It's Happening!

Thanks to your Donations, we are changing the lives of almost 1000 kids in the Philippines!

Mission #2 has been completed. Mission #3 starts today!

Since our last update we had the frustrating news that Joy and I wouldn’t be able to make it back to the Philippines this year because we were still waiting for her new visa to process before we could travel.

But that didn't stop us from moving forward. About a month ago we decided that the mission must go on even if we can’t be there. And Joy’s family was more than excited to fill in for us.

Joy had already found a small family-owned supplier in Manila. The only problem was shipping it all to Negros Occidental. Then a family friend suggested a locally owned shipping company that transports a truck load of stuff (via ferry) to-and-from Manila once a month and it was a very reasonable price. But they were leaving in 2 days!

In addition to the school supplies, we wanted to include a Tagalog Bible for each student as well. Joy found a bible supplier in Manila and arranged her carrier to pick up the Bibles and school supplies just in time.

Above are all the school supplies and Bibles shipped from Manila that took about a week to arrive.

Next Joy communicated with all the schools about the best dates, organized all the volunteers, talked to the Mayor of the town and other officials to make sure we weren’t breaking any laws or ruffling any feathers. Everyone was excited and quick to approve our mission.

Here you can see Joy on video call with her family as they pack the supplies.

The backpacks were filled with the grade appropriate supplies and everyone was ready to go on the mission.

Mission Date - December 5th

Bugtong Kahoy School & Payab-on School

(Just so you know, we have video footage of everything and I will make a 30 minute movie of this whole adventure but I wanted to give you an update right now as it happens)

Early in the morning all the volunteers came together, packed the supplies in a truck we rented, and rode motorcycles to the first mountain school that was accessible by road.

We had t-shirts printed for the volunteers. (at about a $1 per shirt)

Everyone ate breakfast together and then set out!

They arrived at the first school Bugtong Kahoy School.

The kids were thrilled to get backpacks. Most kids can’t afford a backpack so it was a real treat for them.

But that was the easy part. Next they had to walk for about 4 hours up a mountain to reach the next remote village.

Yes, they carried the boxes on their shoulders for 4 hours—up hill.

Everyone was warn out by the time they reached the next school but excited to see more shining faces at Payab-on Elementary School.

Most of these kids never get visitors. And many of the parents hiked down the mountain to ask their local leader to thank us for the gifts. They said, “We’ve never had anyone give anything to our kids before.”

I’m hitting my data limit with this email, but don’t worry, we have lots of video footage that I will edit into a mini-documentary for you so you can see lots more.

Mission #3 Starts Today!

If you have a moment, please pray for our volunteers as they bring more supplies to two more schools today. I’ll give you an update in a few days after it’s complete.

Help Us Continue the Mission!

We are already raising funds for next year's missions! Please consider upgrading to a paid membership here on Substack so that we can help 1000 more kids. Who knows, maybe we can help a 5000 kids next year. :)

We are so thankful for your generosity and the help from our volunteers on the ground.

Thank you and God bless!
Jason & Joy