Day 6

First of all i'd like to say that today was Jamie's birthday!!!!!! which he spent behind bars.

Last night we got our awesome basketball uniforms!! We were all so excited that Alex and Matt (Jackie Moon) slept in them. The uniforms were really big and pumped everyone up after being so exhausted, for the next day. After a FEW!! hours of sleep, which Noppers got none, (due to being sick after forgetting to sanitize his hands before eating), we woke to a new jam packed day, Putting on our new uniforms.We headed over to to the church next door to try out our new uniforms by visiting the children next door. We joined them in praise and worship and watched Mr.Puzey teach the kids Australian instruments and animals. Afer showing them the didgeridoo, which an American mission worker pronounced dig-a-re-do, we headed back to home to practice some hoops.

We jumped on a jeepnee and headed to the Rizal Provincial Jail where we separated into the girls and guys groups. The guys were to play basektball while the girls met with the ladies. We guys played against the prison team and were down at the first half by 7 points (42-49). We introduced ourselves at half time and Danny a local worker shared his testimony with everyone. He is an ex-convict, which made this particularly personal to him. After that we sang a few songs and then got on with the game, which we won (88-86).After that we talked to the inmates for a while and handed out little tracts.

Meanwhile the girls were meeting with the ladies in the chapel. They started out with a few choruses then Bek gave her testimony. She was nervous, but shared from her heart and did very well. After more singing, they settled down to a craft activity - making bead bracelets with beads we had brought from Australia. Some of the beads had letters on and the ladies could make words which meant something to them eg. Love, Joy or their name etc. This gave the girls a good chance to speak with the particular lady/ladies they were working with. Some people had a chance to pray with those ladies who wanted to. They ended with another song, then came out to watch the end of the game. When the prisoners found out it was Jamie's birthday they joined with us and sang 'Happy Birthday".

As we were leaving I noticed a concrete container which was semi filled with water. It was full of dirt, grum and cigarette butts. A few of them were washing their faces with this water, and it made me think, if this is what they are used to, I wonder what their living quarters inside the jail are like.

Overall the inmates were really nice and happy and at all times I felt safe and just as happy as the great people around me. It is something that I will always remember, and gives me hope for times which are dark.

We headed back home for lunch and a bit of a break. Which was well needed from all the basketball. We headed to the school around the corner to play some more basketball and hand out some tracts. We started by singing and introducing out selves to the students.

Our group then divided into goups of five. With this came our seperate introductions and own personal move. There were some whacky moves.
We took five minute routine games against five other students, lets just say they were very fast and very skilled. Which made us very intimidated. Some groups won, some lost, but we focused on the reason why we were there, which was to educate the kids about our God and his purpose he has for them.They really appreciated our work and asked a lot of questions. Which made us feel as if we were really reaching them. When we gave them the tracts, they got excited and wanted them. Filipinos really love white, blonde and pointy nosed people. aka, Jackie moon (Matt). He had girls surrounding him 90% of the time. I, (Luke) got called handsome once, which made me feel special. Walking around with the kids, they all wanted photos and email adresses.

We then went to T.G.I Fridays for dinner, which means Thank God It's Friday. here we celebrated Jamie's birthday. We ate some really nice chicken and the best chips ever!!! When Jamie's birtday cake came out we sang happy birthday and the employees danced for him. Jono, Jamie and I (Peter), joined them. The night was really fun, and gave everyone a chance to wind down and relax. When we went outside their were some people dancing in a parking lot near the main road. I think they were cheerleaders, but they were really good. A few of us stood behind them and tried to mimic their moves. Saw a cat that was pregnant, and you could see the babies moving, (well I hope it was the litter not worms).

We all got into the jeepee and screamed songs the whole way home. Was a lot of fun. When we got back we had devotions and we both ate some more food.

 Keep us in your prayers, and it means a lot to us knowing you are at home praying and wishing us the best. Also keep Nopper's in your prayers, just so his parents know he has been fine all day and has not been sick since 6am. :) Thanks again to all our supporters.

Peter and Luke.