Philippines 2010

When is the trip?
July 1-12, 2010

What is this all about anyway?
Good question. Well, you see, there’s this organization called Threads of Hope. Visit their website for more information, but basically this ministry provides an alternative to willing families in the Puerto Galera area on the island of Mindoro who might otherwise end up selling their children into prostitution to support their families. Threads of Hope was started to offer the opportunity to make bracelets instead, which are then sold (mostly in the US by groups wanting to fundraise by selling the bracelets…again, see the website for more on this) and the proceeds go to the families and the community. They’ve been able to build a church and hire a pastor based on the revenue from these little $2 and $3 bracelets and necklaces. (By the way, if you’re interested in a bracelet, please contact me via email–I’d love to send you one and I’ll even do my best to find your favorite colors!)

Why are you going?
I went on a few mission trips as a teenager, most memorably to San Francisco the summer before my senior year of high school where I realized the need to be involved with and concerned about my own community. Since then, my mission philosophy has been to bloom where I’m planted, to serve my family and neighbors and community instead of focusing on faraway people and places I don’t know.
Imagine my surprise when I realized I really wanted to go on this trip to the Philippines, and had peace in considering the idea. I joined the team. Maybe it’s the ministry we’ll be working with or maybe it’s that my heart is a little more globally-oriented than it used to be…either way, I’m obeying and God willing will be serving in Manila on the island of Mindoro this July!

Who are you going with?
A team of leaders, other adults, a couple fellow college grads, and several high school students from my church. We’ve got a range of personalities and skills and ages, and I’m psyched to see how our team dynamic plays out. It’s going to be amazing.

What will you be doing there?
Right now the plan is to coordinate a Vacation Bible School-type program for the local kids, including possibly a sports camp or other focused activities. There will be some street evangelism as well. We’ll also get the chance to meet and get to know the members of the church in Puerto Galera, and I’m not-so-secretly hoping for some time to enjoy some impromptu beach worship jam sessions with the team.

What can I do to help?
Ask me about the trip! Before and after, ask me anything you like!
But really…pray. Pray about things like health and safe travel and trip preparations.
If you’re so inclined, you can help us out financially also. Each team member has to raise about $2600 to cover airfare and other trip expenses. None of it goes to me personally, and if I happen to exceed my $2600, any overflow will get redirected to other team members. Literally any amount will help, no matter how small…but there’s one catch. I’m not setting up a PayPal or anything like that, because I want all of the donations to go directly to the mission agency we’re coordinating with, plus it’s how we make sure they’re all tax-deductible. So…if you want to help out, send a check or money order to JARON (the mission agency). The address can be found at their website, and if you put my name and “Philippines” on the memo line, they’ll know whose funds to direct it to. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

What will you be eating when you are there?
Um, probably a lot of delicious things and mostly a lot of things I’ve never tried before. I’d offer to bring some back, but something tells me I won’t make it through customs with yummy Filipino food in my pockets.

Any other questions? Send ‘em on over to katie(at)katiebeth(dot)me and I’ll be sure to add to the list!