MCI retreat brings adults and youth together in celebrating the outdoors, in a beautiful, safe, fun environment. We all need to recharge and there is no better place to do it. In between playing, swimming, reading, meditations, fellowship, movie night, and our famous non-fiction book reading time you can also learn more about each other. This year our Keynote Speakers were Jeremy Coddington, Grant Boshart, Mitch , Dr. Kay, Ezra, Dr. Gloria Amaya , Emily Poulter , Tommy Poulter , , Ezra Rodarte and Ana Amaya . The theme for this year "I still Believe” that helps us how to how to cope with our hurts, habits, and hangs-ups. The book we studied at the retreat this year was Ordinary Angels about two toddler sisters whose disease made life saving liver transplants necessary. A struggling hairdresser, Sharon was the ordinary angel who raised funds and support for the medical needs and gave the girls love in the midst of the loss of their mother to cancer. The book alternated chapters about Sharon’s tireless efforts to garner enough support and about her childhood with abusive alcoholic parents. Jeremy’s provocative discussion questions led students to share about those who had helped them in their difficult lives.this movie promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you laughing, crying, and most importantly, inspired. Based on a true story, it beautifully encapsulates the themes of courage, and overcoming obstacles, and, in many ways, mirrors the core principles we’ve upheld at the MCI for decades.One of our guiding principles has always been, “Not just give , but teach how to give back to the community, It’s a simple yet profound approach that has been the backbone of our mission. Watching “Ordinary Angels” reinforced the power of this mantra in my own life. The film portrays the transformative journey that unfolds when we say yes to helping someone in need, even if we don’t have all the answers from the start. Miracles happen, and lives are not just changed but saved.
Reflecting on our early days in in Davao City , our original plan was to build up another Dorm in the city. However, fate had different plans for me. The heartbreak of witnessing a young man and women inside prison doing nothing steps shook me to my core. It was a wake-up call to the stark reality of the struggles people face – poverty , hurts, hangups, , homelessness, addiction. I didn’t have all the solutions, but I knew I had to do something.
Setting up Colleege Education Behind Bars , I began engaging with the community, rallying support from community , and hustling to provide funds. I couldn’t take no for an answer because the need was too urgent, and the hurting people of Davao City jail couldn’t wait. “Ordinary Angels” resonated with me because it beautifully captures the essence of just doing whatever it takes to help those in need. I’ve never considered myself extraordinary or special. Attorney and I were just an ordinary angel who heeded the call to help those in need. After 17 years of working to serve filipino , and transform lives in the Philippines , I can confidently say that I have witnessed so many ordinary angels that have brought me the greatest joy in my life.
