Highlights

Now that we have been home a few days, and I am slowly getting back to normal. I want to just finish this adventure with some photo highlights.

Witnessing how people drive without traffic signs Understanding that geckos are my friends gecko=no bugs!

Seeing the need for why Geoff does what he does.

Seeing this. . .go to

this. . .and finally tothis.

Watching Kevin do his job!

Being a part of children receiving a gift of ice-cream, some for the first time.

Making new friends!

Feeling blessed for what I have and realizing people can be happy no matter their circumstance.

Being in the OR and taking this picture! Observing Geoff removing stitches and not even passing out!

Seeing first hand the love and concern Geoff has for the children he does surgery for.

Enjoying the beauty of Mag-aso Falls.

Kesh, Julie, Dr. Majong, Kevin,

Geoff, Sandra, Kring-Kring, Flor & Mitch 

Spending a life changing two weeks with these amazing people!

THE NURSES

I am almost finished with my Philippine Adventure, but I couldn’t  finish without a tribute to the nurses.

Kring-Kring, Mitch, & Julie--Taking a “Break”

A little background on Filipino nurses. There are quite a few nursing programs in the Philippines and they graduate a lot of nurses.

Nursing Students

The problem is that they don’t have a lot of jobs for them. So, they are basically required to volunteer for at least 1 year before they can get a job, and even then it isn’t guaranteed.

The one thing that caught my eye from the moment I met the nurses is that they are always smiling.

They never once complained about the long hours they spent working. Even when it was 2:00 am and they had to be back at the hospital at 8:00 am.

Julie & Mitch

They are an inspiration to me and a great example of  generosity, kindness and happiness.

Thanks for letting me spend 2 wonderful weeks with you. I know my attitude about a lot of things have changed because of “The Nurses”! 

Mitch, Kring-Kring, Julie, Flor

Day Care Visit

The first time Kevin came to Kabankalan, Ray took him out to a day care center. At the time it was located close to a river, and was prone to flooding. Ray had told Kevin they were hoping to build a new school that wouldn't flood. They were able to do that!

Today I visited the new school that they have been in almost a year. We were able to take them a double gas burner so they could prepare food for the children instead of cooking over coals. While we were there Ray had mentioned that they would really like to tile the floor. Well, one of the mother's said something to Paul about a tile floor and he donated a $100us right there! They were very excited. That should be a big help towards them getting their new floor!

Ice Cream--again!

As promised, ice cream was again delivered to the school on Tuesday!

It was so fun watching over 400 children enjoy a small cup/cone of ice cream and a cookie---before lunch!

We had enough for the 1st-4th grades.

When Paul found out that there wouldn't be enough for the 5th & 6th grade, he ordered more for the next day for them!

I think that little ice cream man made more money in 2 days than he usually makes in a 6 months!

Sinulog-Festival

On the 3rd Sunday of January, in Kabankalan, Philippines they have Sinulog-Festival.

Leading up to Sunday, they have beauty pagents, drum competitions and vendors covering the town plaza.

Sunday is the BIG day. They start the day with a parade of all of the tribes or barangays.
They have drums, dancers and beauty queens.
In the photos above notice my nice clean face.

After we watched the parade and went to church, we met at Fleurs for lunch. Now just so you know why the faces are black. It is tradition during the festival on Sunday to paint your faces black, now you can either do it yourself or the locals will gladly do it for you.

It looks like Kesh and Geoff had a little painting done!

After a yummy lunch we headed to the town plaza for the tribal competition. Lots of tribes, 15 in all. Loud drums and great costumes and dancing.

The handsome man in the corner of this photo is Efriam. He was our trusted driver at all hours of the morning and night and he got us VIP seats for the competition!

Kevin and I escaped many attempts at face painting. We actually made it to church without any incidents. But as we walked to the plaza for the competition, we had a few who wanted to paint the tall white americans, so we let them. That was the top picture. We left the competition before it was quite over and got mobbed! We ended up looking like the bottom picture. yuck!

This was one of those experiences where once in a lifetime is enough!

Elma's House

One thing I really wanted to do on this trip was to go visit Elma at her house.

Elma is little girl who was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate. She met Geoff 3 years ago when he came to the Philippines on a medical mission. At that time she had her cleft lip repaired. They never do the lip and palate at the same time, so Elma and her mom were told that they could have her palate repaired the following year. Well, the following year was 2 years ago, and Kevin's first medical mission with ICSF. He met Elma and was instantly hooked.

Elma holds a special place in Geoff's heart also. She is sort of his "poster child" for his missions this year.

Anyway, after hearing so much about sweet Elma and looking at her picture for 2 years, I wanted to meet her for myself.

Luckily, Geoff wanted to go visit her! So instead of going to the beach or the waterfall, we went to visit Elma.

The following are pictures of our trip.

Following the sugar cane truck. These are everywhere. Sugar cane is their major crop.

Looking out over a sugar cane field, up in the mountains.

We were not able to drive all the way to Elma's for a couple of reasons. One was that you had to drive on a dirt road, and since it had rained we had to walk up the dirt road.

This is the other reason we couldn't drive. We had to walk on a cow trail through the field, up the hill to get to her house.

Still walking.

Our first glimpse of Elma's houses. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Elma and her little brother weren't quite sure what to think of all of the strangers at their house.

But she was happy to see Geoff!

Elma's beautiful mom and little brother.

Elma's dad. I think he liked having us come and visit.

We took Elma a teddy bear and a coloring book and crayons.

She loved the bear.

She colored with Geoff, after she got her bear comfortable!

There was a water buffalo (caribou) in the field above their house.

There was a goat under the house.

Getting ready to leave before it gets dark.

This is a little family that lived along the dirt road, the mother went with us to Elma's.

It was very humbling to see the circumstances that they live in, one room shack no water & no electricity. But they seem happy. They really don't know any other way of life.

Elma was a sweetheart, as I had expected.

It was worth the trip.

This is why I am here