So Much Too Say!

So we've been here in Butuan for about 8 days or so and will be going home, at least starting the trip back home in just a few days. I wanted to write about some of the unusual things that I have noticed here. First of all, alarms clocks are not needed. Why you ask? Because the roosters will wake you at the crack of dawn that's why!! And should they fail then the barking dogs will wake you at about 5 am. Even though the mission house we are staying in is in the city limits people have animals all around us. Cats, dogs, chickens, roosters, monkeys, snakes, water buffalo and the like. It's so strange to see farm animals in town but this is not Iowa for sure and we are very far from the farm. Second when you call a taxi don't think you'll get the standard run of the mill taxi like we'd have at home, you know the one I'm talking about, 4 doors, air conditioning and padded seats. Oh no, here when you grab a taxi you might be riding in what the Philippino's refer to as a tricycle. A motorcycle driven taxi with three wheels and a cab with seats. I think I saw one the other day with about 6 people in it and there's really only room for about 4. The other mode of transportation around town is what is called a "jitney" (sp.). This is more like a openair van that can comfortably hold about 8 or 10 people depending on their size. Yes we americans are a little wider in the middle than most of the folks around here. You can go just about anywhere in town for 8-10 pesos which in american dollars is about a quarter per person. Next there is no rhymne or reason to the streets here. They go anywhere a neighborhood pops us, some of the streets are paved in concrete others are gravel or mud. Most of the streets on the ourskirts of town are gravel or mud. Some are in need of a great deal of repair, but don't get in a hurry, since we've been here it has rained everyday. It is an island nation ya know. With all the rain it's hard to repair the roads once they get torn up as they continuously fill with rain water. Speaking of rain, if you plan on being out and about around 3 pm but sure and bring your umbrella, it's certain to rain. We visited a school this morning to evaluate how some of the children sponsored by ICCM were doing in school. They attend from 8am until 5pm every day except the weekend. The minimal students per class is about 32. We visited one that had room for 66 and every seat was full and another that had 52 and again nearly every seat was full. The teachers are all alone with their children, no helpers or assistants. What a challenge in a of itself. However, the children are very respectful to us. They are some of the most beautiful children besides my own that I have ever set eyes on. Black haired, brown eyed and dark complexion, so beautiful. At other schools they sang for us and quoted scripture and probably knew what it meant too. Today we also visited the Bay of Butuan. It is about 20 or so minutes from the city. Butuan was originally discovered by Magellan in the 1500's I believe and they have a neat monument to commenorate it. The beach we stopped was beautiful. It was surrounded by mountains as it flowed out to the Pacific Ocean. The water was warm and clear. I picked up a few sea shells for my older grand kids. The sand is black from two volcano's. One is now extinct and the other is active but hasn't erupted in a few years. It was a pictureqest view and very breathtaking. with the bay flowing gracefully into the pacific ocean. The surf seemed gentle and almost reserved but the tide was beginning to come in fairly quickly. The food is probably the last thing to consider. I haven't ever eaten so much rice before in my life. It is a staple as potatoes are at home. The Philippino's eat rice for every meal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is explored or changed at all, just plain white rice. On our drives we have seen many rice fields just ripening or being harvested. I think if something else had been done with the rice it would have been more enjoyable. Which is probably a matter of how one culture over another looks at food. In America we look at food as something beyond nutrition. For us it is about delicious it is and how it satisfies our palate. For these people they eat to survive. If you ever sit down and watch them eat you'll know what I mean. During the latter part of last week we took a short 2 day trip to Upper Augusan Del Sur. This "short" trip took about 4-5 hours due to the roads. Not the lack of roads but the condition of the roads. Most of them were gravel, some were concrete, but nearly all were bumpy. Lots of potholes to avoid. Anyway, just before our return trip the church we visited roasted a pig for us. It was about 3 years old with more fat and bones than meat. Don't get me wrong it was delicious and we all ate from it but by the time we left about 30 or 45 minutes later there was nothing left but the bones, we had devoured that pig and everyone was full and happy, grateful to God for the pig that gave his life to feed them. They would survive another day. Another interesting food is a fruit they call durian. It grows on a tree much like a coconut and when ready to eat one must split it open with a machete. The odor that rises from it is almost unbreathable and the fruit is sweet but but bitter at the same time. I tried it but didn't eat much of it as it immediately began to have heartburn. There is mango, pineapple and coconut to eat as well and all manner of fish and chicken. All in all quite the culinary choice but not necessarily to my liking. The best part of being here is the people. They are gracious and loving. Most have a tremendous sense of humor and a hardy laugh to go with it. God willing I think I may return next year to visit my new found friends and family here. They love the Lord intensely and without reservation. To my new friends, BeBe, Tesora, Bishop Tuan, Pastora Tess and a host of others that serve and love Jesus I hope to return and renew our friendship.