I was only spending about 2 hours in Singapore on Dec 20th when I am arriving from Los Angeles. It has been planned for me to go directly to the orphanage as soon as I am arriving. Yes it was a long flight but yes it was so excited to be there with the children and many more children out side the orphanage.The flight from LA to Singapore and to Timor was great as we were flying on smooth air all the way. Praise The Lord .

lighting up the Christmas tree

As soon as I arrived there I am helping Peggy and the  rest to continue packing the Christmas gifts and making arrangements for the events till my departure date ( going back to Singapore for my flying duties). We managed to wrapped some 400 basic family needs for a nice meal with the family and some other gifts for a family just for something different during a Christmas evening with a family. To our opinion the gifts are nothing special but to them it is something that they might not have it for a long period of time.

preparing for the gifts

garlic and shallot peeling

spices preparation

part of the cooking

For the 3 days activities ( from Dec 21st to 23rd) we were sharing what we have with some 1100 children mostly  under 10 year old at few villages and from the 24th0 25th we were dealing with another 300-400 children at Tasipa and Oefafi Village. We cooked the meals our self. It was a miracle that during all of our activities the sky has been cleared from any cloud and no rain ( even though it is the rainy season now). For the activities at Tasipa and Oefafi we were having the privilege of a visit by such a fine young lady Ms Marissa Maren , from Manhattan,New York. It was a real big different for her to be with us rather what she could have been having in Manhattan ( New York) during the Christmas time. We were not having any  Christmas lighting nor great musical instruments. we were having a simple pine tree with one short series of lights and actual candle being used as the decorations. Instead of great band we were having groups of vegetable seller at the wet market singing Christmas song for us , a group of people who are selling woods ( for cooking), children choir and the rest are farmers. No fancy clothes or outfit but the ladies mostly are wearing their party outfit ( which is a simple pink tops and sarong . Most of them are bare footed). At least 6 choirs from different kampong/ village were singing their best.Some of them came from some 4 - 5 km away and they must walk in the complete darkness.

This Christmas is so special because some of the funding is provided by a special efforts by Kirten, a very special and sweet girl of 12 years old from Sydney Australia. She was targeting to raise AUD 15o but she was able to raised AUD 693.40. Praise The Lord for having such a fantastic young lady at the age of 12 having such a great spirit upon helping others in need. I hope that one day we will be able to visit Sydney and to meet up with Kirsten. Indeed the people are so blessed because of her efforts and kind gifts to them.

Kirsten Parker passing the money that she collected to Mrs Janet Collins who has been with us at the orphanage for a month

December 25th at Tasipa Village

During our busiest day we were also able to host some 52 ladies who are selling vegetable at the wet market. It was about some micro financing assistance to them since 5 years ago . Their income is about 3 USD per day for the work of the whole family some 6 - 8 hours.

briefing and sharing with vegetable sellers for some micro loan for them

Indeed it has been busy days when we were there but we were also managed to spend some time and making up some quality time with the children at the orphanage. It was so good to see them growing up from babies into the schooling age children. Not only they are able to do things them self but they are also able to help out for some house chorus too. Praise The Lord. We managed to have a picnic too . we took them to the beach and spent our time till the darkness came. We were able to play so many things including swimming and ended by eating our dinner together at the beach of freshly catch of the day fish. We bought it there and we BBQ them also at the beach. It was a great day indeed that was.

Quality time it doesn't mean to be playing with expensive toys or at a nice place . It can be done with so many ways and it can be anywhere. Simple running around the beach and laughing together can be a very exciting thing to do in a group. Running competition is fun.

http://www.roslinorphanage.flyingcart.com