Manila is experiencing one of the worst floods in several decades. We have a niece and nephew there - stranded in their home (streets flooded, not their home) and their youngest son is with friends across town. He had been to a volley ball game and is stuck with the rest of the team at one of the kids house (sounds like fun!) They are without power.
We experienced some rain and mild wind, but that is all.
The youth center continues to minister to students. The team is beginning to function more efficiently and coming to a better understanding of meeting the needs of the kids. We meet as a team on a weekly basis for Bible Study, communication, and planning. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
CELEBRATE WITH US!
Today we celebrate the second birth of Dinah as she accepts Christ as her personal savior!
Dinah was mentioned in our newsletter as someone who heard the sound of drums coming from the Youth Center and inquired about what was happening. She joined in Bible study with Cherry, Youth Center volunteer, and later with Eddie.
Join with us in praising God for how He can use a set of drums and loud music to call out to those seeking Him!
Thank you to those who have given finances for us to purchase instruments, furniture and our other needs for the Youth Center. The free music turorials draws the students into the center--but it is the message of Christ that transforms lives. Others are considering this most important step for their lives--pray for their decision to be to follow Christ.
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
Pray for Dinah as she begins her walk with Christ as Lord of her life.
Pictured: Eddie, Dinah and Cherry
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hi, we are still recovering from the battle of the bands. It was a wonderful evening, but did not happen without a lot of work before and after.
We estimate that throughout the evening there were over a thousand people who watched for more than just a few seconds as they walked past. It was a street party, and we were between the park/plaza and where a lot of people either parked their vehicle or caught a trice--so there were literally hundreds of people walking by constantly.
We used the flatbed of a truck as part of our stage, (parked in front of youth center, perpendicular to sidewalk) and hung our banner as the back drop. In front of the truck, Rodger "built" a lower level stage 8 foot by 16 foot, using two courses of cement blocks for height and putting ¾ inch plywood on top as a floor. The team was surprised at how well it all worked. When we first recommended using a truck as the stage they looked at us as if we were from Mars. No one had ever done that before! We have several long pieces of black fabric that were used in the past with the hand-mime groups, that were used as skirting around the truck and plywood, so it did look good
One challenge was finding a sound system for the outdoor event. One we thought we had lined up, wasn't what we expected. Andy (team member) went to Davao to check on renting amps, and woofers but ended up renting an entire sound system for the night for just $300. It included all the instruments, amps, woofers, mics, the big mixer board, all the cords, a team of 6 people to set it up, run it, and tear it down. Oh yes, it also included two professional sets of pole lights. It was a steal! List price was supposed to be $600 dollars, but somehow Andy talked them down.....gotta send him shopping more often!
The street didn't close to vehicle traffic until 3 PM and the street party was to begin at 6 pm or so. Our “battle of bands” was scheduled to begin around 7 pm ish.
Dixie and Rodger got there around 7:15 and the program began at 7:30. Another vendor set up right next to us on the street, selling beer and had a lot of tables for their customers. We had the church pews and they were set up to define an area of seating for our use, kind of in a big circle on more than half the street (it's a four lane street).
We had two M.C.’s, one a local radio DJ and the other a good friend and they did super. As soon as the first band started playing we had an audience of over 500! All of those in the beer drinking place were watching and those beyond it were also watching! It was amazing. I think we were the loudest thing on the street. The speakers were about 10 foot high by the time they were double decked, on scaffolding, and of course, you could feel the thumping of the bass in your body.
16 teams registered to compete. After the 4th team, the ground wire burnt in two and.....darkness. Rodger was up in the youth center and saw it happen so knew what the problem was, and it was on the electric company's side of the meter.
All 6 of the phone numbers for the elect company yielded no one answering, prayers went up. Finally, a member of one of the churches who had a band competing, had another number of the elect co. that proved to be successful. However, it took another 45 min before they arrived and was another30 -45 min for the repairs. We were back in business after a one and a half hour intermission.
During the time we were down, fireworks were shot off at the park. Many of the audience left but returned as soon as we had power again, if not more than before.
We continued. It lasted until 1 am but, being in a party mood, no one seemed to mind.
The music entries were limited to Christian music, and we projected the words of the songs onto a "screen", so even if you couldn't understand the singers, you could read the words.
Many of the churches in town participated and several expressed their pleasure at having something Christian at the week long celebration of the city's day of foundation. We had a few real characters performing. In one group, the lead singer came from the back of the crowd and when he went up on the stage, we, along with a few others wondered if a drunk was "joining" the group and we had no idea what was going to happen. The band playing didn't seem to either recognize him or to overly mind his presence and after a couple of minutes he took the mic and put our minds to rest, that yes, he was indeed part of the group. It was fun; he leapt from the stage onto the pavement level, and did all sorts of antics. He was really a good singer. One gal with another band would remind me of a female Michael Jackson with her dancing ability. She also did some leaping and such. All had a great time.
Dixie went home after it was over at 1 am, but Rodger stayed and helped to put things away, getting home about 2:30.
VICTORY!
We had to be up at 5 am to help the Emissary Band from Davao get back to Davao. Rodger was going to drive them, until I recommended we let them take the truck back and we'd pick it up in a day or two. (several of the band members are employees of AFC and Marvin was among them. He is a driver that Rodger taught to drive) All we did was get the truck to them at 5 am and return home (but did interrupt sleep!). Dixie had a phone call to make to the west coast and had to wait until they came back from their lunch at 1 pm, which was 4 AM here, so after that, she just stayed up until 5!
After a night of no sleep for Dixie and little sleep for Rodger we were wiped out, but had scheduled a team dinner that day, so we cooked, took a bit of a nap and then had the team over for a Bible study, meal and fun from 3-8 pm. Someone finally asked if it was ok if they go home, and we gladly encouraged them to do that so we could go to sleep.
It was fun, but exhausting for everyone.
Well, now the city of Digos knows that the youth center is here--they couldn't miss us.
Rodger and Dixie are training the team on management. There are so many things they need to learn that are different from what they would do culturally, but things that are necessary if we are going to establish a viable, sustainable mission work.
We estimate that throughout the evening there were over a thousand people who watched for more than just a few seconds as they walked past. It was a street party, and we were between the park/plaza and where a lot of people either parked their vehicle or caught a trice--so there were literally hundreds of people walking by constantly.
We used the flatbed of a truck as part of our stage, (parked in front of youth center, perpendicular to sidewalk) and hung our banner as the back drop. In front of the truck, Rodger "built" a lower level stage 8 foot by 16 foot, using two courses of cement blocks for height and putting ¾ inch plywood on top as a floor. The team was surprised at how well it all worked. When we first recommended using a truck as the stage they looked at us as if we were from Mars. No one had ever done that before! We have several long pieces of black fabric that were used in the past with the hand-mime groups, that were used as skirting around the truck and plywood, so it did look good
One challenge was finding a sound system for the outdoor event. One we thought we had lined up, wasn't what we expected. Andy (team member) went to Davao to check on renting amps, and woofers but ended up renting an entire sound system for the night for just $300. It included all the instruments, amps, woofers, mics, the big mixer board, all the cords, a team of 6 people to set it up, run it, and tear it down. Oh yes, it also included two professional sets of pole lights. It was a steal! List price was supposed to be $600 dollars, but somehow Andy talked them down.....gotta send him shopping more often!The street didn't close to vehicle traffic until 3 PM and the street party was to begin at 6 pm or so. Our “battle of bands” was scheduled to begin around 7 pm ish.
Dixie and Rodger got there around 7:15 and the program began at 7:30. Another vendor set up right next to us on the street, selling beer and had a lot of tables for their customers. We had the church pews and they were set up to define an area of seating for our use, kind of in a big circle on more than half the street (it's a four lane street).
We had two M.C.’s, one a local radio DJ and the other a good friend and they did super. As soon as the first band started playing we had an audience of over 500! All of those in the beer drinking place were watching and those beyond it were also watching! It was amazing. I think we were the loudest thing on the street. The speakers were about 10 foot high by the time they were double decked, on scaffolding, and of course, you could feel the thumping of the bass in your body.
16 teams registered to compete. After the 4th team, the ground wire burnt in two and.....darkness. Rodger was up in the youth center and saw it happen so knew what the problem was, and it was on the electric company's side of the meter.All 6 of the phone numbers for the elect company yielded no one answering, prayers went up. Finally, a member of one of the churches who had a band competing, had another number of the elect co. that proved to be successful. However, it took another 45 min before they arrived and was another30 -45 min for the repairs. We were back in business after a one and a half hour intermission.
During the time we were down, fireworks were shot off at the park. Many of the audience left but returned as soon as we had power again, if not more than before.
We continued. It lasted until 1 am but, being in a party mood, no one seemed to mind.
The music entries were limited to Christian music, and we projected the words of the songs onto a "screen", so even if you couldn't understand the singers, you could read the words.
Many of the churches in town participated and several expressed their pleasure at having something Christian at the week long celebration of the city's day of foundation. We had a few real characters performing. In one group, the lead singer came from the back of the crowd and when he went up on the stage, we, along with a few others wondered if a drunk was "joining" the group and we had no idea what was going to happen. The band playing didn't seem to either recognize him or to overly mind his presence and after a couple of minutes he took the mic and put our minds to rest, that yes, he was indeed part of the group. It was fun; he leapt from the stage onto the pavement level, and did all sorts of antics. He was really a good singer. One gal with another band would remind me of a female Michael Jackson with her dancing ability. She also did some leaping and such. All had a great time.
Dixie went home after it was over at 1 am, but Rodger stayed and helped to put things away, getting home about 2:30.
VICTORY!
We had to be up at 5 am to help the Emissary Band from Davao get back to Davao. Rodger was going to drive them, until I recommended we let them take the truck back and we'd pick it up in a day or two. (several of the band members are employees of AFC and Marvin was among them. He is a driver that Rodger taught to drive) All we did was get the truck to them at 5 am and return home (but did interrupt sleep!). Dixie had a phone call to make to the west coast and had to wait until they came back from their lunch at 1 pm, which was 4 AM here, so after that, she just stayed up until 5!
After a night of no sleep for Dixie and little sleep for Rodger we were wiped out, but had scheduled a team dinner that day, so we cooked, took a bit of a nap and then had the team over for a Bible study, meal and fun from 3-8 pm. Someone finally asked if it was ok if they go home, and we gladly encouraged them to do that so we could go to sleep.
It was fun, but exhausting for everyone.
Well, now the city of Digos knows that the youth center is here--they couldn't miss us.
Rodger and Dixie are training the team on management. There are so many things they need to learn that are different from what they would do culturally, but things that are necessary if we are going to establish a viable, sustainable mission work.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Digos City is celebrating their 9th anniversary of being declared a "city" with all sorts of parades, street dancing, competitions and other events. On Sept. 8, the final night we are joining the celebration with a Battle of the Bands to be held on the street in front of the Youth Center.
More than 10 bands have registered to compete for the first prize of P3,000. Three judges will evaluate the bands to determine the winners.
The team has been working on the preparations: purchasing blocks and plywood for the stage, t- shirt printed for workers, trophies, equipment secured, publicity, and making contact with those who will be participating. The excitement is running high.
To keep the event moving, the Emmisary band will be playing before and between performances. Emmisary is a group from Davao City that have been playing together for several years and friends of the team.
One of our goals is that more people will become aware of the Youth Center and that more students will begin to visit us.
More than 10 bands have registered to compete for the first prize of P3,000. Three judges will evaluate the bands to determine the winners.
The team has been working on the preparations: purchasing blocks and plywood for the stage, t- shirt printed for workers, trophies, equipment secured, publicity, and making contact with those who will be participating. The excitement is running high.
To keep the event moving, the Emmisary band will be playing before and between performances. Emmisary is a group from Davao City that have been playing together for several years and friends of the team.
One of our goals is that more people will become aware of the Youth Center and that more students will begin to visit us.
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