ONLY FOR THOSE WITH A STRONG STOMACH!!!!! SERIOUSLY!

WARNING THIS VIDEO IS GRAPHIC IN NATURE. PLEASE VIEW AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.

It is a video recording of a Fighting Cock match that we came across while walking in the streets in Cuatro. The Birds have 4 inch blades attached to their feet, they then use another bird to agitate both fighting birds... bets are placed and then a fight to the death. It's only about a minute or so, but it's fairly disturbing. So view at your own discretion. Right after the match on our way back to the home-front, we passed the owner with the winning bird being stitched up in the streets in order to fight again.

Kids Against Hunger in the Philippines

Kids Against Hunger in Action!!!!!!

More Images of The Cainta Junction Feeding

Here we are inside and spilling over onto the street of the little hut that we do our feeding from in Cainta Junction. Again, you'll notice the joy also spilling over onto the streets. People were showering and bathing in the rain as well as playing, splashing and having n all together grand old time.

Back to Manila to Feed

A little rain made today's feeding at Cainta Junctiona bit more exciting. It poured and flooded the streets, which was reason to play. If you look at the huts in the background, you'll see everyone's house is also getting flooded. Not to worry though. The only people it seemed to bother were the American's. 

Later when the rain subsided, we enjoyed a little 3 on 3 basketball with the locals. We showed them who was taller, they showed us who was better. This time, I'm making the handsome face.

Hanging With the Kids In Malaybalay.

Even the adults are kids. Here we are playing and loving the kids before a feeding. Physical touch is such a powerful way to experience love. The kids want to play and hug and be held. If only we had more hands to hold children who get so little.

Mindanao

After an early morning flight and a little bit of hassle (keeps the trip interesting and us on our toes) at the airport, we made it into Mindanao. Then a 2 hour van ride took us up to Malaybalay (not pronounced like it's spelled) with a stop at a McDonald's that had some interesting menu items such as the McDo. I'll leave it up to your imagination as to what it was. You can see the beauty along the drive as we passed some beautiful waterfalls and lush landscapes.

While there, we got a chance to hang with and feed kids as well as build a bamboo worship center with attached living quarters for the pastor there. Check out Mike (aka Roach aptly named for the cock roach that ran across his face while receiving a "relaxing" Thai massage) with one of the kids. Very affectionate kids here. The seeming gang sign they are both flashing means handsome and you'll see most kids do that whenever there's a photo-op.

Room With A View

Here is a little video of the house that Preston, Debbie and I worked on. Again, you'll see Danny, the owner, and his wife. This should give you a little perspective on what the squatter houses look like on the inside. Other construction jobs included demo on a house of block, tin and hardy board, digging a footing through cement, pouring a cement floor and loving kids in an orphanage.

5k Fun Run. What?

We closed the day out with a community 5K fun run... minus the fun. It seemed like such a good idea at some point. Only one picture of this. Just know this, Luca Leone beat me. That's right, he's eight. Then off to bed to catch an early morning flight to Mindanao.

What Day is It?

Losing track of days as we are really "bustin' the hump" (cool slang for working very hard in case my mom is reading). Today, we turned a 12 by 12 block wall/corrugated metal roof "dwelling" where the son has to sleep outside because there's no room into a 12 by 12, 2 bedroom (a little privacy please) home. On Monday we'll go back and and finish putting  a wall around the toitlet (privacy PLEASE) and make a bathroom.

Here is Mike and Debbie on a leisurely stroll down "Main St.". And this is the house we worked on. The second to last picture is Danny... the proud owner of the house. And finally, thanks to all of you, the last picture is the reason kids had food today. Keep it up K2.

Evening of Day Two

These are called Jeepneys. They are old WW2 military troop transport vehicles that are now used as the public transportation. Decorated individually by the owner to taste. There's always room for one more apparently. There is usually a guy hanging out the back of the Jeepney (called a "Barker") helping the driver see what's going on. Traffic is not so super here. Carmine has adapted his driving very well to his new surroundings.This was on our way back to our launching pad from the bad part of town.

The Afternoon of Day 2.

Well, the excitement continued with the day as we headed into Teresa, Rizal province. This is also known as "Tent City". This is an area here in the Philippines where those individuals displaced by typhoon Ondoy have been relocated. They just "celebrated" (no kidding) the 1 year anniversary. The reason for celebration... "We survived"! In this video, you will see Madison and Debbie feeding the hungry. On a good note, we served our own Kids Against Hunger food packed right at K2. It had just arrived a few days before we did. On a sad note, because it had run out a week ago, many went without food for a week.

Here too, are some images of what it's like to live in this district. I still can't understand the joy that seems to permeate from those who have so little. You can see the dirt and lack of hygiene and the need of medical supplies.

Day 2...

What an amazing day! The jet lag is starting to break and we had a very busy day. We headed into the Cuatro community (which is one of  the the communities which K.I.M services and is located in).  We had a chance to see the farmers market right across the street from our digs. It is obviously a bit different from the farmers markets in SLC whole fish and slaughtered chickens Mmmmmmmm. Hopefully we'll get some pix posted soon.

We also visited the orphanage (New Faith Family Children's Home) which is right in the heart of Cuatro. This badly shot video (by yours truly) is of Cedric. He is a 3-month old preemy that is fighting for his life. Heart and other health issues are making life tough on him, but because of the fantastic love and care he's receiving at New Faith, things are looking better.

Here are some of the other kids as well. Princess and Joseph just arrived at New Faith within the last few weeks. They'd love a permanent home.

Team Phili is in the house!

Short and sweet... we've arrived. For all of you who are following this blog, we got here safe and sound with an uneventful flight (actually two flights but I digress). Got to spend a few minutes getting our bearings on with Jeff and Carmine and now we're off to some much needed zzzzzzzzz before a full day tomorrow. Please pray for us as we try to make the 14 hour world clock adjustments and keep checking back for updates on our week here in Manila.

Mostly Cloudy with 100% Chance of Humidity!

81°F | °C Current: Mostly Cloudy Wind: SE at 2 mph Humidity: 100% Mon 84°F | 77°F Tue 82°F | 77°F Wed 82°F | 77°F Thu 84°F | 78°F Looks like the weather is warm, wet and humid!!!!! I hope we'll be able to enjoy the massages... Pray that the weather won't prevent us from accomplishing anything God wants us to accomplish. Can't wait to see you all tomorrow.

Less Than A Week To Departure

Hello "Team Phili",

In less than a week we all board the Big Old Jet Airliner (clever reference to the old Steve Miller classic song for all you youngsters) and head out to the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Not to worry however, in case of emergency, your seat cushion becomes a flotation device.

Here's the place that you and your family and friends can stay in touch while you're separated by physical space and 14 hours.

Looking forward to seeing all that God will do in and through us together and individually as we follow Him to the Philippines!