Books!

Monday we delivered the teacher resource books and textbooks to the school. It looked like it might rain so we unloaded the books on the covered ampitheater area. Immediately the kids came running from the playground to see what we were doing. They helped unload the boxes full of books and proceeded to choose one and sit down to read! The sound of each child sitting quietly reading their own book aloud was amazing... just a hum.

Montana on a Mission || Day 4 - a day of rest

Sunday was a day I had really been looking forward to... sharing worship time with the people of Calunasan Sur. The morning fellowship was held at Singalan Balay at 9:30 as usual (9:00 Filipino Time) only with the addition of 12 "visitors" from Montana, Oregon and Florida, the Montana on a Mission team.

Little Beboy ran to meet me and did his usual palm-tree style climb up my legs and into my arms... looking at me with those luminous brown eyes. The service began with hymns, both in Vasayn and English, The Holy Spirit was without a doubt in the room. The feelings that washed over me were undeniable. It was so wonderful to share His presence with these people who are clearly so close to God.

Montana on a Mission || Day 3

Yikes! I am getting behind! So much is happening here, it's wonderful!

Saturday Singalan Balay hosted a free medical/ dental clinic available to the people of Calunasan Sur and the neighboring barrios. Scheduled to start at 9:00 am people started hiking up the driveway and lined up before the doctors, dentists and pharmacists arrived. 242 patients were seen and treated by 5:00 that evening. Eyeglasses that were donated by Dr. McBride's office in Billings, Montana were available and the people that came to the clinic took home what they could use. By late morning the rain started pouring down but it didn't deter a soul! Some people literally waited all day for their turn to be seen... probably their only chance at medical attention for quite awhile.

and don't forget to check out the new video by Jay Pravecek... on the right side of the blog.

Montana on a Mission || Day 2

Yesterday, our first full day here in the Philippines the team got to work on their designated tasks.
Josh - went to work painting the playground equipment at the elementary school.

Jay - videotaped some of the teachers and classes as well as working on the internet installation at the school.

Justin and Tom - began working on getting all of the donated computer equipment up to date and running.

Jeanne - began working with the ladies at the production center (CPC) on evaluation of current products as well as brainstorming and designing prototypes of new products.

Jane, Deb and Cheryl - went to work sorting and categorizing the donated library books and text books.

Roy - helped tear out the floor in Bebe's house and supervised digging holes for cornerposts.

Denny and Ellen worked on managing the logistics and educating us newbies.

Whew!

I have met some amazing people that I will never forget. I have never seen so many beautiful smiles and peaceful souls. Nearly everyone I photographed seemed completely comfortable in their own skin, which is a rare thing in the United States. The people of the barrio have a serene presence that really comes through in the photographs. It almost reaches out of the images.
Take a look....

Miss Agnes' new Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom

an enthusiastic student - "Wilson"

Opening coconuts for snacks.

Everyone removes their "slippers" before entering a room

Miss Enday's first grade class - 38 students!

Class Picture

Mr. Josh and his helpers paint the play tower

A game the girls play called "zero-zero" - a combination of cat's cradle and jumprope.

The library commitee (Deb, Cheryl and Jane) meets with Evelyn the school headmistress.

everyone plants produce in old paint cans

Putting up the internet tower at the school

rice!

A worker in the rice fields

A peaceful spirit is one of God's greatest gifts. May God bless you!

For more information visit the Montana on a Mission website

Montana on a Mission || Day One

Kumusta,

We are here! After two days (seems like weeks) of traveling we arrived at Tagbilaran airport yesterday morning and made our way to Sunrise House. Jay, Justin and I rode on top of the bus with our luggage. It made for an interesting ride and provided lots of entertainment for the natives! Upon arriving we had lunch and took a tour of the barrio.

Okay, so my brain is still wondering which time zone we are in so I am presenting these images in random order....



Kindergartners in Miss Agnes's new and imroved classroom.

A carabao

Bebe's house

waiting at Sea-Tac

arriving at Tagbilaran

Our bus

a rhinocerous beetle

Bebe at her house

Loboc

rice fields on the road to Loboc

school children

A new building at the school.

working on the school library in the new building

the computer center in the new school building

CPC (Calunasan Sur Production Center) handmade products

The CPC

Bebe in her house

The electrical system in Tagbilaran is unreal!

Jay and Justin on the bus.

On the way to Calunasan Sur from the airport

Hobble-Hobble

at the airport

That's all for now. Headed out today to take pictures at the school and conduct scholarship interviews.

God Bless.