Today, we went to the ICM headquarters and had a staff devotional followed by meeting ladies from the Red Rope Project. The Red-Rope Project is a hand-sewing livelihood initiative for a group of talented, but poor women in Negros Occidental. The project provides more than livelihood by giving the women a sense of pride in what they do and a future for their family.

[A Red Rope Lady showing off her handcrafted Christmas card. Notice the pride in her work]

[Sewing the silk quilt to auction at the DC banquet. The last one they made sold for $10k US at the Hong Kong banquet!]

After visiting with the Red Rope Ladies, we went to a slum community and I preached to a group of kids using my trusty travel size paint board that I made for the trip. In case you were wondering, Filipino children love magic tricks too (I used some to start off the message). Here are a couple of pics of Caroline and I in action for your observation:

[coloring book magic trick is always a big hit]

[the greatest story message is one of my favorites]

[mid-sentence faces are always so flattering]

Soon after our children’s program, we went to McDonald’s to eat lunch. Totally different than what you’re probably thinking. A couple of differences to give you a glimpse into your every-day Filipino Micky D’s: Fried Chicken and Spaghetti! Yes, you read it right. They even serve rice as the side with fries still available upon request. Imagine this:

“Welcome to McDonald’s. How may I take your order?”

“Yes, I’ll have the McSpaghetti with a side order of McRice and my friend would like a few pieces of McFRIED CHICKEN!”

After our cultural McDonald’s experience, we were able to venture back to the slum where we did the children’s program earlier and were able to play with the kids. This was definitely one of the greatest highlights of the trip for me because the kids were absolutely adorable! I think they thought that I was a giant amusement park ride as they thoroughly enjoyed me lifting them up.

Here are a couple videos of me playing with the kids (did I mention that they were incredibly adorable!):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithseymour/4101390086/in/set-72157622658645693/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithseymour/4101378012/in/set-72157622658645693/


While playing with the slum community kids, I met a sweet little girl name “Chit-chat” who sheepishly kept staring at me from afar like I was a towering giant (well, I kind-of was). She was wearing a blue and purple outfit and a smile that could radiate for miles. If there was any one person I continue to think of when I think of the oppressed, it’s her. How she may never see a way out of the poverty she’s in unless people like me help people like her.

[Cutest Filipino girl Chit-chat posing for a quick photo]

[Chit-chat and I posing for a quick pic]

Action packed day. Still have four more left and loving it!

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