Here are only a few things that really stand out, but the list could go on, and on:
Roosters crowing every morning..and actually all day, and actually all night, and actually lots and lots of roosters...everywhere.
The workers sweeping the streets with stiff brooms creating a unique sound to accompany the roosters in the mornings.
A sweet rhythm of flip-flops, everywhere.
Wednesday morning trips to Palegnke (the farmers market). Waking up around 5am, while the rest of the city sleeps, and is completely quite, climbing into a packed jeepney with the other volunteers, watching the sunrise over the mountains, as we make our way there, and the hustle and bustle, and shouting voices of the venders and buyers when we finally arrive. Getting a weeks worth of fruit and vegetables for about 10 or 15 dollars, in about 10 or 15 mins, and then leaving our bags in the jeepney for a brisk jog home.
The laughter and songs from the social centers that seem to fill the whole valley where we live.
The tricycle drivers always asking us if we want a boat ride.
White, and oh so tasty, rice.
Everyone laughing at our English.
"Hey Joe" everywhere we go. Since that's what they call all Americans.
Tasty Halo-Halo.
All the love we received from the ever smiling Filipinos that never ceased to give us their time, or thoughtfulness.
Being immersed into a completely new culture, pushing ourselves to experience new, and sometimes very difficult things, so as to grow always as Christians, to always serve our neighbors, and to know God more fully.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 9, 2009 - Still Going Strong
Hello Everyone!
Everything here is still going great. There is a lot of changes going on, with many volunteers going home, and new ones arriving. It is always a bit sad, but also exciting as we are continuously meeting new people, from all over the world, trying to do one important thing, "Love Thy Neighbor".
This coming weekend we have a Family Retreat, and we are very excited. One night there will be a fest, where Michael and I will be dancing a traditional Filipino dance! We jump over bamboo with some awesome and slightly complicated movements. Can't wait to show off when we get home!
Not much more to update, except that we just can't wait to see everyone!
Everything here is still going great. There is a lot of changes going on, with many volunteers going home, and new ones arriving. It is always a bit sad, but also exciting as we are continuously meeting new people, from all over the world, trying to do one important thing, "Love Thy Neighbor".
This coming weekend we have a Family Retreat, and we are very excited. One night there will be a fest, where Michael and I will be dancing a traditional Filipino dance! We jump over bamboo with some awesome and slightly complicated movements. Can't wait to show off when we get home!
Not much more to update, except that we just can't wait to see everyone!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - Splash Mountain, Camera Crew,and Oh So Sick
We were very sick. Michael and I are recovering from a ridiculously horrible stomach virus. We got sick the Sunday we came back from Manila, and it stuck with us for about one whole week, and then we finally went to a doctor on Sunday, to make sure it wasn’t something more serious. We are in recovery and would say about 90% there.
Things have been going well. I have switched work to try and experience something new, and I love it. We make lots of different things, like shirts for students, etc. I work with a variety of different people, from all over the Asian world; Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, and of course Philippines. It is nice to hear all their stories how they got here, and what their experiences have been.
Michael continues to work at Pagasa, and they are expecting a TV crew sometime in the next few days to do a segment on the Social Center there. After a few months of going without a haircut or shaving, “we” (and I mean “I”) decided that it would be a good idea for him to get one to be somewhat presentable. Unfortunately this backfired just a tad. Michael going back to the place we had gone once before, and were happy with the results, (50 pesos/1 dollar for a cut) just asked for the same haircut. Turns out that the barber didn’t quite remember what that meant, and just decided to take it all off. With a razor! Lucky for Michael he has a nicely shaped head, and is handsome as ever. And the cameras postponed for a future date.
We also went on a little field trip with Pagasa to…”SPLASH MOUNTAIN”! (This for me was a dream come true, for years I have been asking my Dad to take me to Splash Mountain, and I finally made it.) It was a nice place, lots of different pools, and slides, and we had a great time!
As our time is getting closer to an end, we are trying to live the present moment completely and fully, although it is a little tough as we are excited to see everyone again, and time passes so quickly with our days packed full.
We miss you all.
Things have been going well. I have switched work to try and experience something new, and I love it. We make lots of different things, like shirts for students, etc. I work with a variety of different people, from all over the Asian world; Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, and of course Philippines. It is nice to hear all their stories how they got here, and what their experiences have been.
Michael continues to work at Pagasa, and they are expecting a TV crew sometime in the next few days to do a segment on the Social Center there. After a few months of going without a haircut or shaving, “we” (and I mean “I”) decided that it would be a good idea for him to get one to be somewhat presentable. Unfortunately this backfired just a tad. Michael going back to the place we had gone once before, and were happy with the results, (50 pesos/1 dollar for a cut) just asked for the same haircut. Turns out that the barber didn’t quite remember what that meant, and just decided to take it all off. With a razor! Lucky for Michael he has a nicely shaped head, and is handsome as ever. And the cameras postponed for a future date.
We also went on a little field trip with Pagasa to…”SPLASH MOUNTAIN”! (This for me was a dream come true, for years I have been asking my Dad to take me to Splash Mountain, and I finally made it.) It was a nice place, lots of different pools, and slides, and we had a great time!
As our time is getting closer to an end, we are trying to live the present moment completely and fully, although it is a little tough as we are excited to see everyone again, and time passes so quickly with our days packed full.
We miss you all.
Monday, May 18, 2009
May 19, 2009 - Bukas Palad, Manila
Michael and I experienced a lot this past week, which has left a great impression on us, and we hope to never forget.
Bukas Palad in Manila turns out to be different in many ways from the social centers here in Tagaytay. Although the mission is quite similar, and many of the services they offer are the same, everything in Manila is on a much larger scale, including the poverty.
For example, while here in Tagaytay, a doctor or dentist comes twice a month, in Manila, they come everyday, and the amount of sponsored children is almost double.
Michael and I had the opportunity to work in the clinic with expecting mothers, and preparing some of the materials for the dentists. We also helped in the school, preparing materials for the upcoming school year. In the morning we taught swim lessons to the older children (I was happy to come prepared from many summers at Woodstock Water Works).
While in Manila we actually got to stay in the housing units built for some of the poor families, and some of the workers at the social center. Just to give you an idea. The units are about the size of a small dorm room, two story, and fit two people semi comfortably for one week. Much longer and claustrophobia would start to set in. These units normally house a whole family, with multiple children. As you can imagine this means that the streets are filled with children playing because the homes are so tight. Builds much stronger community, because everyone is forced outside of their homes. Every time we opened our door about 5 children would run in, and play. It was nice to be immediately part of the community. But also hard to know that while we were only staying a week, this was permanent for them.
After this first experience, the social center is now building units twice this size.
But most striking was the home visits we made from which many of the sponsored children come from, and which Bukas Palad serves. The only description I can accurately give would be to imagine what a concentration camp might look like. People literally piled upon each other. Taking turns to sleep at night because there just isn't enough room on the dirt ground to sleep. And garbage everywhere. The houses are so crammed next to each other, on top of each other about 4 stories high, with pathways extremely narrow which children use as a bathroom. And this we are told is better than what most people have. Many push a small wagon around filled with family belongings which they unload at night in order for a place to sleep. Or they live under bridges over garbage filled rivers. The pain of seeing these communities, and hearing many heartbreaking stories was overwhelming.
And extremely confusing, because just across the rivers where these families live is extreme wealth. Thousands of people driving by everyday, and never accepting what over half of the population is living in.
It gave me a true examination of my own conscience and what I do not make myself see in my own city. What am I passing by everyday, what poverty exists that I refuse to see or help, allowing the culture of materialism and wealth cloud my vision. Michael and I realized how much of a responsibility we have to always keep our eyes open, and to not stand idle. We are very happy to have had this experience in Manila as it allowed us to grow, even if it was painful, and we hope to continue growing.
I will post some pictures soon which will help to illustrate in a tiny way what we experienced, and what others live.
Love you all.
Bukas Palad in Manila turns out to be different in many ways from the social centers here in Tagaytay. Although the mission is quite similar, and many of the services they offer are the same, everything in Manila is on a much larger scale, including the poverty.
For example, while here in Tagaytay, a doctor or dentist comes twice a month, in Manila, they come everyday, and the amount of sponsored children is almost double.
Michael and I had the opportunity to work in the clinic with expecting mothers, and preparing some of the materials for the dentists. We also helped in the school, preparing materials for the upcoming school year. In the morning we taught swim lessons to the older children (I was happy to come prepared from many summers at Woodstock Water Works).
While in Manila we actually got to stay in the housing units built for some of the poor families, and some of the workers at the social center. Just to give you an idea. The units are about the size of a small dorm room, two story, and fit two people semi comfortably for one week. Much longer and claustrophobia would start to set in. These units normally house a whole family, with multiple children. As you can imagine this means that the streets are filled with children playing because the homes are so tight. Builds much stronger community, because everyone is forced outside of their homes. Every time we opened our door about 5 children would run in, and play. It was nice to be immediately part of the community. But also hard to know that while we were only staying a week, this was permanent for them.
After this first experience, the social center is now building units twice this size.
But most striking was the home visits we made from which many of the sponsored children come from, and which Bukas Palad serves. The only description I can accurately give would be to imagine what a concentration camp might look like. People literally piled upon each other. Taking turns to sleep at night because there just isn't enough room on the dirt ground to sleep. And garbage everywhere. The houses are so crammed next to each other, on top of each other about 4 stories high, with pathways extremely narrow which children use as a bathroom. And this we are told is better than what most people have. Many push a small wagon around filled with family belongings which they unload at night in order for a place to sleep. Or they live under bridges over garbage filled rivers. The pain of seeing these communities, and hearing many heartbreaking stories was overwhelming.
And extremely confusing, because just across the rivers where these families live is extreme wealth. Thousands of people driving by everyday, and never accepting what over half of the population is living in.
It gave me a true examination of my own conscience and what I do not make myself see in my own city. What am I passing by everyday, what poverty exists that I refuse to see or help, allowing the culture of materialism and wealth cloud my vision. Michael and I realized how much of a responsibility we have to always keep our eyes open, and to not stand idle. We are very happy to have had this experience in Manila as it allowed us to grow, even if it was painful, and we hope to continue growing.
I will post some pictures soon which will help to illustrate in a tiny way what we experienced, and what others live.
Love you all.
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