"My daughter Kelly and I just returned last week from a delightful time at Keith and Narcy Mikkelson's Aloha House orphanage in the Philippines. Below is an exerpt from an email I sent out to friends and family who supported us.
...Our team consisted of Barb Palmer, an older friend from church, Don and Kathy Shire, seasoned missionary travelers, Kelly and me. Don, a professional trumpet player, was our team leader. His experience helped us make it through customs, flight transfers, etc. We were VERY thankful for his leadership, both practically and spiritually.
What we did on the trip:
Played with babies and little ones at the orphanage
Took them up over the mountains to the beach one day
Dodged jellyfish in the ocean
Helped the orphanage staff do feeding programs for squatter-village children
Cleared area for more garden space
Taught a few goat-care skills
Learned and learned and learned
Helped create the children's Lifebooks
Introduced the autoharp and recorders to the staff /children.
Sang at Don's trumpet concerts at many local churches.
Led a worship workshop for a small local church worship team
Led a homeschooling workshop
Enjoyed the cultural differences (communicating through facial expressions, pointing with ones lips)
What we learned:
Our primary goal in going on this trip was to serve the orphanage staff and children however we could. But a personal goal was to put myself in a position for God to do a work in my heart. He did that by showing me example after example of people with servant hearts, more pliable and less proud than mine. Kelly noticed this as well in many of the Philippine people we met. I now have a picture in my mind of what a servant is to be like, and my desire is for God to continue working that out in my life.
We learned that the need for a relationship with Jesus is the same everywhere, no matter ones location, situation or income. We met with believers who live near the dump. There are so many people surviving off junk in the dump, that there is a church there for those who are believers! Don led a service there. Kelly shared a bit while the pastor translated into Tagalog. We all worshipped together. What an incredible delight to worship our common Lord, even if we had little else in common. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ! And it seemed so as well. Don commented that as we approached the little bamboo hut, it felt strange and out of our comfort zone. But as soon as we stepped in, it was as if we were with family. Indeed we were.
We learned a lot from our host, Keith Mikkelson, who is a constant teacher, expounding on topics from theology to sustainable agriculture. We brought back ideas to help increase food yields of gardens and farms and how to integrate resources. At their orphanage, everything is integrated. The roof is designed to catch water that they use for washing the 200 diapers each day, and for filling the fish pond where they raise talapia fish for the children and staff to eat. Several worm beds produce "vermicast" which is used to fertilize the gardens.
The gardens produce food for the orphanage and the extra is sold to generate funds. The peelings and left-over garden produce are carefully fermented a special way to make more fertilizer and livestock feed. The animal droppings are used to create fertilizer. Several bee hives keep the gardens pollinated for better yield and also produce honey. So everything is used to help something else. It's fascinating. Keith teaches local farmers about all this, and we learned a lot too. I'm hoping to use what I've learned. This is a very specific and practical answer to a recent prayer of mine about how to generate more good foods at less cost for our family."
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