A million different emotions are rushing through our minds as we try and express the tremendous amount of love and heartbreak felt throughout the day. It started off like any other day with our 6:50 wake up call and a delicious breakfast ahead of us. We filled up our stomachs with pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs. We took our classic group picture (made sure Morgan Nale was front and center) and piled into our jeepneys. Our rides today were different than they had been- instead of screaming songs at the top of our lungs, we were telling stories and taking in the last few views of Bantayan Island. As we neared Tarong Elementary, a sense of satisfaction and admiration came over us. Hundreds of buckets of rocks, cement, and dirt had resulted in a beautifully decorated stage that would soon bring numerous families together to celebrate at the Family Fiesta. We hopped out of our jeepneys and instantly saw the smiling faces of all of our little friends. The celebration began with hearing so many thank you’s for our work even though we felt that we were the ones being served. Soon after, Chad-dad and Les did the ceremonial ribbon cutting and our stage was officially opened. We were each individually recognized and presented with a certificate of remembrance, then the entertainment kicked off. It was evident that God was present as a group of girls performed a dance to the song “10,000 Reasons”. “When my strength is failing / The end draws near and my time has come / Still my soul will sing” these lines traveled through the speakers and into our hearts as we reflected on the life change that we experienced this week. Lined along the stage were bags of groceries, backpacks, and special prizes ready to be distributed to the raffle winners. The prizes started small as children won bags of rice and chips, then it was time for the first intermission. The two cutest little first grade girls pranced on to the stage with smiles on their faces and sang a beautiful song about finally breaking through your shell. Afterwards we continued on with the raffle and a few more children won backpacks full of school supplies. It was amazing to see their genuine excitement and smiles over something so seemingly meaningless to us like a backpack and some pencils. At the next intermission we watched as a group of the fourth grade girls danced to “I Love Cebu” with their flower crowns and we loved every second of it. Suddenly we felt just a few raindrops, but that quickly turned into a downpour. Everyone huddled closely together under the tent, but the rain couldn’t stop us. The raffle continued and the grand prizes were up for grabs-a brand new bike, five thousand pesos, 50kg of rice and a live pig. Each of the winners were so over the moon excited that we couldn’t help but feel the same way. Though the raffle had ended, we still had a lot ahead of us. We listened as Mary Madden and TJ so boldly shared their faith stories and struggles. They touched many hearts among the crowd by sharing the impact that faith had on them and allowing the people of the crowd to open their minds to the possibility of a faith of their own. Then it was time to eat. For lunch we were served pansit noodles, egg rolls, pork kabobs, rice, and to top it off, lechon, a roasted pig. It was short lived because we were eager to hug all of our little friends that we had grown so close to just a few more times. The sad songs started playing and the tears started rolling as we realized that this would be goodbye. We took our last few pictures and tried to capture every last moment and memory that we had of our sweet kids. It was an unexplainable sadness. We squeezed them tightly in efforts to drown out the realization that we would soon be leaving some of the greatest moments. Every last one of us was an emotional wreck as we walked onto our jeepneys. We waved one last goodbye to the sweet kids, teachers, and families that made up Tarong Elementary. Tears streamed as we drove away, but our spirits were soon uplifted as we were reminded that in just 10 minutes we would arrive at San Augustine Elementary. When we got there, we were greeted by 600 smiling faces, eager to play with us. Some of the returners reunited and rekindled with kids that they had met the previous year, while others of us formed new relationships with the students. After about an hour and a half of dancing and singing with the children, we had to say goodbye once again. We loaded onto the jeepneys and waved out the sides as the kids chased after us in efforts to hold onto the moment for just a few seconds longer. With our hearts heavy, we prepared to head back to Anika. Once we arrived, some of us got some much needed rest, while others cooled off in the pool. After a few hours of debriefing and unwinding, we took showers and then headed to dinner. Dinner tonight was unlike any of those that we have had so far. Instead of buffet style, we were served yummy pizza and spaghetti carbonara. We filled our stomachs and headed to large group. Once again, we had fun listening to all of the sweet and thoughtful blog post comments, worshipped, and heard a devotional from Grayson. We ended off the night reflecting over the day in our small groups. Though today consisted of many heartfelt tears, we wouldn’t have wanted our experience on Bantayan to have gone any other way. Now as we head to bed, we are incredibly thankful for what we have gotten to experience and excited for what the rest of this journey will bring. We love and miss you all so much!
Love,
Illie & Taylor R
hearing this makes me so happy. I cannot believe you guys finished this HUGE project! I am so proud of all of you, not only for your hard work, but for the love you poured into those children. I promise they will never forget you. I love you guys! #tears
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Thanks for sharing all of the details with us on the other side of the world. Sounds like an incredible experience. I can’t wait to hear about them face 2 face!
Grant
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What a great update!! I love the part about how you all feel like you are being served. It’s just so moving to hear how your hearts are so moves and your lives are so touched by your experiences. More memories and precious moments to come! Love you all!!
Toni
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No words- just tears and praise!!
Continued prayers from Halle’s family.
❤️🇺🇸🙏
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Taylor R!! Cannot even explain how proud I am of you. I cannot believe God has blessed you and riley to both be able to have an experience like this and I am SO thankful to get to see all of God’s work that you are doing. Praying each day for you and your team!! Love u to the moon
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This comment is for Garrett Sietz!! Let him know i miss him greatly and I’m so proud of him and who he is! Can’t wait to see him when he gets back!! Miss you G!!
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What an incredible story God is writing all because each of you said “yes”, walked out on faith, stepped way out of what is comfortable emotionally, physically, and spiritually and allowed Him to move. So stinkin amazing that the God of the universe uses our “yes” in such mighty ways, some we may never see & some that forever change our hearts.
It is evident that God has moved in and through this team in Bantayan. Prayers for health, willing and full hearts, and that these moments glorify God & shape each of you.
Much Love.
❤️🇵🇭❤️
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I loved reading every word of this. What an experience! Even the tears are something to rejoice in. Those tears mean you worked with your heart, not just your hands. Well done!
I love you, Chad and Anna ❤️🤗
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Thanks for the update. I’m so happy that you were able to finish the project, and I know that those students and that community is very happy and thankful as well. It must have been very difficult to say goodbye to those kiddos and I know that feeling. To be honest it sucks. It’s a gut wrenching feeling, but at the same time it’s such a beautiful experience because that’s when you’re truly able to understand the impact that you made on those students and that community as well as the impact that they made on you in such a short amount of time. I’m so proud of this team and your hard work on the project and dedication to love on those students unconditionally for the last several days! I can’t wait to hear about what God does with the rest of your time there and I’ll continue to pray for this team and their journey.
*Solemnly tips fedora. Matt has exited the chat*
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Yay! Precious Morgan Nale is front and center!! I actually laughed out loud when I read that!! Oh how I miss seeing that face in person. And I need a hug from her. Morgan is a great hugger.
Thank you to everyone who has written posts. They are so wonderful and detailed. It’s like I can hear and see and feel everything you are.
The impact that all of your love, kindness, hard work and faith has had on those children and their families is amazing. I am so proud of all of you (but especially Morgan Nale).
I can’t wait to read about more adventures. Enjoy every minute!!
Morgan – Sara comes home tomorrow. She misses you like crazy and wants you to come home. I think I’ve been bothering her a lot. She just keeps saying I’m asking too many questions, but I don’t have you to bug so she has to take on my annoying behavior alone. She got stung by a jelly fish and the had to evacuate the water because of a shark. Yikes!!!
Love you to the moon and back!!! ❤️
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Holy cow – I’m so happy that the returners were able to go back to San Augustine! What a special day. I can’t even imagine what it felt like to pull up and see all of those beautiful familiar faces one year later. And to see the painted wall – I know tears and smiles alike were abounding! Soak up these last few days in a world so unlike any other you will ever experience. Love and big hugs from the Horner’s!
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This is so sweet! These posts are the highlight of my day. Everything you guys are doing is so amazing! Morgan, I still miss you!! Savannah is home right now and we have all been talking about how excited we are to see you!! Keep doing extraordinary things out there! I love you!!
Also p.s, I can vouch for Mrs. Kathe, Morgan is an awesome hugger
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Reading this filled my heart with joy! It sounds like your testimonies grew as you ministered to others. Amazing how God works! I am also filled with anticipation as I read this because my son Gordy and his team will be heading to Costa Rica in just a few days. This will be his first mission trip and I can’t wait to see how the Lord will both USE him and CHANGE him!
Great post and WONDERFUL job, Phillipines team! We all miss you!
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WOW!! I am so proud of you TJ for sharing your faith story and Mary Madden as well! Everytime I read a post it makes my heart so happy! I am so happy and excited to hear about what God is doing in and through y’all. TJ, I have been checking and Chance has not released his new album so you have NOT missed it lol. I also love the picture of you with the kids. It is was so sweet I might’ve cried (DEFINITELY CRIED). And for my girl Anna, I sent your picture with the kids to our small group, and everyone LOVED it. We are all cheering for you back home. ALSO, we had the slip n slide day at Lyndsey’s and it was so much fun. We will FOR SURE be doing it when you get back.
Lots of love,
Emma
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Thanks for such a detailed update! God has certainly used you all to make a huge impact in the lives of those you went to serve. I know the families appreciate all you did for them. Praying for God to continue to use you!
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Thank you again for sharing so many details. We can really tell that the celebration was incredible!!! I can’t wait to see pictures. You guys are the best!
Martín, we love you soooo much! 💙❤️💜
Mom and Dad.
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So thankful for the pictures and updates. I knew today would be hard for everyone. You all have invested so much of yourselves into this community. They will remember you just as much as you will remember them. So thankful for this group answering God’s call to action. Such an impact is being made on the community and also on you. Praying for you all. Sarah, miss you and love you so much. Just hope you had enough tissues. 😀 love, Mom, Dad and Remi 💕
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This is all so amazing! Happy tears as I read about the stage being completed. I know that was an amazing experience to see what your hard work has created for these kids. We are so very proud of you all! We miss you, Peyton. Love and hugs! Mom, Dad & Avery!
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Amazing that your project at the school is complete! The impact you’ve made there on the entire community is everlasting, not only on them but on you as well. The smiles, the laughter and the tears of those kids will forever be your motivation to keep doing good in this crazy world of ours. Haley, YOU and your entire team make a difference. Continue Leading with your heart and you will always be on the path you were meant for! Your sock eating doggie and your owl cat miss you soo very much!! Grant and dad leave tomorrow as do the boys so it’ll just be the pups n I until I see you on Thursday. 🙂 I won’t wish away your time there but I miss you so very much!!
Still lots to accomplish over there so get to it!
I love you!
~mommy
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Oh wow! What an impact you all are making in the lives of the Filipinos…. And they are having on you! People have asked me all week why the Philippines? My answer has simply been that God calls us to go to the uttermost parts of the world. So, why not the Philippines?
I can’t wait to hear about all the life change y’all have experienced and the stories that God has orchestrated. Sleep well and stay hydrated! Hug my goet boys
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Hug my Gurr boys!!!
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Hi Elise and friends! We love and miss y’all so much and are amazed at how much y’all are inspiring others through the love of Christ. Sounds like y’all are having an amazing experience and poor Mom is literally boo hooing as she reads these posts every day to us. You have inspired us to go on a mission trip of our own one day. Love you so much – Ella and Lizzy Lou
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I love reading these everyday!! It’s so amazing to hear about all that you guys are doing over there!! Morgan Nale – I miss you I miss you! Like Gracie said we keep talking about how excited we are to see you again and hear about all you learned and experienced!! I love you!♥️
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Wow i’ve loved getting to read the blog everyday and feel like i’m back home in the Philippines again, so thank you for the updates!! I am so proud of you guys and all you have accomplished. You have all impacted these children’s lives tremendously and they will cherish these last few days forever. I love you guys and i’m continuing my prayers for a safe and impactful trip!
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I know the feeling. The love of those students are forever engraved in my heart. So so proud of you guys! Miss that place beyond measure. Hey Caro! So so proud of you!
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Amazing! So heartwarming yet heartbreaking at the same time! Definitely Bittersweet. The impact that you have had on the these children is incredible! Your hard work and generosity has brought them so much joy and love. Thanks again for the vivid detail as I feel as though I am watching this all unfold and sharing the experience with you and that makes me happy:) Hearing about the performances, the raffle and even the food descriptions brings a smile to my face. So happy that you have had the privilege of being a part of this trip, that you are surrounded by God’s beauty, that you have had wonderful meals and that you are able to share God’s word and touch the lives of so many impressionable children.
Illie, I love the blog and the name is so fitting. As a matter of fact, as I was reading this I had a feeling that it was written by you:) I know that those children will forever hold a special place in your heart. I loved seeing the pic of your beautiful smile and I’m so happy to know that you are doing well and that you are eating….. even if it is just Rice!😂 And it sounds like 6:50 am might be your new norm. Maybe you’ve become a morning person😱or Not…..lol. 😆Sending you the Hugest Hugs Ever🤗 I can’t wait to do that for real. We miss you so much ! Keep being you and doing what you do, as God guides you on this path. We are beyond proud of you !XOXO🤗🤗🤗😘😘😘
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Oh my gosh Morgan I miss you more than you can imagine. I’m on my 3 day time off and every time I pass your house I get a little sad , but I am so incredibly proud of you for doing all that your doing. I put our pictures u sent up in my bunk and whenever a camper asks who that is I tell them it’s my best friend. I’m going back sunday and I’m mailing you then! (To ur house of course)seriously though I’m so so proud of what your doing and all god is doing for you right now. I can’t wait to stay up all night talking about it!:) so just letting you know your like my other half and I can’t wait for us to finally be in ga at the same time again! All the love!
❤ sav
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Absolutely love reading theses updates!! Praying for all of y’all! Love and miss y’all very much! It’s amazing to see what God is doing through all of you!
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You guys are truly amazing. I look forward to reading your daily post more than anything. Not only is God using you there but your also inspiring us here. Keep up the good work, stand firm and be strong!!!
Tell Garrett Seitz his family loves and misses him.
Jonathan Seitz
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#WaterWorks. This is so amazing, you guys are so amazing. Y’all KILLED that project and are on your way to ANOTHER. God is so present. I love these updates, they are so heartwarming and inspiring. Also, tell Emma D I said I can’t think of funny things to comment but I love & miss her! 🙂
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Amazing work you are all doing! We miss Karson and all her great friends! Love you Kars, “keep on chasing”!
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What an incredible day!! The feeling of leaving those kids is definitely something you can’t explain until you’ve experienced it! I’m super proud of everyone and all the sweat and hard work that went into completely the job! Such an accomplishment! I’m happy to hear y’all are safely back in Cebu! Everyone here are leaving today and I’m headed to the airport to take Kendall and bring back Morgan. It was a weird (but fun) week, Although Seemed like something was missing the whole time! Karson, I’ve never been so happy to see a charred pig!! It made you look extra pretty!! I miss you kids! Praying for your safety and hearts!❤️
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Great job to you all! Thanks for the update. I’ll take a Morgan Nale hug, please.
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Hello Sarah Livingston and team! God bless you guys as you serve Him by loving the people He loves! He is working in them and blessing them through you. You are the hands and feet of Jesus! I know God is working in you, too. Let Him speak to your hearts and reveal His great live for you. He is pleased with you!
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As always, thank you so much for the descriptive updates. We can only imagine how hard it was to say goodbye to the children and the special place where you all made such a huge difference. Keep your servant hearts going and know the rest of us back home are in awe and inspired by all of your hard work, dedication and love!!! Love and hugs to Jordan Hope!!!!! We miss you more than you can imagine!!!!
Mom, Dad, Trev, Rocky & Apollo!!!!
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What a difference you have made at that elementary school, and in the lives of the people on Bantayan Island. And we know you are all forever changed as well! Keep up the wonderful work you are all doing. We are in awe of your dedication, effort, and service! Stay healthy and hydrated! We miss you, Gabby, so much! We made it home from Michigan safely and it seems extra quiet here at home. Mom, Dad, and Will. ❤️
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