Dancing

Mama Knows Best

The Philippines are known for being a matricentric society.  Historically, mothers have been the backbone of the family.  The Philippines are the leaders in exporting nurses to meet the demands of the United States.  This is partly contributed to the Filipino culture of careful nurturing and motherly care, as many Filipinos have large families.  Mothers also generally have the duty of child rearing, discipline, and managing the affairs of the home, including finances. 

More Fun in the Philippines

On a lighter note... here's a short video showing why it's more fun for tourism in the Philippines.  And no I won't be using the money to go snorkeling, zip lining, shopping, etc. on this trip... maybe on day though.  On this trip my fun will come in the form of serving the people.


* Thanks Betty for the $25 donation, it is greatly appreciated.

Getting High in the Philippines

Leaders of previous mission trips have advised us not to give money to the children asking for money on the streets.  Instead, we are advised to pay for their food, clothing, or other essential needs.  Sometimes the parents are unable to provide adequate care for these children, so they are left to fend for their selves.  Other times these children become slowly addicted to "rugby" and leave their homes to join fellow addicts and escape the discipline of their parents.  If given money, these children will usually buy more rugby.

The "Rugby boys" are a common collective of children usually seen in the streets of the Philippines.  These boys are known for sniffing a glue-like substance to get high (rugby).  This substance is cheap and easily accessible, as there is no law prohibiting the sale of the drug to minors, and is significantly cheaper than food.  Therefore, these children use the substance to help ease the pain from hunger, neglect, and hopelessness.   

The chemical toluene gives the aromatic smell in contact cement and other glue and the culprit behind the addiction. Toluene abusers are exposed to levels above 1000 ppm (parts per million). Levels of exposure greater than 600 ppm cause confusion and delirium. Inhalant abuse causes permanent damage to the brain and may result in “sudden sniffing death”. It can also cause loss of memory, confusion or disorientation, distorted perception of time and distance, hallucination, illusion, nausea and vomiting. Inhalant abuse leads to muscle cramps and weakness, numbness of limbs, abdominal pains, damage to the central nervous system, kidneys and liver.

 *Matthew 25:40-45

Muslims VS Christians

In 1565 the Spanish officials of Cebu wrote the King of Spain requesting permission to enslave Moros (Filipino Muslims):

"We beseech his majesty and your highness in this royal name, that, inasmuch as the said Moros and others take all the gold, pearls, jewels, precious stones and other things of which we have no information—thus injuring the natives, both by giving us no opportunity to plant out holy faith among them, and by taking the said gold, they should, if they continue the said trade, lose their property and be made slaves, for they preach the doctrine of Mahoma."

This started another crusade in the Philippines in order to overtake the precious stone that Muslims in the Philippines had access to at the time.  Yet another example of the Spaniards overtaking land, under the false pretense of merely wanting to convert others to Christianity.

Filipino Muslims have endured years of betrayal and oppression from Christians and the United States military.  These years of oppression have caused the Muslims in the southern Philippines to develop a hostile attitude towards Christians. There is still hostility between Christians and Muslims in the southern Philippines, however the violence has significantly decreased.  Among these Muslim communities, bibles were strictly prohibited. 

Lisa After setting up a tent in an outdoor health clinic near an area that contained a large Muslim population, some Muslims came to get checked-up.  These Muslims were easily identified because of their turbans.  These Muslims were surprised that Lisa and her team were still treating the Muslims despite the noted hostility that they have towards Christian.  This presented the opportunity to explain the love and grace of Jesus, who commands us to love our enemies.   One of the Muslims even asked for a bible.  After arriving to the same area the next year, Lisa for the first time noticed bible studies and bibles being infiltrated into an area where bibles were once prohibited.


Matthew 5: 43-45  ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven."

Pimp My Ride

The Jeepneys are a common mode of transportation in the Philippines.  They originated as Jeeps from World War II.  After the war, their previously common modes of public transportation were virtually destroyed.  These Jeeps were sold inexpensively, as the American troops were leaving the Philippines.  The locals stripped down the Jeeps to provide more space, added a metal roof for shade, and designed creative artwork to make their Jeepney unique and personalized.  This is just another testament to the creativity and innovation that Filipinos are recognized for.  Modern Jeepneys are produced in factories within the Philippines.  Filipinos were pimping their rides way before the MTV show.

Unfortunately, some believe that the culture and uniqueness that characterizes these Jeepneys are being compromised, partly due to Western influence.  http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/life/are-we-witnessing-death-filipino-jeepney-070038


** I received $250 to support my trip yesterday, bringing my fundraising goal to $2,100.  Thank you for your support, and please continue to donate either through the Paypal link or by sending a check.
God bless.

Blue Baby

 "This baby is blue!" the medical assistant screams to the nurse, Lisa Canoy.  Lisa is in panic mode, acknowledging that this baby needs oxygen quickly.  As there is no 9-1-1 emergency service in the area, Lisa scrambles to arrange for a jeepney to take the mother and baby to the nearest doctor.  However, Lisa noticed something very strange.  The baby's mother did not seem to be rattled or worried about the baby's condition.  Thus Lisa talked with the mother, with the help of a translator, and realized that the baby has already been diagnosed with congestive heart failure at an early age.  The doctor has previously told the mother that the baby would sporadically turn blue because the heart is much weaker than normal.  The heart responds by stretching to hold more blood or becoming thicker to increase the blood flow.  However, the heart muscles gradually weaken, restricting blood flow throughout the body.  They baby was given a very short life expectancy.

The mother did not have nearly enough money to pay for the heart surgery that was necessary for the baby.  The sad reality is that the mother has already accepted the fate of the baby; she was just there to get vitamins and check-ups for her two other children.  She was smiling when waiting in line, because she was just grateful that her family was able to receive free medical attention. 

Lisa told us this story at the meeting for this year's mission trip.  In the U.S., especially as we are debating on the flaws or benefits of the Affordable Care Act, it is important to keep in mind how fortunate we are receive the emergency medical attention we have access too, regardless of the current flaws to our medical system.