Lack of equipment is generally met by increased
ingenuity.
This plaster repair is interesting and produces a very
smooth painting surface.
This is the painting scaffolding, top view.
Painting scaffold, bottom view.
Maybe you would prefer a nice “safe” ladder –
Yes, the first
leg is on the step and the second is on two paint cans perched on the next
lower step. When we expressed some
concern, the second painter went over and laid one hand on the ladder to
reassure us that “all was well”.
Nearly every mall has major displays of donated art work
that is being sold as a donation to disaster relief agencies. Here are two samples.
And any direction you look, high-rise buildings continue to
go up.
The end of October, we had a holiday so we took a trip to
the bird sanctuary at Olongo Island.The unique transportation was definitely a
draw.
First we rode the ferry.
Next we transferred to a tricycle cab (one of several names
for a motorcycle with sidecar.) This took us through some small charming
villages and past some small farms to the bird sanctuary.
Most of the birds were a bit far away for my camera –
egrets, herons, cranes, and dowitchers mostly, but the scenery and smaller “critters”
more than made up the difference. Around
the “walkway” out to the observation platform we saw hundreds of small brightly
colored or unusual looking fish, starfish, and coral-type growing things (they
were hard to identify due to language differences).
This small crab was very interesting.
His smaller cousin—a hermit crab-- was living in a snail
shell.
Also the unique mud skipper – a very tiny amphibian, I
believe.
There were also many reeds and mangrove trees.
Our best bird sighting was this rufous night heron who lived behind
the park registration office. He was
pretty used to people and didn’t mind posing at fairly close range.
On the return trip, we transferred from the
ferry to the jeepney – an open air style bus/ van whose motto appears to be “there’s
always room for one more”.
We also had the opportunity to participate in some very
inspiring trainings and activities.
First an inspiring Mission Conference and photo op with Neil Anderson a member of the Quorum of the 12 apostles.
Then we spent part of two days in Manila learning about the new initiative in Self Reliance training that our center will be participating in.
We were able to see a little bit of Manilla,
And participate in the training and a “cultural evening” featuring traditional Filipino music and dance,
And attend a session at the Manila temple.
Back in Cebu we had a meeting with the volunteer centers in
our area to share some of the training with them and have a Christmas
social. Notice the “team shirts” – they
are real big on team-building here in the Philippines.
We enjoyed the Christmas decorations everywhere. The decorating and Christmas music started in
September and we are assured lasts until February. We enjoyed them all:
Starting with the ones here in the apartment complex,
The ones in the main entry at work,
In the office at work
Two-story tree at SM Mall,
Three-story tree at Ayala Mall
Only in the Philippines -- Christmas tree made from flip-flops!
At the Mission Home
On the temple grounds:
And my personal (minimalist) nativity -- the visitor is "First Person" as rice harvester
Among themselves Filipinos are not hesitant to admit they
believe the Philippines is the “most Christmas-y place on earth”. Based on my limited experience, given the predominance of religious activities,
the lack of greedy and aggressive shoppers, and the general good spirits I’d
have to vote them the title.
For Christmas we also were privileged to be part of a trip
to the My Bonita Home for Girls. This is
an orphanage for girls removed from their families because of extreme abuse or
neglect, but the Catholic sisters who run it have done a wonderful job of
trying to make it a true home. There were 108 girls and 8 adults.
Father Simon came with us – a Catholic priest
from the U.S. who is here on humanitarian efforts.
They sang and performed for us.
And we sang for them (but they sounded better!) The nuns were impressed when we sang “I Am a Child of God” as an encore to our Christmas songs. By the second verse the girls were singing along with the chorus.
Then we had a small gift bag for each of the children with toothbrush, tooth paste, towel, 6 pair of underwear, some candy, an apple and orange, and a small gift – rag dolls for those 9 and under and jewelry, perfume, and makeup compact for older girls.
But these were the real gifts!
Merry Christmas, Philippines-Style!
