Debrief Info for families

The following pages are provided to resource you in receiving your students back home. Some of the information is directed to the family members and other parts of this information is directed to the students. We suggest that you print out these pages and re-read them several times to help you feel better equipped to help your student process the experience they have just had. We would also like to suggest that this printed material be handed to significant others so that many of your family are all working together to make the students growth and transition as smooth and possible. We have started the debriefing process aimed at helping prepare our students for some of the emotions and reactions that they most probably will experience in the coming days and weeks. It is a longer journey than we can hope to finish whilst away so we want to help you feel equiped to take up the supporting role that is needed at this time. It is our hope and prayer that you all enjoy the new person that is rejoining your home

Our hope in running this Philippines trip is to further equip these young people to became ‘extra-ordinary’ adults, and to grow a healthy ‘others’ mindedness. We also would like to assist families to pull together to share one another’s lives as we see this as vital in teaching all the children that move through Southern Hills Christian College.

If at any time you feel like you need some assistance with your students re-entry please make contact with the college to arrange a chat or meeting with Pastor Pete.

Re-Entry Stress 
Definition:
                   Re-entry stress is like culture shock in many ways - only in reverse. While culture shock is associated with a sense of disorientation brought on by a new and unfamiliar environment, re-entry stress is precipitated by returning to a setting you presume to be familiar, but which in reality is no longer the same because you have changed.

It is the unexpected nature and subtlety of such change that will cause stress for your student. Your once familiar and comfortable environment no longer appears the same. Something definitely has changed. But you don't easily recognise just what has been altered.

Suddenly you find yourself out of phase with your own culture. Your reaction may come in the form of bewilderment, dismay, disillusionment and perhaps even irritation or anger. Somehow, "things are just not the way they used to be.", "nobody seems to care.", "nobody really understands.".

There are several contributing factors to re-entry stress. One is that you are being caught by surprise - you do not anticipate change and consequently are unprepared to cope. Another factor is value conflict. Your values, once taken for granted and even highly cherished, now seem of lesser significance or of little importance at all. Your way of thinking, your manner and your responses to many situations have been changing. Often these changes are not apparent until you are back in your own culture.

Common symptoms and effects of re-entry stress

1. Disorientation - feeling out of place, not fitting in

2. Feelings of loneliness, isolation, or being lost in the crowd

3. Restlessness - a desire to "get away" from those who don't seem to understand or care

4. Feeling that nobody understands your experience or that nobody cares

5. Feeling tired, listless

6. Critical attitude toward home country - its waste, extravagance, wrong way of doing things, etc.

7. Loss of identity - just "another cog in a big wheel"

8. Inability to communicate new ideas, concepts freely

9. Feeling of superiority - standing aloof from others because of your overseas experience

10. Feeling of dissatisfaction

11. Defensive in responses

12. Retreat, withdrawal, lack of concern

13. Unnatural, uncomfortable responses to "ordinary" situations

14. Confusion over conflicting attitudes and responses

15. Rejection of overseas experiences or a desire to forget and not talk about them

Basic Debriefing Tips for Family and Friends 

1. Listen, listen, and listen some more.
            Student  will have many emotionally laden stories to tell. The most loving response family and friends can have is to sit regularly, without time constraints, and listen until all the stories have been told (and re-told). One great way to spend time unpacking the trip for your student is to spend time with them over this blog and/or their Personal Journal. Move through day at a time, the stories will flow and will really help your student to feel heard and understood.


2. Expect the student to be a different person.
             Global experiences change a person. Encounters with poverty, a new culture, inability to communicate in an unknown language, and being an ethnic minority possibly for the first time will alter the way your student views and interacts with the world, including you and your family. Seek to discover the changes in your student and help him/her to make adjustments to living in Australia. Also allow the changes in your student to bring changes in your family, if your student has grown, then your family will have to grow to make it meaningful. Also your student may be experiencing grief at saying goodbye to people with whom they have connected.

3. Help the student find places to share his/her story.
               Encourage returning students to speak at gatherings and help them to make contact with churches, youth groups and any other groups that would be interested in hearing about their experience. If a student does not like to speak in public, encourage him/her to invite family and friends over for small gatherings where stories and pictures from the trip can be shared.

4. Help students in their church and youth groups for service by encouraging them to:
a. Learn more about the nation they have just visited as well as any other nation they have on their heart

b. Commit to giving financially a regular portion of what they earn (a regular and defined portion assist people to fit their personal changes into regular life without it being forgotten or producing a fanatic)

c. Consider planning the next year so that a similar trip can be taken soon

d. Study the Bible for, and lead Bible studies about, God’s heart for the nations

e. Mobilise fellow students and friends to consider giving time and money to international mission service.




Between Two Worlds: Returning Home 
            Dr. Miriam Adeney, a Christian anthropologist, tells her students that they "will never be able to go ‘home’ again. They will probably always leave part of themselves behind, and thereafter will be split. And home may be in more than one place. But that is the price they pay for the richness of having experienced more than one culture deeply."

Some suggestions for Christian Families:

1. Help your student to find other returnees (short-term volunteers, missionaries) with whom you can share and have fellowship.

2. Give your student time to readjust. Be patient.

3. Recognise and accept which transition stage your student is going through, and remember that "reverse culture shock" or "re-entry shock" is a normal part of the process of returning home.

4. Encourage your student to have a good sense of humor. Be aware, though, that your student could feel that you are laughing at him/her and the mission experience if you make too light of their experience or feelings.

5. Use this time of re-entry as a growing process for your family to learn about your student, the people group/culture in which your student served, and how you can continue to minister to the people group from home. Re-entry provides an opportunity for you and your family to become bi-cultural or multi-cultural people.

6. Express to your student what God has done in your life and your family's life during your student's time in another country. Possibly the changes God prompted were the result of your student serving internationally.

7. Help your student find opportunities to share the story of his/her international mission service. Examples of this can be a church service, Sunday School classes, or other groups.

8. Help your student learn to tell his or her story well. There are many tips to help people effectively tell their stories, please spend some time researching these.

9. Review the most significant changes that have occurred while your student was gone on mission. Talk through the events and changes, show pictures and videos of events, if possible, and discuss the implications of those events and changes on your student's future.

10. Talk with your student about his/her great expectations in returning home. How relevant and realistic are they? What are steps your student can take, and your family can take, to meet the realistic expectations?

11. Keep a clear perspective and remember that God is with you!

Conflicting Values 

Preoccupation with materialism
              Back in Australia, the desire for material comforts and possessions is a dominant theme. Are you prepared to face this fact if you are returning from a culture where people are content with little or have only the basic necessities of life? Has your sensitivity to basic human needs been heightened by your experiences abroad? What response might you have to affluence, waste or overindulgence?

Suggestions:

1. Do not be quick to condemn; realize that others have not had the same exposure to another way of life. Their preoccupation with "their world" as they know it is only natural.

2. Be prepared for a sensory bombardment if you are accustomed to simplicity in choice and lifestyle. An overabundance of goods, choices, etc. can overwhelm you at first.

3. Expect others to not fully understand how you feel when their "materialistic ways" strike you as sinful.

Doing things the "best" way
         This is often referred to as ethnocentrism. It's only natural that every culture values its ways. Is bigger, better, faster and more accurate really best? Do other cultures have something to offer us? Expect to receive blank stares or an air of disapproval from your compatriots if you question traditional ways.

Suggestions:

1. Be on the alert for a "holier-than-thou" attitude. Do not be too quick to judge others for their ethnocentric stance or to think that your way is the best way.

2. Share your perspectives, but at the same time avoid becoming involved in arguments . Do not allow yourself to withdraw or refuse to discuss matters because of opposition.

Personal worth and recognition
Possibly one of the most difficult areas to address is personal fulfilment. Your questions may include: Was my service valuable? Will anyone recognize my contribution or my sacrifice? Will I be just another fish in a big pond? What will the situation be like upon my return? Quite likely you are returning from a position where you were the focus of attention, where you felt needed, accepted and loved.

Suggestions:

1. Do not expect to be in the limelight for long after your return. Some may ask to see your pictures, have you speak, etc., but soon you will be back to your "ordinary citizen" status.

2. Realize that your worth and recognition comes first from God. View your service as service to Him, not something with which to gain recognition and praise from others.

3. Do not allow yourself to feel hurt or sorry for yourself when people do not notice you or your service. God does. Look for ways to meet others' needs; this will help you take the focus off yourself (Phil. 2:3-4).

From the students

Hello people at home, hope errytang is going swell! I am having a fabulous time over here with my three Filipino fiancé's and the weather is fine even though the news says the opposite there is nothing but a few clouds every now and then! Luv u all, see u soon xxx - Andrew

Hey people at home, I'm fine here not much has happened, miss you all - Ben T

Hi guys I am having a good time here I have missed you a lot it is all fine here I
And will be home soon cya ------brad h


Hello mumma and papa, miss you both so much. I can't wait to see you and hopefully that happens soon. Tell Ella that I miss her and Uncle Mark that I miss him, and everyone else. I'm sure you guys aren't even worried anyway but we've had nothing bad here at all. See you all soon. Love you xxx - Imbo

Hey mum dad and bro, missing you guys a lot and i can't wait to see you guys. Have been thinking about you guys and I hope everything is going good at home. I'm really enjoying the trip and it's been amazing to have had this opportunity, defiantly once in a life time. Say hi to everyone and see you guys all very soon. Love you xxx
Chelsea

Hey there family! I'm missing you guys heaps and I can't wait to get home and see you guys. Hopefully we will be able to fly home soon and aren't stuck here for too much longer. I'm having an amazing time here and I'm going to miss it a bit but it will be good to be home :D love you all xx - Joshua

Hey fellas, hope you're having fun without me. See you all when I get home.
-Al

To my family I want to tell you that I'm fine but I had a close call last night as I ate peanuts by mastake, all good now and I love you lots see you soon!!!

Hey guys I hope everything at home is good and I hope that when I get back I will be a changed man
Steven

Hello Mother Dearest, Fadda and Brother, I can't wait till I can give you all cuddles. Missing you's so much, hopefully we'll be home soon xo this trip has been so magical, I'll have so many stories for you when I'm back. I love you all.
-Rachel Fairham

Hi Mumma, Daddy, Fam and Pete!
I'm having such a good time over here and have learnt so much! Today was a pretty chilled day like the last couple here in Dumagete. We had end of trip debrief, lunch and then went and saw The Hunger Games, very different to Mr. Beachams usual days (not minding at all).
Hoping to see you all very soon and tell you about all the stories and amazing experiences I have had and grown from!
I love and miss you all so much and am so greatful for each and everyone of you in my life!
-Rach Ferris xxxxx

Hey Mamsey, Markos, broseph, scaz and the animals
I can't wait to see you all and tell you about everything so get prepared for some non stop talking for
 a few hours. Today was a fab day of chilling and we even got to see the new hunger games.
Anyways, I look forward to seeing your beautiful faces and giving you and the animals big hugs. Much love to you all at home
- Abbey Hassett

Hey mama bear, matt and the 4 boys. Hope to come home soon, can't wait to share all the stories with everyone and that maccas run when I get back. Miss you all like crazy!
-Ash xx

Hey mumma, dad and the brothers
I can't wait to see you and tell you all about my trip. I'm missing you guys so much, hope to see you soon. Love you all xxxxx
-Amy

Hi Mum and Morgy
I can't wait to see you both and tell you about how great the trip has been. I hope you are looking after Xena and Iggy while I've been away
Love you all
Ebony xxxx

Hi mum
I'm excited to come home and see you, I hope your going well and I'll see you soon
Xo ❤️💙
From Calvin

Hey Mum and Dad
All good here, had a great time and I am pretty keen to come home
See you guys soon
Much love from Ben

Hey Mum, Dad and the kids
Everything is running really smoothly here and we haven't been effected by the weather much. Just praying to catch a ferry tomorrow morning so that we can come home.
Much love to you all, hopefully I will see you soon
Much love, Lewis. X

Hey mum,
Missing you heaps looking forward to getting the all clear to come home! We have barely been affected by the typhoon only had a few drops of rain and that's it. Hope everything is all good at home and I can't wait to come home and see you. Love you always. Georgie xxxx
Ps missing my friends dearly but I appreciate all your kind thoughts, I'm safe and well and will see you all soon!

Hey mum, dad, bree and kody.
Can not wait to come home, happy birthday for the other day dad iam so excited to give everyone their presents and I hope you are excited for the lots of stories I will be telling when I get home.
Lots of love Tanika!!xx

Hey nana, papa, Craig, lil bruh and birth giver
How's ma fambam? We're doing fine over here, desperately missing home and can't wait to see you all your lovely faces. Hope you had fun setting up the Christmas tree without me. I love you all dearly and ill see you soon. P.s tell yashi I don't miss her and she's no longer loml💕
Much love, Aislinn xoxo

Hey y'all (mum, dad, big josh and dylannnn )
Zoe here, just want to say I miss your faces and I can't wait too see you all! We are all doing well and just playing the waiting game trying to figure out how we will get home and when that will be! Love you all muchly 😘😘😘😘
P.s mum I expect a cake since I missed your birthday 🎂

Day 15 - Typhoon update 07/12 at 6am

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As of 6 am today Typhoon Hagupit (locally known as Ruby) there has not been any change to the fine weather of Dumagette overnight. The students enjoyed sleeping and resting in their hotel rooms.  We will continue to send updates via the blog, The school Facebook account and parent e-mail accounts.

The Philippines trip staff

Day 14 - Typhoon update 06/12 at 6pm

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As of 6 pm today Typhoon Hagupit (locally known as Ruby) entered the Philippine islands.  The students and staff are safely accommodated in a hotel away from the expected path of the typhoon in the city of Dumagette.  At 6 pm there has not been any change to the fine weather of Dumagette. The students enjoyed a busy day of rest and recreation and are currently resting in their hotel rooms after a very busy fortnight.  We will continue to send updates via the blog, The school Facebook account and parent e-mail accounts.

The Philippines trip staff

Day 13

Dear Parents/Friends & Supporters,

Today the team enjoyed a refreshing wake up at 2:30AM. This was followed by a long coach bus ride to a port city called San Carlos.  The plan was to catch the ferry to the next island port called Toledo city and drive 3 hours into Cebu city to catch our return international flight to avoid being in the country when the typhoon hit.  What would have been a short ferry ride to the island that was in clear visibility became an unpromising search for transport to get back home.   The coastguard had shut down all water travel in the area because of the impending typhoon even though the weather was clear and the water looked like a mill pond. 

We then tried plan B which was to drive down the southern tip of the island to avoid the typhoon path to the city called Dumagette which has a shorter Ferry ride and more protected waters.  When we arrived to the port we were greeted with the news that the president of the Philippines had shut down all water travel in the Philippines. The whole morning, until around 10AM was full of rejection from the coast guards due to a shutting down of all sea passages.  We then tried plan C which was to try domestic flights but on arriving to the airport we were greeted with a closed signs due to the typhoon.  By then we had emptied all our resources with no success and constant rejection despite the efforts of our calm and fearless leaders. However, this day improved dramatically when we enjoyed a classic McDonald’s brekkie. From there, our day improved and took an adventurous turn when the team came to grips with the inevitable unpredictability of the Philippines during preparation for a super typhoon. 

The team briefly settled into their hotel (called Tip Top hotel) then enjoyed pampering, when the boys enjoyed a massage and went to the barber.  The girls enjoyed getting their manicures, pedicures and hair treatment.  In the evening, the team was treated to a night out at the movies where we watched the movie Exodus.  After we had completed watching the film, we dispersed once more into the mall where we bought dinner for ourselves on the budget set by Mr Beacham.  Now on very little sleep, we are all getting ready for a long awaited rest, although many of us napped on the bus and during the movie. Today was unpredictable which made it all the more exciting and we are all looking forward to a new adventure tomorrow.  We are all safe and we are being looked after very well by our faithful teachers who have our safety as first priority.

Love from your favourite homeboys, Josh and Al 

Day 12

Dear Parents/Friends & Supporters

This morning we woke up at 6:30 and ate a delicious breakfast at 7. As we munched we discussed the impending typhoon that is planning on hitting the Philippines on Saturday or Sunday. Last night Mr Beacham alerted us that we will be teaching a class by ourselves, however he failed to mention the grim reality of the situation…. we were to be not in groups but by ourselves in the classroom.  After devouring our grub we obliviously walked to Cabacungan Elementary School.  

We were soon assigned to our classrooms, of years ranging from kindy to year 6. It was then we realised we were in the deep end, as the class stared blankly at us, with expectant eyes, waiting for us to enlighten them to a bigger world.  With crowded minds and panicked hearts, we mustered up the courage and dove in head first. After overcoming the trepidation of an expectant classroom, we managed to bond and build eternal relationships with the kid, which was identified through the sheer extravagant number of friendship bracelets acquired by most students.  

At the end of our hour of emotional teaching, we had the honourable privilege of feeding our respective classrooms with the local cuisine.  It was after this that we were entreated to a marvellous Goodbye Ceremony. Then when the formalities were finished we said our final goodbyes to the kids, by way of photos and balloons. However, this simple action caused great mayhem and danger as there was a stampede of children forcing us ballooners, to take refuge in a nearby classroom.  Despite this dramatic ending, we as a team felt ecstatic to have an opportunity to influence children’s lives with a simple act of kindness.

We headed back to our humble abode to eat some more scrumptious grub. Then we headed back to the iRC Community, for the last time to engage with the kids and finished our work painting, the now Gwapa (beautiful) orphanage. As we were tying balloons and blowing bubbles the kids were rather upset, showing small signs of happiness when handed a balloon appose to previous days where by the kids showed great joy in receiving a coloured balloon dog. We were unsure whether this was due to our departure, however it was very upsetting. After we had said our painting and said our goodbyes, we were able to bathe in style under a flowing waterfall.  After the rickety ride back to the guest house we were surprised to receive the traditional Australian BBQ, consisting of sausage and bun, however the sausage was not sufficient… it was a frankfurter.

Soon after dinner we headed over to the ikthus church (where last night Balut was consumed and later vomited out in the garden) to receive our final goodbye by the church community. We sang beautiful worship songs, we were serenaded by the incredible violinist and heard a stupendous message from our Chaplin Peter Chase. With a very short goodbye, we begrudgingly trudged but to our inn to partake in our last debrief in Cabacungan and then off to pack for our upcoming journey….. it was safe to say that this day undoubtedly secured its position as one of the most heartbreaking yet encouraging days of our trip.

Lot of love to the folks at home from Dave, Chelsea and Sam N

Day 11

Dear Parents/Friends & Supporters.

This morning we woke up at six thirty and got ready for breakfast that was very well appreciated. I was so excited for a coffee.  After breakfast we went to the rice fields and I really enjoyed getting in the mud and actually learning how rice grows and how it is harvested, it is a lot like wheat. We then went to the Lovely River and spring to wash the flour bags for reuse. We then headed back to the house we are staying at for lunch, and there was really nice crumbed chicken which I mixed with some sweet chilli sauce.  After lunch we headed to the IRC Church for food distribution and time with the community and making dogs and swords out of balloons. We then went back to the river for our last session of washing clothes, and a swim in the clear, fresh spring. Dinner was a feast of spring rolls, rice, chicken and pork, but little did we know that a food challenge was ahead for the rest of the evening.

My attempt in the food challenge probably wasn't up to scratch, as I barely got to the second level, where I ate chicken liver. Soon enough it became intense and Ben T beat the Balut (14 day old chicken foetus) record from last year which was fourteen, to this year’s amazing amount of twenty seven. My highlight of today was watching the two monkey’s intense curiosity, as one knew how to unzip a bag, and the other was holding my hand. Today I was on the biggest high, I think because I feel so privileged to be on this mission trip.

Just a shout out to everyone at home, I miss you guys and I can’t wait to see you all and tell you all my experiences.

Abbey

This morning I woke up at six o’clock, and then had a shower which was cold. Then we had an amazingly delicious breakfast after the challenging day yesterday, I ate five big pancakes. After breakfast we went to the rice fields to do harvesting and have a couple hours to experience what it’s like to work as a Filipino person. In the rice harvesting fields it is all mud so we were all knee deep in mud, we all just made it better by saying “it’s just like a free mud treatment”. We went to the local spring, which almost looks like it’s off a movie because it’s that beautiful. The spring is where the local people wash their clothes and shower, but we went there to wash off the mud from harvesting and we also washed some flour bags for the people from the IRC can make flour bag shorts.

We then went to the local church to do food distribution and spent time with the community by making balloon animals. After being at the church for an hour we walked to the IRC to paint the orphanage then we washed our clothes in the spring and had a swim. After we had dinner we walked to the local church and did a food challenge which was all the weird local food, I only got to level two because I couldn’t make myself eat chicken liver.

Hey Mumma and everyone else at home, I’m missing you heaps and I can’t wait to see you. I will be home so soon to tell you about my trip, I hope you taking good care of Ezy. I hope you see all of my five people from my family at the airport even my brothers!  I love you and see you soon xxxx

Amy Lee

I was woken up at some ridiculous hour by Pastor Pete snoring sounding  like a steam train so I gave him a nudge which stopped him snoring and I could go back to sleep. Then I woke up at for six thirty when we were meant to wake up and got changed and ready for another marvellous breakfast cooked by the lovely people at the house we are staying at. After we travelled on foot to IRC and while we waited for the buses we played with the monkey. We finally got onto the bus and travelled to the local rice field that needed to be harvested. I collected the rice from the people harvesting the rice then put up onto the machine to be processed. After we had done that for a couple hours we went to a lovely river to clean the flour bags that will be made into shorts. Then we went back to our house where we are staying for another marvellous lunch, after that we went to the local church to distribute for to the community. This was an amazing time being able to give to the community but really hard and sad because there were a few people left but there were no bags left. This was really tough to see this.

After that we went back to IRC to do painting but I had to Christian Ministries work which I found challenging because I wanted to do painting. Then we went to washing our own clothes in the water after back for dinner which was marvellous as always. Then we went to the local church and ate some “interesting” food one of them was balut and I managed to eat eleven of them but after a while I vomited them it all out which was very relieving.

To everyone in Australia hope you are all well and can’t wait to see you and tell you all about the trip.

Ben W

Day 10

Life as a Filipino from Cabacungan

We start the day same as always, by dumping all our technology in a bag. Oh wait… this day is starting a little different. Instead of our normal breakfast feast cooked up by the amazing cooking staff at the White House, we began with rice porridge, cooked with a dash of salt, a handful of spring onions and a skerrick of chicken. Not only do we eat this odd concoction for breakfast but that’ll be our food for the day, a small bowl breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Today is our opportunity to walk in the shoes of one of our Filipino hosts. No technology, small amounts of simple foods, with one of the busiest days of the trip so far, and when it’s all said and done, muddied, covered in specks of dried paint, we will climb into bed, un-showered. Hopefully we’ll be a little wiser from our experience.

So we made it! As we are sitting here updating the next episode of the blog, we are absolutely wrecked.

Another successful day in the school, with rousing renditions of ‘My God is so Big’ and ‘Stand up and shout it’. Despite a last minute change the year 1’s, 2’s and 4’s thoroughly enjoyed the story of David and Goliath and the enthusiastic presentation by today's teaching group.

A last minute change in the bakery saw a group harvesting sugar cane, a little bit more painting and some rock shifting. We have it on good authority that a taste of the sugar cane is a not to be missed experience.

The final group was out in the rice fields, building paddies, guiding Caribou (we have no idea how to spell this but it is some sort of water buffalo and not to be confused with the big moose like animal) which involved ploughing and hoeing. We discovered that after two hours of work that what we had completed would probably be have to be redone due to the fact that we just don’t do a good enough job, this did feel a little disappointing that we are not able to contribute as much as we would like.

After our meagre lunch we headed up to the school for a Volleyball and Basketball tournament. The girls were admirable in defeat, with some stunning rallies. The boys were able to come away with a win; and a little ear damage from the screaming teenage girls.

We donned our rice sack pants again and headed back to the IRC to paint doors and complete the first coat on the walls. It is amazing to see it all coming together.

Instead of heading back to the guest house for dinner we took our dinner into the homes of the local villagers, sharing with them over food and attempting to discover as much as we could about life in this beautiful and yet totally impoverished part of the world. This was definitely a highlight and the assigned hour disappeared before we knew it.

We learnt first-hand how physically demanding life for the people here can be and also how much we are capable of, despite the lack of the things we so often think are necessary. We are grateful for a day with such experiences.

And a quick Birthday shout out to Zoe’s Mum for tomorrow, she also asks that her Mum bakes a cake to bring to the airport to celebrate (This was definitely Zoe’s idea and not the two guys writing this blog post) 

Ben K.S. & Mr Pitman

Day 9

Dear Parents/Friends & Supporters,

Rise and shine at the break of dawn. Breakfast was at 7am and as usual the food did not disappoint. We split into our groups and set off on our first rotations of the day! Group 1, kicked off their shoes and slipped into the mud as they built rice paddies, ploughed with a Caribou and of course a mud fight broke out, leaving half the group unrecognisable. The work wasn't just fun and games; the reality of the work was harsh as we learnt what the Filipino farmers experience on a daily basis. The average farmer works for 8 hours a day, in the scorching sun and earn only 150 peso which is roughly $3.75. This amount is only seasonal and to pay bills, feed large families and provides money for the children to go to school.  Our group only worked in the fields for 2 hours which would've earned us around 95 cents.

Group 2 were busy in the bakery, rolling dough into various shapes, cooking the bread bagging it and then selling it at the local markets. This consisted of the group chanting “Panasal” and “Tinapay” The bread was sold in bundles of 6 for 25 peso which is the equivalent to 75 cents, yet for many Filipinos this cost would still put a dent in the family budget.

Group 3 where teaching at the local school today. The group had to run two different sessions with the first being teaching children aged 3-5 and the second being teaching grade sixes.  The night before group 3 had stayed up till 10:30pm planning, organising and preparing for the two hours of teaching that laid ahead of them the next day.  After walking to the local church, which is also the pre-primary class room, we were greeted by around 40 adorable children that did a dance for us.

After playing some games, teaching them some songs, playing with balloons and bubbles it was time for ground three to move on after a very successful hour of teaching. If that is what you would call it. Group three then split up into three groups of three and went to the three grade six class rooms with approximately 45 students in each for another hour of teaching. After some songs, plays, games, dot to dots and colouring in, it was finally time to say good bye and go back to the mansion for lunch.

After lunch and ice cream, everyone changed into their flour bag shorts for the first time and piled onto the bus. Upon arriving back at the IRC, we got briefed on what to paint, how to paint and received our items which to paint with. We almost finished the whole first coat of the large two story orphanage in three hours.

After an enduring three hours of painting we went to the spring, and washed our clothes amongst the beautiful scenery. The water was cool and refreshing and the team saw the opportunity to have natural showers under the waterfalls.  After that it was time for a quick dip in the water which sparkled in the sun. We clambered out the water, over the slippery rocks and trudged onto the bus still dripping wet.

We arrived at the guest house, had a quick wardrobe change and then indulged in a delicious feast. The dessert was the talk of the night. It was a biscuit and cream cake which left us all craving for more.  But sadly we ate it all as quick as we got it, and there was not a drop left on any plates.

Our night activity consisted of tradition Filipino martial arts which in-cooperated the use of wooden sticks. We were taught how to attack as well as defend in a systematic motion which demanded a lot of coordination which a few of us lacked. The trainers were extremely patient and were dedicated to teaching all of us the art.  After a long day we were all keen to return back to the house and have a good night’s sleep.

We would like to take this opportunity to send our deepest condolences to the Pitman family, who are mourning the death of a beloved grandmother. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Georgina: Like to have a big shout out to my Mum, love and miss you heaps and looking forward to telling you a bundle of stories when I come home!

Tanika: I miss everyone and hope Bree went well in her exams and that Dad has a good birthday, I can’t wait to come home and see everyone, you better get ready for all the stories and memories that I am going to share with you! Love your Mum, Dad, Bree and Kody.

Day 8

T’was an early morn when we rose

All our students did oppose.

5:30am was the wakeup call

To make it to church which was a ball.

A couple of hotcakes for the drive.

And after three hours we did arrive.

A white mansion and volcano greeted us,

As did the locals as we got off our bus.

With hearts and bellies full, we made our way,

Off to the orphanage for grand opening day.

Ribbons were cut, photos were snapped,

Everybody cheered, everybody clapped.

Old friends were embraced, and new ones made

Oh how the memories, they will never fade.

With buckets of laughs and overwhelming smiles.

We could see a sea of balloon animals going for miles.

Beacham summoned dinner, the menu was chicken,

Oh how glorious, it was finger lickin’

Last stop today, was perhaps our greatest call.

We packed over 580 food parcels, it was a race after all.

All in all everyone is doing well,

So many stories, we just can’t wait to tell.

Not going to lie, we are keen for our beds.

After this time consuming poem, we must rest our weary heads.

Love Emily, Evan, Olivia and Bek

(The ex-students that haven’t quite moved on yet.)

Day 7

Dear Parents/Friends and supporters,

RACHEL: Today was Mr Beacham’s favourite kind of day, 5.30am start. We were packed and ready to depart the beautiful town of Sagay and arrive back in Bacolod.  As we entered back into the city the juxtapositioning of the country and crazy city was very clear. We went to Jollibee for breakfast (Filipino version of Hungry Jacks). There were some very weird and crazy things on the menu, the one that I ate being ‘Pancake sandwich’. This consisted of 2 pancakes with an egg, bacon and some kind of sauce in the middle.  After breakfast we split into 2 groups, boys and girls.  The girls went to the beauty salon while the boys went and got massages and their hair cut.  It was a nice and relaxed atmosphere in comparison to our full on day yesterday.  We were treated to the famous Bobs for lunch! Many of us have been looking forward to this experience again since last year. Many of the team had a buffet that they picked out and was cooked personally by the amazing staff.  Others had new experiences and tried food off the menu.  

NAOMI: After our delicious lunch at Bobs we were extremely full and the girls were all feeling like females again after our trip to the beauty shop: it was time to shop. The girls and I (Naomi) made our way to the triple 8 markets.  Some intense haggling and a few hours later some of us came out with some sweet bargains such as shoes, sunnies and even a snappy bow-tie.  It was very busy in the markets and through the very hard physical labour of the intense sport also known as shopping, Emily started to get a bit sick; maybe too much bartering.  Anyway after the markets we made our way back to the hotel and dug through the mountain of bags to find ours and set up in our rooms. We set off to dinner just after 6 but detoured to the large Robinsons mall for some more shopping time as dinner was not yet ready for us. No haggling allowed at the mall apparently so some just stuck to buying the Philippines famous dried mango in the food store, me on the other hand bought a bunch of the round waffle sticks for the long bus trip to Cabacungan tomorrow.  We made our way to the IRC church in Bacolod for dinner (IKTHUS) hosted by the pastors of the church.  Some people thought we all would be tired of the yummy chicken on a stick for dinner by now but not me! I can always have room and time for chicken! As usual the food was so delicious with fresh mango, bananas and watermelon- we have been truly blessed: especially in the food department! A quick debrief at the church and a few thankyous all round between the pastors of IKTHUS and our group. Back to the hotel tonight for a good sleep ready for our next stage of our trip starting tomorrow at church. We have been truly blessed and experienced many incredible things this week and have been able to bless the IRC Sagay community through our work.

RACHEL: Hello beautiful family!!! The trip has been so rewarding so far, thank you all so much for helping me out and making it possible for me to come here! I don’t tell you guys enough but I love you all and am so grateful to have you all in my life! I am missing you and all your craziness so much!
Just before I finish I want to say a super big happy birthday to my little brother Owen! Have fun being a juvie for a few more years! You are still so annoying and will not grow out of it!
See you all soon! Keep checking the blog! Love and miss you all! xxxxxxxx

NAOMI: hey family: mum, dad, peter, Liz, Phillip, Stephen, Daniel ! Missing you very much. Hope the family is well and healthy and Peter and Brijette are having a beautiful time on their honeymoon. And btw mum and dad I have been adopted by Emily and Evan Peirce and its official and everything (meaning we signed a page in my notebook) love you all xx

Day 6

Dear Parents/Friends & Supporters,

Today was the best day of the trip so far! The team worked extremely hard and put in all their effort to complete a basketball court and paint the community building. I helped lay out the foundation for the concrete with chipped limestone, carried sand bags through 30m of slippery mud and helped in passing buckets of concrete. When collecting sand in old sacks there was music playing, so I started dancing and eventually encouraged all the Filipino children to join in and dance too. Everyone continued to push through the heat, in clothes drenched in their own sweat and dirt. We weren't able to finish the court due to running out of sand and cement but got a third done. The community was so appreciative of our efforts and the goodbye was extremely difficult. We are leaving for Bacolod again tomorrow morning so won’t be able to go back to the community again. There were many tears from both the Filipinos and us, but one little boy stood out to me the most. He was about two/three years old and was so shy. I spent time trying to talk to him and when leaving a few of the teenagers noticed me watching him. They told him to go to ‘mum’ and bought him over to me for a hug.  It was the most magical experience so far in the trip. I had a really awesome day today and the whole team was happy with their efforts, the only disappointment was that we couldn't stay and finish the basketball court for the lovely families.
Miss you Mum, Dad & Steven xoxx
- Rachel

Today was such an awesome day! The team performed amazingly and worked so hard to accomplish our goals we had set for the day. We made a start on the construction of a basketball court for the local community, and the painting of a community building. I was a Jack of all trades today, did all of the things do to, such as getting sand, mixing the concrete by hand, filling up the water tank, pick axing all of the rocks, passing the concrete mixture to the fellas, and passing the concrete getting prepared to lay it. The amount of sweat was tremendous and dripping off my face, and back it wasn't the most pleasant feeling, but I loved all of the hard work we did and felt so good about the job we had done for the community.  After the massive day of smashing out the work we all went to a resort place to go for a swim and clean up before we went back to the hotel, we all got into the pools and it was amazing and felt so good after a day of hard work and labour. Was a great day in all and can’t wait for another day like that.
Miss you Mum, Dad, Ash and Nelson my dog :’) cya all soon xo.
 - Blake.

Today was the best day of this trip so far. Everyone looked like they had a great time and couldn't have performed better. We also made a start and completion of the painting of the C.R (toilet) which we painted white and the almost completion of the varnishing of the undercover area and the Filipino coordinator (Burt) house. I was a little upset with myself because I was a little sick and couldn't do the concreting but it all worked out for the better because I could reach all the high spots that the others couldn't reach so that was good.  The dinner tonight was also amazing as we had beautiful whole mangos and spaghetti.  All in all it was a great day and I give the day a 9.5.                                                  Miss you Mum, Dad and Scott. Xo.     -Brad-  

Day 5

Dear Parents/Friends and supporters,

We woke up this Morning and gathered around for breakfast at 7:30am and found out that there was going to be a change of plans, due to a Typhoon hitting the south of the Philippines.  Our original plans, helping the IRC community were cancelled because the entry into the community was waste deep in mud from the heavy rainfall. We had no choice but to improvise the day by visiting high schools and entertaining them with our Christian stories and Aussie Culture.

We danced, sung and acted Christian parables to them. Then we stopped at a local restaurant and had Pork Ribs/Chicken on a Stick and then we went to a local super market and Mr Beacham treated us to an ice cream or chocolate.  We then came back to our accommodation and had a rest until 3pm.

Then we got back on the bus and drove to another high school called Sagay national high school where we entertained the students  and experienced a tour of their school.   This was a real eye opener to most of us of how lucky we are in Australia with the resources we have.  

The boys played Basketball against the local boys and Steven was the best player. (The last part was written by Steven)  The boys won by two points 22/ 24 J and the girls played volley ball and they struggled against the locals for they were more experienced and skilled. 

 After the games were finished we went out to dinner to find ourselves eating chicken on a stick, local spring rolls and a noodle dish called Pancit.  We then went to the local supermarket and were given a challenge of buying the weirdest food we could find to eat as our evening snack.  There was some really weird stuff but the weirdest was probably Dave Scott who had canned meat with the main ingredient listed as cattle.

after that we came back to  the hotel and changed into our swimming clothes and went out to our to a pool and played a game of water polo teachers vs students.   The students won as usual haha and then completed our journals had a de-brief and then we went to bed.  Hopefully it stops raining so we can got out into the community tomorrow.

Steven, Ebony and April

Weather Update

Dear Parents/Friends & Supporters,

Just a quick update to let you all know that a low category Typhoon/Cyclone is passing through the southern region of the Philippine islands.  As a result the central region of the island of Negros in which we are currently residing, is experiencing heavy rain.  Due to this, our programs for today have been cancelled as a safety precaution.  We are currently re-negotiating activities for the students to complete today. At this stage we are looking at visiting local primary and secondary schools and running classroom activities.

Day 4

Dear Everyone,

Today was a challenging day for the whole group. It involved some seriously emotionally stretching tasks and activities. We began with breakfast bought from the local shopping centre (dry milo cereal and dried mango… yum) and then travelled to the IRC community in Sagay. Immediately we started rotations with our group going shelling/fishing. We casually waltzed down to the riverside, only to find a majority of the group clueless on what we were meant to be doing, or where we were meant to be going. After several minor abrasions the group finally pulled together and the goal was more clear. We boarded two small Banka boats and travelled down river for roughly five minutes. This lead us to a large flat area of mud that we knew was going to be an interesting experience. As our shoes got progressively wetter and muddier we wandered the plain collecting a range of shells, starfish, dead fish and crabs.

 Later in the day, after a delicious lunch of chicken on a stick again, we handed out previously prepared meal bags for each family which included rice, noodles and sardines. Brother Bert had surveyed the community to find 100 of the poorest families which included the old, disabled and in generally bad condition. By this time the group was mentally and physically drained but to brighten to mood we came together and made balloon animals, blew bubbles and bended pipe cleaners to make some interesting looking “men”.

This time was a really great time to just connect and have fun with the kids. The balloons and bubbles gave the gathering a real, party feel, and it was good to hear the parents really appreciated us taking care of them. To see the kids faces glow when just receiving this small gift was a real blessing. In knowing that something as small as a poorly made balloon animal can make such a difference encouraged the whole group and gave reality to the mission statement for the trip.

The language barriers have meant that the group has  had to adapt to the local dialect, or else speak in a really corny American accent. This gave the whole group a laugh in their day, even in the harshest of conditions. We later came together in groups of three and one teacher as well as an interpreter and visited some households in the community. We asked questions including how they earn their money, where they sleep, what they eat and one question that really got a lot of us, how were you affected by Typhoon Yolanda? As the team gathered again we discussed what we had found and it was interesting to hear about how different these people were yet how similar we all are as people. It was hard to hear some of the stories that everyone had heard from all the different families. These people mentioned family members of theirs that had to pass away with no hesitation, like it meant nothing to them, when in our situation we wouldn't be able to just share something like that. After this we had dinner (chicken on a stick again) and had debrief together.

Lewis & Imogen

Day 3

Dear Parents & Friends

Today we woke up at 6:15 and we packed all of our bags and headed to Maccas for some breakfast. From there we headed from Bacolod to Sagay on 2 separate local buses. We had around a 2 hour bus ride and then arrived at our hotel; we then got dressed and went out to see the Mayor of Sagay. We sung to him the classical Aussie song; Waltzing Matilda and three of the worship leaders from the His Life Church sung to us the Hymn of Sagay. 

After leaving the Mayor’s office, we headed to a local restaurant to have a lunch of Inasal chicken (chicken on a stick) and barbecued pork with rice.  After tasting the local delicacy we headed off to the local value store (shopping centre) and were given 400 pesos (approximately $10) and were given the task of buying our breakfast/ morning and afternoon tea for the following 3 days. 

We travelled back to our hotel and pack our bags to head off to the IRC (Ikthus Redeemed Community) where we met the local people and were given a tour around the community.  We saw where they had built a new toilet and shower block, the first flushing and working shower in their community.  We saw where they fish, farm and the boats they use.  We saw a couple of Brahman cows they use to help them farm. We connected with the local kids immediately and watched a performance they put on for us. We heard about the and projects completed over the previous 6 months and we were then given the task of packing 300 bags filled with rice, sardines and noodles ready for tomorrow when we give them out to the community.

We travelled back on 1 single bus with few seats to occupy our crew and went back to the hotel. We were given an hour and a half to rest and shower.  After the break we were taken on a joyride around the city on a local Pedicab (motorbike and carriage) for a feel on how the local people travel around each and every day.  The evening finished with a banquet hosted by the mayor of Sagay.  It was a beautifully decorated venue with allot of food and soft drink.  The local high dance troop treated us to a performance of some local folk dances.  The festivities finished with all of the students trying a local dance called the bamboo stick dance, which was lots of fun even though it was more difficult than it looked.

We are heading off to bed now for a good night’s sleep.  Tomorrow we get to wake up at the decent time of 7:00am.

Sam B, Nina, Andrew W  

Day 2

DEAR PARENTS,

Hope you’re doing fine without us, it must be hard but I'm here to let you know that we’re having the time of our lives and we’re all healthy.  So today was our first full day in the Philippines and it was great but also an extremely hot way to start our trip. Today the team had an early start to the day (4:30am wake up) and went to the filming TV studio and where a part of the crowd. Then when and had breakfast t at McDonald’s. After we had breakfast we headed to the local College where we all got little Filipino buddies who were to spend the day with us then we played a friendly basketball game (Boys) volleyball (Girls) and I got to play with the most amazing basketball player named John Taylor (Group Leader) got smashed (106-62) after that we had lunch (chicken) then we presented a cultural presentation the Filipino people. Later that afternoon we went to the VMA training centre where we participated in water activities.

ILY MUM & DAD

Trent J

Our first full day was a touching experience that represented how Filipinos represent themselves and their country.  We were faced with challenges that for some, particularly me were difficult to complete. An activity that had been organised was to jump off a 10ft building balcony into water to experience what would happen if a ship was required to be evacuated. This was particularly difficult for me to participate in as I’m afraid of heights and the thought of being trapped under water, even though I was equipped with a life jacket. It took me a while and after many encouraging words from caring people and many, many tears I decided nothing good would come from not jumping. I knew I would probably be shaking too much to do it myself so I got my classmate Chelsea to give me a little push, thanks Chels. Someone else special who helped me through this experience was my buddy, Stephanie. At first I was nervous meeting her but we ended up having so much in common and one day wasn’t enough to spend with her. We all seemed to interact with our buddies wonderfully and their encouragement throughout the day and knowledge of their country added to the quality of our day. Our first day was a memorable one with many new experiences and exposure to the diversity of culture that is the Philippines.

-Aislinn J    

                                                                                                               

Today was a very insightful day and it showed us some of what’s to come while on this trip. We got up at 4:30 and went to the morning TV show it was very hard to keep our eyes open while we were watching. After that we went to the Australian embassy (Maccas) and had breakfast, it was a good meal and was the first time on the trip we didn’t have chicken and rice. From there we went to the local school to meet our buddy’s for the day, my buddy was called Rodel.  He was in year 8 but he taught me some of the local langue. We played basketball with some of the elder kids, we thought it was going to be an easy game nice and fun but we were wrong, we got smashed. After basketball we had lunch and a tour of their school. From there we went to a local swimming pool centre, while we were here there were many things that we did, first we had a fire fighting scenario, I was at the front of the hose it was very hot in the full uniform, after we had put out the fire we had to do a scenario were the boat needed to be evacuated (jump off) some people struggled but I thought it was fun. Then we had dinner and some karaoke then come home to the hotel. I hope everyone’s enjoying the home without you loved ones.

Calvin J

Day

Day 1 - Zoe & Ashleigh

Saturday 22^nd November

Today’s start as we all scrambled to get everything we needed packed for the trip and get to the airport for 10 pm. The waiting started as we progressed through the lines filled with excitement and angst of what was to come. Made it through customs, with plenty of time for debrief, getting all the information for our trip. The trip was finally here!

Sunday 23^rd November

Our first flight finally took off at 2:05, the excitement of the trip was growing as we advanced throughout this flight. The lucky slept and the unlucky who couldn’t sleep watched movies on the small screens and listened to others snoring. Our first meal was breakfast on this flight and we were all so hungry we ate all we were given.

We arrived in Singapore at 7:20am, our first pit stop. We added journal entries and wrote letters to ourselves for the end of the trip. We were so tired, hopefully it all made sense. Leaving Singapore at 9:35 we travelled to Manila. Arriving at 1:10 we had a yummy lunch that gave us some more energy to keep going.  We then dragged ourselves through the airport and waiting to board our next flight.

Our first domestic flight was to Bacolod, this trip was a lot quicker than the rest. Thank goodness for that! When we got to Bacolod we grabbed our entire group’s luggage and headed to the bus.

We then met with Pastor Gary and travelled by bus to dinner. We arrive and demolished Chicken on a stick, rice and pork. This was an awesome meal everyone enjoyed. Afterwards Mr Beacham treated everyone to an ice cream or chocolate bar. On the way to the hotel we debriefed all the information needed for tomorrow including the 4:30am wakeup call we will be receiving from the hotel staff… yay that should be interesting!

The WiFi isn't great at the moment so we will get some pictures to you as soon as we can.  We are looking forward to an early nights sleep.

God Bless

Introduction

Welcome to the Blogspot of the 2014 Southern Hills Christian College service trip.  This year we will again be partnering with Pastor Gary Visitacion of the Federation of Christian Athletes,  Ikthus Church Bacolod and their community development projects called Ikthus redeemed Communities.  The students will be travelling to the central islands of the Philippines, specifically the cities Bacolod, Sagay, Cabacungan, Cebu and transiting Manila and Singapore. 

The purpose of this trip is for upper secondary students to experience the culture of a different country and assist in the numerous areas where help is needed. Currently these areas involve teaching, general construction and food distribution to communities considered slums.

Whilst the majority of the trip will involve working in the above mentioned areas, there will be opportunities for the students to experience traditional work practices and personally experience life in poor rural communities. Other ministry areas include water purification projects and participating in basketball/volleyball games at a local high schools.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to your comments and prayers during the trip. The Blogspot will be updated late every evening when possible.

God Bless

2014 Southern Hills Service trip team