Well, our second day in the Philippines is complete. We were able to do a little bit of sightseeing, but the biggest and most meaningful adventure of the day was when we were able to visit the children whom me and my wife sponsor from Compassion International. Compassion is an organization who, by way of child sponsorship, are

Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name

In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.

Here are a few pictures of our meeting with the kids this morning:

Meeting Eduard, Arlene, and their parents for the first time!

They just finished their meal at the Philippines number one fast-food restaurant, Jollibee!

This is their first chance to ever go to an amusement park!

Here they are playing ski-ball, again, another first!

This was at the end of the day. We really had a great time and we treated them to some snacks and food that their parents just cannot afford. We bought them each one toy — both costing less than 20 dollars. The amazing thing was, the Compassion employee asked if it was too much. I was moved, because it was barely anything compared to the suffering these children face in the poverty-stricken Philippines. Wont you support a child today?

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After meeting with the children, we drove to Quiapo, one of the most famous churches in the Philippines.

The Quiapo Church (also known as the “Church of the Black Nazarene”) houses a large black wooden statue of Christ bearing the cross (the “Black Nazarene”). This crucifix was carved in Mexico and was brought to the Philippines from Mexico by Spanish galleon in 1767. It is said to have miraculous powers.

On Fridays thousands of Catholic devotees may be seen inside the church edging forward on their knees towards the crucifix.

Here are a few pictures of this visit, notice, first the Beautiful church!! The architecture! The Details! After the first picture, the rest are immediately surrounding the beautiful church — the signs of poverty, commercialism, pychics and lots of poverty abound. It makes me thing Jesus needs to stop by the Philippines and do what He did in the temples . . .

Finally, back at the hotel, here’s everyone (except me), standing outside of the “service” vehicle that took us around today.

That’s it for today! Hope to have more tomorrow! (And by the way, when I get back from the Philippines, I’ll provide links to higher resolution photos!!

Randy & Vangie Townley

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