Neil shares that the visit, during which they also met with local leaders of the Impact Philippines program, was the best way to combine ministry and vacation that he could think of. "We had a wonderful time. Brett [Neil's son] had some breaks in his school and ministry responsibilities to be with us, and we also got to spend a lot of time with our daughter-in-law Grace and the baby. Isabella is adorable and she stole my heart – I wish I could go back tomorrow and see her again!"
Between cuddles and lullabies, Neil and Yvonne were also able to visit the city of Cavite (pronounced cah-vee-tay). Cavite's dumpsite, the result of urban sprawl in Manila, is about 2 hectares in size and is home to a thousand squatter families, who pick through the garbage and resell anything with value. It is also the site of three churches and two of ITCA's projects – an alternative learning system (ALS) and an urban gardening program, both of which are designed to lift the people living in the dumpsite out of poverty.
Henry Manuncia, Philippines Program Director, and his wife Lisa spent considerable time with Neil, Yvonne and local pastors, Cesar and Fe. Pastora Fe was so proud to walk them through their new strategic plan for the program, which Neil believes will make a significant difference in the coming years. "I've been to the Philippines many times in the last twelve years. I was so happy to see local leaders mapping out strategy, leveraging years of relationships, and working on a plan they are truly excited about. Henry and Lisa are so good at coaching that there are now local resources at the neighbourhood and municipal level willing to support the projects. In the developing world, that is a profound shift in mindset."
Neil says, "I'm looking forward to returning next year, not only to see my beautiful Isabella, but to see the Cavite City projects which are shining examples of our vision to see lives and communities transformed by the power of God."
Please join Neil and Yvonne in prayer that Grace, their daughter-in-law, might be granted a tourist visa to visit Canada in the near future. For more information or to support the work of Impact Philippines, visit www.iteams.ca and click International > Impact Philippines.
