Perspective. It is an interesting word/topic. One person’s response to a given situation could be so different compared to another’s.
Lately, I have been challenged to change my perspective and attitude. In the required pre-World Race training Bill Swan talks about three things we can control in this life: your attitude, your choices, and who you trust.
This past Sunday the Children’s Garden boys and staff, and my team went to a church in Manila, which is about 1.5 hours away from Antipolo, in two vans. On the way to church there were 12 people in the back of the van I was in. After church, we went to a mall in Manila and spent time with each of the boys. Then we loaded up in the 2 vans and headed back to Manila. On the way back, one of the vans broke down so we stopped in a Jollibee (which is like a local McDonald’s) parking lot. Sharon and Billy, who is Sharon’s husband, along with Children’s Garden staff come up with a game plan for how to fix the van and get all 25 people back to Children’s Garden in Antipolo. While we were waiting, everyone was positive, chill, and just hanging out. No one had a negative attitude. We played games in the parking lot while waiting for further instructions on what the plan was.
Then it was decided that we would all pile in one van and drive that van to a nearby mall. So we piled 21 people into the back of a van!! There were four people were in the front. For a total of 25 people in the van!! It was sweat city in the van!! We played music and were kind of sort of dancing and singing. There was lots of laughter. Here is a video of everyone climbing out of the van:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/UdLqg9JTkZw
We ate dinner at the mall and then formed smaller groups and traveled on Jeepneys back to Children’s Garden in Antipolo. The van breaking down turned into a fun adventure!
What if in a less than desirable situation, we had the perspective to have an adventure and/or a positive attitude?
I am learning to try and make the most of every situation and really enjoy the people around me and call out their good qualities.
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Random Fun Facts about the Philippines:
- Bathrooms are called Comfort Rooms or CR, and they usually don’t have toilet paper.
- There is no such thing as personal space. Filipino’s hug and shake hands with most people and even continue to hold hands while talking.
- Filipino official language is Tagalog. Although, English is used widely and the combination between the English and Tagalog is known as “Taglish.”
- Family is one of the biggest priorities in Filipino culture. There is a lack of individualism in Filipinos and an atmosphere of dependance on each other. Privacy is not as highly valued.
- You can get an hour massage here for $4!!! PRAISE!!!!
- Trikes are a motorcycle with a side seat that is the local taxi. Jeepneys are basically a limousine van/bus that is another form of local transportation.
- Time is not as big of a virtue here as it is in America. An event may start on time or it may start 30 mins to 1-2 hours late.
- There are lots of stray animals, cats and dogs. Many people have roosters and chickens.
- Driving (in my opinion lol) is similar to organized chaos haha. Every time we get in a van/trike/jeepney, it is entertainment. The middle line in the middle of the road is more of a guideline. Because the driving is much more chaotic here, my team was asked not to drive while in the Philippines. I love to cycle. I did see some cyclists here. Even if I was able to cycle here, I would not because of the driving and vehicle exhaust.
- Most places do not have AC or hot water heaters.
- People motion with their lips to point to somewhere or something. People raise their eyebrows to acknowledge you or to say yes.
- It is important for Filipinos not to “lose face.” It is not acceptable to correct another person in public or to turn down a request. So often times people will say yes to something even when they mean no or maybe. For example, I asked on of the Children’s Garden boys, Josh, to go running with me. So we go for a run in the neighborhood. Adonis, another Children’s Garden boy, joined us also. Josh ended up walking most of the “run.” I cracked jokes on him as to why he wasn’t running and was just walking during the run. He never said anything about why he wasn’t running. He just took my jokes. Later, I noticed Josh was wearing flip flops and the tops of his feet were red. I asked him why his feet were red. He said his shoes were hurting his feet, because he wasn’t wearing any socks. !?! He let me make fun of him and not defend himself just to not “lose face.”
- Rice is usually the carb of choice at every meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner pretty much every day.
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My team and I leave Children’s Garden on Saturday 11/3 for mini debrief with my whole squad at Kids International Ministry. Then we leave the Philippines on Tuesday 11/6 to go to Thailand. Next month, I will be staying in a hostel with my whole squad.
Thank you to all my supporters and encouragers. 🙂
Sincerely,
Amanda
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right attitude within me.” -Psalm 51:10
