| I apologize for not being able to blog in the last 3 days, you can blame it on jet-lag, a busy schedule, and just the iphone typing fatigue. Now that I got a chance to type in a laptop, I think I'll try my best to catch you guys up to what has been happening here. Members of the Group in Nokuphila from the Philippines 1. Porferio "Dodong" Lagunday Jr. 2. Seth Esmeralda 3. Mark Cajegas 4. Arne Murillo 5. Florina "Florrie" Murillo 6. Ruth Rivera 7. Dominica "Minnie" Agno 8. Regina "Bongga" Agno 9. Aimee Grace Tapeceria note: Pastor Dodong is the Youth Director - North Central Mindanao Conference and Pastor Seth is Youth Director of the Central Visayan Conference Day 2 (part 4) - after the airport We arrived in Nokuphila and got introduced to the kids before eating our lunch and going to the homes that adopted us for the week. The video below was taken when we first arrived at Nokuphila... and the kids welcomed us. I'm roommates with Ate Regina Agno aka Bongga in the same house, and our house mother Auntie Gift (Gift really was her name) was nice enough to drive us to the nearby "Checkers" (the South African version of SM Supermarket, I think) to find an adaptor (from the 3 pronged SA to the 2 flats of the American/Phil plug) so that I could charge my now low-bat phone. We also got to meet Bontshi, Auntie Gift's daughter, who comes home late at night. Day 3 (Tues) - Orientation, play-time (with some shopping), and survey We were fetched from our different homes and brought to Nokuphila to have breakfast. While eating we talked about how we could help the center. As we made some plans, we were able to talk to some of the Nokuphila's volunteers and staff about the objectives of the place. After that we went out, and played with the kids, and maaaan, were they energetic. They had songs, chants, games, and stuff that made me want to just observe and record to take home with me to AIIAS. After playing, we were brought to Carnival Mall so that our other groupmates could also buy adaptors for themselves... and where I was able to find Nando's Extra Extra Hot Sause. :D That afternoon, we went to the township (in the phil, its considered relocation sites for the poor), and together with the youth of the local church, we were able to talk to some of the poorer citizens of South Africa. A very insightful afternoon and one that served as an eye-opener not just for me, but for some of the young people there who realized that there is a mission field right in their backyard. Day 4 (Wed) - Games, Distribution of goods, and Sharing of Testimonies I assisted Ate Bongga as she tried teaching the kids here in Nokuphila some songs we sing in the Philippines (check video below - teaching "It's a good thing to serve the Lord). Later, we played some parlor games such as egg catching and towel volleyball. Hope Channel came that day, but since the 2 of us were busy, the other delegates were interviewed, and also the group of delegates from New York (who had just arrived). They also shot us going back to the township and giving some goods to the parents of the kids in Nokuphila. Later, we headed back to the center, and there we had a little sharing time with the local youth, and the group from New York. Needless to say, i learned alot about the delegates in my group and in the others, especially when it came to the work of the Seventh-day Adventist church in their areas. |  one of the trucks of Nokuphila...  our house  Ate Bongga, Bontshi, and me during the 1st night.  I'm taking this (and a couple more, by Manong Amiel's special request) home.  Me with my partner Kanyi.  interviews at the township  some kids at the township  kids trying to play "egg catching"  walking around the township  Charles Family |
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 Well, the airport was full of delegates for Impact... and will keep on coming for the next couple of dayz... I'm now standing here waiting for the vehicle that will take us to our community service... and its 10:30am SA time = 16:35 Phil time... and I guess... its cold... lolz... panindigan ko na ata tong short jeans na ito... haha My next post will most likely be about our community service... later pips! 
Its now am back home, and we've been flying for 6 hours... and its still pitch black outside. We officially left Manila more than 13 hours ago... and the sun was already down. This Singapore Airlines plane is not as advanced as the first one, and I wasn't able to find "the Quartet" in the movie list, but so far its been ok. Amazingly, I slept fitfully for the 1st 4 hours, then woke up at 6:00am (MNL time) as i usually do. Then watched the movie "Hansel and Grethel" while seating beside a sleeping Mrs Au Yabut. Didnt expect it to be literally filled with guts and gory (couldn't tell from the title... yeah yeah, its an pretty old movie, but I'm not updated that way). Pastor Jobbie said that when we get down in Johannesburg, we're going straight to community service, But the SSD delegates will be divided into 2 projects that are 150 km apart. They (most of the guys) will be in a house / church renovation project, while me (and others) will be teaching kids. The community service projects lasts for a week ... and then the nearly 4000 young people from 95 dif countries all around the world will congregate in St Georges to have the conference and seminar workshops on July 8- 14. I have to be there by July 5 as instructed by the GC pips, for rehearsals with the other recruits for the praise team that will be leading for each morning and evening worship session (pls Lord, protect my voice this week...). Today, I want to greet my dear dear friend Ingrid Oberholster on her 24th(?) Birthday. For my birthday gift to you, my first sentence when i officially step on to your country will be "Happy Birthday Ingrid" ... then I'll talk about the very mundane topic of "the weather" and give you my very honest opinion.. to be posted later when I get a steady connection (I'll bet it will crack u up). Anyway... they're serving us yet again with bread... I'll break this post here... -- 
------------ 9:46am (manila time) just watched Australia SunSmart Ironman Jimmy Johnson of Denmark is inspirational. Who just did an ironman a mere 2 weeks before... it was right after Impact Taiwan that I decided to start jogging to loose weight. Started with 140lbs...I went from walking 3 mi a night to jogging 5 mi... then i got jumper's knee... began my MA Education... spent 3 months in Thailand where I stayed in a condo with a gym where I ran 15 mins only (due to knee) on a treadmill, followed by swimming (started with 200m a day... and after 8 weeks, was swimming 1600m)... then came back home. By that time I had gone down to 112lb, and my weight loss goal had already been met. Everything I've done after that was just maintenance. But now comes the next Impact... i wonder what resolution will i have after 2 weeks? btw: been flying for 8 hours.... total traveling time now is 15 hours.... and still no sun. ------------ Finally the sun... ! |
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