Sending Mass in Manila

Signifcant sun burn

Another Boat

Boat

Day 16

We had today off until 5:30 when we had Mass and then left by boat for Cebu. Spent the morning catching up with sleep, packing and then filling in some missing Blog entries..

Day 15

Got up really early to visit a market, it was so hot! even some of the local missionaries were sweating and moaning about the heat! The market was packed with people, there was a stench in the air coming from a variety of foods which were overheating in the sunshine. As we walked round the market we found people asleep on cardboard boxes in the gutter. While we were looking at some of the goods we were accosted by numerous beggars. The whole scene was quite horrifying.
In the evening we travelled by the light railway network into the University of Santo Tomas for a Verbum Dei fund raising event held in the medical auditorium. This was a very impressive space, seating about 600+, fully air conditioned with a large stage and sophisticated lighting system. The concert was very good, it featured Bukas Palad Music Ministry from Ateneo University. After the concert we had a brief opportunity to talk to some of the members of the Verbum Dei family who we had met on the first two stages of the trip. We got back quite late....

Day 14

Today we attended a Verbum Dei 1 day retreat at a retreat house belonging to the the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, this was situated in another district of Manila. There was time to reflect on the trip so far, in a really cool air conditioned room. The day was split into group and individual reflections, several talks, Mass and confession.