Our praise report for Reverse Carolling 2011!

 It's finally over! Weeks of singing, visiting families and praying with them- Reverse carolling - our annual project where we always end up receiving so much more than we can give. Truly Jesus is incarnate in the families that we visited. Special thanks to our benefactors who have made it possible for us to support 400 families this year. This year, we also enjoyed the company of our 7 volunteers from Singapore who braved showers and challenging conditions to reach the poor families in Montalban and Tagaytay. Thanks for responding to God's call to share this special time with us!
Please read on for pictures and a summary update...
Reverse Carolling 2011 Report

Reverse Carolling- an extraordinary period of grace

We went reverse carolling 13^th -14^th December in Montalban, near the dumpsite and also in Tagaytay on 15^th – 16^th December with a group of seven Singapore volunteers. Here is what two of them have to say:

“This is my second time reverse carolling in three years and while the format was familiar, there were many new things that struck me this time around. For one, the Balikatan Ministry members amazed me with their sincerity and love in reaching out to their fellow brethren when we walked with them, laden with Christmas food hampers, in the outlying areas of Montalban to visit families living in places I would not term houses.

Many of the members are in “the same boat” as the families we visited, and yet, they were generous with their time (they took time off work which meant no income for two days) in reaching out to the fellow brothers and sisters.   

I was also affirmed by their strong faith and the leadership qualities they displayed in organising the reverse carolling endeavour in Montalban – from  doing the groundwork to select the “poorest of the poor” families to visits, to facilitating the visits, and leading the prayer sessions confidently.

Nothing bonds people more than a common purpose and the desire to bring God glory. It was heart-warming to be part of a group of people, most of whom I did not know and yet work so well together with them to help bring some cheer to the families that we visited.

 There is nothing pretty about poverty and while it is easy to slip into despair at the futility of our efforts, 400 Christmas food hampers being a drop in the vast ocean of economically disadvantaged families that surrounded us both in Montalban and Tagaytay, I know that what we did touched the hearts of at least 400 families and made a difference in their lives, and for that I am most grateful.

The Christmas party for the child street vendors was new as it was the first time ICPE has organized such an event and it was lovely to be able to spend time with the kids and get to know some of them as we played games with them and ate fried chicken and ice cream with them.

It was initially difficult to watch the group of children gathered outside the door who could not gain access to the party, for we could only host 25 children, but the kids inside would share whatever they received with those outside. And many of them packed food which they did not finish for their siblings at home. I was humbled to see the generosity of their actions for I could never match them in generosity, giving from the little that they received so easily.

So many thoughts and emotions crowd my mind from having experienced reverse carolling this December, but foremost is the gratitude I feel for having been able to be part of an extraordinary period of grace.

Most of all I am glad that I have been able to give back to them what is their right and due in some small way and I thank God for giving me this opportunity this Advent season.”

~Jackie Pau

The happy smiles shared at Reverse Carolling

After postponing Reverse Carolling for a day due to heavy rains, we returned to Salaban, Amadeo to visit more families. Again, we had to squeeze our way past coffee and banana trees to reach the families. This time round, we had to deal with the challenge of the wet and muddy lanes whilst carrying the hampers and our guitar. Despite the slippery paths and muddy shoes, we reached the families that made the inconvenience worth it.

These were the things that made us smile..

We met Maria, a visually impaired woman who lives alone after her mother passed away. Filled with so much joy, Maria sang the Christmas carols with such gusto and was so happy to receive the food hamper. She said that it was her prayer for Christmas.. to have food to eat and soap to wash her clothes. Such were the simple yet basic needs that God met today. Yet as Maria took over our tambourine and started playing with impeccable rhythm, we were the ones who left with hearts filled with joy and gratitude to have met such a lovely person.

Maria receiving a lit candle, the symbol of Jesus, the Light of the world

Maria singing with gusto with our tambourine

And who says you can't share what little that you have? Maria's neighbour was so touched to see us that they insisted that we join them for some local snacks and hot coffee...

enjoying merienda with the family

It is true that love is the thing that you are never too poor to give away. We saw this in practical action as a woman who was supposed to receive the hamper asked if we could go instead to her neighbour's family as they were more in need than her. This came from a woman who was also very much in material need herself and we were touched by her generosity and her love.

The family that received the food hamper instead

And finally a young boy, stunned to receive a Christmas gift this year...

My Christmas gift!

 We continue to give thanks to our generous sponsors who helped to make this event possible. We carry you in our prayers and our hearts as we visit each family.

Please join us in prayer as we continue Reverse Carolling. We are praying especially for good weather as we are experiencing heavy rains these past few days.

Reverse Carolling 2011 has begun!

It has begun! Today we started Reverse Carolling and what an exciting start it was!

The morning started with cloudy skies which quickly into a heavy downpour around noon. We were still determined to be there at our appointed 2pm and God cleared the skies and held back the rains just as we left for Salaban, Amadeo, around 15 minutes' ride from our house. 

Together with the Claretian Sisters, we went round the area of Salaban, trekking through plantations, and squeezing past narrow lanes to reach the families located off the main roads. And indeed, we saw so many families living in such spartan conditions. All the houses were unpainted and made of zinc roofs and bamboo or plywood walls. Some houses contained 3 or 4 families living under one roof.

I was most touched when an elderly woman we visited started swaying to our singing while her tears flowed freely. She was smiling and dancing and crying all in one go- expressing such joy. It was such a touching sight that we were also crying with her until we could barely continue singing. Truly today, in that house, Jesus visited and touched not only the woman but all our hearts.

Tomorrow, we will continue with the rest of the families in Salaban, Amadeo. Next week, we will welcome our volunteers from Singapore and head off to Montalban, Rizal Province. Join us in prayer and in thanksgiving for all that God is doing!

Singing carols at a home

Food hampers in our green grocery bags

Visiting a house in Salaban. This family doesn't even own this house!

A young mother with her children welcoming us into her bare house

Trekking through the plantations with the Claretian Sisters