We boarded a plane for Manilla, had a long enough layover to drive out to a great local Filipino restaurant called McDonalds (the ICM staff insisted). We made it back just in time for the flight and flew on to Bacolod City. After hopping off the plane (don’t worry it was on the ground), we headed to a remote village not too far from the airport. We pulled our convoy of small miniature vans into a small village where the local teenager hang out  was a concrete slab equipped with a basketball hoop and volleyball net (see picture below).

IMG_0272[after a quick stretch, we begin our journey to our first pre-school]

As we walk through the small village, it’s apparent that we stand out with our nice cameras and clean clothes. The Filipinos are extremely friendly and all the children wave and giggle as we pass. As we reach the other side of the village we are met by sugar cane fields as far as the eye can see along with some children riding a water buffalo.

IMG_0273

After crossing through the field the path became more and more narrow.

IMG_0292[notice the water buffalo dung]

As we winded through the narrow path we finally came to our next half hour of entertainment:

IMG_0276[yes, that is a homemade bamboo raft and yes, we have to cross it one by one]

Because of my size, I was sure not to be the first one to cross the rickety raft with half-filled inter-tubes keeping it afloat. When it was finally time for me to cross, I cautiously stepped on and started to pull my self across. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I’m figuring a video is worth at least 10,000.

Click for video: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithseymour/4096005122/in/set-72157622658645693/

The journey was worth it when we arrived at the pre-school as the kids were reciting all of Psalm 23 by memory and had learned english songs to perform. I had to wonder if this is a glimpse of heaven as we will be singing as God’s children to Him as he walks in. A day that I will never forget.

Click for video of pre-schoolers reciting Psalm 23-http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithseymour/4095385449/in/set-72157622658645693/

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