It seems that I have been very sick since I got here. Dealing with my teeth and other issues but Wednesday, despite my illness, I had a great day out on the field. The day started off at the Dolores Branch of CARD, heading into the jungle, flowed into getting lost in the jungle and finally escaping.
I followed Glenda and Olga into the jungle to go to a center meeting. They had this building constructed out of bamboo and tin. The meeting went well and everything went according to plan. After the meeting Glenda and I followed Olga to this clients house, or so we thought.
We started off with a road like the first road picture, then we began following a road like the second picture, and finally we ended up in the jungle. Needless to say, Olga’s internal GPS was not aligned. Maybe it has something to do with her being pregnant. Anyways, we made our way out safely and I am grateful it happened because now I am not afraid of the Philippine Jungle anymore. Well, not as afraid.
We finally made it to the home of Rosalie who is a saver. She told me all about her charcoal making business and how her four children are her life. She was very comfortable talking to me and so I am hoping the videographer wants to include her in the movie. She is very poor but she is personable. When I asked her what I could do to make her more comfortable she smiled and said “Hair and Makeup?” lol.
After leaving her I went to visit four more clients. Two of them were unavailable and two others were nervous. The first woman was a Sari-sari store owner and she understood and spoke some English. This made things less complicated because I didn’t have to rely solely on the interpreter. (Side Note: Even if they say that they speak no English, they do speak some. Some Tagalog words use the English word such as money and days of the week. This makes talking a little bit easier because with the context I can understand them a little.) The second woman sold AVON and I was surprised. In the U.S, Avon is expensive, Mary Kay is only slightly more affordable and direct selling is all around a big expense. However, in the Philippines, Avon is cheap. They have payment plans to fund the products and it is marketed to the poor. Mary Kay just got introduced to the country and is very expensive. Only the wealthy buy it.
After a long day out, I got back to the city of San Pablo at about 4. As soon as I got on the jeepney I had my second experience with a begger but this time, I was prepared!
Since I have been so sick, I have been trying to go back to the basics for food i.e PB&J. Therefore, I had bought rice around lunch time because I thought I might eat it with my sandwich, but I was full and didn’t feel like it. When the begger came to ask for money, I pulled out my bag of rice for her. She could not have been more than 13. At first when she came right to me I thought “of course, because I look American” but then I when I saw how everyone reacted to me giving her rice, I was glad that I had the bag with me. I think of that verse in Matthew that says “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. You never know where Jesus might show up along the street in your day. All in all it was a great day.
Though I spent yesterday home sick all day I am trying to get my system to calm down and enjoy the experience. Today I am flying to Leyte to see Brian and Donna. I am equipt with the 18 pound(not an exaggeration) underwater camera from Mr. Nickerson as well as clothes for Brian, and about 70 yards of fabric for Donna. I’m sorry this has turned into a novel but I am so excited about what is happening here and I hope that these people realize that their money is not the only thing that needs saving. With the thorough Catholic influence, it is sad to see people give all they have in hopes of winning favor. Pray that these people seek Jesus and that he touches this nation.
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