More Opportunities

I have learned that every time I open my email to expect another opportunity to help meet the needs of people in the Philippines.  Pastor Jul (from Bohol) has worked with many small churches throughout the islands.  After the new year, he will travel to the province of Masbate.  There is a church there who is in need of a building.  The building they are renting is made of bamboo and nipa leaves.  The roof leaks and there is little shelter from the weather.  Electricity is non-existent. The floor is dirt (or mud, depending on the weather).  Setting up a building project like that is something the World Mission Builders would do . . . I might be willing to help, but it all depends on life here in the States.  It would be a difficult assignment, as building materials on the island are hard to come by.  Oh. . . there are a couple more churches on the island that have similar needs.

And of course, for each of these churches, there are needs for health care and education.  The problem with starting a Christian school at these churches is meeting the logistical needs:  building space, books, desks and chairs, teacher supplies and so on.  Most of these churches are barely surviving, so starting a school isn't even on their radar.  Lots of opportunities -- I'm not sure how to approach all of these needs -- I have no choice but to put it in God's hands and to be patient for His timing, not mine.  Pray for these churches, the families served there, and the needs of the hundreds of children.

The conditions for the church I will be working with in Bohol are significantly better then the church in Masbate.  Brother Jul is concerned about trying to do a project like the Masbate church, as the condition are so austere, especially for American volunteer work crews who are just not used to the absence of the usual creature comforts.  I would like to give it a try, but again, let's see how I survive the Sierra Bullones project first and then go from there.

The Weather

Yesterday I wrote about the storm that had hit Mindanao earlier this month.  It made me think about the weather in general there, and what it will be like to work there for a couple of weeks.  When I was a young GI, I went off to my first overseas assignment -- some little island called Guam, USA.  Prior to getting that assignment, I admit I had no idea where Guam was at.  Well I found out.  The first thing that struck me about this little island in the Pacific was when I got off the plane.  It was early morning - 6:00 am or so . . . the temperature was about 90 degrees (F) and the humidity . . oh my gosh . . the humidity was about 95 percent.  Then the sun came out. Geesh!

Rice Terraces of Sierra Bullones

Well, the Philippines will be about the same.  Hot and humid.  Now I am used to hot . . . most summer days here in New Mexico easily exceed the normal high in the Philippines.  The humidity will be a different story.  Again, on an average day, we're lucky to have 20 percent humidity -- I doubt that the humidity in the Philippines has ever been that low.

One benefit of being in the high desert is the altitude.  I remember coming here after having been stationed in England -- the road to my children's school was actually below sea level.  When I arrived in New Mexico, the altitude was a real surprise!  The first place we lived was a mere 3,000 feet above sea level.  I remember going for a jog one day shortly after arriving there.  The air was so thin that after 5 minutes of running I was completely wiped out!  Now we are at over 5,000 feet.  So when one is adapted to the higher elevation, going to a lower elevation is rather enjoyable -- there is so much air, one's lungs and heart seem to work more efficiently.  That's why distance runners like to train in high altitude places before they race at a lower elevation venue.    So anyway, our location in the Philippines will be about 580 feet -- making my life there a little more bearable.  We'll see how I deal with the humidity!

About the Recent Flooding in the Philippines

Some people have asked if I will be near the area that recently experienced heavy rains, mud slides, and floods.  Not this time.  Most of that happened in the southern-most island of Mindanao, and specifically the cities of Iligan and Cagayon de Oro.  The island of Bohol is slightly north of Mindanao.  I have been in contact with a few people over there and they have mentioned nothing about similar problems on the island of Bohol.

The problem for Mindanao is that they usually don't get hit by typhoons.  The weather patterns usually keep severe storms from coming into that region of the Philippines.  The lesson to be learned is that, even though you don't usually get a particular type of storm doesn't mean that you are fully exempt.  It's like getting tornadoes in Albuquerque . . . is just doesn't happen here . . . but that doesn't mean it can't.

It is sad that over 1,500 have lost their lives there in Mindanao.  Most of them were the very poor, living in squatters villages along the river banks.  Their ramshackle huts were no match for the raging flood waters and rapidly moving debris.  One report indicated that there had been excessive logging in that area, which allowed for the mudslides to happen, along with hundreds of loose logs being swept along by the flood waters, destroying buildings and ramming into human flesh.  Please offer a prayer to those in need there in Mindanao. Sadly, this type of thing happens in other parts of the Philippines with some regularity.  At least those people are aware of the threat and live accordingly.  Even then, many lives are lost each year to flood waters and mud slides.

I will be there in February, which is considered the "dry" season.  But as the story above teaches us, don't always rely on the history of weather patterns. . . it's a good way to become a "statistic"!

I'm happy to see that several people have visited my blog.  Please, if you stay long enough to read one of my articles, offer a comment or two.

Fit for the Work?

One of my biggest concerns is whether or not I am ready for this kind of assignment.  Let's face reality, I'm a school teacher, not a construction worker.  I'm not a kid either.  So when it comes to physical fitness, I need to make some preparations.  Consider it done.  A new Planet Fitness just opened up a mile down the road - for $10 per month, I can get a good workout any time of the day or night.  My real goal is to drop a few pounds (ok, ok, more then just a few), lower my blood pressure (it's not horrible, but it does need to come down a little), and work on muscle tone.  I'm not interested in becoming a "he-man" in seven weeks - I've never been a "gym" kinda guy, so this is stepping out and doing what needs to be done.

And of course there is emotional fitness.  I've gone through a rough spell or two recently.  My mother had a massive stroke the end of May, and she passed away the first week of June.  I've been dealing with some personal issues also -- those are under control now.  I spent a few months working with a Christian counselor, trying to get my act together.  In fact, it was during this time that I decided to sign up for this short-term (maybe) mission trip.

That brings me to spiritual fitness.  Probably my weakest area at the moment.  Part of the emotional issues I wrestled with had really impacted my spiritual life.  Frankly, I was to the point that I didn't care much about anything.  Through a lot of prayer and Bible reading, I think I've regained my spiritual focus.  I attended a class on spiritual gifts recently.  It wasn't that I didn't know what my gifts were, but I really thought it would be wise to review them.  Teaching remains at the top of the list.  Leadership was next -- which was also something my pastor identified before we even started the class (even though I have never been in any kind of leadership role in this particular congregation).  I never considered myself to be gifted in leadership -- but I think this gift might be directly proportional to the level of spirituality involved in the task.  If it's a worldly project, I'm not much of a leader.  If it's a Christ-oriented project, then that's where my leadership gift becomes evident.

Also connected to the spiritual fitness aspect of this whole thing is the sheer potential of the many tasks which have been added to the project.  Those could be viewed a couple of ways.  It could be that God is showing me what I could be doing if I was focused on Christ.  It could be that God is allowing me to be tested, to see if I am ready to take on these projects (probably for me to see if I'm ready, not for God to see if I'm ready).  Thirdly, God is saying that I AM ready, and that He is opening doors so that I can do what He has planned for me.  As things develop, I will surely find out.  And of course, I will keep my progress posted here.

Not sure what tomorrow's topic will be.  Christmas kept me busy, so I didn't even begin this post until this evening.  Anyway, stop by tomorrow and see what I've decided to write about.

Tagalog, Cebuano, Boholano, or Bisayan?

Maligayang Pasko!  Maayong Pasko!  Either way, it still means “Merry Christmas”.  The first version is in Tagalog, while the second is Cebuano.  Thankfully, most people in the Philippines speak English.  It is taught in the public schools and is considered one of the official languages.  However, any time you have people scattered around 7,000 different islands, variations in language are going to occur.  Although Filipino (essentially, Tagalog) is the other official language, more people in the Philippines speak some version of Bisayan or Cebuano.  There are various dialects of Cebuano spoken throughout the central Philippines islands and the large island of Mindanao.  The province (island) of Bohol also has its own regional dialect, but most people speak and understand Cebuano (so I’ve been told).

When I first realized that the Philippines trip was “a go”, I decided it would be prudent to learn a little of the local language;  however, at that time, I did not realized there were other languages spoken there.  I downloaded several Tagalog language learning programs and books and began in earnest to learn Tagalog.  Did you know that the Tagalog translation of “Glad to meet you” is “Ikinagagalak kitang makilala” ? Geesh!  Fortunately, I had not spent too much time or money before I found out that I was learning the wrong language.  I was going to be working in Bohol, so I needed to learn Cebuano, not Tagalog. 

I am by no means a linguist.  I took some Latin and French in high school, I live in a predominantly Spanish-speaking community, and once studied Vietnamese when I had some students who had just come to the US and spoke no English at all, so I have had some exposure to foreign languages.   However, my efforts at learning Cebuano have been less productive then I would hope.  The language is much easier then Vietnamese . . . actually, I think any language would be easier then Vietnamese!  I have an audio CD which allows me to hear Cebuano dialogue, but I would really benefit by having a conversation partner who is a native-Cebuano speaker.  I tried meeting someone from the local Filipino community in Albuquerque, but so far have only found Tagalog speakers.  Hopefully I will meet someone soon who is willing to meet with me a few times over a cup of coffee and speak some Cebuano. 

No, I am not writing this article on Christmas day – I planned it a few days in advance, as I doubt there would be time on Sunday for blogging.  As of this writing, I don’t know if I will have Monday’s article written before Christmas or not.  I do hope to spend an hour practicing Cebuano.  Anyway, I hope that you are all safely gathered with loved ones for the holidays.  If not, I pray that you have some opportunity to call a brother or sister or friend.  Either way, I hope you find some peace in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Maayong Pasko!

Scheduling Issues

My whole purpose for signing up for this trip to the Philippines was to recharge my own spiritual battery.  Yes, I would be helping others – but frankly, my initial purpose was rather self-serving.  I just needed to do something good for others in order to help myself.  Yeah, well God has a way of poking his big finger in the pot and stirring things up. 

I’ve been a teacher for many years – as a graduate teaching assistant, as a trainer in the retail industry, as adjunct faculty at a community college,  as an instructor in an Upward Bound program,  and as a special education teacher in the public schools.  I’ve also taught Sunday school classes and vacation Bible school.  Anyway, so it seemed natural to ask about the schools there in Bohol – what are they like? How are they doing?  Do they have enough resources?  And so on.  The folks at World Mission Builders suggested that I look at some Christian schools as well.  These schools had developed at a couple of the churches that WMB had been involved with.  I also thought that would be a good idea, as long as it didn’t interfere with the building project (as that was the whole reason for going there).  So, I now have a trip to Ubay added to my schedule, as well as a short visit to one of the local public schools in Sierra Bullones  . . . where we will be working on the church building project. 

I was doing some snooping around on the internet, when I happened upon an organization out of Cebu city in the Philippines.  A Filipino woman had come to the US years ago and started attending a Christian Church/Churches of Christ congregation in California.  She was baptized there, and then started thinking about how she would serve Christ.  She thought of her home country and decided to return there to work with children who were living in poverty, single moms, and others.  She started a “foundation” (which I am assuming approximates a 501(c)(3) organization here in the US) to help meet these needs.  I also found out that she had an outreach center in Bohol, so I contacted here to find out more about what they were doing.  I made the “mistake” of mentioning that I was a special education teacher.   The next day, I had two email responses from her and another from the president of the foundation (who happens to be an American who attended a Christian college in Dallas).  Both were very interested in having me visit their Bohol facility in Mabini, which is not far from the Ubay Christian school.

 One of the problems they have encountered at the Restored Heritage Foundation is how to deal with special needs children.  Although the Philippines department of education has put together some very nice looking programs for special education, most of it is on paper only – with little or no funding.  While the teachers there do their best, many have minimal knowledge of how to work with special needs students.  They often don’t have access to the professionals needed to diagnose learning disabilities, autism and so on, as well as the various specialists such as occupational, physical, and speech therapists needed to work with these children.   Even the culture in the Philippines (especially in poverty stricken areas) is uncertain how to serve the special needs child.   I was told of one young girl who was confined to a squatter’s shack with her family – essentially hidden from the world – because no one knew what to do with her.  So to have a certified special education teacher come to their facility, even for just a day, was a wonderful opportunity (they wanted me for three days, but I just don’t have that much time).  My assignment is to give them some ideas on developing programs to serve special needs children in their community.  Unfortunately, I am neither an educational diagnostician nor a therapy specialist – I can only do so much. 

One of the pastors, Jul Castellones, who will be working at our side on the building project happens to be a pastor/missionary who is supported by my home church.  I didn’t realize that he was going to be working with us, so I sent him a quick email introducing myself and mentioning that I would be nearby – just in case we had an opportunity to meet.  He wrote back and told me that we would indeed be meeting each other.  He also asked if I would speak to his church on Sunday in Tubigon.  After conferring with Bro. Ed from WMB, I agreed.   Jul has been working in the central islands of the Philippines for many years.  In fact, the church at Sierra Bullones was one of the congregations he started.  When he learned that I was a teacher and that I had an interest in helping children, he also invited me to visit a children’s outreach ministry that he and his wife are doing in nearby Panaytayon.  According to Jul, the families there are very poor.  He is hoping that I might bring some “belated” Christmas gifts for the children or to offer a meal – I’m not yet sure what I will do with that situation.   I have also been asked to give a 10-15 minute Bible story to the children, and then to talk to some of the parents for a few moments. 

Did I tell you that my purpose in going was to help build a church?  Seems that God has some other things in store for me.

Tomorrow . . . Tagalog, Cebuano, Boholano or Bisayan?

The First Hurdles

I spent 20 years in the military, so travelling overseas is not something new to me.  However, as a civilian, things are a little different -- mainly, I don't have the government holding my hand the whole time, telling me what to do and when to have it done by.  So having all of the right things done on time falls squarely on my own shoulders.

I haven't traveled out of the country for quite some time, so the first thing I needed was an official passport.  I remember a few years ago, when the government was tightening requirements for passport applications -- it was taking 3 to 4 months to get a passport.  Well I wasn't going to be denied this opportunity to visit the Philippines just because I didn't get my paperwork together fast enough.  So, I went online, filled out the appropriate paperwork, got my passport photos from the local Walgreens drug store, and took everything down to the US Post Office.  The process at the post office was actually quite simple and painless, except of course for the payment part -- I never like to part with real money!  So now I waited, assuming I would barely have my passport in time for purchasing airline tickets. To my total surprise, my passport arrived only five days after I had applied at the post office.  Wow!

Next was dealing with the cost of airline tickets.  Now, alot of this was handled by the agent at World Mission Builders, but I still needed to have the money in time.  I wasn't really concerned about it, as my mother had passed away earlier in the year and I had received a small inheritance (and I do mean "small"!) which was enough to cover the cost.  Do understand, that I am not working yet as of this time, as I had taken off a year for health reasons.  Also, my wife was preparing to be laid off from her full-time administration job at a local bank.  So money was not freely available -- every expenditure has to be scrutinized.  Thankfully, we had three years ago completed Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" course, and we had gotten our financial house in order.  That made this whole process much easier to deal with -- thanks Dave!  Anyway, the money for the airline tickets was sent off, and I soon had the confirmation of my flights.

I also needed to purchase a few tools to take with me - brick trowel, level, measuring tape and so on.  So I visited the local Lowe's Home Improvement store and purchased the things I needed. One thing I did notice was that levels come in set sizes.   I am sure I already knew this, but I had never considered taking a level with me on an airplane.  It would have to go in my checked baggage, as I was certain that I couldn't carry one on board with me.  The problem I noted was that, for most construction jobs you should have at minimum a 4' level.  But how do I get that in a suitcase?  Even a large gym bag wouldn't accommodate something like that.  The next available size of level is a 2-footer . . . that would work but leaves some problems with accuracy -- the longer the level, the more "true" your work can be.  I happened to spy a 4' level made of shatterproof plastic. The sight glass tubes (or whatever you call them) on the ends were set in about 8 inches from either end.  Hmmmm - why not just cut 6 inches off each end?  The level was only $10 so not a huge loss if it doesn't work.  I put the level on the band saw, trimmed off the ends, and did a quick sanding job on the cut edges.  No problem.  I  now had a very handy 3 foot level . . . one of a kind!  I passed on my discovery to Ed at World Mission Builders -- he asked if I might bring a couple, as they would really be able to use the longer length level.

So . . . hurdles?   Not really.  So far, everything has gone quite well.  Tomorrow I will share some interesting things that have happened since I made it public that I was going on this trip.  I have no doubt that God's hand is at work here!

Why The Philippines

Why would I choose the Philippines?   I'm not sure I can answer that.  It just kinda worked out that way.  I made the decision that I needed to change the focus of my life and so I began searching for something truly meaningful.  I was familiar with World Mission Builders of Baxter Springs, Kansas, so I contacted the people there, asking what their next mission trip was.  The assignment  . . . construct a church building for a growing congregation in the province of Bohol, Philippines.  I accepted the challenge.

Now I am not a construction worker . . . I'm a special education teacher.  And I'm not the leader of the project, just a volunteer worker.  For some reason, I knew this was the right choice.  I did some research on cost and so on, as I knew my wife would be asking about it.  And I also knew my wife might be resistant to my seemingly sudden decision, so having done my homework was going to be essential.  I made my presentation to her . . . and her response wasn't the struggle I was envisioning . . . in fact, she said, "I think you should do this."  So here I am, preparing to go to the Philippines, half-way around the world.

This blog is about my preparations for going to the Philippines, my "adventures" while I am there, and the outcome of the trip after I return.  I can't promise to write every day, although I will surely try.  While in the Philippines, I probably won't be able to post every day, as I won't have regular internet access.  I will, however, post as often as I can.  And pictures, of course.

Please feel free to comment - I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas regarding my mission project.