Easter Sunday Manilla
Easter Sunday with the children,[gallery
The day started early, breakfast at 6.30-7am at Kids International Ministries Philippines ….The question was: Swim or not swim before setting off? …We were going to a very big church in central Manila…It was going to be an hour to drive and we set off at 8.30. The drive, was a little like the rush hour in London only a lot crazier :-)
We did have an interesting conversation between the children in the back of the mini van. The merits of Shakespeare and his life as well a the books of David Walliams! Shouts and roars when we passed a KFC! and Pizza Hut!,  children are priceless! It was interesting to listen to them………… Was that song from Phantom of the Opera? It is still bugging me after 2 days !   Krispy Kreme !  was the shout from the rear, and later on it really was Krispy Kreme Donuts!!
The church was huge, Victory Church at Fort Bonaficio, a modern building next to a very modern High School. Â
 The difference between where we are at the Orphanage Township and there was HUGE! But is like many areas in poorer countries, well actually, poor areas in wealthy countries (The construction downtown was visible and the buildings were High Rise) It is hard to understand how there can be such a vast difference, like townships I have seen in South Africa.
There was very much a Gospel feel to the first part of the service and the sermon was very modern and up beat, but keeping to the traditions of Easter and its significance.  Pastor Joseph Bonifacio took the service………this link to his blog page.
He is a very successful Pastor. There is a difference between the traditional church services and what I experience today…… I really enjoyed this “Gospel” version. Some people think the Church should remain very traditional, I think there is room for both.
Having spent a couple of hours at one of the less modern malls, Market Market,  we all headed back. The afternoon was going to be spent on some land at a cemetery with all the children. (This land was donated by the Pilipino government)   Everyone got involved and I was invited to lead a session of Simon Says…. great fun. Also played volleyball and football, many of the local children also joined in. It was a real “Family affair” Everyone staying hydrated in temps of 40 degrees and high humidity. Playing games of Tag, Simon Says, Red Light/Green Light, to name but a few,  with everyone joining in. The Football Coach for the boys was well regarded in Manila and gave a lot of time. I bought out an England Training shirt and have donated it, genuine surprise and smiles all round, like all the donations, they are received with such gratitude, The match was fun for the boys, the Volleyball was a more serious affair, after we repaired the net, just a few pesos and anything can be achieved. (The internet is very very slow here so uploading photos takes an age, but will post more from the week at the end of the week
Back to the Ministry for tea of Pasta and Salad, plenty of hot tea and coffee, but most just taking on more iced water. Activities in the evening was Devotion for the Ladies/Girls and a dvd film with the orphans for the Boys/Men. at 8pm I had massage booked with the Filipino ladies on site. I was asleep after only 5 minutes and was awoken an hour later, feeling very refreshed……. she was very very good and I felt good, very little money well spent.
So, finishing off the blog for today it is now 00:50 and a full day tomorrow on Rotation, which is working at whatever we are allocated. you and I will find out in the morning…. 07.00 for breakfast……….. Now was that song from Phantom or not?
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