First Couple of Days

Today is day two of our adventure here in the Philippines, and it has been a lot to take in. We arrived yesterday at 9:30 in the morning and once we finally cleared customs and made it to our destination in Cainta Manila it was nearly 11:00 am, but felt more like 6:00 pm. We managed to get to our room, get our stuff settled, have lunch, and rest a little bit before we made our way to Gruar squatter village.
The movement of life here is completely by feeling. Drivers on the roads weave in and out of traffic by feel as there are few, if any, lights at any given place. Where there is traffic direction from an officer, it too is completely by feel as they seem to have some kind of sixth sense for traffic flow. The days are hot and humid and that combined with the travel makes for dozy evenings.
It's amazing the things that you take for granted about the place you call home when you go to visit other places in the world. The sun sets here at around 6:30 pm and rises at around 5:00 am, and I'm sure that since this country is close to the equator there is little variation to that schedule (but I could be wrong). I hadn't expected the sun to go down so early as back home the days are becoming longer with the approaching summer season.
Anyways, I digress. Back to Gruar squatter village. It was an amazing experience. We arrived at our destination by van and our entrance to the village was a narrow walkway between to buildings that suddenly burst onto a flurry of children as the team set up for their Thursday evening meeting. The village is built up beside a muddy stream with all kinds of remnants of garbage and other refuse floating on its banks. Here in this seemingly inhospitable environment fish, like the people of Gruar, have etched out a life for themselves in an environment that is harsh tattered and torn like the refuse that surrounds them.
Yet the people are beautiful. Children, at least a hundred if not more, all with smiles and song and play surround you as they come to partake in a worship service and get some soup and rice. They have every reason to be angry and bitter for their situation, but instead they are grateful for the company of newcomers and a hearty meal. Josiah and I had the privilege of handing out out the small portions of soup and rice wrapped in small plastic bags, and as each child was handed their portion I prayed blessing over their lives. Completely undeserving of their lot in life, they remain joyful and playful: unlike children back home. Lessons from the poor I will take into my heart as long as I can remember these days.
We came back from Gruar and Josiah was exhausted (I could tell when we were in Gruar that he was fading and by Ding's kind generosity Josiah was able to have a Coca-cola to tide him over) and immediately went into the room and crashed. I tried to wake him for supper, but it was useless: he was out for the night.

Friday morning arrived, and we were both awake by 5:00 am (actually I was awake at 3 but I forced myself to sleep until 5). Invigorated by an evening of much needed rest we were ready to begin the day. We had breakfast by 8 and without morning activities planned set to doing some work. I on my notes, for any opportunity at which I might be called to speak, and Josiah for his homework assignments. By 11 we were given lunch and shortly after 1 we made our way to visit Ileena, an LPN who runs a clinic as a ministry in Antipollo. From there we had the privilege of visiting the squatter village that she has served faithfully for the last six years, and were greeted once again with smiles. As we made our way through the village the crowd of children seemed to multiply instantaneously. We were greeted with gifts for our visit and as we left several of the children wanted to have their pictures taken with Josiah. As we got into the van I heard one of the little girls say goodbye to Justin Beiber (the name they gave to him). It was pretty cute.

The people here at New Hope are amazingly generous, and demonstrate tremendous hospitality and servanthood. While perhaps a little overwhelming, our experience thus far has been pretty amazing.