Outreach mission to the Philippines - 2024

Thank you to everyone that donated to this cause.

We just got back from the Philippines and we were able to feed the approximate 600 kids we had set to achieve. We couldn't have done it without all of your kind donations for which all the children were very excited. I hope to have a new video of our adventure in the near future and will share it with you when it has been completed. For now, I'd like to congratulate Matt Jones on winning the prize package. See video below for the draw that I did and a few images from the 2 separate feedings we did.

Again, I'm overwhelmed with the support you've shown and can't thank you enough.

We plan on another feeding in 2026 and who knows, maybe we'll have a new goal of feeding 900 kids this time with your help!

Thanks again and God bless you.

Marshall & Carol

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Thank you for taking your time to hear about our mission to the Philippines.

Our names are Marshall Craft and Carol Pidlaoan and we've been together now for over ten years and just recently married in September '22. We're currently set to visit the Philippines again in June 2024 and plan to feed children in 2 Barangays (villages) that are really struggling.

VIDEO

Please take a moment to watch our video.

OUR BACK STORY

(If you only want to know exactly what our goal is, then feel free to skip our back story and scroll down to our MISSION.)

When I first met my Filipino wife Carol 12 years ago, she would tell me stories about how poor the people were over there. Every Christmas she would send money back to the Philippines for her sister to buy food for about 15-20 families. The next Christmas I joined in helping and raised it to 20-25 families at Christmas time. After about 5 years of dating, I decided to go to the Philippines with her in 2018 to meet her family.

I was blown away how poor most of the country really is. There’s a huge difference between someone telling you stories of the poverty and actually getting your feet on the ground to see it for yourself. Until you see it with your own eyes, It doesn’t really register in your brain. The best way I can explain it would be if you’ve seen pictures and heard the stories of the Great Wall of China, or the Roman Colosseum, words can’t explain when you’re actually standing in front of it. This was very similar.

From that point on, I then decided to make a commitment whenever we go back, I wanted to do a feeding for a very poor village outside of Carol’s city. So, when we went back in 2022, Carol organized everything with her family. From us sending her money, to purchasing the slippers, juice boxes, crackers, Jollibee spaghetti & hamburgers, etc.. Her sister was always in contact with the Barangay Captain (village leader/mayor) who told us that there would be 100 kids in attendance. So, when we arrived to our disbelief, there was approximately 250 there. Everything we purchased and brought to the feeding wasn’t going to be enough. We felt bad because we were expecting to give every child spaghetti and a hamburger but now, we had to split it and only give one each. Luckily there were 2 tricycles that showed up selling ice cream and cold drinks so, we bought both of them out so that everyone could enjoy a treat.

Even though I felt bad about not having enough for everyone I was deeply humbled by their response. Looking at all these children who don’t have much and live a very desperate life, every single child was smiling and happy. It made me put a lot of my worries in check and realize how embarrassed I am when complaining about what shoes or hat I’ll wear today when all these kids have nothing.

OUR MISSION

Last year we booked our flight to go back in June but this time we’re doing 2 villages. The goal is to feed about 600 people between the 2 villages and anything left we’ll give to a third. We’ve already sent over 4 large boxes containing food and clothes and we’re bringing another 4 check-in luggage. This time we’re making a massive amount of spaghetti for the feeding but still need to package them individually for the feedings. We’re also planning to buy 600 juice boxes, crackers, rice, backpacks, slippers and 50-100 tarps for families that need to cover their homes to protect them from the elements.

We still have a lot to do but we want to try and make an impact even if it isn’t a large one.

All money raised will go directly to helping the children and families in the Philippines and we look forward to bringing a little happiness to an otherwise desperate situation.

Thank you for reading and God bless you for your generosity.

Marshall & Carol