Grace College Students Serve In PhilippinesWINONA LAKE - Grace College students recently visited the Philippines to reach out to orphans.
The 16 students visited Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, May 10-23.
Students at the college are required to participate in a cross-cultural experience before they graduate.
They volunteered with Kids International Ministries, an organization started by missionaries, that has an orphanage that assists 70 orphans.
The students had the opportunity to participate in a program where they fed the orphans. They also performed programs and shared stories, singing, games and crafts.They also visited American Manila Cemetery in the Philippines.
The students went with Scott Feather, Grace College dean of the chapel and global ministries.
Rachel Israel, a sophomore graphic design major, is half Filipino. She said she enjoyed learning about her heritage. It was Israel's first time for visiting the Philippines. Israel's mother was born in Manila, but moved to the United States before Israel was born.
"I always heard stories about Manila growing up when my mom told me the Philippines were industrialized, and if I visited that I would see American products, but I also would see poverty and overcrowding," Israel said.
Heidi Class, a senior elementary education major, said the trip encouraged her even more to want to work overseas with children as a missionary.
Brianne Pinkerton, a junior nursing major, said it was interesting to see destitute areas.
"What stuck out to me most was that the children had so little, but they were still happy and joyful," Pinkerton said.
Kallie Holzhauser, a senior counseling and Bible studies major, said she enjoyed spending time with the children.
"It was an eye-opening trip and made me appreciate the small things I take for granted," Holzhauser said.
