The Frandy boys and us gals are now in Manila, hanging out at the Youth Mobilization office with the team over here. We have been given our schedules and are undergoing orientation.
Driving here is a very interesting experience. Lanes are just "suggestive" and everyone uses their horns. The roads are crowded with cars, "jeepnies" (a type of very decorative city bus), scooters, bicycles, and goats and roosters at the sides of the road. The taxis, which basically cut into any lane they can, all have signs on the back of their car saying "how is my driving?". It's pretty funny.
We got our first experience of how the roads get flooded after a rain storm. Sometimes the rain will cover the sidewalks with water as well as the road, and the kids will play in the water (very unhealthy, but it's common). We got to see some shanty houses while driving to the Youth Mobilization office. They are little homes built with tin, and any material that the poor people can get their hands on. They are supposed to be illegal, but of course, with the population here in the Philippines of 89 million, that can not be controlled.
One good way to describe the streets here are busy and full of people doing things outside, all the time.
We also had our first experience eating Philippino-style. We ate a lovely chicken, peas and rice meal with our hands.
The weather here is cloud-covered, very humid (yes, the ladies' hair have taken a wild turn of their own!), but comfortable.
We are adjusting well, having a great time, and really enjoying interacting with the people here. Thank you for all of your prayers. WE all arrived safely, without any problems. All of our luggage was intact, and where we are staying is awesome.
We will talk to you soon, with more.
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14 comments:
Glad to hear you arrived ok.
The driving there sounds like Bloor Street in Toronto at 3:00am on a Sunday morning with the horns blaring and bicycles and the taxis going just about wherever they please- minus the goats and roosters. How do you eat peas with your hands? That would be interesting. Was it sticky rice?
Can you give me an idea of how big Manila is in area compared to a city in Canada? Look forward to hearing more. Take care.
What a picture you paint with your words!
That "how is my driving" thing is hilarious!
I hope you are taking a lot of pictures - I can't wait to see what you are so wonderfully describing!
As for how you eat peas with your hands - perhaps you could take pictures...that would be so funny to see!!
Blessings - we are praying for all of you!
This is so cool to be able to stay in touch this way!!! Thank you for blogging so promptly! Had first yicky slushy freezy-rain day here today....and I think I heard a few days ago, there's some nasty weather headed your way???
Stay safe! Sleep well! Good health and blessed God-appointments to you all! You're in our prayers.
Ree-eea-aaly hoping you had some water, other than what's running down the streets, to wash with BEFORE you ate rice and peas and whatever with your hands! Pleeeze tell me you have pictures of this!
Lynda
Hello, Mission Team!
I'm just popping in to stay connected with you and let you know that I'm continuing to pray for you and for God's will to be done through you.
(Laurie)
Wow, what an awesome description!
I'm watching the itinerary I have of your trip, and it looks like right now you're doing a "street gangs" thing, unless your schedule has changed.
We are praying for you!
Ditto on the prayer watch!
Ruth and I are praying too.
Hey guys - I woke up this morning and it was " cold and crisp" . Just a whisp of snow.
Lynda and I are praying for you. Stay safe, live generously, and bring back something good that is contagious!
Hey, where does Gregor fit in with the "Frandy" boys??
:)
Gregor must be the "s" in boys.
Stands for " Scotsman". lol.
Hey Everyone - the team phoned last night, right before our prayer service! They are doing great ... lots of stories ... they asked to please pray for their health (two have colds that are hanging on, especially Fran who keeps losing her voice) and for effectiveness in ministry and for their safety as they do ministry in "less-than-safe" places.
And to the team - it was sooooo good to hear from you!!! God bless you lots today!
Ok! we're praying. Safety, health, God appointments and miracles!
I got to give you guys a lot of credit for your adventurous spirit. Like Abraham, a stranger in a strange land. Cling to the Lord and enjoy the moment. It is times like these that people live for. I pray that God keeps the enemy, and his bag of tricks, far from you. That you all walk in the power of his resurrecting Spirit.
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