Agape Art

A night on the town with the coolest girls ever!

Our days here are drawing to a close, but we are making the most of each moment!  Saturday morning began with a trip into town with Ate Leanna to buy a few supplies for a last minute art project idea.  We bought some yarn and a crochet needle for each girl.  Mary was plagued with a headache that lasted the day, but she still managed to give a detailed crocheting lesson, teaching us all how to begin the stitches in hopes that they will become bags for us to share and sell back home.  It was rather difficult, but the girls seemed into it and willing to learn through the frustration.  Although slow, the stitches began to take form.  Our team, however, didn't seem to catch on quite like the girls, so we had a support team too ;)

After a very brief rest, we jumped in the vehicle for a night out on the town with all the Agape girls and Ate Becky.  We were excited to be able to treat them all to dinner at one of our local favorites, Chicken Joe's.  It's this great little place where you can get a delicious piece of Filipino barbequed chicken on a stick, served with a scoop full of rice and a yummy soy and vinegar dipping sauce.  And the best part. . . it is customary to eat with your hands!  They have little sinks for hand washing and then we were all at liberty to dirty up our little hands.  After eating, Alisa and Megan had fun taking silly pictures with the girls at the restaurant, while Ate Becky shared the story of the Rainbow fire of '97 with Mary and I.  It's so wonderful to have a moment to share the stories of hardship as well as how the Lord has worked wonders through it all. 

Moving along, we all took a walk down the boulevard in search of a Pinoy (Filipino) delicacy, Belut.  Belut is a fertilized egg, boiled in a distinctive broth and served according to its age.  Some of the girls were up for the adventure of trying it for the first or second time.  Our team kept a distance from the gross looking delicacy known more to us from Fear Factor.  They order a few Pinoy ones which are just fertilized, more like a boiled egg.  And then three of the girls tried a 16-day one.  DISGUSTING!!  You could see the little chick all formed!  We enjoyed watching the girls try them with lots of vinegar and took some pictures too.  Perhaps it's a right of passage here in the Philippines.

The girls have been particularly affectionate the last few days since another short term team left.  It's so hard for these girls to have so many visitors that can stay for just a short time.  They see a lot of coming and going and while it brings so much joy, it invites a little sorrow and longing too.  I feel blessed by the fact that we can commit to returning with an Agape Art team each year.  It's wonderful to be able to give them that consistency. 

Becky

A bit different, but good.

I didn't get much sleep last night for a few reasons. After the break-in the other night, a new member was added to the Rainbow family...a foot tall yipping miniature doberman pincher named Pinchy. Yep, she's pleasant but let everyone in the surrounding area know she was manning station all night. I'm glad she's here though.

We got our ducks in a row over breakfast this morning and decided to begin our art day with a self portrait project. It was a struggle for many of the girls but we love the finished products. After that we sent them on a mission to draw things around Rainbow (a lot lower on the difficulty scale) for potential Agape Art t-shirt designs. All in all, it was a great day of art the ended at lunch where we had food catered in for the Rainbow Village Ladies Day. There was a little "women's retreat" going on all day that the girls, as well as ourselves, were able to be part of the second half. Once all that was over, we rested up a bit and then joined the girls on their ride to youth. We dropped them off and found ourselves sitting in the fabulous Cafe' Antonio listening to an amazing band from Costa Mesa, California sing songs to our Jesus. Then it was back to pick up the girls from youth and back to Rainbow to turn in.

I love it here more than I ever have. The girls are growing up and things are a bit different, but good.

Okay, two for one today, but I feel like I should write. . .

First, thanks to all of you for keeping up with us while we are away.  It means so much to read your comments and know that you are thinking of us and praying for us while we are on this journey so far away.  Second, please keep our team and all of us at Rainbow Village in your prayers.  Disturbingly, we had a break-in at Rainbow last night.  Ate Becky (no, not the past tense of "to eat", but "ah-teh" meaning "older sister"), whom we have mentioned before, is in charge here at Rainbow.  She and her sister are missionaries here.  Their parents founded the orphanage years ago, when they were teenagers.  Anyway, their cottage had a break- in last night, in which someone came through the window and stole her laptop, cell phone, and purse.  

It's the third break-in since February, but the first since the nightly watchmen have been on duty.  We have two young men from the Bible college who sit outside and keep watch each night, but in the midst of the rain last night they didn't hear the intruder.  And of course, they are very frustrated and disappointed with the rest of us.  

Please pray for continued safety here in this place.  Pray that the Lord will continue to keep protection over the wonderful people that live here.  May He find a place in the heart of the one who watches for an opportunity, who come to steal and destroy when our guards are down, when we are feeling too safe.  

We've had a very pleasant day "off" visiting Apo Island today, while the girls were tied up with another visiting team.  We are excited to get back into our projects tomorrow, and see what these girls can really do. The girls seem to becoming a little more attached and excited to spend time with us each day.  Naturally it takes a few days to warm up and each find our niche, but just as we are at this point in the trip, it will soon be time to go.  

Goodnight!

Becky

APO ISLAND DAY!! 
Today we went to Apo Island! We were so blessed with great weather! We went snorkeling, which was really great! After Apo we had lunch at the resort. We met Danny Devito there...not really. The guy running the resort is a funny guy. He said his name was Danny Devito as a joke. His real name is Gary I think. After lunch we came back to Rainbow, showered, and then went to town.  In town, we bought some things to remember Dumaguete. Then we came back to Rainbow. Alisa and I watched Sister Act 2 with the girls! Now, we're going to bed!!!:) I'm exhausted:)
~Megan

Hello,

I woke up to  a beautiful day, fully rested and ready to start the day.  The project for the day was portraits.  Becky gave gave step by step directions. Each girl sketched the person sitting across from them. At first, I could see a little hesitation, then Becky showed some of her "beginner" artwork and I believe the girls felt a little more at ease.(sorry Becky I think they look good myself)  They listened, followed directions and worked hard on their picture.  They turned out really good, I think they were pleased with them.
We took a lunch break and told the girls we would see them after lunch for swimming.  We went to a local beach in Dauin town.  It was so beautiful, white boats against a blue sky with puffy white clouds.  Gorgeous!
We all had a great time and took lots of pictures.

This evening we went to town to get a few items for our trip tomorrow.  I needed to exchange some money, hoping the place would still be open when we got there.  Becky K. pulls up to a corner and makes an exchange right there!  It was really weird, because that is how a drug deal is done most places.  But,this was harmless just exchanging money...

I am off to bed an early day tomorrow.
Mary

Spiders are here to make life more interesting...at least on this trip.

It was a beautiful day here at Rainbow Village. Beading/jewelry was the big project of the day. The girls, of course, dove right in and did a great job. We started out with bracelets and earrings and then moved on to the necklaces. Mary did a great job of teaching the girls the ropes of jewelry making. Once the excitement of the beads wore off, some of the girls started making hemp necklaces, bracelets and anklets...which I personally love. During our several hour lunch/nap break I found myself rolling around in the nursery on the matts with one of my triplets while he laughed and jumped around. It was a beautiful thing. It amazes me how these babies/toddlers love to be loved on. They latch on whenever given the chance. If you're like me, your heart melts a little each time. I wish I could pack them all up and take them home with me. After all the art festivities were packed up, the four of us headed to town with Becky K. for dinner and a little shopping. Needless to say it ended up being a night of great cafe's and diners, artwork and lots of silliness! We had a lot of fun! It was a beautiful day in Dumaguete thus ending with the soothing, beautiful sound of rain falling on the roof above me to quietly sing us to sleep. Good night world!

-Alisa

Wow! These girls can paint!

Today began as a typical day here at Rainbow.  We all rose between 6 and 6:30am to a bright and sunny tropical landscape of beauty.  Oops! I had forgotten to give Nana Ning in the kitchen our breakfast menu request the day before.  As I go to the kitchen to kindly request some breakfast, I am surprised, but not, by the meal Nana Ning had already prepared for us.  Part of being a guest in the Philippines is experiencing true Filipino hospitality.  Typical, wonderful Filipino breakfast awaited us. . .scrambled eggs with garlic rice, toast, and my favorite. . . .Fresh Philippines mangos!!  Wow, are they delicious!?

After breakfast and our team devotional, we met the girls at the payaag (it's like a covered patio).  Alisa began by teaching the girls the color wheel.  Each girl made their own color wheel reference in the sketch books we brought for them.  They have been busy with their sketch books.  It's encouraging to see them motivated and using their sketchbooks often on their own time.  Next we began our painting project with acrylic paints.  To simplify the painting as they are learning, Mary and I spent the first few days taking close up pictures of the exotic flowers and such in order to give them simple compositions to reference for their paintings.  It took a little time and guidance to get the girls feeling confident with their process, but WOW, these girls can paint!?  The paintings look just beautiful and we are so excited to bring some home to show everyone.  I already see ones I would love to buy:)

Please pray for energy for our team.  The heat really takes it out of you, and we often just want to rest (which is the custom for an afternoon in the Philippines).  Please continue to pray for us as we search for ways to bless the children, staff and missionaries that are here.  May the time the Lord has placed us here be used for His glory to the fullest!

As a team, we find ourselves in awe of worshiping throughout the day, on the other side of the world, with people of different cultures and backgrounds.  From singing to worship music in the payaag with the girls, to hearing loud worship music from the mountaintop church as we approach, God is being glorified!  What a beautiful glimpse of heaven!

Becky

    Wow, God is so great! I can't believe I'm in the Philippines with such great people right now! I'm so in awe of all the things God can do.  Before I left the states, I had a serious talk with God and He told me that everything I do must be for him.  That is so comforting to remember especially while in a foreign place. 
    So far, this trip has been wonderful. Today we went to church with everyone. It was perfect.  We got there a bit late so we missed some English singing, but I didn't mind at all.  Their language is so beautiful; I love it! 
All the girls are so sweet.  I was really nervous about meeting them before we got here since I'm actually the same age or younger than some of them, but they are all so kind and loving.  The  younger kids and the babies are wonderful as well! They are adorable!!
    Tonight we celebrated a birthday! It was a lot of fun:) We ate amaaaaaazing food. Alisa and I were wanting to take it all back to our room. It was so good. After eating, the girls sang and danced for everyone. It was really cute:) While everyone was chatting, a few of us sang together and one of the girls played guitar.  We listened to some songs she wrote, which are amazing! She is very talented. I wish I could write and play like her.  Soon everyone was together worshiping!  That has been one of my favorite things so far.  The fact that there is usually worship music playing.  It's so peaceful and relaxing.  I love that we could all come together and worship together as something fun to do! I loved it!
    Today was great. This whole experience has been great. I'm happy to be experiencing all of this with my best friend, God. Thank you, God for leading me to Rainbow Village.
    How great is our God.

~Megan

P.S. Sorry if there are typos or anything! It's pretty late;)

For being here only a few days, I have experienced a  very unique lifestyle.  I have traveled to the Market Place, to town, to the mountains, and just up and down the roads.  There are many things I could write about but the most important- is the heartbeat of Rainbow Village Orphanage.  I see it through the volunteers, hired workers, and the ones who has sacrificed themselves.  Who has laid down their lives to help others.  Which reminds me of the verse Mark 8: 34-38, Jesus says," whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me". ......
Every child here has a heartbreaking story, but I know that Jesus is the mender and repairer of all hearts.
So, as each child comes to  Rainbow they will hear about the Love of Christ.  It's not just an orphanage it is the opportunity to become a new creation in Christ, a new beginning.

Day 1: Photography & Drawing

Ayo!

It's just wonderful to be back in the Philippines at Rainbow Village with a new group of first-timers!  The travel was long and uncomfortable, but well worth it.  Mary and I had a great talk on the plane, each reflecting on the God Story that has led us each here.  What an amazing journey these past 4 years have been, especially the last year!  I'm reminded that this truly is a "healing" place for so many people, and I pray that it can be that for me too on this journey this year.  

Our team is wonderful, and everything has gone quite smoothly so far. We just got started with the Agape girls this morning doing photography and drawing.  There is a little bit of a challenge in that as the girls' lives change as they grow up, there are fewer around all at the same time to be involved in what we are doing.  We presented each girl with their very own sketch book, which thrilled them.  We also distributed film cameras for them to practice what they had learned about composition and portraiture.  They had fun taking photographs and we are excited to get them developed in time to see what they have come up with.

We also got to share our stories of how the media has been involved this year, such as the Fox 19 News, Hamilton Journal and You Tube, as well as the recently published article in Hyde Park Lifestyle maganize, which features a special Agape girl  and I on the cover!

It's been wonderful to be with the missionaries we met last year, Ate Becky's parents, who founded the orphanage, were here until this morning and it was good to talk with them about the big picture of missions.  They are in great need of full time missionaries right now, basically just the running around involved in raising 30 kids!  The nursery is crazy full with triplets, quadruplets, and about four others!  We were told that they just need some serious cuddle time, since there are way too many to be able to get all the holding time they need.  WoW!  What a job to be given. . ."umm, do you think you could just hold these babies and love on these kids some while you are here?"  Umm. . .I think I could manage that!

 We are all pretty humbled to be here and blessed by the fact that God has entrusted this to us!  May our eyes be open to all that He has for us and asks of us!

Much love, thanks you dearly for all your love and support!!!

Becky