Pre-Christmas Gospel Mission Outreach for Aetas

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1

Our volunteer team shared the Tagalog version of this to the aetas of Brgy. Dinalupihan, Bataan.

November 23, 2013 (Saturday) – At past 6:00 am, our bus loaded with estimated P80,000 worth of donated goods (Thank you, Sponsors!) and 40+ volunteers from different walks of life, both young and old, armed with faith and passion to serve, went to Brgy. Bamban, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Spearheaded by my former officemate and friend, Yvette Ilacad, our mission is dubbed “Project Kulot” (the Aetas prefer to be called “kulot”) and our volunteer team is called “Samahang Masayahin sa Panginoon” composed of 10am (now 11am Ushers) and other Ushers Team from Victory Ortigas, including some of their family and friends.

After three hours of travel, we arrived at our outreach venue outside the rice field area where 100++ kids and their families, from three barangays, await our love-filled and compassionate service.

This was our busy day’s itinerary:

4:30 – 5:00 am        Call time (Transfer of goods to the Bus)

5:00 – 5:15                    Bio Break, Headcount, Prayer

5:15 – 9:00                    Bus Ride then Jeep to Dinalupihan, Bataan

9:00 – 10:00                  Registration, Unload Goods, Blow Balloons, Food Preparation

10:00 – 10:30                Opening Prayer, Praise and Worship

10:30 – 11:00                Sharing of the Word to Kids and Their Families

11:00 – 11:15                Prayer for Food, Food Distribution

11:15 – 12:30                Lunch

12:30 – 12:45                Clean-up, Groupings with Facilitators

12:45 – 2:15 pm            Group Word Sharing (Psalm 46:1 Tagalog), Gospel Bracelet, Snack

2:15 – 2:45                    Group Photos, Closing Prayer

2:45 – 3:45                    Gift-giving

3:45 – 4:15                    Pack-up, Ride jeep going to Bus

(The jeep didn’t arrive on-time so we walked for about 30 minutes. Whew!)

4:15 – 4:30                    Bio Break, Headcount, Prayer in the Bus

4:30 – 8:30                    Travel Back to Manila

We had a tiring but very fruitful day where we witnessed how God worked in giving us a great weather and multiplying the effects of our efforts.

Every volunteer served with joy in the Lord and love for His people. It was an astonishing sight to behold and I’m so blessed to be part of this event (Thanks for inviting, Yvette!).

(Click a photo to enlarge and view in black.)

Some Aeta Families in Brgy. Dinalupihan, Bataan

The Aeta men went up their coconut trees and gave us these for refreshment.

A Happy Mother and Child with our Gift of Goodies

Related Posts:

• Charity Work at Child Haus
• A Special Christmas Kids Party
• Life Well-Shared
• Pasko ng Mga Bata sa White Cross Orphanage
• Birthday Project ni Rhenzel