Institute for Foundational Learning

We spent this weekend at a wonderful orphange called IFL in which the kids are really cared for in wonderful ways. The orphanage is pretty much self-sufficient, growing it's own produce, farming fish, chickens, pigs, goats and more. It was a wonderful place where the worship music never stopped, the laugher was contageious and every corner of earth was alive. Herbs, veggies, fruits, flowers, bananas and such covered every corner.
Shawn preached at the Saturday youth service. It was a powerful time of worship and prayer. IFL is definately raising up passionate lovers of Jesus and fully encouraging and empowering their youth to be radical followers and leaders. I was challenged and encouraged.
Marie really bonded with this little boy named Marlo. He was so precious. They played finger puppets for hours and sang together and danced. Marlo came from a broken home and had been at IFL for 6 years after his mother left the family of 6. He and his brothers and sisters are being cared for at IFL. We were so taken with him and our hearts broke as he cried when he had to say goodbye to Marie.

I was also taken with a precious staff member named Sheila. She was a passionate, fiesty lady who had been serving the kids for 6 years. She pretty much ran the place and was just so gentle and encouraging to everyone. She had recently adopted a little girl who was very sick with TB and more. The coolest part of the story is that the Mercy in Action that was here last year had encountered that same little orphan girl while visiting a hospital in another city. One of the medics was really taken with this little girl and spend the last year praying that God would intervene for her. He was blown away when we got to IFL and he found the same precious little girl, still very fragile but now in the caring arms of such a compassionate Philipino mama!!
Our team also attended the Sunday morning outreach that IFL was doing for their community. It was awesome to worship in Tagalog!

This was our first encounter with the culture here. I love the sense of humor. These people love to laugh and have a good time. It reminded me of Chile as they absolutely love making fun of each other! We were not so sure at first, but as time went on and they just kept laughing and mocking us it became really funny. :)One little boys looked at Ellie and said "O, She very fat like her moma!" I smiled. Then he looked at Marie and said "She more like her daddy." Gotta love the honesty!! :)
Personal space does not exist in this culture, especially when you are holding a white bald baby with blue eyes! I think I went throug and entire bottle of hand sanitizer in a day! No matter where I go with Ellie I here "Magdala" which means "beautiful".