After being here in Burgos, Siargao for two weeks, it was time to head to the city to renew mine and Adam's visa. So, we set out last Sunday morning for Surigao City on the Northern tip of Mindanao. This basically meant getting up at 3:00 am, driving with Derek for an hour and a half through the jungles to Dapa, and then getting on a ferry for a three-hour boat ride across the channel! A journey not for the weak...that's for sure.
Jeremiah and TJ (one of the staff guys) joined us. They are headed to Palawan for training session on how to do organic, sustainable farming. So, they accompanied us to Surigao City, and then loaded on another boat later that evening bound for Cebu where they would then catch a flight to Palawan (the western-most island in the Philppine chain).
The city was everything you thought it would be...busy, dirty, loud. You know, the usual. The three of us (Adam, Derek, and I) spent two nights there. Our lodging? A local friends' house located in downtown, that was located in the three stories above their family-owned bakery. They were Christians, and very kind and generous. They were also of Chinese descent, but had immigrated to the Philippines a few generations back. It was really cool being in their home, which felt almost more like a penthouse due to all the layers and levels. Even their dog, Chanel, (an adorable Chow puppy named after the Designer) was there to greet us. All bark...no bite :)
We got to rummage around the city. The guys got haircuts at a local salon. It was pretty hilarious. The only stylists at the salon were flaming homosexuals, so our little missionary guys got a lovely taste of worldly style. I think Jeremiah's stylist was pretty impressed with him because he took the longest. That is something here that is such a strong part of the culture. Homosexuality is very common, and the children are often labeled at a very young age. It is sometimes even to the families' advantage to have a homosexual child. It's very sad to see how children are labeled at such a young age, and it is often very difficult to break away from.
After the guys got their haircuts, we checked out the local Internet cafe and went by the hospital. Esther, a local Burgos girl, was taken to the hospital several days ago due to extreme illness. The doctors aren't quite sure what it is, but her skin is severely damaged (think burn victim), and she is very ill. They originally thought it was Lupus, but are still waiting on lab results. Please be praying for her. She is only 19 years old, but has basically given up the will to live. We definitely need a miracle!
The pictures that I have posted are of the last few days here at Hope for the Island. They are from the going away party that we had for Brad and Kyle. We miss them, and really enjoyed having them as a part of our team!
That's all for now. It's really nice being back here at Hope. In the meantime, I am starting to outline ideas for a book project that Derek would like to begin about Hope for the Island. I'll keep you posted as the story unfolds....
Always more to come!
Jeremiah and TJ (one of the staff guys) joined us. They are headed to Palawan for training session on how to do organic, sustainable farming. So, they accompanied us to Surigao City, and then loaded on another boat later that evening bound for Cebu where they would then catch a flight to Palawan (the western-most island in the Philppine chain).
The city was everything you thought it would be...busy, dirty, loud. You know, the usual. The three of us (Adam, Derek, and I) spent two nights there. Our lodging? A local friends' house located in downtown, that was located in the three stories above their family-owned bakery. They were Christians, and very kind and generous. They were also of Chinese descent, but had immigrated to the Philippines a few generations back. It was really cool being in their home, which felt almost more like a penthouse due to all the layers and levels. Even their dog, Chanel, (an adorable Chow puppy named after the Designer) was there to greet us. All bark...no bite :)
We got to rummage around the city. The guys got haircuts at a local salon. It was pretty hilarious. The only stylists at the salon were flaming homosexuals, so our little missionary guys got a lovely taste of worldly style. I think Jeremiah's stylist was pretty impressed with him because he took the longest. That is something here that is such a strong part of the culture. Homosexuality is very common, and the children are often labeled at a very young age. It is sometimes even to the families' advantage to have a homosexual child. It's very sad to see how children are labeled at such a young age, and it is often very difficult to break away from.
After the guys got their haircuts, we checked out the local Internet cafe and went by the hospital. Esther, a local Burgos girl, was taken to the hospital several days ago due to extreme illness. The doctors aren't quite sure what it is, but her skin is severely damaged (think burn victim), and she is very ill. They originally thought it was Lupus, but are still waiting on lab results. Please be praying for her. She is only 19 years old, but has basically given up the will to live. We definitely need a miracle!
The pictures that I have posted are of the last few days here at Hope for the Island. They are from the going away party that we had for Brad and Kyle. We miss them, and really enjoyed having them as a part of our team!
That's all for now. It's really nice being back here at Hope. In the meantime, I am starting to outline ideas for a book project that Derek would like to begin about Hope for the Island. I'll keep you posted as the story unfolds....
Always more to come!
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