Day 12--Olango Island--Take 3!

Well, today was the final day. I wasn't sure what to expect. Molong was unsettled on what he wanted to do.  After I got up, Molong knocked at my door and said, "We are going to the island."  I knew that meant we were on course to finish the grandpa's new house. 

     We went back to the ferry to go across to Olango Island. There were six of us, including Peter, who I baptized the other night. When we arrived at the ferry dock, the tide was low, so we had to wait while they unloaded using the smaller boat. 

     We arrived at the house we were building, and got straight to work. We put up the sides onto the concrete foundation, joined them front and back, and began to work on the roof and the door.  We had several young men from the community join in this time as well. There were kids who were helping in even small ways. It was truly a community affair. 

   We completed everything ahead of schedule, about 2:30 PM.  Our next plan was to escort the grandpa from his old shack, to his new home.  The one lady told us that grandpa had been sleeping outside because his roof leaked.  At times he would get cold even though it rarely goes below 80 degrees. 

When he realized that the new house was for him, he went in, sat in the newly made bed, with a covenants pillow, and started clapping. It was a sight to behold. 

It made the day for all of us. 

     Molong also dropped a tent off for the rest of the family because he learned they were sleeping outside as well. Their house is the next project, but the tent will keep the weather and mosquitos off them till a new place is done. 

     We said our goodbyes and started for home. As we rode back on the back of a side car attached to a motorcycle, I realized I was truly leaving to go home. Wow, what a climax to a wonderful trip!

     Supper was a Lechon, a Filippino specialty--roast pig.  The whole famuly was there, spiritual and bio.  There was food, laughing and remembering.   Sounds kind of story book, perhaps, but it was kind of like that. Every once in a while it needs to be like that. 

     As I sit at the airport waiting for my first flight, there is so much to ponder, many great memories, and a whole new set of extended family members.  It will be good to go home, but the need to return with yet more who can impart skills to these wonderful people, as well as learn something very special from them as well.  It's about the Kingdom of God. We are truly one body in Jesus.  

Day 11--Swimming With Whales

Today, Albert became my tour guide once again.  Molong wanted me to experience one of Cebu's most famous attractions--swimming with the Whale Sharks!  

      Albert and I left at 5:30 AM to avoid the traffic, because it was a long journey to the far southern end of the island of Cebu.  We jumped  on the motorbike and started on our three hour journey.  Now, I know that in previous posts I stated that I enjoyed riding the motor bike, and that has not changed, however, three hours is quite a challenge, as I had a backpack on, and there was no back rest.  I learned evey possible posture and repositioning to allow for minimal discomfort.  

       Albert took every opportunity to make time on open roads where he could.  The whales have a schedule, and they don't take people out after noon.  Apparently, they learned this the hard way when they took a young French visitor there some time ago, and they got there at one o'clock, only to be told they missed it.  Albert was not going to let this happen again.  We stopped along the road for breakfast.  I know you are thinking Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, etc., but that would not be accurate.  We usually stop at roadside "eateries", which would look like a small shack or small unfinished building with a counter and lots of pots of cooked food.  The first thing you do is to go up and start looking under the lids of the pots to see what was cooked that day.  Then, if you decide to eat there, you tell the person behind the counter which items you want.  If they have tables available, you sit down (and it is quite rustic), and they bring your food and some rice.  We found some tremendous food at these stops, and  experienced true Filippino food.  Some of the soups were outstanding!

     We ate our breakfast, which was like any other meal (no eggs or cereal or the like) and went on our way.  We paid less than 200 pesos for both of us to eat, which is about five dollars.  

     We arrived at our destination, changed into our swimsuits, then paid, went through orientatioin, and got our life jackets on.  Because we were going out into the open ocean to swim, I couldn't take my cell phone for pictures.  Albert, however, did have a waterproof camera that he used to take some great shots, and possibly video, but it wasn't yet available to me as of this writing.  

      We boarded a small canoe with support beams on either side, and three men began rowing out as hard as they could, out to where the whale sharks were.  There were other boats there, too.  The whale sharks are basically harmless.  We were told to stay four meters away, but that is not always possible.  When we got to the location, we jumped in the water.  We had been issued a snorkeling mask and breathing tube so we could watch underwater.  Sure enough, the whale sharks would come between the boats.  I noticed that some of the boats had only a few staff people who would feed them so they would keep coming.  At first, I didn't see the whale shark coming, and it came underneath me, and I felt it brush against my feet.  They are truly marvelous creatures, and to see them so close up was incredible!  They have large mouths, and are brownish in color with whitish spots all over them.  Quite a site to behold.  They allowed us 30 minutes, then we had to climb on board the canoe and they rowed us back to shore.  The water was beautiful, bluish in color, and the waves were rolling. into shore.

     Afterward, we climbed back on the cycle again, and went to Tumalog Falls. Molong had taken many people there in the past.  I've seen many falls, but did not anticipate the beauty of this one.  We had to go up a steep mountain road, then we parked and had to pay to get in.  We then had to go down a very steep road, but we had to either walk, or pay one of the other "transport experts" to take us down, which was nothing more than a few young men who had cycles, and for a few pesos (about 50 cents) would take you down, or bring you back up.  We decided to walk.  

     The falls was absolutely the most amazing falls I had ever seen.  Pictures can't do it justice, as they don't give a true indication of the height and depth of it all.  Albert took the water proof camera, and got closer than I could because we were able to swim in the natural pool below the falls.  The water was MUCH cooler than the warm ocean we were just in, but quite refreshing.  We spent about 30-45 minutes there, relaxing and taking pictures, but decided to go because it was starting to get quite crowded as it got closer to lunch time.  

     We changed back into our riding clothes, took a few more pictures and started off for home.  The way back seemed so much longer because the traffic was much heavier.  The road ran right along the coast, so much of the way, until we reached Cebu City, I was able to see the ocean.  We went through many small towns, most were quite poor.  We took a few more breaks just to stretch.  We stopped in a small city about 20 km south of Cebu City, called Carcar.  It was bustling with people, cars, and transport busses passing through.  We stopped in the square (which was actually a circle), and got something to drink and a quick snack.  No sooner did we stop the bike we were bombarded with sales ladies selling all types of prepackaged food--charros (pig skins), rice cakes, candy, etc.  I watched Albert, and he ignored them as best he could, shooed them away and walked right by them, so I did the same.  We went up to a merchant stand and bought a few things and stood and ate.  I watched as other cars would pull up to the curb and would each be swarmed with these sales ladies.  Some bought and then went on their way.  This was quite interesting to watch.

Before we got back home, it was almost supper time, about 4:00, so we stopped at a nice place on the coast that they take visitors to when they come.  It was very nice, open on all sides, with a pavilion-like roof.  The seating was wooden and quite comortable.  We enjoyed some very nice food and relaxed before the last leg our our journey, through the busy cities of Cebu and Mandau.  

     By this time, the traffic was quite heavy, but I could tell Albert was getting tired, too.  He did all he could to weave in and out of traffc.  Every traffic light, we weaved our way through and past the cars to the front of the line.  All the cyclists do that, so it's expected.  We would talk about those kind of people in the US and tell them to get in line where they belong, but here it is the norm.  

     We arrived home safely.  I was tired and took some time to rest.  Molong was just returning, also, from the store to cook supper.  We were having guests--his father and aunt were coming for a wedding that weekend and would stay with Molong.  So, about 6:30 or 7:00, I ate again--the fourth meal of the day!  Too much eating!  

      Anyhow, I got a bit long winded this time, but things are winding down. I will begin my final 24 hours here, now, and will go to the airport after dinner Friday night.  Molong's sister, Nickie, will be leaving for Singapore on Sunday to find work, and his other sister and mother will be leaving for Dublin, Ireland, as soon as his mother's visa comes through.  Filippinos don't have much work opportunity here, so many go to other countries to work if they are at all able to do so.  

Day 10--Relax and more Baptism

     After yesterday's trek to Olango Island, Molong thought I needed a rest. So, I stayed at the house most of the day, resting, reading, and chatting.  In the morning, and keeping one eye on the score of the Royals game!  We ate fruit in the back yard under the palm tree--mango, papaya, watermelon, and another fruit that I had never seen before (and I forget the name), but it was quite good.  Molong and I chatted about the Kingdom of God, and what God was doing in our respective spiritual families.  

      I was able to get a great grasp on his vision at the different hubs.  Each hub is where several disciples live.  Most are so poor they don't even have jobs.  I learned that in the Philippines many people don't work because they can't live on the pay.  Mostly they get paid minimum wage ($7/day) or less, which is not enough to live on.   Many do not have work skills, either.  Life is lived day to day.  Molong has started a store where things can be sold to raise money for the poor.  That is also where they make their hammocks that they sell, as well as bamboo cell phone speakers.  Albert, one of the disciples here, runs the hammock business.  Albert is 23 years old and learning how to serve the Lord.  The bamboo speaker business is run by Jomie, and will be eventually used to provide jobs and work skills for his family.  The family currently has no work, and limited skills, but because of this business, they will be able to make an honest living and support their family.  The speakers they make will be sold in the store or on the internet.

      Molong wants to see each hub--the mountain, island, and others--with a business that will provide work for the disciples, and an opportunity for them to make a living AND to give to others around them that the Kingdom may grow.   Filippinos are good at giving, anyhow.  This is an exciting vision that can truly be a testimony to the world around of how God takes care of His people.  This is one way of shining the light of the Kingdom, so that others may see and glorify God!

      You may remember that on Day 9 I mentioned that Peter dropped by.  Peter is a long time friend of Molong.  He went to traditional church when Molong did, but has since left and does church organically now.  He and Jomie went to the island today to complete the concrete floor of the new room we are building.  After he returned, he, Molong, Jomie and I were sitting in the yard talking to him before he left.  As we spoke, he kept mentioning a calling that he felt he had from the Lord.  He had mentioned it to me the day before also.  Eventually, the subject of baptism came up, and in reference to Peter's questions about God's calling and the frustrations that Peter seemed to be having spiritually, Molong asked him if he was truly dead.  By that he meant, had his old self truly died.  He re-explained that baptism is just that, the burying of the old, dead self, and the resurrection of the new life of Christ in us (Romans 6:4, Galatians 3:27).  Was he willing to be buried with Christ.  Peter realized that perhaps he really hadn't understood, and he wanted to be re-baptized.  So, we all looked at each other, and Molong told us to quickly change our clothes.  We hopped on the motor bikes and went to the ocean.  It was aleady dark, but Molong had a flashlight and held it, as Jomie and I baptized Peter in the warm ocean water.  It was a glorious experience!  We could tell that Peter had experienced something in the midst of that.  His face simply lit up.   Jomie prayed for him to receive the Holy Spirit.  Then we spent some time swimming in the ocean before returning to the house.  

      Upon return, it was time to eat, and Peter, who had intended to leave earlier, sat down with us for our Kingdom meal.  The table was long and full of saints who enjoyed each other's fellowship, and rejoiced in the newly baptized member of the Kingdom of God.

      In the west, we have struggled with baptism, but here it follows a confession of faith directly.  We don't wait for the "evidence," we just bury that old dead person as quickly as possible so that the new life can arise. 

Jesus commanded it, the apostles followed the command all through Acts, and we debate it, scrutinize it, theologize it, analyze it, and disect it in order to try to understand it.  Jesus just said to do it.  We leave the rest to Him!

 

Day 9--Back to the Island

Today, Jomie and I went on a mission to lay part of the concrete foundation for the  small room we began on Sunday.  The house was located in the village on Olango Island.  To get there, we drove through Mandau City, Lapu Lapu city, then took a ferry to Olango Island.  It is an interesting journey, and not all that easy, because there are fees for the ferry, plus fees for the motorbike to get onto the ferry, then fees to have someone load the motorbike onto the ferry, then back off again.  Thern there is another fee to allow the motor bike onto Olango Island, then another fee to get the motorbike off the island, and then the ferry fees again for the return trip.  

     It was another beautiful day, however, and we began our trek just after breakfast.  Upon arrival, we found a small corner place to eat, then went on our way.

Jomie is 26 and a really humble young man.  His family is very poor, but he works hard in the store that Molong and the other young men are establishing to help provide income to help the poor, and to help provide skills for people.  At the store, they create bamboo speakers for cell phones, hammocks, fanny packs, and they fix things.  Jomie is great in fixing things.  The other night, one of the fans in the outdoor kitchen wasn't working.  Jomie took it apart right there, oiled it, cleaned it, and put it back together again.  It looked and worked like new.  He fixed another fan for a restaurant we ate at on Sunday night.  He asked if he could fix their fan, and he took the top part, that rotates back and forth, off the stand, and took it back to his shop.  He fixed it, and we returned the fan to the restaurant on the way back to the Olango Island.  It was my job to carry the fan while sitting on the back of a motor bike through busy traffic.  It was really much easier than it sounds.  

     We spent severl hours completing the digging of the ditch needed to set "hollow blocks" in place as a frame around the concrete platform.  In working the dimensions, we needed to know the diagonal dimensions in order to assure the 9'x9' square was truly square.  To do so, I introduced the Pythagorean Theorem.  Molong said it was the missing piece of the puzzle they needed to help them determine the diagonal.  I showed them how to use the formula.  Jomie keeps it in his notebook.

     We completed about 4:00, or so.  And, after drinking some fresh coconut water, we started back for home on the motor bike.  The sun was starting to go down, and the tide was low.  We boarded the ferry.  Since the tide was so low, they had to take the motor bike down a steep slope onto the ferry (picture below).  We had to pay 20 pesos a piece to these guys for their efforts, which is quite worth it.  

     We exited the ferry and drove back through the busy streets, over the bridges to other islands, and through the neighborhoods.  When we went past the airport, a large jet had just taken off and flew right over us.  Jomie's expression showed his amazement at the immensity of the mechanical bird above us. It was a reminder to me that my trip is coming to a close.  I will be ready to return home.  I've enjoyed my stay and the people I have met I will never forget.  It will be hard to leave them, but that's life.  Fortunately, it is easier to keep in touch, today, more than anytime in history, but there's nothing like being able to simply stop by and see someone.  

       As we drove, I enjoyed taking in all the sights, as much as I can.  There is so much happening all around you as you drive, not only on the road, but along it as well, with so many people everywhere. Poor shacks next to businesses or larger homes.  People simply going about their daily life.

      When I returned, I got to meet another disciple, named Peter.  No, it's not the one you might be thinking of.  At least, I don't think so, anyhow.  We enjoyed chatting a bit before dinner, then I retired early after a good day's work.

Day 8--Family Day Out

     There were no classes today for the kids, so Molong said we were going to plan something to do with them.  About twelve or fifteen of us packed into his car, a diesel truck-like vehicle with bench seats in the back.

We started out by stopping at the mall.  Many Filippinos spend time at the mall to get away from the heat.  Only the tourists go to the beaches mostly.   A lot of Filippinos don't even know how to swim, ironically.  Lisa, Molong's wife had to go somewhere  with their little son in the morning, so the rest of us spent time at the mall.  It's already Christmas here.  They begin to celebrate Christmas in September until January or February.  Molong says that Christmas for the Filippino is a time of cheer and joy and it makes them happy, so they celebrate it as long as they can.  

      Molong and I sat in a coffee shop and drank some Tzochocolate, a rather pure, rich chocolate drink. Quite tasty, and not very sweet.  We chatted a lot about making disciples and the way they learned to do it.  He shared about another American church family that is doing things similarly in Indiana.  We talked through the pathway that seems to work real well, to build trusting relationships with folks, live Kingdom values, then when the curiosity arises, extend the invitation to join the family of God, which is the Kingdom of God.  Ask them if they want to be a disciple of Jesus.  Tell them that you can make them a disciple.  If they say yes, explain that Jesus already saved them 2000 years ago on the Cross.  Their sins were already taken care of then.  If they believe that, then explain that the sin is like death, making our spirit dead.  What do we do with dead people?  We bury them.  Baptism is then relevant.  Molong asserts that you can't answer people's numerous questions about God until they become a disciple, because as it says in 1 Corinthians that spiritual things are not understood by unspiritual people because they are spiritually discerned.  After baptism, pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. 

     We also spoke about praying for healing.  He shared some testimonies of some things that happened, where sometimes healing took place over time and not instantaneously.  We leave that in God's hands.  

     After the mall, we took everyone to the indoor park where kids could climb on the trampolines, slides, etc.  It was fun.  I enjoyed a delicious mango shake!

      On the way home, we stopped at a roadside stand and got some Lazones to eat.  Once we got back home, they cooked shrimp, squid,  and fish and vegetables and rice for dinner.  The young men almost always cook, though Molong helped a little as well. The meal was quite good.

       Afterward, we sat around the table and enjoyed one another's company.  I met another of Molong's wife's sister who stopped by to pick up her kids, but ended up staying the night.  

       Before we went to bed, Molong played some songs on his new keyboard that his family got him for his 40th birthday.  When in the traditional church, he was a worship leader, so he knew many songs, some of which he wrote.  We sang together, about four of us, and then retired.

      What a day.  Everyone was together and it was exciting to see how everyone gets along so well!  Tomorrow, Tuesday, Jomie and I are going back to Olango Island to pour some cement for the floor of the older gentlemen's room we began on Sunday.  It needs time to dry before finishing the walls and roof, either on Wednesday or Thursday.  I'm really tired tonight, but it is a good tired.  Molong and I were reflecting how the days are soon that I will be going home.  I have mixed feelings.  Don't get me wrong, there is no place like home, and I will be glad to get there, but it's been so exciting to get to know this extended family and I will miss their fellowship, their vision, their servant hearts that have a passion for God, His Kingdom, and for one another.  I know severaly in Kansas City expressed concern that I would be moving here.  It's really not all that easy, but I do know that my eyes have been opened to so much more than ever before.  I don't know what it all means, or where he will lead me or our own Kansas City family, but I do know that He wants to give us the Kingdom.  Are we ready to follow Him, or do we want our "old time religion" and its ways, or do we want to truly be and make disciples of Jesus?  Time will tell. 

Day 7--Olango Island

Today we went to Olango Island in order to do some building.  Molong and the guys had dug a pit for a toilet, but did not finish it.  Molong realized, however, that one of the older gentlemen did not have a very nice room to sleep in, so he decided to put the gentlemen's room as a priority over finishing the toilet.  They built a platform for the toilet before, but still needed to build privacy walls around it.  That was not going to be our project today, however.  

       The grandpa in this family we were going to see was living in a smalll six by six foot room, no bigger than a tent, made out of part wood, part tin, and part of a tent.  The floor was concrete because it used to be used as the pig pen.  He has a bamboo cot that he slept on each night.  Molong decided we needed to put his needs before the toilet.  

        In order to go to Olango Island, we needed to go by ferry boat.  We parked our car and carried our tool boxes with us (no power tools) and boarded the boat.

There were many people jammed into the boat.  There are times that these boats have capsized.  On two occasions I was asked by someone, once by Molong, and once by Jomie, if I could swim in case the boat capsizes.  Of course, this doesn't happen that often, but since it has, I suppose they wanted to see my reaction.  

    There were seven of us on the team to the island--Molong, myself, Albert, Jomie, Ruel, Jason, and Christian.    We boarded the boat and took the fifteen or twenty minute ride to the next island.

    

Upon arrival, we got transportation to the place where we were going to build the room.  We also brought one of the motorcycles with us so Albert could get needed supplies.  Albert took the motorcycle, and we were escorted to our destination on a motorcycle with a covered side car.  Yes, you can get six people PLUS the driver.  Two sat behind the driver, then four of us sat in the side car.  That little motor bike engine chugged along pretty good, but got us there successfully.  I didn't get a picture of it, but perhaps when we go back later this week I will try to get one. 

     When we got to the village, it was a fishing village made up of shacks and huts made from bamboo and tin mostly.  We had to wait for the supplies from Albert, so we decided to hunt for something to eat.  There was a small shack by the road selling prepared food.  We paid 500 pesos for all six of us to eat. They were so happy to serve us the food, and we cleaned it all up.  We had chicken, rice, whole catfish, eggplant, and a few other things I couldn't pronounce, but that weren't too bad tasting.  I usually try most everything out of curiosity, but also out of respect for the culture.  We ate mostlly with our hands simply out of convenience, but afterward, one of the ladies brought a pan of soapy water for us to wash.  Jason said that in Cebuano, it is called "an dou" (spelling unsure)--washing after the meal. 

     After the meal we went around from house to house visiting and seeing if there were any sick to pray for.  We found an old lady who had a stroke and was paralyzed on the one side.  She lays in a small bamboo structure all day.  We prayed for her and went on our way to build the room we came there to do.  During our walk we saw a small church where someone was preaching with a loud speaker.  I had forgotten it was Sunday.  One of the young men, I don't recall which, asked me if I would ever consider living in a place like that.  I told him I'm a simple guy.  I don't need much.  I can live wherever the Lord needs me if it is for His glory and His Kingdom!

     When we returned, Molong laid out the game plan for building and we split into two teams, each of us building a wall of the room per the specs given us.  The room will be 8'X8' when completed.  We only got the two side walls completed before we had to leave.  We plan to come back again in a few days to finish the back, the front, and the roof.  Christian and Jason work in Mandau city, so they won't be able to come then.  Jason loves to paint pictures, but his job is mixing colors for a printing company.  Christian works as a glass installer in constructing buildings.  Both are in their late twenties.  Although these sound like great careers, they only pay $7 a day, the minimum wage required by the government.  It is not enough to truly live on.  More on that another time.

     The kids in the village were fun to watch.  When we got there, a small seven or eight year old shimmied up a palm tree and threw some coconuts down.  It wasn't long before they opened them, put straws in, and handed each of us our own coconut to drink.  Wow, was that refreshing in that hot afternoon weather!  These were not the little brown coconuts we get at the store.  They were still green and fresh.  Mine was almost the size of a basketball!  

      In any case, the kids were all quite curious.  At one time, we heard the kids playing in the field by the house we were working on.  Before we knew what happened, we were surrounded by curious kids watching every thing we did.  

     

We got back across the water again by ferry, leaving behind the work we started.  The tide was low, so the boat couldn't reach the dock. Never fear, though, there is always a plan.  So, they sent another smaller boat and took us back several loads at at time, standing room only.  There were about fifty or more people in the smaller boat standing, being pushed by people who were in the water.  It worked.  

    On the way home, we stopped to eat, had some fun laughing and joking around.  Back at the house we drank tea and water and chatted some more before finally retiring.  

     What a wonderful day.  I'm looking forward to going back and finishing the room.  I can't wait to see the look on the granpa's face.  He doesn't know we are doing this for him, so shhhhhhhhh!, this is our secret!

Day 6--The Mountain Hub

Today we went to the mountain hub. It was an 11 kilometer drive through a narrow, winding mountain road.  Upon arrival, Molong showed me the well they are constructing. It is quite deep with a cement wall around it to protect it from the floods. It will be used for laundry and bathing water only. 

     Next, we climbed a long hill on foot where a few houses sat.  One of the houses was Albert's grandmother's house.  It was small and only one room, made of wood, with a small porch.  She is 88 years old and still gets up at 3:30 in the morning and climbs down the long hill and looks wood for the fire.  After she became a disciple of Jesus, she went around and made disciples of others in the area, I was told. 

      Molong showed me the house they constucted mostly out of bamboo. They use bamboo for the posts and supports and made their own lumber from the trees they cut down to make room for the house.  The house, which is not used yet, has two floors and is open all round. The thatched roof was made from palm branches.   Even the floor was made from bamboo.  It is quite a beautiful place.

Albert is going to take over the land that his grandma owns, and he will be liviing in one of the houses on that land.  They are installing a toilet in the one corner of this house, shown below, which is made of brick.  Most houses ae made of wood and are much smaller.  One of their close neighbors lives in a small wooden thatch house, one room no bigger than about seven feet square where a family of five eats and sleeps.  There are no bathroom facilities yet on this mountain.

     We brought chicken to barbecue, and made some rice, and ate bananas for dessert.  Afterward, Molong sent about eight of us out to go house to house in the area and pray for the sick and make new disciples.  We prayed for several folks, one with a fever, another with a bad knee, an older lady who had hip pain, and another older lady who had pain in her abdomen, who also wanted to become a disciple of Jeesus, so we baptized her.  

     Jomie is a young disciple who is very zealous for the Lord.  He led the way by communicating to the folks in their native Cebuano tongue.  After we baptized the lady in the picture, Jomie splashed water on his feet.  Everyone had worn sandals, except me.  I'm not good with sandals in the mountains.  It came to me quickly why they had to wash their feet in Jesus' time.  The roads were dusty, iike the ones we were on.  We traveled through small trails to get to houses that you can't see from the road.  It was quite amazing to see the level of poverty that folks live in every day.  

     Upon return, I was tired.  We ate a meal together and had a visit from an American missionary who is trying to get to work with human trafficking victims.  She is from Florida, and has been here two months.  

      Anyhow, what a day.  Tomorrow we go to another island, where we will be continuing some work on building a toilet.  We will have to take a ferry boat, putting the whole vehicle onto the boat.   It should be an interesting day.  

Day 5--The Grand Tour

     Today began kind of strange.  When I got up, Molong seemed ready to get going.  He asked me if I was going as I was, which was the normal shorts, t-shirt, and sandals (yes, sandals, everyone wears them here). I asked him where we were going, but he wouldn't tell me.  So, I took cues from his own dress, and put on some shoes and better shorts.  We took off on his little Yamaha Packard Bell motorbike through the congested and fume-filled traffic.  

      We drove a long way, through Cebu City, then up a mountain.  Then, we went over a couple more mountains, passing little towns, roadside shacks, chickens, dogs, goats, cattle,  and more.  We stopped at a roadside produce stand and he picked up three ears of corn, and we continued on our way.  The air was cooler on the mountains, and vehicles of all kinds, including other cycles with up to four people riding on them, were passing us, or we were passing them.  Finally, we arrived at the top of this mountain, where there was a cafe overlooking a beautiful valley.

You could see the cable from another zipline cable ride, that Molong proceeded to tell me that his wife, Lisa, got stuck on because of the strong winds.  The view was fabulous!!  We ordered some food, and Molong took out the raw corn-on-the-cob and we began to eat it as we waited for our food.  As we waited, we spoke more of what God is doing in our lives, and how he has changed how we think about and do church.  We both lamented that it is often difficult to explain our position and what exciting things the Lord is showing us, and what great results are coming from true disciple making.  If only the church could recapture the vision of making disciples as Jesus did, and also His disciples after Him.

     After we ate, we continued back down the mountain.  

We headed back to through Cebu City, where we stopped to see several museums that told of some of the history of the Philippines, especially Cebu.  We stopped at an old prison, which we later found out had been built with the bricks of a torn down catholic church.   (Selah, I had to pause and think about that one.  Molong and I both looked at each other when we heard it.)  Ninety percent of Filippinos are Roman Catholic.  Everywhere along the roads in the mountains, and even in the neighborhood where Molong lives, are little chapels where mass is served and people gather for religious observances or festivals.  In our museum visit, we saw how Magellan, one of the first Spanish explorers, brought the "baby Jesus" to the Phillippines, so statues of the baby Jesus are part of the history of the country and the culture itself.  Shrines were made in homes and elsewhere, where money offerings can be left.  

We toured two of the oldest houses in the Philippines, and rode on the oldest street as well.  We even visited some places that Molong didn't even know existed right in the downtown.

     Cebu city,  itself, is crowded and noisy.  Cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, street vendors, shacks next to hotels, small food shops, along side McDonalds and Burger King. It was all quite fascinating, but after a while the fumes began to get to me a bit.  I was thankful for our clean air policies in the States!  On the way back we stopped at the mall to get out of the heat and the traffic.  Molong showed me some of the power tools that they are needing for their store that will greatly increase and enhance the production of their hammocks and their bamboo cell phone speakers that are hand made by Jomie and Albert.  One time they had an order for sixty hammocks from Australia.  Each one takes six hours to make, and only two people working on them with a used electric sewing machine.

     As we left the mall, the sun was getting lower, and I could tell Molong was a bit hungry.  We saw a place selling Lechon, with the roasted whole pig in the window.  So, we stopped and he ordered some. Lechon is pork roasted over a fire and seasoned just right. It is tender and juicy without bones, served with rice and a special dipping sauce we put together ourselves using lime, vinegar, soy sauce, and crushed hot peppers.  As we ate, I heard the clerks snickering as Molong and I ate. I soon realized they were laughing at me because I was eating the lechon like a Filippino--with my hands.  White people who visit the island don't do that, but when in Rome, right?  

So, needless to say, when we returned to the house, we were both pretty tired.  What an unexpected day.  Cebu is quite the beautiful place with mountains, beaches,  cities, towns, modern, old, and more.  

      Tomorrow is day six,  and it marks the halfway point of my trip. We are going to do some work at the mountain apostolic hub this weekend, as I understand it.  Meanwhile, time to take some time and simply rest and reflect.   

       Thanks for taking time out to read this today!

Day 4--Zipline

    Today, Albert took me to the Zipline, which is a huge cable strung across the water between two islands.  You step into a harness that is warn around your waist llike pants, and then you climb a steep tower.  At the top,  a gentleman meets you and hooks your harness up to a pulley device that is attached to a cable. The pulley has a wheel that uses the cable as a track.  You simply hold on and off you go!  I wish I could have gotten pictures, but I left my phone with Albert to be sure I don't lose it.  The pulley zings down the cable, across the open water, while you hold on.  Once on the other side, the process is repeated to go back.  The return ride is much faster, however.  As you approach the tower it is apparent that you are traveling much too fast to stop.  They didn't tell me about the breaks!  The pulley is designed to hit a breaking device that slows you down quite suddenly, but surprisingly quite effectively wiithout as much force as I expected.  The ticket allowed me to go twice, so I did, swinging between two islands!  Quite a fun experience.  

      Afterward, Albert and I grabbed something to drink and sat and talked for some time overlooking the water.  He shared about his experiences making disciples among classmates, his family, and a local college where he attended for awhile. 

     It is important to remember that Albert, and his friend Jomie, have been disciples of Jesus for several years and have never been to church!  How tragic, you may be thinking!  But Albert and Jomie have made more disciples and baptised more people than most people who have gone, or go to church every week.  They spend time reading the Word of God on their own and spend time serving others together, and living life together, where they encourage one another daily, talk about the scriptures and the Lord.  Albert said to me that when he talks to a church person about making disciples, the normal respons is, "what do you mean?"  He then tries to explain, but to blank expressions.  We both agreed that disciple making, perhaps, is best understood if it is started from the beginning of a person's faith.  Traditional church does not teach bibical disciple making, if it teaches about making disciples at all.  Now that, my friend is tragic!  I still hold on to the hope that there are some who started in traditional church who can truly understand this very basic, yet essential component.  

     Molong made a truly valid point about being equipped "for every good work.  When he was in the tradtional church, and still pastors he knows today, only preach the Bible.   They don't teach how to serve.  They don't teach skills that enable people to serve others, like sewing, building, cooking, gardening, etc.  These are skills that can be used to serve.  But all they know is the Bible and how to preach about God.  Here, Molong, though not a pastor but a spiritual father, teaches these young men how to serve by teaching them life skills as well.  

     Sometimes, Molong will send them out to another island to make disciples.   He tells them to pray, and seek for the "man of peace" who will openly hear the Good News and receive it.  Usually this "person of peace" will also be a person who is receptive to the making of disciples.  A key to this process is the process itself, because each disciple is then told to make other disciples after they are baptized.   The procedure that was used  to make them a disciple will be the same prcess they will use to make more disciples. 

     After our chat at the zipline, we went swimming briefly in the Philippine Sea.  The tide was low, but the water was almost like bath water, but still refreshing.  It was just after noon, so the sun was high.  We are close to the equator, but still north of it, so the sun is not as high as it would be in June, but still more intense than anytime of the year in Kansas City.  So, we didn't stay long because this white American would get quite a sunburn.  I got a little pink, but overall, not so bad.  

     I rested some in the afternoon, reflecting on so much that I have seen and heard since I arrived.  In the evening, after supper, Molong and I were playing guitar together in the front yard.  Life is generally lived outside.  It can be done that way because the weather is warm all year.  Albert has a room outside.  His room is open on one side, with a thatch roof.  It is quite nice, with a TV, a hammock, a bed and a wooden floor.  And no, the bugs aren't really all that bad. 

     As Molong and I were sharing songs, his sisters called and invited us to their house down the street.  When we got their around 10:00 PM, they had a bunch of home cooked Filippino food.  I got to try some new dishes, one of which was a special dried fish.  They take small fish, dry them, salt them, then cook them with tomatoes.  The fish are very small, so you eat the whole fish.  You can get several on your fork at one time.  

     Since I love Asian food, I am right at home, but apparently most of Molong's "white" friends and visitors do not and want special foods prepared.  They want to feed me potatoes because other white people eat them.  I assured them I love rice anytime, and please NO potatoes!  They really are surprised that I like the food.  They call me a Filippino with white skin.  I even learned that when others are using their fingers to eat, do likewise.  It is a common practice in much of this part of the world.  

      That concludes the day.  I was quite tired, so I fell asleep and had to do the blog in the next morning, as it is Friday here already.  I'm not sure what we are going to do today, but this weekend we will travel to their mountain hub, where we will take food to the saints there because they don't have as much food.  Also, we will be doing some work and they will gather the saints and do some sort of teaching.  It is much like when Paul and his clan would visit a church community.  Anyhow, more later!  As they say in the native tongue of Cebuano, Hangtud sa sunod ("Until next time"). 

     

Day 3--Baptism

“What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’”

Acts of the Apostles 22:16 NLT

Today, Jomie and I went to visit his family.  Jomie became a disciple because of his friend Albert, who made him a disciple of Jesus and then baptized him.  Jomie was then used to make disciples of his family. I felt honored to be taken to see his home where he grew up.  

      Our trip began on a motorbike.  If you want to experience the streets of the Philippines, the motorbike is the way to go.  Many people ride motorbikes.  Unlike the US, howvever, there are not many rules, it seems. If you want to pass someone on the road, you just beep and go on by, as long as you think you can make it past without being hit by another car.  Sometimes you might pass on the left, other times on the right. It's whatever works.  You have to watch out for the gypnees (spelling unsure), which are small truck-like vehicles adapted to take passengers in the back with long bench seats.  Some are highly decorated and charge so many pesos for people to ride in.  They are a bit unpredictable because they can pull  over at any time, so you need to be sure to beep before going past them, especially on the right..  

     We drove at least 5 or more kilometers before arriving at his neighborhood.  We drove past his high school where he graduated, and back a long  unpaved road with many gullies, that Jomie successfully dodged.  

     Upon arrival, I met his mother, Maristera, and his two sisters and brother.  His older brother was at work and his father had gone looking for money.  they had not eaten the day before.  Jomie brought bread from the local bakery which we bought on the way.  He gave his brother, Ronnell, money to buy the family a kilo of rice.  If a Fiippino doesn't have rice at their meal, they don't feel like they have eaten.  It is a true staple here.  

     He showed me his house, three rooms, where the family sleeps, and a small kitchen with only a sink for washing dishes and a small one burner cooker.  The water is lifted from the well in the back yard.  The house was rebuilt by Molong and his team of disciples several months ago.  They were still one of the victims of the typhoon.  

    In one small room, just off the kitchen, was a 93 year old women they call grandma.  I don't remember how they came to know her, but they took her in because she had fallen in her house and had no one to take care of her.  She couldn't walk because of the fall, and her kids simply desserted her.  In the Philippines, no one goes to an old folks home.  Everyone is taken care of.  This family has little food, but they take her in anyway.  She only lived there several months. 

      As Jomie interpreted, I learned that she felt she must have committed some great sin because she is the only one left of her family, and her kids desserted her.  I told him the Lord has shown her much grace.  I asked if she was a follower of Jesus, and he said she wasn't, but wanted to be.  She had not been baptized, either.  Here, baptism follows directly after one chooses to follow Jesus, just like it was done by the disciples of Jesus, because baptism is our burial of our old, sinful, dead self.  Sin makes us dead in our spirit.  What do you do with dead people?  You have to bury them.  Baptism is also the resurrected new life that Jesus brings us.  People cannot even understand spiritual things until the new life is brought by the Spirit.  The Spirit descended upon Jesus after baptism, as well as many in the book of Acts.  

     Jomie explained all this to her, and she wanted to be a disciple, so we had to baptize her.  We filled up a large bucket, but she couldn't walk, so Jomie lifted her to the bucket, where she sat on the edge.  Ronnell drew water from the well and filled the bucket.  We then poured water over her because we couldn't physically dunk her.  

Then we prayed that God's Holy Spirit would come upon her and seal her for His Kingdom. 

     I later learned that she was afraid to go to the doctor because she was afraid of what they might do to her.  So, she lives with much pain.  Jomie says he prays for her often, and she actually can sit up now, where before she could not even do that.  So, we prayed for her again.  God is indeed merciful.  His glory is being shown through this family, who have all become  disciples of the Lord, who have extended His grace to this old lady.  

     Jomie explained that his mother and father worked in the big company behind their neighborhood many years.  They make 300 pesos a day--about the minimum wage requirement--seven dollars a day.  With that they must live, buy food for the whole family.  Now, the father cannot work, and so it becomes very difficult.  Often in Philippines it doesn't pay for people to work, because many don't even make the minimum wage, only three or four dollars a day.  The government doesn't give assistance.  

     Jomie said that his father cannot work because of health issues, so he gave him money to go to the doctor for medicine, but they used it for food because they didn't have any.  These are daily choices for many of these people.

     On the way back, I had much to ponder as we rode the crowded streets back to the house, weaving in and out of vehicles as we passed and were passed by others.  My heart was encouraged by what God did and was doing, quietly amongst the poor, yet broken for the many who still do not know of the true coming King who is their Provider, Banner, Deliverer, Hope, Fortress, and so much more.  

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.” Isaiah 61:1-2 NLT

Day 2--To the Mountain

Yesterday, Tuesday, we went to view the mountain top.  The mountain overlooks Mandau city and Cebu City.  It was quite breathtaking to see.  We got there in the afternoon and stayed till after dark.  Upon arrival, there were still clouds hanging around the mountain, but they soon gave way to more sun and a beautiful view of the city below, and a few islands beyond that.  

It was just a great relaxing day.  There were about twelve of us, and they charged us 1000 pesos for everyone to get in, which is about $25, so we spent time there, had some food and drink and just relaxed.  We traveled through several towns to get there and up a steep winding slope.  Driving in the Philippines is quite a challenge.  Albert, a young disciple who stays with Molong and his wife, was the main driver.  He is quite skilled in driving their large diesel transport vehicle.  The front has a cab where three can sit, like in a regular truck. The back is covered and has 

benches that sit long ways on either side, allowing for as many as are able to get in to ride along.  There are no seat belt laws, so vehicles all over are filled with passengers.  Streets are literally crowded with people crossing, riding bicycles, motorcycles, and transport vehicles that look like little trucks with benches in the back where people hitch rides, or pay for rides throughout the city.  I could not begin to drive in the Philippines, but Albert does a splendid job.  

       

As the day progressed into night, the city below was revealed in all of its nighttime glory.  We all joined together for a grand picture with the city lights  in the backgroound below.  It was quite breathtaking.  The wind was actually starting to feel a bit cool, especially to everyone else, because it rarely gets below 80 degrees in the valleys and cities, even at night. 

     The heat hasn't been bad, really.  I think that living without air conditioning at home in KC has prepared me for this.  It really hasn't been too bad.

Anyhow, Molong and I continue to have great discussions about the Kingdom of God and how God is indeed changing things away from a man-centered, traditional type religion, back to the life-transformational, living organism that it is supposed to be.  Molong is being "fathered" by Wolfgang Simson, himself.  Wolfgang wrote the book "Houses that changed the World," a book that both Molong and I read which encouraged us both to seek God's Kingdom outside the traditional church, and to redefine "church" in a biblical fashion, leading to a lifestyle, not religious events.

     Most Filippinos who label themselves "Christian" are part of the Catholic church.  So, most would know about Jesus, but not so many would actually KNOW him in a relational sense.  There are a few "mega-churches," also, but churches here are from the West, and really are not home grown.  There are missionaries in big houses from Britain, and elsewhere, who live apart from the people they claim to want to reach, rather than live in their midst as Jesus did.  

      Molong, and his family, are truly an exception here.  God uses them to reach people for the Kingdom through building relationships.  Molong hosts different people from other countries, like Australia, who come in with ideas on quick evangelism gimmicks, or crusades, or "projects" of outreach, most all of which fail to reach anyone.  All of this seems more to feed the egos and sense of self importance of the one doing it than to accomplish anything for the Kingdom.  It's all about "my ministry" and "my" this and that.  Jesus told us to do die to ourselves.  Most "ministers" and heads of ministries simply trade their ambition for worldly success for their ambition for ministry success, pushing their agenda, and doing things their way rather than God's.  After all, if we do it God's way, no one will know our name or what great things we have done "for God."  Brethren, these things ought  not to be!  Let us truly die to ourselves and let the Lord receive the glory.  

     Anyhow, today, Wednesday, I am supposed to visit another "hub" where Jome, one of the disciples of the Lord, lives.  Jome works in the store here that sells hand-made hammocks, plants, food, etc.  He is 26, and truly lives to serve the Lord.  I will let you know how things go.  I'm not sure what we are going to do, yet, though.  

Have a great day!  (And GO ROYALS!)

Day 1--It's about Family

The first day here was very relaxing.  Molong is used to hosting folks from out of the country, including the US, so he understands the need to take some time to adjust.  Life here is much more laid back anyhow, a much needed change.   We spent the day talking, eating, swimming in the ocean, and meeting family.  In his back yard he has a palm tree with fresh coconut.  They simply split it open and drink the coconut water.  Knowing I love coconut, they made a cocunut shake, also, that was simply wonderful!  We sat under the palm tree and ate Lanzones, a fruit that looks like a grape, but the skin isn't eaten, so you squeeze it, peel it, and eat the fruit out of it, which is like a whitish color and mildly sweet.  Quite good.  

     

Cebu is a beautiful place, with mountains and beaches.  We are headed for the mountains in the next day or so.  They are starting an apostolic hub there.  And apostolic  hub is a home, or several homes together where followers of Jesus spend time together, serving, learning about the life of a disciple of Jesus, and going out to make more disciples.  This is all very organic in nature, and looks and operates as a family, not an organizational business like structure.  After all, this is what the family of God is--A FAMILY!  That family is made up of all who follow Jesus.  

     Here, the older teach the younger.  In the Bible, the definition of an elder is an old person.  That's pretty simple, but profound.  In a family, how does it work?  The parents teach the children.  When you make a disciple, you "father" that disciple.  Paul said to the Corinthians, “For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.”

1 Corinthians 4:15 NLT  Where are the fathers today?  Fathering takes time, money, and life investment.  Too often, we just want to teach someone somthing and go home.  Fathering means self denial and helping others to grow through the painful process of maturing.  I will write more on this later, as I get time, but I think it is a critical aspect of restoration that God is doing in the midst of His people today, especially those who are willing to shed the ways of man made, man-centered traditionalism.  Molong said that in all his years of pasoring,  and even doing house church, he didn't make any disciples, yet that was Jesus big command!  Most, today, can say the same.  If someone asked you how many disciples you were able to make, how many could you point to?  Not how many were in your class or church, or whatever, but true disciples of Jesus, who will grow up into maturity and make more disciples of Him.  When you read Paul's letters from the perspective of spiritual family, they make sense in ways they never did before.  Jesus gathered twelve men and lived with them taught them for three years, then LEFT THEM, and SENT THEM out to do likewise.  I'm not sure why that is so difficult of an example for us to follow and we would rather do things our way.  Even Billy Graham said once in retrospect to all he had done, that he wished he had done like Jesus.  

    In any case, I will write more on this topic, especially on my return as I am able to put my thoughts together in a more orderly fashion.  In the meantime, I am recuping from jet lag.  It hit me hard last night around seven or eight o'clock.  We still hadn't eaten, so I had to hold out, but by nine o'clock, I was done.  So, I went to bed, and woke up at 2:30 AM ready to go!  So, I imagine another day or so to get on schedule, but it gave me a chance to write this and to check in with a few folks back home. 

      Thanks for taking time to read this.  My trip is not just a vacation, and not a traditional missions trip, but a time to build family ties with those members of the Family of God, God's Kingdom, and to learn from and encourage one another.  The rest is in the Lord's hands.  I hear the roosters crowing, so the sun will soon be up.  Ready to start day 2.  

     Remember, this is a blog, so you are free to post responses and discussions at the bottom if you so desire.

  May the Lord's peace and joy be yours today!

     

Here At Last

Well, I finally made it here!  I say that for two reasons, 1) Because I have been trying to arrange this trip for a few years now, and 2) because it truly was the longest trip I've ever taken in an airplane!  I left Saturday morning, Kansas City time, and after three flights totallying 19 hours in the air, and two layovers of about eight hours, I arrived just after midnight, Monday morning.  It's 2:30 AM here, and I'm still up.  Molong, Albert,  and I were up talking a bit before retiring.  

Filippino culture is very accomodating.  I learned that Filippino homes don't have guest rooms, so someone willingly gives up their room and sleeps else where for the duration of the guest's stay.  I jokingly said to Molong that it is good I am only here two weeks. He said he has had other guests here three and four months.  It was quite humbling to think that someone is doing without to accomodate my being here.  But, I already feel like part of the family.  That is the way it should be, anyhow, in the family of God.  But, I will be talking more about "family" from the Filippino persective.  What we call the "family of God" in the US, and how we live it out, is still quite different.  All cultures are different, but I truly think we can learn much from what Molong and his family do here.  As I learn more, I will share it. 

     When I arrived, I was mobbed by taxi drivers trying to give me a ride.  They gather ouside the exit to the airport waiting for business.  In the US, they sit at the curb, but here they proactively come up to you and try to persuade you.  I'm glad Molong came to pick me up.  I hear some of the cab drivers don't run the meter.  

      It seems everyone here drives motor bikes--its the way to get around.  So, I will be driving a motor bike, so I heard.  It is legal for us to use our stateside license for up to three months,  Molong assured me.  In any case, this should be interesting.

     In the true Filippino tradition, we do not have an agenda of events to do, so I will find out each day and give updates in the evening as I am able.  There is much to learn here.  Also, I feel very tall here.  I'm really not used to that.  I'm usually the shortest one, and here I'm one of the tallest with a few exceptions.  I'm sure I'll get used to it, but for now, I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable with that.

     I give God all the glory for allowing me to come here.  A year ago, I didn't have any idea how it would happen, but God challenged me to pray and truly believe, for nothing is impossible with Him!  I've been gulity of often praying prayers that are not truly in a manner that expects an answer. But Jesus said that if we speak to this mountain and tell it to be cast into the sea, and do not doubt, it shall be done!  I often fall short of truly believing that it will be done without doubting.  Of course, we are not to pray silly, selfish prayers, but as we come to know Him, His will, His Kingdom, and His ways, we can learn to pray as Jesus did, and then truly nothing is impossible.  Though I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.  

Until next time!

Welcome!

    
10/13/2014:  I am excited to be able to share with you the happenings and experiences of my trip to the Philippines this year, 2015.  It is hard to believe that it is here already.  I am going to the Philippines to visit my friend and brother in the Lord, Molong, who I met almost five years ago, now, through our mutual pursuit of a simpler expression of church.  He resides on the island of Cebu (shown in the photo above), and is building apostolic communities of followers of Jesus who live in close proximity to one another, serving each other and those around them, shining the light of the Good News of the Kingdom of God.  Never before have I become so aware of Ephesians 4:4-5, that there is "one body" of believers, and we are all united under "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Father of all."
     I wish I could tell you exactly what I plan to do while I am there, but in reality, I don't have any specific plans.  I am going there to encourage Molong and the saints with him, and learn from them what the Lord is doing in and through each of them and the community of saints there.  If I can be of any help or encouragement to them as well, I will certainly do what all I can.  I hope we will be able to do some mutual serving together, also.
     This blog is simply my attempt to keep you informed of what we will be doing.  My plan is to update the blog each day, or as often as possible, with how and what I am doing, and any stories, photos, etc.  I will strive to keep it brief and to the point, yet full of content that will inform, and hopefully, inspire you in your own journey with the Lord.  Feel free to respond to the blogs as you feel led to do so.
     I have spent most of my life in the inner-city of Kansas City, serving cross-culturally among the urban poor;  however, I am excited to have the opportunity to link arms with brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe in mutual service as well.
     I appreciate your prayers on our behalf and of those who we are lead to serve for the Lord's provision and direction in all things.