Hi all
Very brief update as it's late and we have to leave here at 6am tomorrow - we have a few photos we will put on when we have more time.
Sunday - went to dump site for the first time. Thought we had been prepared by past experiences for the squalor - we weren't. I could try and describe the sight - walls and walls of rotting rubbish, small paths in between ankle deep (and it's the dry season) in black stinking slime (how I love my wellies, most of the kids are barefoot or in flip flops). On top, built into and beside the rubbish are the 'houses', nothing more than shells built of wood, cardboard, whatever people can scavenge (in one case cigarette packets), no water or toilet. But seeing what it's like (and we will do photos next time) cannot explain the smell - like nothing I have ever experienced.
However -
- the kids are amazing with permanent grins
- church was amazing, ankle deep in water in the old school (an old warehouse), hundreds of people worshipping to music we knew, and in English! Sermon only slightly longer than Johnny's!
- 3 dump site mums fed all of us - hundreds - with rice, noodles, spicy sausage and papaya using two camping stoves and served it all in enormous washing up bowls.
- we went to the new container school in the middle of all this (more when we do photos) on Monday - wow! Light, airy, the containers built round a courtyard and purpose built and kitted out (by donation) classrooms, kitchen (all almost 1000 PCF schoolchildren are fed breakfast and lunch every day). Seeing them in their (donated) uniforms - every child has two - well fed and happy is humbling
Of course 1000 kids is the tip of the iceberg, we have a waiting list, but whilst they are at school they and their families have the services of the nurses (inoculations etc) and social workers (great need for them, more on that another time). Next step is to do something about the housing that they still have to return to, but first we have to raise some more funds!
Wednesday
Today was our first Managers meeting where unfortunately we have had to talk about holding back on some of the items on their 'wish lists' for now, until we can recover financially from the results of the school building, but we all agree that it was part of God's plan it was built, a miracle that it has been and is fully operational.
Tomorrow off with the social workers to Novotas, this is a cemetery where the homeless families live in the tombs or in shelters overhanging the sea. Many of the shelters were washed away in the typhoon together with the families, so a lot of support needed for the survivors. We are told that this place is even worse than the rubbish tip but it is difficult to believe.
Prayer points -
- For protection in Novotas tomorrow. The people are very suspicious of strangers, so we will need to stick close to the social workers who have the families trust.
- That God will provide again to ensure that no front line services have to be cut when we discuss budgets.
- For us the first two Sundays of November - we have been asked to preach the sermon at the dump site church, Stan the first week, me the second. Pray that God will give us the words.
- For 'Manila throat' that we both have to clear up - both of us have squeaky Mickey Mouse voices. Respiratory problems are common here, the pollution is so bad.
- To resolve a concern with the nurses I am meeting with tomorrow - two of them have tested positive for TB - they need to continue to work but there are health implications for them and their colleagues - pray for a resolution please.
Sorry it's so long, will try harder next time. Love, prayers and many blessings to all of you
Sue and Stan xx
