First Days in the Philippines!!

REPORT FROM THE CHURCH TEAM IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Thirteen very excited members of One Community Church flew out of Tullamarine last Tuesday morning, heading off to the Philippines for a couple of weeks with Pastor Choi and Alma's church in Ligao.  (we flew in the world's largest airline - the A380 - to Singapore, then on to Manilla for an overnight stay)

The next day, a simple one hour flight in the morning to Ligao City ended up taking most of the day - seemingly chaotic organisation at the airport, delayed flights, masses of humanity all waiting around and poor weather meant we eventually flew out at 3pm!  On approaching the little regional airport of Legaspi, the weather closed in and as flights land visually and not by instruments, at the last moment - with the landing gear and flaps down, the landing was aborted.  We roared off into the clouds, did a circuit out over the ocean and came in to land in the opposite direction.  This made for an interesting situation - with a strong following wind - would never happen in Australia!  We came in fast - the fastest I've ever landed, hit the tarmac hard, bounced back up into the air, landed again and continued to roar down the tarmac at a great rate of knots.  The pilot hit the brakes fearsomely, the reverse thrusters at full tilt and after a seeming endless time we pulled up to a complete stop.  Spontaneous applause broke out from all in the cabin.  We had arrived safely!

We were greeted so very warmly by Pastor Choi and Alma.  Space does not permit great detail here, but suffice to say we are now having an excellent time with these godly people.  We've had a walk through the local market.  Plans are  being firmed up as to what will actually happen here over the coming 2 weeks - some team members are teaching local teachers; a couple are constructing dentures for local poor people; some are organizing a mobile pharmacy and medical station; some are visiting inmates in a local jail; some are setting up 6 computers donated by our church to Pastor Choi's school; some are organizing medical assistance for Project Joshua (which our mission fund is supporting) - for a boy badly burnt, fusing his skin together and prohibiting him extending his arm; 

Alma has already had us in her home for meals; we've visited their school.  Time is disappearing fast!  Stayed tuned for the next installment!  Please be praying for us that we might remain safe and do God's will for the people in Ligao!   For more up to date information and photos of our mission, go to: onemissionteam.blogspot.com

On behalf of the team

God Bless

Greg Warmbrunn