Home in the Philippines

I just went on my blog to find that this blog never did post!  I wrote it but ran out of time to figure out just how to do the pictures.  Rather than wait, I thought I had posted it.  I guess I really don’t have this thing quite figured out yet!!!!  Anyways, had a great last couple of days in the Philippines and amidst many tears left Faith Academy.  We drove to the airport, picking up our office driver along the way, flew to Hong Kong.  For some reason there were no regular, standard rooms for rent this week and so we had to get a nice room.  It is lovely and we have had a wonderful day.  We just checked in on line for our flight tomorrow.  I promise that in a few days, Sarah and I will have lots of pictures for you to see. ….back to the post that never posted

This has been an incredible week here in the Philippines.  So much so that I have had little time to think about blogging.  However this morning I have an hour to create!  It will probably take longer than that  With instructions in hand from Sarah as to how to insert pictures here I go!  

We arrived in Manila from Thailand last Saturday evening and after the shortest arrival processing on record (less than 10 minutes) we were at the curb waiting for Dave and Ruth Harvey.  We have been staying in their home for the week not too far from Faith Academy.  Sunday Phil preached at Cainta Christian Church.  In the afternoon we attended a church anniversary where we knew quite a few people.  Later we decided to drop by the condo to visit a few friends in the building where we used to live. We saw the Foutz’ heading to the mall so jumped in the car with them.  There are several huge malls that have been built since we left and I won’t even begin to try and describe them.  Suffice it to say, that was fun!  Amazingly enough we saw a Filipino family that had been good friends for many years.  A quick trip to Dairy Queen completed our first day.  

 

 

Monday morning we drove north to a beach that the Harvey’s had often visited.  Being rainy season (it was beautiful and sunny that day) there were very few people at the beach.  We had the beach and the resort to ourselves.  We swam, took a banca out to a few islands and swam some more.  There were small open nipa huts along the shore where we sat to eat all our meals.  The food was great and we really enjoyed the time to totally relax.  The sunset was awesome.

Wednesday morning was the highlight of the week.  This was the dedication day of the new Fine Arts Auditorium.  While the building itself is not completely finished, the auditorium is about 90%.  The Dedication ceremony was amazing.  A time of worship began the service followed by choral numbers from elementary and high school.  Special numbers by several alumni were awesome.  The building is dedicated to a couple who put music on the map at Faith during the sixties and seventies.  They did an amazing job for many years.  Since then after a long life of service in missions, Dick Cadd has passed away.  However his wife and son were there to receive the honour of having the Fine Arts Center named after them.  This was followed by a wonderful Filipino meal.  Both of us have worked on many committees over the years so it was awesome to see the final result.  Wednesday night we drove to Greenhills to view our new buildings on our mission compound.  After the grand tour, we met with several CMML missionaries for dinner at Chili’s.  

Thursday morning (are you getting bored?) I had a couple of hours to shop for quilt material in a market area close by.  For whatever reason material, and other overstocks of the textile industry started appearing in Taytay several years ago.  There is lots to choose from for decorating, costumes for plays, and other such things.  The highlight however for those who like to quilt are tons (no exaggeration) of many of the big names in quilting fabric for a fraction of the cost.  Sometimes it is slightly damaged but that is easily worked around.  I tried to be careful considering my well stocked quilting cupboard at home.  Should you wish to come quilting with me, I will supply all the materials!  That day finished out with lots of visits with Faith friends and a dinner/theater production by the drama department at school.  

Friday was my shopping day!  Greenhills here we come!  We ventured out in the pouring rain to our favourite more touristy market area.  Breakfast at McDonald’s, lunch at Italiani’s with a dear Filipina friend, afternoon coffee at Krispy Kreme’s complete with a free doughnut, and back home to meet with two couples who were some of our closest friends for all of our years in the Philippines.  Three of us turn 60  in the next several months so this was a celebration of sorts (not that we needed an excuse!).  Oh and I shopped ’til I dropped in between.

Today we have been invited to watch our beloved Red Sox at the home of some more dear friends. We are twelve hours ahead so breakfast with the game is the order of the morning.  Brian replaced Phil as High School Principal so we have had lots in common over the years.  Visits with a couple of Filipino friends and a game night are planned for the rest of the day.  Tomorrow we will be at our home church where Phil will preach and a Filipino lunch held in our honour.  A quick trip back to Faith for a worship service in the new auditorium and then off to the airport.  We will have one day in Hong Kong before boarding our 777 to return home.  It has been a wonderful time both in Thailand and in Manila.  We are so thankful to have had this opportunity.  Thank you Lord.