Day 7 & 8: Touching Hearts and Transforming Lives in the Philippines
- Elsa Mueller
- Feb 22
- 6 min read
Tuesday, February 11th – Day 7: A Day with SCSF Partners and ALS Students
Our 7th day of ministry was spent visiting our SCSF partners and connecting with the inspiring students of the Alternate Learning System (ALS). The ALS centre was incredibly welcoming, creating a warm, Christian, and family-oriented environment for all its learners. We learned that many students had relocated from other ALS centres to be a part of this close-knit family, which is a beautiful testament to the love and care provided by the teachers and staff.
The day was filled with connection and fellowship. After spending some time getting to know the students and staff, our team and the learners shared testimonies, creating a space of mutual encouragement.
One of the most powerful stories came from a former graduate named Jeremy. His story is a true reflection of the transformative power of love and support. An orphan raised in multiple homes and told he was worthless, Jeremy dropped out of school to help support his brothers and sisters. He crossed paths with Al during his time in an orphanage, where Al was ministering to youth. When Jeremy faced abuse and had to leave the orphanage, he reached out to Al and Sonie, who connected him with the SCSF team. They helped him through the ALS program, where he earned his high school diploma.
From there, Jeremy’s journey only continued to flourish. He pursued post-secondary education at a trades school and then realized his dream of joining the army. As a Marine, he was ranked in the top 10 of his class. Jeremy’s story is one of resilience, redemption, and hope. Today, he is still part of the ALS family, returning to the centre to inspire and encourage the students who look up to him as a role model.
This is only one of the many stories of transformed lives by the love and dedication of those who obeyed their call to serve in His name.
Later in the day, we enjoyed lunch with the learners, engaging in meaningful conversations with the students and staff. Before we left, we distributed backpacks and gifts that had been prepared the day prior. We ended our time together by praying for the ongoing education of the students and the continued love and support of their teachers and mentors.
Wednesday, February 12th – Day 8: A Feeding Ministry in Cavite
Day 8 took us to Cavite for two feeding sites, morning and afternoon.
Morning Session
We were filled with excitement as we prepared for our first feeding and children’s ministry event. The two-hour drive through the beautiful Philippine countryside revealed both the natural beauty and the challenges faced by those living in financial hardship.
As we arrived at the ministry site, we were greeted by 24 eager children, their faces full of excitement and anticipation. The homes in the area were small, simple, and in need of repair, but the children’s smiles lit up the surroundings. The ministry space was a small 10 x 12 area with a concrete floor, enclosed by a broken-down wall that served as a bench. Beyond the wall, the countryside was alive with cows, goats, and dogs running freely.
This was a special day for the children as they rarely receive visitors or gifts. Their excitement grew when they learned they would buy be receiving school supplies and backpacks, gifts they hadn’t expected.
The children’s ministry began with a fun worship song led by the team, inviting the children to join in with movements that helped them engage in the message. The song spoke of God’s love, faithfulness, and the hope we have in Him. Afterward, we shared the story of the Feeding of the 5,000, followed by a skit where one of the children “provided” the two fish and five loaves of bread. As the fish were “multiplied,” each child received a bag of fish crackers and a paper basket that they colored and assembled as a memory of the story. The baskets, full of colorful fish and bread, were a tangible reminder of the miraculous love and provision of Jesus. Next on the agenda was the distribution of the backpacks filled with a hygiene package and two items of clothing, which were welcomed with excitement and gratitude by all the children. To close the session, all the children were fed by the team and the children’s teachers. The food provided was purchased instead of the meal from Gleaners. Matt got to experience riding the tricycle on his way to purchase food and drinks for the children. The tricycle is a motorcycle with a covered side seat that can carry up to two passengers and one more along with the driver. It is a famous alternative and affordable means of transportation here in the Philippines. It turned out that we would not get to see the Gleaners meals prepared in different recipes after all, but we were confident that we would see them at the second feeding site after lunch.
We broke for lunch and decided to take the extra food we had to dine later on that day.
Afternoon Session
As we arrived at the second feeding site, we encountered once again humble, small homes in need of repair, with beautiful surroundings of palm trees, banana trees, and other small vegetation. Laundry on wire fencing showed us the way to the children’s meeting place. As we walked through the village, children and adults welcomed us with waves and smiles, and of course, many friendly dogs also followed us, hoping for leftovers.
The meeting site was provided by a community neighbor. It was small, cool, clean, and had tiled floors, enclosed with bamboo and tarp. There were 25 children anxiously awaiting in anticipation as they had been told they would be receiving a backpack. As we proceeded to start the afternoon ministry with the same format as the previous site, the children seemed familiar with the songs and followed along with great enthusiasm. The feeding of the 5,000 Bible story and the craft once again were a big hit with the children. The same as our previous location, the backpacks were given to each child, followed by individual pictures and great celebration with each child. The children were thankful and peeked into their backpacks with joy.
We found out before the session started that, due to a death in the family of the community leader, the scheduled feeding of the children would not take place. We were in a remote area, and the nearby store only sold drinks and some snacks.
Although we did not get to see the Gleaners recipes, we were not disappointed. Just being part of the feeding and ministry was a blessing in itself. When things do not work out as planned, although disappointing, we must remember that we serve an almighty God, who is always moving and showing us that He can do far above what we could ever imagine. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
God Moments on this Day
He did not only provide for the children’s meal. They got meatballs and rice, and meat is not always part of the menu. He also blessed the store owner with a big sale. This large sale was a blessing and provided much-needed income, and perhaps it answered a prayer as well. We will never know.
What about the tricycle owner? He also got a sale that helped his earnings for the day, and Matt got his experience.
Afternoon Session
This was a remote place, and the store did not sell prepared foods, only drinks. What were we going to do? We can start cooking from scratch, but it will take too long! Fear not, God is in control.
Al, our Peoples Church missionary, is a talented cook who cooks like a trained chef. We had cooked rice and soup with meat from our lunch that would be used and multiplied for 25 children. As per Pastor Quincy, who was assisting with food preparation, he kept finding meat at the bottom of the pot and wondering, "Is this a bottomless pot?" The children were fed a delicious meal with meat again!
In the feeding of the 5,000, the story takes place in a remote place. The disciples are concerned about how they will provide for the crowds. Jesus prayed, had the crowd take a seat, and multiplied the food. We did the same: had the children sit and pray, and we were able to provide a good meal.
Since we were far from our hotel, a friend of a teammate offered her condo at no charge. But God upgraded us to a better place with beautiful grounds, all lit up with Christmas lights.
God really showed up on this first day of feeding. We were in awe of God’s kindness and bounty provision for the children, the village, and for us.
The generosity of Filipino Bible study groups and individual supporters has helped make these moments possible, and we are thankful for the ongoing partnership that enables us to share God’s love with those in need.
Both of these days were filled with powerful reminders of God’s faithfulness, love, and provision. We are grateful to continue to walk alongside these incredible people and witness the transformation of the lives of the learners and children we encounter.
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