too heavy!
17. All teacher volunteers at Paaralang Pantao who walk in the heavy rains, through the mud to get to the families. In the toughest of times, you still give big warm smiles.
18. The de-facto medical mission i/c: Dr Christine Carbon who has made the medical missions a possibility.
19. Cathy and Jay Reyes. You believe in prayer and you believe there's always a way.
20. May Batol, our beloved coordinator. Even in your medical condition, you have given priority to the relief efforts. You hopped into Paaralang Pantao. Your hop gave hope.
21. Fr Terence Pereira, our spiritual director, who dares us to dream.
21. Letitia B Reyes. For dreaming... for building... Paaralang Pantao (School for Humanity) for 21 years. Even when others have given up, you have never stopped dreaming.


Please note:
Collection of relief aid is on-going till Friday 9th Octobe 8pm. Drop off point: Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre, No2 Lorong Low Koon, Upp Serangoon Road. *LABEL all bags/boxes acts29

1. Blankets
2. Plastic Plates, Forks and Spoons
3. Clothes (Only Casual Wear)
*No office wear, winter jackets, revealing outfits, cultural costumes, swimming costumes, badly stained.
4. Slipppers/walking or rubber shoes
*No high heels, leather shoes, ladies' boots
5. Soap bars
6. family sized straw mats (not single beach mats) for sleeping

10th October Saturday evening community Mass
All are welcome
There will be a Eucharistic celebration at 7pm, Caritas 9th Floor (Catholic Welfare Building, Waterloo Street) to pray for the victims of Ondoy and Sumatra earthquake.
Celebrant: Fr David Garcia, O.P.

Pictures of Erap City after Ondoy and relief aid

On the way home on SQ 919

At an altitude of 11,887m & going at ground speeds 3 times faster than your usual F1 car, we sit comfortably after delivering almost 300kilos of relief aid to Manila. We had gone to see the damage by Ondoy in parts of Erap & Payatas. Houses near creeks were flooded and even knocked over. Livestock and valuables were swept away by the raging currents.
The children enjoy swimming in the muddy waters but the parents can only count the losses incurred. Most families continue to show the resilient Filipino spirit, swiftly moving on to rebuild their houses nearby and salvage what little remains.
We arrived on Thurs night and headed to Payatas.
On Friday, we assisted in the sorting out of the items. Families affected would be given 1 bag of rice with 3 cans of sardines and a bag of clothes. In the evening, the teachers in Payatas informed the victims that the aid could be collected at Paaralang Pantao. First to arrive was Baby Jane with her mum and brother, a familiar face indeed. We went on to distribute the food and clothes as Teen gave medical consultation.
Saturday’s upon us and everyone is preparing for Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) while we head to Erap to distribute the aid. Here, more families are affected and more need medical attention.
In the afternoon, we head out to assess the damage done. The once peaceful creek has now become a raging monsoon drain. And homes can be seen floating across the river. People can be seen crossing the river, wading through the currents. On another side, a house is seen partially on land, and the rest in the creek. Further up, in the home of teacher Maycool, we see more damage. Their 7 pigs & 5 goats were swept away as water levels rose and their home knee deep in mud.
Aid is slow to reach such areas and plans to rebuild washed-away homes is wishful thinking if left sorely to the government. Our presence is only a small contribution but my hope is that the family will be sustained through the unimaginably difficult period. We will now work to provide medication for the families.

Daryl Spykerman

Video of Ondoy hitting Erap City on 26th September

A sharing from Nadine Tolibas, friend volunteer (Paaralang Pantao)

more updates from Manila...

At 4pm, the rains started pouring here in our place. Papa just arrived. He said floods are already knee deep in Fairview. I need to rush to buy groceries. People seem to be in the worry mode. Bread is almost out stock in SM Fairview Mall.


I received a text message from Nadine Tolibas, she’s one of volunteers who went to Erap today. She shared that she had seen many houses washed out by the floods. She mentioned the need for the people to transfer to higher grounds before the new Typhoon Pepeng comes. She shared that her worries, what if they don’t evacuate.

Many people are very much concerned now and wish to donate. Tomorrow Nadine’s friend Julius and their family will be sending donations and relief goods as well. Many of our neighbors are calling; they’ll bring in some clothes for Payatas and Erap as well.

8:30 pm. Just now I receive a text message from Sherlyn, they spent the day packing relief items and visited the Fire House. They were doing good packing more relief items until 8:00pm, until electricity was cut out. She is also asking updates about typhoon Pepeng. I told her typhoon hits Bicol Region now, Metro Manila is in Signal No. 1

Yes, everything happens for a reason, with no electricity in Payatas I just wish my friends do find a cozy spot to rest now. For surely, tomorrow will be a full day.

As for your friend here, I am still in “house arrest” as per doctor’s advice. I have allergies and nursing an infected wound on my feet. The reason might be: rest and relax… God is in control.

Today is the feast of our Holy Guardian Angels too. I’ve been witnessing so many angels and hearing so much news from here and out there in Singapore! 

Take care everyone and please hold on to our mutual prayers that this typhoon wouldn’t hit our country and may the people who are suffering now, in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Samoa receive all the graces that they need.

Updates from manila

Daryl and Sherlyn arrived at Paaralang Pantao, Payatas together with all of the 14 boxes at 11pm last night. Also at the school were 15 sacks of 50kg of rice. They spent the next morning packing the rice, plates, clothes, blankets and towels which was planned to be distributed to the families in Isang Dakot at lower Payatas, where they still have not recieved aid,  in the afternoon. However, they were unable to do so because of the rain. 1 death has been confirmed there. They are expecting boxes of canned sardines to arrive from a factory. Getting portable water is still a problem. The plan for Saturday is to go to Erap to give aid to the families there. North Luzon was on signal 4 alert and Payatas on signal 2 alert in the afternoon. They are expecting super typhoon Pepeng to hit metro manila at 9pm. Everyone has to be home to prepare and power will be shut off in places prone to flooding. Arroyo held a national disaster council meeting in Cainta. A state of calamity has been declared allowing the local government to access their local calamity funds. Across the nation prices of food and other stuff will be controlled. The confirmed death toll in the afternoon was 280 according to DSWD. The government will sponser the burial of the dead. Other problems that have arised from this natural disaster are firstly the shortage of portable toilets at the evacuation centres and secondly health problems mainly respirtory infections and diarrhea.

Manila! Manila!

We have landed! at 825pm. SQ was ahead of time!!!
We cleared Customs... The officers there were great! 2 people 14 boxes 288kg! Yeah...
the aid is now on the way to Payatas
We're eating at Macs now.. waiting for super typhoon.

Please pray it doesn't come.
Tomorrow morning we head for Payatas. We will spend the day packing and getting ready for distribution.
Dr Tin and friends in MEC will meet in Payatas and start distributing aid to those in Isang Dakot.
It's in the valley between the real mountain and the dumpsite mountain.

Saturday we go to Erap. When we have time we'll post details of those students who have lost their homes and those whose homes have been damaged.

Gerry, the plates are a great idea!!!

God bless.

48 Hours and Counting

48hours ago, my friend asked us to pray. But we thought we could pray and do more. So the clock started ticking. Wednesday morning the plan fell in place. An impossible plan.. but oh well just give it a shot.


Wednesday morning , ICA started processing my new passport.

11am we’re booked on SQ 916.

1230pm, the details of what was happening in Erap City reached us. Isang Dakot still no news but we that it had been by by Ondoy and at least one kid had died.

3pm, we got the list of things needed for relief from Jay and sent out an appeal for aid, cash and kind to all out contacts. We don’t know what to expect. Maybe 40kg? Maybe more? Someone in SQ is able to give us another 10kg more. We have 60kg of baggage allowance.

5pm Our phones start ringing non-stop and msgs flood our Inboxes.

530pm my dad dropped off new large boxes for the collection at CAYC.

By 6pm we had gotten in touch with people like Jeremy, Herman, Tim to help with the collection and packing. Herman helped us to rent a van. Daryl’s dad would drive it so we could go round and pick up donation too.

7pm Catholic Nurses Guild inform us they are trying to get meds. Catholic doctors are ready to give Panadol which is great because the people there are getting fevers, coughs and colds.

8pm onwards Donations started rolling in to the Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Centre at Lorong Low Koon. Youth Ministry Office kindly gave us the space for the donations to be dropped off.

Friday

830am the rental van is picked up. Daryl’s dad knows the boss. We get a discount.

930am We’re picking up things from Yishun, Katong Convent, clinics, Sengkang. And my new passport too!

1230pm We reach CAYC. Herman has packed 10boxes weighing an average of 15kg each. The donations that have come in overnight were startling. We still have boxes being dropped off at the airport for us. There is more stuff that have not been packed. No time. No space.

The Van leaves. The Van gets lost. The van is carrying the 10 boxes of cargo and the 2 passengers for the flight. My 2nd favourite mantra, Everything happens for a reason... In times like this... just believe. Plus lots of people praying for us.

130pm We arrive at T2. The counter just closed. We can’t check in. We miss our flight.... Stick to the mantra – Everything happens for a reason.

2pm We manage to change our tickets. We’ll take the next flight out. SQ 918 at 505pm. There’s a BIG PROBLEM... we have too many boxes! We managed to push our allowance to 90kg. We can only take 4 boxes.

205pm Lord we’re tired. Never mind the 14boxes (yes 4 more were added at the airport). We have clothes, blankets, footwear, 100plates, about 10 000 slabs of Panadol and 100 lightsticks. But the people who had joined us at the airport were more determined than me. And I have to mention their names here: Gerry Teo, Paul Goh, Colin Seet, Jeremy Nonis and Edward G (who happened to be in the airport) These people were not taking ‘no’ for an answer. They wanted as many things to get to the 130-150 displaced families.

We start calling people. Who can help? A SATS girl appears. A St Anthony’s youth. I have to mention her name! What an angel! Jasmine. She helps us. She’s as steely as the rest. The duty manager comes down. He sees our deed of donation.

230pm We’re checked in, all 288kg of us.

48hours after the appeal to pray...

245pm Me: “Jay we have 288kg of aid coming in at 8pm. Are you ready for it?”

Jay: “Ok we can arrange that. I’ll change the van to a truck.”

What's acts29 plans after Ondoy

In order of Priority:  Almost 150 families require aid and shelter.

1) Get to Isang Dakot and survey damage. Then Erap City. These are 2 places where students from Paaralang Pantao live. In acts29 we're commited to Simplicity, Solidarity and Mission. So yes, we will walk in solidarity with those affected and give the support needed.

2) Get food rations and water supply and distribute (together with the other things we have brought).
Tita and the teachers who know the residents best will decide who gets what. We are bringing clothes, towels, blankets, footwear, Dettol. Generous doctors here are giving us almost 16, 000 tablets of Panadol to help those with fevers. (as requested by the school).

3) Get 1st aid supplies in Manila and treat all those with wounds. We are so blessed to have Dr Christine Carbon (Tin) join us there and she'll see to those in need of medical attention.Tin is also one of two doctors there who have been driving the previous medical missions (e.g TB testing).

4) Find immediate temporary shelter for those who are still on the streets.

5) Interview the families affected both in Isang Dakot and Erap City and assess their immediate needs.

5) Go out to other parts of Montalban and see what help is needed.

Long term Plan (not finalised yet)
1) construction of houses for the displaced on safer grounds
2) livelihood project

Over in Singapore after Ondoy

Since we began our appeal for aid yesterday, my phone has been ringing off the hook the whole day. Everyone's asking lots of questions and want to know more.

So here's what happened before the appeal. The papers have been publishing over the weekend about Typhoon Kestana. We got reports about how bad things were in Manila. But we didn't hear anything from May, Jay and everyone else. So you know how sometimes the news reports focus on just one little area but the whole of Luzon continues on in oblivion. By Monday we started to see pics of familiar places flooded, familiar names. We tried to contact May. Couldnt reach her. So we thought it wasn't that bad since they weren't calling us. Then we heard \Rizal province had been affected and a small alarm went off. Then by Monday night there was a mention of Montalban and by then alarm bells were ringing loud and clear. By Tuesday morning we were on the net and news was coming out about Montalban and very familiar names. San Jose, Sub Urban... then Erap City! My hair stood on end. http://paradoxicleyline.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/montalban-under-state-of-calamity/
Desperately called Mayb. By this time, she too was trying to contact me.

May was on MSN. So was Jay. May, our dear coordinator, is stuck at home. She can't walk for the past week due to an infected wound from an accident. Being at home the whole weekend, she too was unaware of the damage outside her home... as you would have read from her posts. By Tuesday afternoon, finally there was word from Erap City. Ate Baby had come out to Payatas to see Tita to get help for teachers  who had lost their homes. She wasn't able to say much. Communication network in Payatas not that great either. But what we knew was Erap City was hit, homes have been destroyed. There's no electricity and no water.
but it was not submerged.Also no aid was coming into those areas affected.

Still very sketchy. May now had a new job description for the rest of the coming days. Stay home, by the phone and on the net and update everyone, connect everyone (Jay, me, Daryl, the rest of acts29, Ate Baby, etc) and pass info on.. Great plan right?

I thought of perhaps of going during the weekend or the following week. But then Jay came online and asked me to pray for the teachers and students who lost their homes. Jay would not say something like that unless he really needed us to pray! So that's when I decided... I will go to Manila asap and ask whoever in the exco could go. Then Jay tells me he plans to check out the situation in Erap on Wed morning... that means Jay doesnt go to work on Wed?? which is like the whole day already gone cos he would stop by Payatas, pick up Tita and then go to Erap and so on.

So I told Jay we would come on Thursday afternoon. and he said he would pick us up and take the day off too. Take Thursday off too? Woh. Now I'm not just hearing things and seeing things from the media.

So bit by bit May gets news and things start to look bad. teachers only have roofs. houses washed away. only mud left. people living on the streets. no electicity still. no drinking water. By tuesday evening, we had started asking around for things like blankets, clothes, etc as requested by Jay

By Tuesday night, we were ready to book our airtickets. Daryl could go. Debbie not sure.. too much work but would try and me, yes. thanks to iggy.. life saver.. who is free enough these coming 4 days to take over all my classes. At 10pm, I was suddenly reminded of my passport. Only had 5 months validity. Oh no! what do I do? I started calling people. Asking them if they had tried renewing in a day. Everyone laughed.. yes Daryl too.. I remember his words, "Who do you think you are?"... no one's going to give you a new passport in 24hours. I went to bed sad. But one of my favourite t-shirts says, "Look who's behind me all the way."... Jesus.. ok just trust in Him.

Today (Wed morning) 830am I am at ICA. This time i'ts my turn to ask Jay to pray for me. The outcome? They are giving me a new passport! I collect it at 10am tomorrow and I can make it in time to catch the afternoon flight. The people at ICA are really great for being so kind and understanding. T

1230pm! finally Jay calls. He's checked Erap out. He's got pics too. There are places in Erap where the mud is as high going from the waist to the neck. The whole isle on the creek is gone. About 50 families have nothing left but mud in place of houses. People are reusing water and taking water from the creek. there some volunteers giving out aid but not much. Seems to be that all our students (150 of them) can be accounted for.
Sadly in Payastas Lower dumpsite has been hit too. the place is Isang Dakot. We had youths who had homestay there. Jay was not able to get there. Not much word from there. Other than 30 families live there and their homes are destroyed.

This is the way to Isang Dakot (in the background)

We pray for the safety of everyone. We will be on our way tomorrow afternoon and arrive in Manila by 545pm. I trust Singapore Airlines to get me there before the sunsets.

Erap City's Creek After Ondoy

Pictures of Erap City's creek before Ondoy

There's a little isle on this creek. The people rely on these bridges they've made to get to real land.

Almost 50 families were squatting here.

13 of Paaralang Pantao students lived on this isle.

On rainy days, kids living here won't go to school cos the creek will be swollen and they can't cross these bridges.

Last year I asked a resident living on the isle what would happen if there was a flood.

He replied that they would lose everything. Maybe even their lives.

This family's home is one of the 1st houses we past when we walk towards Kasiglahan.

The boy is one of our students.

Further Updates from Paaralang Pantao (from Jay's email)

This morning Jay and Tita Letty head to Paaralang Pantao (Erap) to assess the needs of the many people affected by the typhoon “Ondoy.” So far he confirmed that 50 families lost their houses due to flash floods, 13 of these families have children studying in our school in Erap. Our teachers Maykool and Sydney were among those whose houses were not spared. Jay confirmed around 50 more houses currently submerged in waist to chest deep mud. Majority of the residents started going back their homes and begin cleaning up, slowly moving on.

In Payatas, lower dumpsite (Isang Dakot) there are about 30 families who have been hit hard by the flooding as well.

Critical needs are:
1. Clothing
2. Sleeping Mats
3. Safe Drinking Water
4. Medicines (for cough, colds, flu), and topical treatments for wounds.
5. Food (preferably canned goods and rice).

Further message form Jay:

- managed to solicit 10 x 50kg bag of rice (good enough for 100 families if we give them 5kg each) Next week, I'll be talking to some people who are importing construction materials... affected families will need help to rebuild their houses but hopefully this time, in a safer location.


In behalf of Mrs. Leticia Reyes, our tita letty, I wish to thank you very much for all your prayers and suuport. Tommorow our acts29 friends Sherlyn, Daryl and Debbie will be coming over to help provide assistance to those in need. We are very grateful the support of the many organizations there in Singapore for the promptness of your actions and well meaning endeavors for all the typhoon vicitms here in our country.

God bless and more power!

Sandakot: "A Handful..."

What Sandakot area looks like…

Sandakot is tagalong word for “a handful.” I sense that the place live by its name, simply because people there seem to embrace life and even try hard to survive even with “a handful.”

I experienced going there a few times with Teacher Jane when we were giving medicines for the kids supported by the TB Program. This place is another area in Payatas where one can sense a feel of the “community” because people know each other very well and people so familiar with one another’s life stories. Many people there can even identify the kids without birth certificates.
I remember the Balanquit siblings, Benito and Anna, “Beauty”, Reynante, Carlo and Teresa. They are just some of the many students that I’ve met the last time I went there, very active and cheerful playing and proud to show off their houses. I remember the houses there made of cardboard and the house with a mosquito net for a wall. I remember the very narrow alleys that serve as playground for the rugged kids around. We’re thinking one lighted cigarette can almost bring the whole place down. Sandakot is near Erwin’s place one of our scholars before too. It rests very near the dumpsite, Payatas version of a land down under. Going there I felt proud of the kids who can attend classes in Paaralang Pantao everyday. Truly, the kids showed great perseverance and strength to be able to walk and trek the rough roads.

Tonight I receive a text message from Teacher Jane, the people of Sandakot are now slowly going back from the relocation sites in Payatas. I wonder if there’s anything left…even a handful…

of courage, strength, endurace, hope….

Typhoon "Ondoy" in a blink of an eye

It took me a while to to grasp the reality of the recent storm “Ondoy”. I was at home last Saturday comfortable and lazy. My friends kept sending messages about the flooded streets Manila, Ortigas and Makati, worst they were exhausted and hungry. At the back of my mind I was thinking, what’s new? Everytime a typhoon hits the Philippines we hear tragedies—floods, people drowning, houses collapsing, landslides, accidents side by side. But this rain was far from the ordinary. It has been 2 days already and it seems like he rains wouldn’t even stop. The clouds were thick and dark and at 3pm it looks like it’s almost night time.

I decided go to SM Fairview to buy groceries. But the roads were impassable. What I’ve seen was enough to confirm that something had definitely gone wrong. We cannot come out of our place (Lagro Subd.) because the main roads were all flooded. It’s our first time to experience such flooding in our area which is much higher than any area in Quezon City.

Some friends kept on messaging about the flooded areas and how they were walking on the streets and stranded. We cannot do anything but hope they’ll be home soon to rest. It was a silent evening.

Electricity and phone lines were down in our area from Saturday to Monday.

The next day, I managed to get some news. I stayed in my friends’ house to watch the news because we don’t have electricity yet. And yes, what we’ve seen happening in areas so near to us was a shocking experience.

Fairview’s flood reached to chest levels. Fairview Elementary School was flooded. Houses in the creek side near Lagro were washed out. Flood waters reached 2 story houses in SSS Village and nearby subdivision. There were thousands of people on top of the roofs waiting for rescues. So many cities were submerged in water, Marikina, Pasig, Malabon, Manila area and the government wasn’t ready to provide assistance. There were very limited rubber boats for rescuing. Manila in itself is too big, together with its surrounding cities. There were text messages coming from the nearby provinces like Bulacan, but there were no means to reach the people. In the news people were just too helpless to see people drowning, getting electrecuted or cars being washed out. Most of the people in the affected areas fought for survival.For once we felt there were no barriers between the rich and the poor.Afluent villages were not even spared. The shanty's along creeks were washed out and to date many are still missing.

In Largo we were safe, we are in higher grounds but the surrounding areas are so much in need of relief, food and rescue. We’ve seen in the news many volunteers rescuing, sending life vest, boats and providing assistance. It is a comforting moment. But the efforts are not enough.. There were still places unreached and many people in need up to now.

How about Paaralang Pantao children? Payatas? Erap City?

Typhoon: Paaralang Pantao Updates!

This morning I receive a message from Ate Baby. She told me the floods did not reach the school in Erap but it hit many houses located near the creek. Some of our students live in the area. Two of our teachers, Sydney and Maykool (siblings) lost their homes to the flood. They are now in need of assistance and support.

In Erap City Sub-urban Village families are in need of water, food and clothing. The teachers went on their way this afternoon to check the homes of our students. They have witnessed how the mud and water almost washed the houses. The people are in need of the basics: food, water and clothing. To this moment there were no relief and relocation going on. Some of the families pitched make-shift tents on the alleys and sidewalks and some found shelter with their neighbors who managed to survive the floods.

The lower areas in Payatas were affected as well. People are now settling in basketball courts and schools and waiting for relief goods and relocation. In Bagong Silangan, a place near Sandakot Area, Payatas, it has been reported that 20 people died. Many houses have been washed out as well. Classes have been suspended till Monday. Up to now we don’t have any news on the plights of our individual students. We hope they’re all safe from this tragedy.

We are in need of volunteers who can help reach out to those in need in montalban and Payatas:
1. People badly needing food, drinking water and clothing
2. First aid and medicines
3. Blankets, toiletries and cleaning material to help them clean up their homes

Tomorrow Jay will be going to Erap City to see what more we can do to assist. Mutual prayers,
May

The best birthday present ever!!!

1050pm It's been a busy day. I've been trying to prepare for a talk but things keep cropping up the whole week!

11pm I have a talk to give tomorrow! and I'm looking at my whiteboard. It says FMM 5.30pm. "Who is Jesus to You?" that's all it says... I recieved this invitation to speak 2 months ago. I prepared way in advance. Saved my script in my laptop. Then prepared other talks and sessions I had to give. In June, I would pull out the "Who is Jesus to You?" script and edit it, refine it, go through it.

So Who is Jesus to Me? Right now, I'm thinking he was watching when my laptop crashed. He probably smiled when I was overwhelmed with grief over the loss of my laptop and he probably laughed, seeing me desperately try to get another laptop. And he probably laughed even more when he saw I had forgotten that my "Who is Jesus to You?" script was gone, along with the laptop.

1110pm Gee.. I can't remember what I had prepared! I seem to have done so many other things in the past 2 months. I remember things like "Jesus will always stretch out his hands and catch you when you fall. Jesus saves." but it seems so long ago. Do these words burn in my heart now as they did 2 months ago? No.. oh dear. I have nothing for tomorrow. Die lah... Sinking....

1115pm Email recieved from Philippines. It's from May our mission coordinator there.. blah blah blah.. Pepito didnt go to school for 3 days.. what?? Can I smack him.. blah blah blah. birth certs to all Payatas kids.. What???!!!

1120.. Hi May ... Pepito what???? ... oh ok.. let him adjust to the new school routine... what?! his 2 rats are now seVVVen!?!?.. can we get someone to take them away when he's not around?? heeheeheehee... Just joking... Birth Cert Registration Office WHATTTT??? pinch me! is this a dream?? They're coming to Payatas! Every kid in Payatas from zero years and up will get a free Birth Cert (real authentic one approved by Government!) on 25th June and 26th June.. all they need to do is come over to Paaralang Pantao for the processing by the officers! Wow! this is a dream come true! This is my best birthday present ever!!!!

Who is Jesus to me??? Yeah he let my world go a little topsy turvy when my laptop crashed... but he always comes through for me. I can spend my whole life trying to explain him, comprehend him, figuring him out but it would be beyond my lifetime and my ability to fully grasp him with my mind. You want to experience Jesus? You want to know Jesus? Don't waste your time proving him. Just open your heart and invite him. Welcome him into your life. Embrace him, Try him. Open your heart to him.

This Sunday's Gospel reading ends with, "Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him!"

Who can this be? Who can move the Birth Cert Office to come to Payatas? It's like a whole mountain has been moved.

I know there are so many people out there who are reading our blog, our stories, our mission. You might ask how is it possible? How are we able to move everyday? How are we able to raise the funds to support the mission? Who's really behind us? What makes us keep going? What makes our mission grow? If you're looking for logical explanation, secret formulas, names of big sponsors. The truth is, we don't have any of that. Our answer is Jesus.

I feel a little anxious.. Tomorrow what am I going to talk about? But I think in just one hour, Jesus has given me enough of things to talk about. :)

Because We Love You

Dear Joannie, Nic (Nicasio formerly) and JP (Pepito formerly) you're all growing up so fast! Joannie you're growing into a confident young lady. You're already like a little Ate May, watching out for the little ones around you. Nic you're becoming a thoughtful young man. :) and JP still cheeky but you're learning to share.

Joannie don't be afraid to share the great love you have for Jesus with others! Life's going to be different from here on. High school can be challenging, especially with the "fraternities" and peer pressure. When things get tough, always remember your dreams! You've come this far! You've already achieved what you once thought was impossible! Keep on working towards your dreams. We'll always be here to give you the support you need :)

Nic I know life's been hard for you. You've lost the people you love most and I know you still miss them. It's also not been so easy to adjust to this new life and to the new school. No more Paaralang Pantao. But you know what? You inspire me! Because with every obstacle you meet, you've put your trust in Jesus and you prayed "Jesus don't abandon me". And He's not abandoned you. He never will and we won't either. Thank you for giving Singapura a place to call home too :)

JP I can recognise your laugh anywhere anytime. You know why? Cos you're special. There's only one JP and no one can ever replace you. I know you've missed out on so many things before and I know you want so many things now. Sometimes you get upset because Ate May or I say "no". We say "no" because we love you. Maybe you don't understand why we don't give you everything you want, but someday you will. We love you and that's why we helped you get rid of the 1000 ants in your drawer and washed your clothes for you :) and hug you when you're sad. and send you to school and sometimes we scold you only because we want the best for you. We are your family and this is a place you can always call home :)

You know what else? Kuya Alvin is so happy to be with all of you. I never see him smile so much! haha :) and NO he's not angry, he's just quiet! He never washed clothes before but he did it for JP! Wow! and the next time he comes back he'll even cook fried chicken for all of you! :)

Nic and JP, be good ok??? :)

I hope the 3 of you will stick together through thick and thin and keep on supporting each other and always be there for Jovelyn too. Jovelyn I was so touched when you responded when I talked to you! I know you're not ready yet. But I know someday when you're ready you'll talk and step out to see the world. I want to take you to Ate May's place in Bataan where the sea is so beautiful. Where you can see fishing boats and walk on the beach. I hope we can all go with you one day :)

I'll see you very soon for ice-cream... :)

Introducing our Fire House (Payatas)

Dear friends,
acts29 is happy to introduce to your our communinty home, Fire House. We rented a small unit, just 20sqm, in Payatas this March and welcomed our 1st few residents.

We were at 1st stunned at the choice of name. We had asked our little residents to come up with a name, expecting more traditional choices. However the name Fire House was chosen by these somewhat prophetic and contemplative residents.

On deeper reflection the name aptly reminds us of the presence of God in all our lives. The symbol of fire throughout the Old and New Testatment represents the presence of God's glory. In the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit when what seemed like tongues of fire descended upon them. 6 years ago at the beginning of our mission, we recognised the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Our Fire House members have also recognised the same Holy Spirit working in their lives.

None of us expected that when we first said "Yes" to Jesus (to let the little ones come to Him or when we 1st commited to the food project), we would one day be saying "Yes" to our Fire House.

Our House is first and foremost a sanctuary, a place of refuge. It is a shelter for tired and weary little feet, for coarse rough little hands, for broken hearts and broken dreams looking for healing and a new life, a new beginning. 4 pairs or feet, 4 pairs of hands, 4 broken hearts walked through the door of this House in March and began a new life, a life filled with hope.

We've only just begun. With your support and prayers, we'll continue to provide shelter, food and family structure through our community house to homeless and at-risk children and teens.

It is with our sincerest and deepest gratitude to each and everyone of our extended community, all those who have been supporting us... that we wish to say THANK YOU - for your prayer, for your word of affirmation, for buying our t-shirts or bakwa, your donation, your pledge to our food project and to the education sponsorship, your time to read this blog or our website and for sharing our mission with others. Thank you for saying "Yes" to this call to serve. However little you may think you have contributed to our mission, it has gone a long way to make Jesus known and loved through the 100 kids we serve every day at 1pm (lunch), through the kids recently baptised and to be baptised this year, through the TB kids who are on the road to recovery, through the kids who are saying NO to drugs, through the kids who now have birth certificates and are getting ready for formal school this June, and through the 4 lives who now have a home, a hope and a future.

Thanks be to God!

Ps/ Photos of our Fire House will be uploaded next week when we're back from Payatas