Monday-Wednesday, June 9-11, Behman Family (Island of Mindoro)
Mike, Brandon, and Alyssa provide the exciting update of our time spent with the Behman family.
Monday (Mike): Today was a long day of traveling. From starting out the day saying goodbye to the two week team to ending the day fellowshipping with missionaries and local Christians we were all very tired. We started the day driving from Subic to the Manila airport where a small group of us split off from the rest of the team to continue our three week trip to the island of Mindoro. We met the Hursts at the airport and started driving around 2:00 am and got to Mindoro around 10:00 am where we met the Behmans for lunch. They have a new ministry here on Mindoro and are very excited to get started with their church. For only being settled here for nine weeks, they have already made quite an impact on the people. Our schedule has now changed as we are basically going to bed around 8:00 pm and getting up around 5:00-5:30 am which is allowing us to get some good sleep. Unknown to us that while were sleeping tonight that the island (37 kms out in the water) experienced a 5.1 magnitude earth quake–this is the 2nd earth quake that the team has experienced and makes our missions trip even more sensational!
Tuesday (Brandon): That morning at 5:30 am, the men went out into town looking for people to play basketball with. Regrettably there was no one there to play since it rained the night before. Instead we got to see Mr. Behman talk to some of the locals and establish relationships with the people as well as spent some quality time fellowshipping at the local Seattle’s Best coffee shop. Afterwards the whole team went down to the boats and got a chance to snorkel in the water. Many saw sea turtles and vibrant fish. The Behman girls were warning us about sea snakes. If they bite you, you have 8 seconds before you die. Praise the Lord we did not see any while we were out. We had the chance to meet (and eat at) Paul and Bernadette’s restaurant. The upstairs of the restaurant is where the Behmans plan to start a school. We had chance to pray over it and the future ministries there. For the rest of the time we fellowshipped at the Behman’s house. To get ready for tomorrow’s medical clinic ministry, several on the team were able to practice some basic medical procedures including measuring blood sugar. That night we played an intense card game and ended in cheers and many tears. It has beens so awesome seeing ministry begin at the Behman’s. It has been such sweet fellowship with their family.
Wednesday (Alyssa): Today we got to go to a local school and hold a youth rally and medical clinic. We accompanied the Behman family as well as the Daytecs (Doc Francis, Leah, and family). Mrs. Behman is a nurse and Dr. Daytec is a local doctor. We started by checking vital signs on the students and teachers then performed medical histories and physical assessments. One thing that was so cool to see was the children of both families participating in the medical clinic as well. They performed blood pressure checks, got other vital signs, and even performed some assessments. Some of the team members were able to help with the clinic too after some training from the Behmans. As an aspiring nurse, it was so cool to see how a medical clinic is run outside of the States out in the community. After the medical assessments were completed, the next stop was a counseling station where Mrs. Cirone and some other ladies prayed with each student. Many of these students and some teachers were not saved, and many had heavy burdens they were carrying. However, many students were very open and willing to be prayed for. After the counseling station, the youth went upstairs to the youth rally. Brandon, Mike, and Dr. Cirone ran several games including, spoon and egg, dodgeball, and tug ‘o war. After playing a couple of additional PowerPoint games and learning/singing the Good News, Good News song, Brandon preached and gave a clear gospel presentation. A good time was had by all and the teens really appreciated the fellowship as this was probably their first youth rally.
After the school outreach, the team, the Behmans, and the Daytec family drove and hiked to the beach where we ate lunch. Despite some rain, the beach was beautiful and we were able to fellowship with each other. After the beach, we drove a short distance to a Mangyan village. The Mangyans are the indigenous tribe on Mindoro. They are one of the main people groups that the Behmans and Daytecs are working with. We met some of the Mangyan contacts that the Behmans and Daytecs work with. We also were able to see and buy some of the local craftsmanship of the tribe. They make some beautifully handwoven bas, coasters, and baskets with beautiful designs. The rest of the night included relaxing with the Behmans at their home and playing some card games with their family.
