Alright, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but sometimes it can really feel that way here in Malaybalay!
Let me explain. Most days, when we walk down the streets, we can't help but notice the stares and pointer fingers directed back at us. The groups are usually composed of high school or college ages girls and boys just hoping to be noticed by the Americans and/or practice a little English. Once they catch our gaze, they quickly revert their eyes and giggle uncontrollably. Sometimes it feels like they are just waiting for us to see them, only so they can turn the other direction!
We always say "Hello" or give them a big smile. Sometimes I'll do something crazy causing them hoot n' holler a bit. Every reaction is different but well worth the extra effort. Recently its caused me to experience more nostaligia for home than normal. I’ve missed waving at passer-byers while running and smiling at strangers without giving people the wrong idea (it’s not such a safe thing to do in foreign countries as many of you know). Nevertheless, I must say the Asians have got it goin' on in the hospitality department! They have surely made us feel welcome.
Our three treacherous travel days proved to be some of the toughest in terms of sleep, random food intake, and air travel. I slept about 5 of the 72 hours we were moving.
Our traveling route: San Jose, Costa Rica – Los Angeles, California – Hong Kong, China – Manila, Philippines – Cagayan de Oro, Mindinao (Philippines). Yep..this is what we signed up for…
If it wasn’t for the luxury and accommodation of Kathay Pacific Airlines, I don’t know if I would have made it the 15 hour flight over the Pacific. Just the kindness of the flight attendants blew us away. The delicious food and amenities didn’t hurt too.
Right now we are working with Kids International Ministries at an orphanage in Malaybalay (pronounced Malaibalai) located in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. We are nestled in the Southern island of Mindanao about an hour flight from the capital of Manila.
The Mt. Moriah Camp is where the children’s home and team home are located just outside Malaybalay. We talk short trips into town on Jeepneys that serve as taxis. Despite our rural location, we have the chance to get to town in a short 10 minute ride.
Our days begin around 7:00am for breakfast and end around 9:00pm after feedback. Most of my day is spent doing manual labor (hooray!) in the soccer field. We have been digging hundreds of holes, removing and transporting sod from a local farm, and planting the sod once it is cut into sizable pieces. We are farmers to say the least!
We also have been constructing a church and home for the pastor, Larry and his wife Belen. We’ve mixed cement, dug trenches, made and laid mortar, and worked with rebar. The days are long but well worth it. There is a soccer ministry that comes ever summer and maybe this year they will have there field completed! Praise be to God.
There are also shifts taken at the orphanage at all hours of the day and night. There are 24 kids total that are hungry for the Americans’ love. I have been working with the four girls mostly. I must say God is really testing my patience. I have always enjoyed children but can really become frustrated with unruly behavior.
On a disturbing note, we have realized that there are 4 times the amount of boys to girls. Unfortunately, that is most likely because the majority of girls are sold into slavery at very young ages. It is rare that girls are put into any orphanage setting because they are used to make money for their families or when they are a bit older, choose prostitution as a profession.
What a travesty that girls are considered property rather than the princesses they were created to be! My heart aches at the darkness that rapidly approaches. Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia will all be countries where sex trafficking is the World Race’s main ministry. Please pray for these girls: Hannalyn, Gimiciel (Gigi), Roxanne and Rosalie. Also I ask that you pray against Satan’s attacks in Malaybalay because there have been continuous gang activity that seems to increase each year.
May God bless all of you!
