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
Showing posts with label Reverse Carolling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reverse Carolling. Show all posts
Friday, December 23, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Reverse Carolling- an extraordinary period of grace
We went reverse carolling 13th -14th
December in Montalban, near the dumpsite and also in Tagaytay on 15th
– 16th 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
Thursday, December 8, 2011
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.
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...
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.
And finally a young boy, stunned to receive a Christmas gift this year...
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.
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.
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| Maria receiving a lit candle, the symbol of Jesus, the Light of the world |
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| 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.
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| The family that received the food hamper instead |
And finally a young boy, stunned to receive a Christmas gift this year...
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| 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.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
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!
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| Singing carols at a home |
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| Food hampers in our green grocery bags |
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| Visiting a house in Salaban. This family doesn't even own this house! |
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| A young mother with her children welcoming us into her bare house |
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| Trekking through the plantations with the Claretian Sisters |
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Reverse Carolling 2011 update!
We're really excited as Reverse Carolling 2011 preparations are now in full swing. After successfully raising enough funds for 400 families, we have now bought and started packing the food hampers. In Montalban, our Balikatan members are busy practicing their Christmas carols and strumming their guitars to master the chords!
Last weekend, Jitka and Gemma visited the families in Tagaytay to inform them about our visits. It was an adventurous trip as they trekked down steep slops to reach the families. We wonder how we will carry the 7kg hampers and guitars down ...
Last weekend, we also met our volunteers from Singapore who will join us for the Reverse Carolling. We had a nice time sharing our past experience of Reverse Carolling and answering some of their questions.
Above all, we are extremely grateful for the blessings and support from all the fundraising efforts of our friends who actively helped us promote the event and for our generous benefactors who donated for the food hampers.
We will continue to keep you updated as the preparations continue. Please keep us in your prayers!
Last weekend, Jitka and Gemma visited the families in Tagaytay to inform them about our visits. It was an adventurous trip as they trekked down steep slops to reach the families. We wonder how we will carry the 7kg hampers and guitars down ...
Last weekend, we also met our volunteers from Singapore who will join us for the Reverse Carolling. We had a nice time sharing our past experience of Reverse Carolling and answering some of their questions.
Above all, we are extremely grateful for the blessings and support from all the fundraising efforts of our friends who actively helped us promote the event and for our generous benefactors who donated for the food hampers.
We will continue to keep you updated as the preparations continue. Please keep us in your prayers!
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| Checking out of the supermarket with the stacks of groceries |
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| Gemma packing a food hamper |
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| more food hampers to sort out |
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| our library looks like a warehouse! |
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Join us for Reverse Carolling 2011!
Bless a family…
Share the gift of God’s love this Christmas…
Sing carols…
Help us bless a low income family this
year with our annual project… Reverse Carolling!
For the 5th consecutive year,
we will be running our Reverse Carolling Project and we are looking for YOU to
partner us in our project. To enable us to reach out to 300 low income
families, we are looking to raise PHP 170,000 (approximately US$4000 or
Singapore$5200).
If you
want to contribute, you can send a telegraphic transfer to us directly:
Bank account name: ICPE PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION INC
Peso account: 003-115250-042
Bank address: HSBC, Ground floor, Discovery Suites. 25, ADB Avenue Ortigas Centre, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Swift code: HSBC PHMM
Purpose of transfer: Reverse Carolling
If you are in Singapore:
you can contribute directly with a deposit via internet banking.
POSB Savings Account: 171-36923-1
Bank account name: Fong Tim Heng Esther & Chai Hui Chuan Amilia
Contact person in Singapore (Coordinator, ICPE Mission Singapore) Amilia Chai - 98291382
For all donations and contributions:
Please email Ms Esther Fong at icpeinfo@gmail.com with your name, contact details and donation amount so that we can keep a track record of donations.
Bank account name: ICPE PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION INC
Peso account: 003-115250-042
Bank address: HSBC, Ground floor, Discovery Suites. 25, ADB Avenue Ortigas Centre, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Swift code: HSBC PHMM
Purpose of transfer: Reverse Carolling
If you are in Singapore:
you can contribute directly with a deposit via internet banking.
POSB Savings Account: 171-36923-1
Bank account name: Fong Tim Heng Esther & Chai Hui Chuan Amilia
Contact person in Singapore (Coordinator, ICPE Mission Singapore) Amilia Chai - 98291382
For all donations and contributions:
Please email Ms Esther Fong at icpeinfo@gmail.com with your name, contact details and donation amount so that we can keep a track record of donations.
What
is reverse carolling?
Bringing Christmas cheer to low income
families by sharing food
hampers, Christmas
carols and
prayer.
Each year, members of our adult ministry
in Montalban also actively participate in the project. They share the joy of
being empowered to give and share with the poorest in their community.
Why
Reverse Carolling?
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| Praying for the family |
Families usually host carollers by giving
them food and money. We do the reverse-
giving each family food and praying for them.
Who
are the beneficiaries?
About 200 low income families in
Montalban, Rizal Province and this year, we will also reach out to another 100
low income families in Tagaytay.
Where will we go?
Montalban, Rizal, located
at the outskirts of Manila, is a relocation site for squatters from Makati and
Pasig. It is described by one inhabitant as a ‘human dump area’ because of its
distance from the city and the lack of employment nearby. All the families live
below the poverty line, struggling to earn around Php100-150 per day for food,
utilities and the needs of the family. Since 2006, we have been reaching out to
the low income families in this area.
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| Giving the Christmas hamper |
Tagaytay City is known as a
tourist or weekend escape for those from Manila. Yet, as we have discovered
since re-locating here in 2010, there are many low income families hidden in
the byways in this city.
For more pictures and
information on past Reverse Carolling projects, please visit our blog pages:
2010
Christmas in Montalban –including Reverse Carolling
2009
Reverse Carolling in pictures
Read
a volunteer’s experience of 2009’s Reverse Carolling
2008
Reverse Carolling
2007
Reverse Carolling
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