Pictures

The first couple pictures are of the apartment I am staying in. It's very nice!
Today they vslaughtered a pig, I am not going to post all the pictures I took of that, but I liked the one of Giovanni holding the head. I helped shave a pig leg after it was cut off - that was a first.
The fire department also visited today and went over some safety stuff with the kids.
Lastly is a picture of the gym at Sankey. We played basketball again today. It didn't rain, so apparently it was warm enough to play ;)

Thursday, March 29th

For the most part it has still been raining the last couple of days. Sometimes just sprinkling and other time downpouring. Today I was actually going to go help fix a roof at, I think a church, nearby but we couldn't do that because of the rain. So I went back to the farm with the guys and helped them cut some more grass. We also spent a half hour or so trying to catch a pig that had gotten loose last night... that was fun!
Yesterday the Army brought a basketball team to Sankey to play against the kids. (I don't know if I have mentioned this, but when I say kids, most of them are teenagers, ranging in age from 15 to 18. There are a few younger, but not many.) Anyways, Jake, Kuya Toto's son, who is the same age as myself, he and I played on the team withthekids from Sankey. We ended up winning 101-47. The kids here are very good! One of the guys, Kim, is actually trying out for the city team, which everyone else who is trying out is at least 20 or older, and Kim is only 16. I went to one of the tryout nights last night, and in my unbiased opinion he was definitely in the top 3 of the probably 30 guys trying out.
Well, I had balut today!!!! (I will let those of you who don't know what that is look it up for yourself.) And I only gagged once! It actually tasted very much like a hard boiled egg, it's appearance and my knowledge of it was is what mad me gag as I took a bite of what was clearly the leg and foot.
Tomorrow we will probably try to work on that roof it is not raining, otherwise I plan to go to the market again for round two.
One of the kids asked me if I have a camera and why I haven't been bringing it along to take pictures of the stuff we are doing. So as soon as it stops raining I will start doing that and will post some pictures.

Monday, March 26

I had some time for another short post. I have mentioned Kuya Toto in some past posts and I willing future, so for those of you who don't know, he is the director the orphanage. He live across the street and its him, his wife Atti Bebs, and three kids, Jake, Jaycelle, and Tovi (probably misspelled). All the kids are right around my age.
This morning I went with some of the adult staff and a few of the kids tothe marketplace. That was quitethe experience! I definitely stood out - being tall and white drew quite a bit of attention my way. But it was fun - I got to try some more Filippino cuisine there and experience and environment like nothing I have before. It sounds like like they go a couple times a week, so I am sure I will go again!
Because it is still raining we stayed inside most of the day again, just hanging out. I played basketball with one of the guys tonight, he was the only one who wanted to play - everyone else said it was too cold (its probably 70 degrees)... Haha!
More later...hope everyone is doing well back in the States!

Sunday, March 25

(I was going to post this yesterday, Sunday, but didn't get a chance to. Just so it is clear what days I am referring to when I say words like 'yesterday' or 'this morning')
So far the biggest barrier has been not being able to speak Tagalog. However I have plenty of willing teachers! Kuya Toto and his family have been helping me, as well as some of the kids. Yesterday one of the 8 year old boys, Genesis, spent a while pointing out different animals and things around us and would teach me the Tagalog word followed by some rigorous quizzing. Later another couple of the boys sat me down and quizzed me some more. I'm not the quickest learner, but they are being patient with me. <br>
Played basketball last night with some of the older kids. Even though it was night it was still very hot. I would bet that I lost at least five pounds just in the hour and a half we played. I am a head taller than almost everyone who played, but they play a more running style of ball over here so my height helped some, but not a ton.<br>
After church this morning I went with Kuya Toto and his family to the mall for lunch and then to do a little grocery shopping. I don't know if I mentioned this in my last post, but most Philippines eat with their hands... some use silverware but the majority use hands. So I have been using my hands most of the time as well. It felt strange eating with my hands in public - I kept expecting my mom to give me the look and tell me to use my silverware... haha. <br>
Grocery shopping was an experience too. I definitely stood out in the the crowd, and noticed several people staring. Interesting tidbit: they carrying whitening soaps in stores here. I asked what it was for, and and apparently a lot of Philippine people want to lighter skin, and this soap does that. Americans want to be darker, Phillipines want to be lighter... I thought that was kind of funny. </p>
<p>And to whom it may concern (Brent and Kate): I have come to the conclusion that the Philippines equivalent to squirrels are dogs. Kind of anticlimatic I know, but there are lots of dogs roaming around and always crossing streets... closest thing I have seen to the characteristics of squirrels. Several 7 Eleven too. Haven't been to one yet, burning asked some of the kids and they do have slurpees - and apparently there are same day free refills!!! </p>

Hi from the Philippines

<p>Sorry mom for not posting anything yesterday, and I'm sure you have been wondering if I made it safely, and I did! Toto and Allen picked me up from the airport and we got back to Sankey around 2am, and we're up for breakfast around 7... which will actually be sleeping in on most days. They had a graduation ceremony for some of the kids at Sankey in the morning followed by lunch. I am getting to experience all sorts of authentic Philippines food. Rice at every meal, whole fish, I have even had stuffed squid and eaten every part of a pig. They only parts they don't eat are the feet, bones and teeth. We had blood soup which is the pigs blood mixed with the innards and a few other ingredients. It was actually quite good. And today for lunch we had a soup made from the pigs head. Also quite good.
Right now I am trying to learn names and more Tagalog. Almost everyone speaks some English, but it would be easier if I knew more Tagalog.
I have just been hanging out with the kids getting to know them. It sounds during the summer the kids help out with alot of service projects and I will be joining them in doing those.
So far so good, but I am really enjoying being here. The heat is taking some getting used to, I was actually sweating so bad yesterday that a couple different people asked if I was okay. I am, it's just gonna take some getting used to. Cold showers and changes of clothes will be frequent.
Will post more later, and hopefully some pictures. I haven't taken any yet, I don't want to come across as too touristy.

Almost there!

A majority of my flying is out of the way - I arrived at the airport in Korea about an hour ago but still have a couple hours until my flight to Manilla.  The flight from Chicago to Seoul only ended up being a little over 14 hours - which is still a lot, but compared to the original 18 hours I thought it was going to be, 14 is looking pretty good.  And even then, the 14 hours went fairly quick.  I accidentally slept through the first meal on the flight so when I woke up all they had was the Korean food option left...it actually wasn't that bad. It was rice and some strange vegetables with fish soup. 
I ended up getting stuck in the middle seat on the flight - in between a guy from Canada and a guy I am guessing is from Korea - he didn't  speak English so we didn't talk much.  He was nice though - he offered me half of his Twix!
Well, I am going to go walk around and do some people watching before I have to catch my next flight, but I wanted to let you all know that I didn't get lost in the Chicago airport and I wasn't detained in Korea.  Thank you everyone who is keeping my safety in your prayers.

Thank you!

Well, 1 week from today I will be on an airplane headed for the Philippines (assuming I don't get lost in the Chicago airport). 
But first I want to reiterate how thankful I am to those who have supported and continue to support this mission financially and/or prayerfully - I greatly appreciate your help and your partnership!
As my departure is drawing more near my excitement continues to build - I cannot wait to see what God has in store for these next five months.