Every Saturday afternoon, our team and our hosts cram into a jeepney and make the fifteen minute drive to Basak Mandaue.  This ministry has become one of my absolute favorites.  After winding our way through houses, stores, and family resturants, we make our way to a little clearing where the children are already setting up chairs.  They can see us for a long way off and they yell toward us "Ate Kasandra, Ate Jenny, Ate Sarah!"  Ate (pronounced ah-tee) is a word that means big sister, and we are each greeted with it as they touch the back of our hands to their foreheads.  It is a sign of respect.

 

 

 

     The children in Basak are so impoverished, yet much like the children of Kibera they are filled to the brim with joy.  We play with them, jumping rope, shooting baskets, and taking pictures before we prepare for our program.  A few songs, a bible story, and a memory verse later, the children are engaged and having a good time.  I especially love doing renditions of Baby Shark, Singing in the Rain, and next week I will debut the MILK song.  They will enjoy that one.

    

    

 

     We finish the program and then it is time for the children to take their place in line for the feeding ministry.  Each week CCAC donates food, or money for food, for this very ministry.  Two large pots are filled with a variety of food.  For the past two weeks they have had a rice and chicken soup that is served very hot, and fills their little tummies quickly.  Seeing ministry like this can be difficult, especially when we know that it may be their only meal that day, but it is also so rewarding.  The children are so thankful.  The joy that they bring with them each Saturday is so contagious, and I cannot help but leave with a huge smile on my face.