Friday, 4.25.14
Departed from the resort this morning for a field trip to Haven for the Elderly.  This is a large senior home similar to our assisted living....but not like any assisted living that I have ever visited.  Capacity is around 200.  The home is a series of cottages nestled into the mountains surrounded by palms, jack fruit and mango trees.  Each cottage houses 20 residents.  I think the kids were a little uncertain about what to expect, and to be honest I shared their anxiety.  However, that anxiety quickly turned to amazement as we witnessed the blending of the generations.  The kids showed such respect and caring for the elders and the elders simply wrapped their loving arms around the children.  It was such a display of compassion and I felt fortunate to have been part of the experience.  Without hesitation the children approached the elders, entered into conversation and gave them small gifts.  In return, the elders held their hands with smiles that melted your heart.  It was simply amazing.  Music is such a significant part of peoples lives in the Philippines....It was no different at Haven for the Elderly.  They had a special room set up for singing, dancing and just listening to music.....called "Jamming with the the elderly." I thought of our son and friends at Bethany as the music starting rolling.  They actually had a small band with amps, mics and large speakers.  No room for wimps here!  The music is loud and rocks the entire room.......yes, rocked  the entire room.  Our kids danced for them, danced with them, sang for them, sang with them....and even the ambassadors got into the act with dancing and singing.  We preformed our own unique version of Hey Jude........The elders loved it and we thought we were rock stars.....what fun and what an amazing inter-generational experience. I came away with a feeling that these kids were special in many ways and it only makes me more resolved to find them a loving home.  Ted