Monday 13th April - day 2

We woke this morning reasonably refreshed from our travels yesterday. After breakfast we were given opportunity to take a walk around the district of Quatro which is the area which KIM ministers. We were able to see the New Faith Family Children's Home and walk through the living areas of the people to the Quatro Community Centre. Both these centre's show the valuable contribution of KIM to the local people. The Children's Home takes in orphans from the community that then affords these children an opportunity in life. The Community Centre is a three story building, built by volunteers that houses the school for both the orphanage and some 50 local children that have been given a great opportunity to receive an education and therefore have a chance in life. The top story of the building is a basketball court , used by the school but which is also thrown open to the local community to use. In a basketball crazy country as the Philippines this is a great opportunity to reach out to the community. The walk throught the district has opened the eyes of us to the plight of these people and the huge disparity between our living standards and those of these people. To give you a litle idea - we in Australia take for granted running, fresh water but these people have to rely on the kindness of KIM that supplied a tap at the Orphanage to give them clean water that they had to bucket to their homes. Some of the more fortunate people can afford to get water trucked in and have their water tanks filled.
Whilst most of the team was enjoying our walk in the morning, Julie Ware commenced her First Aid classes with the staff of the Orphanage. We are blessed to have Julie trained in this area and the staff enjoyed and learnt a great deal from the lessons. Initially there was some shyness as they were instructed in CPR on the manicans which Julie was able to get supplies by the St Johns kind donation.
Paul had also arranged for the team to get the opportunity to visit the prison for a couple of hours. The team approached this visit with a little apprehension as most have not had the opportunity in this type of ministry. We went into the prison with the idea of bring ministry in song with Keith playing his ukelele then having a time of sharing and giving the prisoners a number of old basketballs that were donated by the Lakeside Baptist Sports Centre. Arriving at the prison we were met by a lot of smiling faces of prisoners who appeared genuinly glad to see us. Paul, Chris and Rob were elected to play a game of 3 on 3 basketball with some of the prisoners. They had a great time of fellowship with the prisoners even though it was very hot and humid and without shade. Keith and the 2 Brian/Bryan went inside the steel walls and sang a couple of chorus and songs before Keith brought a message of hope and challenge to those prisoners who had gathered to listen. The men then had a tour of the 6 cells which made up the mens home. This was a great eye opener and a humbling experience to all. To see an average of 110 men crowded in very tiny cells with approx. 15 to 20 doubledecker beds that these men had to sleep on. The toilets consist of 2 buckets per cell. Even in these conditions the prisoners could still smile and make us feel welcome and talking with us. The inmates were very thankful for Pastor Keith to prayer for each cell we visited. The 2 ladies that came with our team, Margaret and Felicity were taken to the womens section and enjoyed agreat time of fellowship, song and just talking with the women. The conditions that the women endured were not as crowded as the men's section but none the less very hard. Could you all pray for these prisoners that Keiths challenge was heard and that Gods word will find a home in some of these people's heart.
All in all a fantastic insight into some of the lives of the Philippine people and the work that has to be done still to reach this needy people.
Bed early tonight for we are to leave KIM centre to continue our travels. Pray for safe travelling mercies as it will be a long day tomorrow.
Logging off for now - Yours in Christ Bryan