As all of you know by now, the team arrived safely home in Philly on Sunday, Jan. 14. I sure liked our flight schedule for the home journey much better...it was nice to have the long flight broken into smaller segments. That 16 hours to Hong Kong was a llllooooonnnngggg ride!
It is now 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and I'm writing this at my desk at work. It's the first time I've been able to log in to the Blogger site since Jan. 11. I guess they've been having some server issues since some of you have mentioned to me that you also have not been able to log in to comment on the blog.
In this posting, I'd like to catch you up on our last couple of days in Quezon City. My next posting will be photos of these events, so please check back in a week or so.
Anyway, on Friday, Jan. 12, the team went to Basatlan to see the site of the future youth center and to visit Pastor Choy's church and gang ministry. Imagine the team's surprise when we were picked up by Pastor Choy and there was a machine gun sitting in the front of the van!!! Turns out it was a "toy"...shoots pellets I think...but a pretty real looking one and it got us all in the "mood" for our visit! LOL
The story of the ministry led by Pastor Choy is a moving one. The area of Basatlan where the ministry is located is very poor and there are about 15 gangs located in a fairly small area. Gang wars are common. And as Pastor Choy told us, the police have learned not to come to pick up the pieces until the wars are over...too many police were shot trying to break things up. Pastor Choy lived among the residents of this area for several years and while befriending the gangs, actually changed his life schedule to be the same as theirs...he would sleep during the day and then hang out with the gangs all night. The result is that 4 gangs have come to know Christ. And not just a couple members of the gangs...the entire gang.
That day we were served lunch at their church...a teeny little room that they are unbelievably able to pack 50 people in for services. We had the honor of about 10 of the gang members joining us for lunch. We also got to see where Pastor Choy once lived...it is now the living space for the former gang members. A one room place that would comfortably fit maybe 3 people sleeps up to 20 at night. But that is still so much better than them having to sleep on the streets.
The former gang members have also started their own basketball league which they also run themselves. The other gangs also participate...peacefully! It's just amazing to see the work God is doing there.
Next we met with the barangay (sort of like a mayor) of Basatlan. He's a Christian man, dedicated to honest politics and helping those he represents. And he's committed that the municipal government will help Pastor Choy out financially with construction of the youth center once the final pieces of land have been aquired.
Later that afternoon we were at ISACC for a debriefing of our visit and for a sampling of local delicasies. You'll really have to check back for the photos of this...it was a riot! I think most of us were brave enough to sample the majority of items...fried chicken, pork and beef intestines, snails in coconut milk and "chocolate soup"...pork cooked in pork blood served with sweet rice patties. But the star of the evening was the balut. Kathy...YOU ROCK!! You are an ANIMAL!! She ate the balut...none of the rest of us would even try it. A little education...balut is a duck egg that is not completely cooked. You crack open the top, drink out the liquid and then peel it. Inside is a duck embryo...yep, complete down to its little beak...and you eat that next. Finally you eat the yolk. She never even flinched...and even better, she kept telling us all afterward "it really wasn't bad!" Hmmmm, sure.....
Later that night we had a farewell dinner with Mack and Rhoda Bradshaw at their lovely home. A group of about 20 gathered...ISACC staff and our team members...it was a marvelous send off.
Saturday morning we did a bit of shopping and had one more Filipino meal before leaving for the airport. Lucky for me someone in the group ordered halo halo for dessert...it was fabulous...way better than the halo halo I had here in the states.
Then we headed on home...all uneventful, good flying weather, which was great. And our baggage made it this time...well, for everyone except for me! But it was delivered yesterday at 2:00 so that wasn't too bad.
And here we are, back in our reality...and I'm still trying to adjust, trying to sift through my experiences of the last 2 weeks and hopefully become a better person as a result of it all. I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity.
One final note from Marilyn...she'd asked me to post this last Friday...
"Hi Suff,
So nice to hear from you during my stay in the Philippines. What a surprise! I return home on the 13th. Please send an email and fill me in on what has been happening in your life.
Love to you, too,
Marilyn"
More from me later, when I have the photos to post...
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Fairwell to Puerto Galera and Valley of Peace
It is now 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11 and I'm wrting from Manila. Today we left Valley of Peace and Puerto Galera for Manila. I'd hoped to post a bunch of pictures of our last couple of days, but am not able to on this computer I'm using. So, those of you who are interested should still stay tuned after we get back because I do plan to post photos of our last few days once I'm able.
But until then, here are a few words to describe our last couple of days:
It has been rainy the last several days, but in spite of that we were able to completely finish work on the playground! Yippeee...it looks gorgeous. And we were able to finish demo work on the dining hall and do as much of the support work for that as possible, given the rainy conditions. Chuck and Scott, along with Po Poy, Jun, and Jomer, did an awesome job on that building. I'm just blown away by what they were able to accomplish in such a short time.
Last night we said our good-byes to the Filipinos on the team. It was emotional for me...while I miss home and all of you, endings have never been easy for me. I'm going to miss all these people that we've met and worked along side.
The ferry ride back to Batangas this morning was again uneventful, praise God. And we had a nice evening of R&R once we got back to the OMF house where we are staying in Manila.
I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed by it all...the sights, sounds, smells of this beautiful land. The contrasts...from the squatter's shacks, some stacked 2 and 3 high, looking like a tower of cards just waiting to topple...to the gorgeous modern mall in Manila that we visited. The crazy traffic with all the honking and the smell of diesel exhaust in the air. The luscious tropical surroundings on Puerto Galera. And the relationships we've made, especially with Jay and Zsa Zsa. I think it'll take me some time to process it all when I get back.
Tomorrow we will visit the area of the youth center in Basatlan that originally we'd hoped to be working on. I'll share more about it tomorrow. It's a moving testimony to the awesome and amazing power of God, how that ministry got started.
Now, however, our team has a lot to say to family and friends, so here goes!
Nancy S. sends out huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY greetings to Jojo and Jeff from her and Aunt Mar!!! They wish they could be there with you to celebrate and are looking forward to seeing you soon.
Kim and Scott have the following notes for their loved ones...
"To Jon & Tina
That's what 'The Boss' does, he cracks the whip!
To Kelly
We hope you have a wonderfil time on your cruise. J-A-E we can tell that you girls are praying for us. Thanks!
Dad & SJ
Hope the house is still standing and that Bry is doing ok without us. See ya soon,
Bob & Ali
My fear of spiders has been overcome by the fear of humongous cockroaches!
GM
We can see the fruits of your prayers, thank you. Hope all is well.
Ernie & Naomi
We did not eat any snake meat or drink any blood as per your suggestion, but the octupus was a hit."
And a couple notes from me:
Bob and Alice (and anyone else praying for me)...I so appreciate your prayers to date. They have been such a blessing to me. Now I have a specific request...I had a sore throat from last Saturday through yesterday. Now, thankfully the sore throat has gone, but it took my voice with it and has left me all congested! So, for the last 2 days I have had no voice and the last thing I want is to get on the plane for the ride back with my head all congested. Prayers for a speedy healing would be much appreciated!
Patti...I'm up for that pasta whenever we can get it on our schedules!
JP...can we have our dinner on Monday night? Looking forward to being able to spend some time together when I've had a chance to get a bit rested.
And to all of you who've posted notes over the last couple of weeks...it has meant so much to me personally and every member of this team. And especially thanks for your prayers...they have sustained us on this trip.
More tomorrow...
But until then, here are a few words to describe our last couple of days:
It has been rainy the last several days, but in spite of that we were able to completely finish work on the playground! Yippeee...it looks gorgeous. And we were able to finish demo work on the dining hall and do as much of the support work for that as possible, given the rainy conditions. Chuck and Scott, along with Po Poy, Jun, and Jomer, did an awesome job on that building. I'm just blown away by what they were able to accomplish in such a short time.
Last night we said our good-byes to the Filipinos on the team. It was emotional for me...while I miss home and all of you, endings have never been easy for me. I'm going to miss all these people that we've met and worked along side.
The ferry ride back to Batangas this morning was again uneventful, praise God. And we had a nice evening of R&R once we got back to the OMF house where we are staying in Manila.
I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed by it all...the sights, sounds, smells of this beautiful land. The contrasts...from the squatter's shacks, some stacked 2 and 3 high, looking like a tower of cards just waiting to topple...to the gorgeous modern mall in Manila that we visited. The crazy traffic with all the honking and the smell of diesel exhaust in the air. The luscious tropical surroundings on Puerto Galera. And the relationships we've made, especially with Jay and Zsa Zsa. I think it'll take me some time to process it all when I get back.
Tomorrow we will visit the area of the youth center in Basatlan that originally we'd hoped to be working on. I'll share more about it tomorrow. It's a moving testimony to the awesome and amazing power of God, how that ministry got started.
Now, however, our team has a lot to say to family and friends, so here goes!
Nancy S. sends out huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY greetings to Jojo and Jeff from her and Aunt Mar!!! They wish they could be there with you to celebrate and are looking forward to seeing you soon.
Kim and Scott have the following notes for their loved ones...
"To Jon & Tina
That's what 'The Boss' does, he cracks the whip!
To Kelly
We hope you have a wonderfil time on your cruise. J-A-E we can tell that you girls are praying for us. Thanks!
Dad & SJ
Hope the house is still standing and that Bry is doing ok without us. See ya soon,
Bob & Ali
My fear of spiders has been overcome by the fear of humongous cockroaches!
GM
We can see the fruits of your prayers, thank you. Hope all is well.
Ernie & Naomi
We did not eat any snake meat or drink any blood as per your suggestion, but the octupus was a hit."
And a couple notes from me:
Bob and Alice (and anyone else praying for me)...I so appreciate your prayers to date. They have been such a blessing to me. Now I have a specific request...I had a sore throat from last Saturday through yesterday. Now, thankfully the sore throat has gone, but it took my voice with it and has left me all congested! So, for the last 2 days I have had no voice and the last thing I want is to get on the plane for the ride back with my head all congested. Prayers for a speedy healing would be much appreciated!
Patti...I'm up for that pasta whenever we can get it on our schedules!
JP...can we have our dinner on Monday night? Looking forward to being able to spend some time together when I've had a chance to get a bit rested.
And to all of you who've posted notes over the last couple of weeks...it has meant so much to me personally and every member of this team. And especially thanks for your prayers...they have sustained us on this trip.
More tomorrow...