Shopping trip!

I’m sitting on the plane on the way to Cebu, looking through pictures from our shopping trip with the students yesterday.  Just to give a little bit of background, my brother, Andrew, has lived here in the Philippines for over a year and a half now – he is the director of a children’s center in the heart of Manila and the founder of the EIMI foundation (their website is here).  There are currently 22 students living at the center – they are enrolled in a two-year program during which they learn Biblical principles and character development along with their normal education and practical skills.  Each student had previously been in government facilities, and was placed in the center by the DSWD. 

The students are nearing the end of their first year in the program - it’s been wonderful getting to know them and see how God is working in their lives.  Many have become Christians and are allowing His grace to take root in their hearts as they work through issues of the past and gain vision for the future.

Before my dad and I came over, a number of family members and friends gave us cards and money for each student.  The money was for the purpose of allowing them to buy new clothes, shoes and other necessities.  So yesterday…we took a shopping trip to a local, market-style mall. :)  It was an all-day event by the time all 30 or so of us commuted there and back, and when we were done, everyone was quite exhausted.  But it was such a great time, and so wonderful to see their excitement as they shopped.

Each of the different personalities came out in a fun way throughout the day…some of them knew exactly what they needed and spent their money right away, happy with the first things they found (mostly the guys :) …poor guys, they had to wait around quite a while longer for the girls to finish up)…some of them very methodically and thoughtfully went down their list and paced out their purchases…and some of them agonized, compared prices, and walked through the whole mall before making a mad dash at the very end to buy what they wanted.

We were divided into small groups to make looking around and staying together easier…I had such a fun group of girls…we laughed, and debated, and exchanged advice.  If I wanted to buy something, the girls bartered the price down for me - they're quite the bargainers

...it's amazing how far they made their money stretch. :)

"Lolo Paul", Garrose, Ian, and Robert

Miriam, Lorena, Sharon, and Nesty

Anna Marie, Joyca, Angel, myself and Rachelle

Edna, Yori, Kezia, and Danicca

Cris, James, Andrew and Ryan

Excel, Jels-Ann, Maycie, and Heather

Mark, Arnold, Sam and Acbar

Garrose was so happy with his new shoes...he's usually pretty happy in general, though 

- always has a big smile on his face. :)

As the tired teams slowly trickled back to the designated meeting spot, everyone was showing off their purchases, and admiring each other's finds.

My team found Starbucks t-shirts for 100 pesos each (a little less than $2.50) and wanted to match...

When we were done shopping, we took the whole group out for dinner.  It happened to be Ryan's birthday that day, and Emmanuel, one of the Filipino staff social workers, picked up a cake for him.

The beauty of the body of Christ was very evident to me that day.  These students were so blessed by people they've never even met...grateful for the money sent, and the friendship and prayers extended to them through the notes.  Every once in a while, during times like this, it hits me, and I stand humbly in awe of the relationships and opportunities God has given me.   

And I am grateful, too.