Missions: The Philippines

Mabuhay! That is the typical greeting you say when you welcome someone in the Philippines. That's right some of you may know, our family along with 23 people ventured out in faith on the Philippines Mission Trip. We had such a great time, the team was able to meet the physical needs of the children of Smokey Mountain, share the Gospel through drama and puppet shows at a Medical Outreach in Dinalupihan, Bataan, go street witnessing and pass out bibles in the town of Tondo and so much more. So here is just a brief overview of our time.

As you will see, God did some amazing things during our 10 days in the Philippines...we ask that you keep the people of the Philippines in your prayers.

As we departed on Sunday, June 6th, there were many things going through our minds, that is for me and Micah. This was going to be Micah's 1st Mission trip and to top it off, his 1st International Mission trip. As you may know from earlier posts, my (J.J) first mission trip was to the South Pacific, the Island of American Samoa. So you can call me a Missionary Veteran.

When mom and dad told us we were very excited, but they also told us it was a 16 hour plane ride...that didn't sound to exciting. But you know what it wasn't so bad.

Anyway, we thought we would share some of our pictures and memorable moments while we were in the Philippines. We didn't get to go to all the different outreaches, but we were able to pray for dad and the team. Not to mention, I got to play out in the rain, run around the YWAM Mission house, barefoot and shirtless and watch movies with all the other Missionary kids.

Sunset at Manila Bay

Here we are at the end of the Medical Outrea in Dinalupihan. A new Calvary Chapel just started so we colabored with Harvest Christian Fellowship in the Medical Outreach. There were many services available to the people from first aid, to dental extractions, from the pharmacy to receiving reading glasses and so much more. Our team was responsible for the Children's ministry. We were able to do puppet shows, dramas, read stories, paint faces and give out balloon animals, which is my personal favorite. All in all, to share the message of God's love to the children.

Me with dad...it's about 8am and 85 degrees with 99% humidity, you can't tell but we're really sweating.

Me with Mom

Micah with mom

I love the Philippines...no car seats. I was able to sit with dad on the passenger seat on the min-van.

My first "halo-halo" in the Philippines, translation "halo-halo" means "mix-mix". If you haven't tried one, it's a must. Stop by your local Chow King restaurant.

Uhhhh...I think the one on the right is the puppet?

Ahhhh...it's so good to be a kid, you could just fall asleep and you know someone is going to hold you.

Here I am for my worship debut with dad, we're singing "Great is your faithfulness".

Uncle James...I think you're taking this Jesus role a little bit too seriously, I think they know you're not really Jesus.

Here's dad with Pastor Juni, he's the pastor for Harvest Christian Fellowship in Quezon City. It's an awesome church, with peole that really love Jesus.

Ok, here's a question for you: How many filipino's can you fit unto a tricycle?

Uncle Jorge and Uncle Naz kickin' it on the Jeepney.

Micah is the center of attraction with the kids at the YWAM Missionary House.

Here are some pictures of the people of Smokey Mountain, which is an area where individuals live around the dumpsite and make their living off of scavenging for items in the trash that they might be able to sell.

Here are some pictures from an elementary School in Malabon. We had the privilege of hosting their first day of school assembly. Our team was able to share the Gospel and invite them to make Jesus their "Forever Friend". Many kids responded to the call.

We would like to express our thanks to each of you for your prayers and support for our family and the team as we prepared for the Philippines Mission Trip. We know that God used each of you instumentally in our lives and lives of the Filipino people. Maraming Salamat! (Thank you very much)

Spring Vacation

Hey everyone, let it be known that my little brother, Micah is beginning to grow on me. Yes, contrary to popular belief for the past 10 months, I have had to share the limelight with Micah...but it's actually not too bad. Now don't get me wrong I still have an issue with this concept of sharing, but it is great to be able to play with someone, other than mom and dad. Not that mom and dad aren't fun, it's just their idea of fun is going out to dinner for all you can Eat Korean BBQ and our idea of fun is all you can play tokens at Chuck E. Cheese.

Maybe you can tell, but we, Mascardo boys love playing in the sand!


But not only sand, we, Mascardo boys love playing in the water.

Ok, Dad, you asked me about getting my haircut for the Philippines mission trip, how about this..."mohawk"?

As you know our family along with 22 other people from church will be heading out on a Mission trip to the Philippines on a mission trip. So asked my dad if I could listen to his Ipod on the airplane since it's a 16 hour flight. My Dad said instead of listening to his Ipod, he suggested that I listen to something better, his CD player walkman...I don't know about you, but I think the Ipod is a little bit better than the CD walkman.

For mom's birthday,(April 16th), our family decided to take a road trip to San Diego to celebrate. The cool part about this was that we were meeting Kloie, Kristi, Kaylee and Nathan Ochoa there, oh yeah, Uncle Randy and Auntie Christina came too.

Buddies for life, Nathan and Micah

While in San Diego, we were able to visit Balboa Park. Very cool spot, there's museums, fountains, ponds etc.

Here we are in the Botanical Gardens, not so bad, but all they had were plants...where was the animals? where was the bugs? I needed a little bit more action than flowers and ferns.

Alright, Kristi, Kloie and Kaylee...what can we say to convince our parents to take to the zoo to go see the animals? I've had enough of the plants and flowers.

Ok, mom I trust you...but just in case you haven't noticed this dog is bigger than me and Nathan put together... Nathan start praying for a prayer for safety.

Me and Nathan taking a stroll down the boardwalk by Seaport Village.

Here we are at the beach rignt in front of the Del Coronado Hotel. We were hanging out and building sand castles...that was so much fun until all the adults said we had to go because it was getting cold.

Who says you can't have fun, just hanging out in the hotel room.

Uncle Randy, the Mascardo boys and dad on Easter Sunday morning.

Uncle Vu and my cousin, Maddy

Micah, Mom and Auntie Lil. We were celebrating Auntie Lil's birthday.

Here are my cool uncles, Uncle Vu and Uncle Mike!

Mom...what are you, dad and Micah going to eat?

Auntie Charina, can you read this story one more time? Don't forget to keep us in prayer from June 6-16, we'll be sharing the love of Jesus to all the people in the Philippines. If you would like to keep up with updates from the mission trip, check out the Team Philippines blog. Have a blessed day and remember Jesus loves you!

http://ccsbteamphilippines.blogspot.com/