MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- CLARK AIR BASE, Republic of Philippines - A small group of Marines and Sailors visited the Christian Praise and Worship Church here, Sunday.
What made this pilgrimage special for the service members was that the church was in the garage of a resident in an impoverished neighborhood.
What the Marines and Sailors discovered in the garage (church) was somewhat of a miracle, according to Lance Cpl. Celisa M. Reyes, Helicopter Marine Light Attack 369 avionics.
"I could not believe that all these people come together here to pray," she said.
Considering their situation, dealing with poverty and poor living conditions, the people from the neighborhood were happy and welcoming to outsiders (in this case, Americans).
Reyes, accompanied by a force protection officer, along with Lance Cpl. Steven R. Stone, Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 362 expeditor, walked around the neighborhood and greeted the many children playing, shoeless, in the dirt roads.
While on their journey across the cluttered homes and littered streets, the two Marines discovered a world they never knew existed.
"Some of the homes were made out of sheet metal and it looked as if one was actually made partly out of straw," said Stone.
The whole neighborhood turned their heads when they discovered the two Americans walking in their land. The street children immediately ran toward them with laughs and smiles. The adults were just as happy, inviting them into their homes and allowing them to take pictures.
Back in the church, a group of local teenagers began to do a dance and sing a routine for their guests. Immediately after, toys, which the service members had brought along to give to the children, were given out to the Sunday school children for answering questions from the Bible correctly.
The service members were later treated to a meal and sat beside the Sunday school children to eat. The cuisine was Pansit Bihon, rice noodles with chicken and vegetables.
Once the meals were finished, the Marines and Sailors donated more toys and clothes to the church.
When the day was done, heading back to Clark Air Base, the service members reflected on their visit.
"I wish I could do more. But this experience did open my eyes, and it made me see how fortunate we are. Everybody should realize this and be grateful for the things we have. In the future, I plan on doing volunteer work.
Today, seeing and doing the things we did, is probably the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life," Stone said.