Reverse

Carolling with a difference, for a difference

We began Reverse Carolling with our volunteers on 5 December with a half-day orientation to prepare their hearts. There were Aldric, Jeanny and Sandra, from Sabah, and Amilia, Bridget, Jackie and Stephanie, from Singapore. Philip and his sons, James and Alex joined us later in Bohol. We then spent the afternoon packing the hampers with donated candy brought up from Singapore and prepped our volunteers for the children's Christmas party (they helped out with the games and action songs) we would hold in Magallanes the next day.

Magallanes, Cavite

Contents of a gift hamper

Visiting families ...

In Magallanes we split into two groups and distributed 50 hampers among the poorer families of this rural farming village.

...and throwing a Christmas party

The day ended with a party for children aged seven to twelve in an open space prepared by some of the fathers. The children wore their party best and enjoyed the activities which included folding a love letter from Jesus which they took home, along with a goody bag and candy.

Bagong Silang, Tagaytay

On 7 December, we distributed another 50 hampers in Bagong Silang, a slum area built on the side of the mountain. It was arduous climbing up and down the concrete steps which sometimes merged into dirt steps and narrow dirt paths, but we managed without any mishaps.

We flew to Bohol on 9 December and spent the afternoon at the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), together with three other volunteers from Singapore. We assembled 100 Christmas hampers containing Presents for the children spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, cheese, fruit cocktail, condensed milk, canned corned beef, powdered milk, Milo, sugar and candy. We also packed Christmas presents for around 200 children.

Bohol

The next morning we set out for Batuan with our friends from the BCCI. We went in three teams to cover the different barangays in this area. With the help of the barangay captains and the local social workers who identified their poorest families, we visited 50 families who lived among the padi fields and mountainous region (parts of which used to be home to rebels). The hampers given out also included mosquito nets for the families. These families lived in very remote areas. Their facial reactions showed that they were very surprised that anyone would visit them. They were very grateful and touched by the gifts. In each grueling trek to the remote houses, we were reminded of Gods love that leaves the ninety-nine to seek the single lost sheep, no matter how far it went. On 11 December, we visited Buenavista where the homes were not as farflung as Batuan but the earthquake had diverted their water source and there was no potable water. Here we gave out 48 CHARIS*-donated water filters alongside the hampers and mosquito nets. The gratitude and delight was palpable when they learned how to use the water filters. Its like magic! said one recipient. After lunch, we visited a school with over 200 children and threw a party where the children enjoyed the action songs, games and mime, The Gift, and a teaching about Jesus. Each child went back with a gift plus candy and balloons. A big thank you to Ms Reyna Deloso and her team at the BCCI for hosting and collaborating with us to reach out to these families in Bohol!
*Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore

Montalban, Rizal Province

We spent our final days of Reverse Carolling in Montalban on 13-14 December. Together with the Balikatan Ministry members (our adult prayer group and community in Montalban) we ventured into the dumpsite on the first day. It was physically and emotionally challenging for the group to combat the stench, heat and desolation of the landscape but we all worked to visit over 100 families that day. It was very sad to see so many families were living on top of the dumpsite. One lady was so conscious of the environment that she was afraid to shake our hands as she felt that she was dirty. However, when one of us hugged her, she could not hold back her tears as we reflected to her her true dignity as a beloved daughter of God! Another mother, who clearly loved her toddler, offered to sell him to our volunteer so that he could have a future outside the dumpsite.

Our last Christmas party was for over 120 children who lived on the dumpsite. They enjoyed the activities, snacks and the gifts they received.

In total, we gave away 316 hampers and reached out to over 400 children. Thank you to our volunteers who gave of themselves wholeheartedly with joy and smiles as they trekked from place to place. THANK YOU to our partners at Project Kyrie, and our benefactors who have supported us through your gifts and prayers. All this would not have been possible without you. God's bountiful blessings for your generosity and kindness!

Maligayang Pasko!

Reverse Carolling touches lives- not just the lives of the families who receive the prayers and gifts but also our hearts as we reach out to them. Our volunteers share their Reverse Carolling experience:
To serve, and not to be served, this was my biggest lesson during reverse caroling. Aldric from Malaysia. No one should live in a dumpsite. It's unconscionable. I realize how much more I need to do to make a difference. Jackie from Singapore
I see God's hand in bringing all of us together...and He has prepared my heart to welcome Jesus in a new way this Christmas.

Jeanny from Malaysia

It was an eye opening experience that brought me nearer to God through the poor. Stephanie from Singapore

I feel God's love for the poor in my interaction with the people I met. Bridget
from Singapore

Encounter Christ in the poor. Amilia from Singapore God's love was seen in all things: in the people I met, and the beauty of the padi fields in
Bohol. Sandra from Malaysia

Institute for World Evangelisation ICPE Mission

111 Lourdes Street, Barangay Maitim II Central, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120, Philippines Tel:+63-46-8524010 Email: philippines@icpe.org Website: www.icpe.org