First outreach

Wednesday was my first real outreach. This was step three of a six step process that Outland Adventures is doing now. To go through the step to fully understand is like this:

1. two staff will go to the school to prepare. Tell the kids what to bring this that and the other.
2. the school comes through the camp, and there they have fun, learn leadership skills, team skills, and the Gospel is shared at the end!
3. follow up with the students by staff.
4. follow up with students by staff and a local minister from a local church.
5. follow up with students by staff and minister again.
6. follow up with students by local minister only

This is a long process, but really trying to connect students that are wanting to learn, grow, or just ask questions to go to the local church and minister. This is a new process, and has just been starting out.

So this past Wednesday I went with a staff from Outland Adventure to two different schools that had 15 students from each school that went through the camp. And we were able to pass out material on how to read the Bible. Then in the other follow up we will actually be collecting the material to see if they are doing it, or to see who is interested and what they have learned and talk about it.

Though sometimes it seems long, hard, and lot of time to do. We are talking about a different culture here. Where as American has the git-r-done idea....well it's just a little or should I say a lot different here in the the Philippines. This is take your time, relationships first, take some more time, and then we will think about it. Not so interested in the actual task where as Americans it all about getting the task done!

Some new experiences on this first outreach:

First Jeepney experience - a jeepney is best explained as a US army jeep, put two benches in the back with enough room for 12 people, and paint it all kinds of different and crazy colors. Then stuff 20 passengers on those benches one including a big white American like me, add four in front, hang a few more off the roof and drive down the road like maniacs. That's you my first jeepney ride. Oh did I forget to mention wearing jeans (to be polite for the schools) in 93 degree hot and humid weather! A picture of a jeepney is above.

Walking down the streets to get to the school while everyone is staring at you which is becoming the normal already, but this was new. Having people, kids especially yelling at me "hi Joe"

Getting to spend a little more time with Tata and the culture it was a lot of fun, and a learning and growing experience! Praise the Lord Also, to know that being an American and going along on these trips helps them get a little more since they have an American. They get a little more into the school, the kids want to talk to us more, and it's just being used by the Lord..even if it just because I am big, and white skinned!