Bits and Pieces of Precious Moments

At this time, 2:35 pm (April 11) Philippine time, the team could be in Japan or now in the air towards Chicago airport. I hope this blog will make your minds occupied as you await you respective reunion with your dear children. Thank you so much for entrusting them to us and favoring us with their presence. They are amazing and awesome children.
The adults were just fantastic and very encouraging. Thanks a lot Bill!!!!!Thanks a lot ZCS.
We will miss you a lot!!!!
52 people from ZCS and GCCS will board a boat going to Puerto Galera. Imagine the movements and fun.
Oh I love this pineapple!!
I told you when Mary Ellen smiles, there's something pretty going on...

Help!!Tom wants to come down the lake! Drew says, "Let him go??"
On the boat with Mary Ellen. Things are pretty good when Mary Ellen smiles.



Boat going to the island where the mouth of Taal Volcano can be seen.


Pagsanjan river gorge with Elma, Tom and Laurie in one boat.
As the group flew back to the US this morning April 11, 2008, let us look back at some of the precious moments.
It is good to see things from the top. I am setting up to take pictures from the top. Bill sees better aways!

This team is amazing. We thank God for the way this young people were raised in their homes and in their school. No wonder you are so proud of them and are confident to release to bless a country that is so far away.

The evening farewell program was short but the saying goodbye's to each other took more time than the program. It is difficult to say goodbye.

We look forward to seeing some of you soon! Thank you so much ZCS! Thanks a lot Bill and Mary Ellen, thanks Tom and Laurie.

God is so good!

Adults cannot be left out. Tom Joustra took the challenged and obliged to the the shouting of the audience. He did it!


Then comes the "Challenge portion" of the evening. This is Balut eating challenge. At first the students were hesitant but when Taryn did one quick and easy, Aaron followed. Then Julia, Emily, Carissa, Drew, Dalton did eat. What is amazing is that we have to stop Taryn and Aaron fro eating a third egg!
A simple cake for a special occasion of thanksgiving. The Lord is awesome!




The last evening of the team is spent with the GCCS staff. We had good food. But what is interesting is that each staff members have some gifts to each of the ZCS team as well as they prayer partners.
Bill took a moment to get the team to a souvenir shop so that they can buy something for their friends back home. Little did he know that the school staff also went to a souvenir shop to buy something for their friends!

medicines flowing through the streets

Early the following day the medicines were handed to the community. ZCS team saw it for themselves how the people are so grateful. The outreach lasted for 3 hours with more than 200 people lined up to get their medicines. Two Community leaders were invited and were give Bibles by Bill. Indeed these medicines reached the streets of Pasay!
Right after arriving back from along trip . The teachers went straight to the school office to repack into smaller bags the medicines that came from Perago. These medicines will be handed out to the community the following day. They segregated and organized the plastic bags into medicines for adults and children.

Like the sun hanging as long as it can to take a last peek of the day, the team took a last glance of Tamaraw beach. Ging Barrion uttered, "I don't want to leave"! So do we we. maybe next time we will reunite with God's wonderful creation in this part of the world again.
It was such a wonderful time for ZCS and GCCS. It is judt that the days were quick. The adventure in snorkeling was awesome but I was not able to take pictures of it.
The evening of the 2nd day was capped with testimonies of God's goodness in the ZCS-GCCS relationship. The teachers and the ZCS students each shared their blessings in this amazing relationship. It was a bog family gathering led by Bill Van Dyk.
Teacher Madie takes a good look at the sunset. It is a sight every people awaits.




The students did not let the opportunity pass as they went down the very foot of the falls and enjoyed the cool waters to swim.

The Tamaraw Falls.
Boarding on a unique vehicle found only in the Philippines, the team went ahead to Tamaraw falls. Later some of the students took turns riding on top of the jeepney.

The team is up and ready to execute the plan for the day. These includes going to Tamaraw Falls in the morning, snorkeling in the afternoon, interact with the GCCS staff in games and inspirational experiences.

On the way to Puerto Galera

The day ended with a group huddle where each one was given a chance how they saw and experience the work of God in the days journey. This is end of day one in Puerto.

Scenes at the end of the day.

The team can't wait to test the water!
ZCS team and GCCS staff combined to invade Puerto Galera, Mindoro. This blog should have been posted already but the internet connection in the island was difficult. So right after we arrived from Puerto, I rushed to post this one.

The team paused for a souvenir shot with the island within the lake in an island within the lake as their background. They made it at the top and all said the challenges during the hike were worth it. The team now is ready for Puerto Galera where the most difficult challenges, blood sweating effort is about to be experienced by the group.......life in the beach.
The team rested for a while at the top of the mountain. They shared their experiences and continue to enjoy the view, the breeze and how the Lord ministered to them at that time.
After an hour hike over a steep mountain and under a scorching sun, the team reached the top. The path seemed fine in the picture but it is just the only portion that is cemented. The rest of the terrain was rough, dusty and rocky. Notice how far the lake where we came from at the background.
After the worship service we headed to the Volcano for hiking. It should have been a 2 hour trip. We first visited a church outreach of GFHCRC where ZCS had a big contribution to secure their permanent place of worship.
Before we reached the port for our boat to the volcano, we had trouble on the way which took us an hour to fix. The boat thatw e boarded is bigger that the usual boat used to cross this lake.
A time of celebration and praises. A time to worship and give back the glory to God even by songs.
Emily and Julia did a dance number that perfecly fit the sermon. Who taught you this girls? You did very well!

Sunday is worship time with Grace From Heaven CRC. Bill preached a powerful sermon that moved many.