Life Under the Mango Tree

Life here in the Philippines is in many ways similar to that of life back home in Alberta –and in many ways very different as well! I have been accepted with great hospitality and patience into the home of Ate. Amy. It has quickly become a home away from home. The roosters crowing in the morning are now a welcome wakeup call, and the mangoes thudding onto the roof in the middle of the night are a reminder that there will be fresh fruit in the morning.
I have spent some time getting to know the people in the UCCP national office, who are all very patient with me as I struggle with the first steps in my Cuebueno lessons.
I was received by the UCCP National church and commissioned to my work in the Negros conference by the General Secretary Bishop Pascua himself! I was sent off with a stole, Cuebuen bible, history books, Malong and tsinelas (sandals).
Never have I felt more at home here though, than in worship. It is amazing that no matter what language is being spoken, praising God feels like home. I may not understand the prayers, or the hymns, or the majority of the sermon, but that seems to matter a lot less than I had thought it would. The Spirit moving in and through these congregations is palpable even without the language.
I had the opportunity one Sunday to worship at Ellenwood United Church – the very first UCCP church where the basis of union was signed. And the church geek in me rejoiced!

...To a Missionary

Week two was spent with a dramatic difference. This week was spent on exposure activities. The first of these was a trip to Smokey Mountain. This is a site in Tondo where the UCCP church of Tondo has its outreach program, a daycare/school. What makes this school so different is that Smokey Mountain is a dump. The community being served is the village of people that live on the dumpsite. They survive by scavenging for bits of plastic and metal that can be sold to a middleman and then a junkshop. All members of the family undertake this work. Because of new bi-laws, the dumping is now taking place directly on barges, and so those scavenging must go out onto the barges as well. When Tondo church asked the community what they needed, the response was a daycare/ school. So that is what was set up. Thanks to this initiative there are now other NGO’s and church groups setting up health centers, schools, and providing building supplies to strengthen homes, as well as a source of water.
My second exposure activity was at the SINAG center. This is an inner-city ministry set up to serve disadvantaged and exploited women and children. This is a ministry of love. To show the women that they are loved and beloved children of God and there is another way – an alternative. Finding that actual alternative is a challenge - working with women in extreme economic difficulties trying to support families. It is challenging and heartbreaking work done with extreme care and love.
My third trip was to visit the Nestle workers. These are the union workers who had gone on strike 8 years ago when contract negations fell apart over retirement funding. While on strike they were all laid off. They have been fighting for their rights in and out of court and on the streets ever since. Even after their Union leader was killed, they continue their struggle.
Between these three exposures I have begun to see the other face of the Philippines, and the other face of globalization at work. It is challenging and heartbreaking and maddening to see the injustice after injustice being faced with grace and opposition. And it has been extremely humbling to see the Spirit moving and working and struggling in and amongst the people. God has heard her children crying out.

From a Tourist...

My first two weeks in the Philippines were spent in Manila. Here I began my introduction to the Filipino culture and lifestyle and to the works of the UCCP. My first week was spent in a mix of class lessons and tourism type experiences. I made it to the major spots in Malate Manila, including Luneta Park – home of the Filipino national hero Rizal. His statue can be found throughout the Philippines, in town squares, parks, and the like. Luneta Park is the home of his execution site and contains his burial location as well.
I also made it to IntraMuros (The Walled city) where I visited Fort Santiago which was used by the Spanish, The Americans, and the Japanese at differing times for the holding, torture and execution of Filipinos. This is where Rizal was jailed leading up to his execution. I also visited the church of an order of St. Augustine. It has since been converted into a gorgeous museum telling of the history of the order and Christianity in the Philippines. I also visited basilica De Manila – a catholic church that has had to be rebuilt 7 times because of earthquakes and wars.
While touring I have been making use of the wide variety of transportation methods. The pedicab (a bike with side car attached), the jeepney, the LRT, the taxi, and the tricycle (motorcycle with covered side car). With all of the traffic in Malate Manila, I hope I never have to drive while I am here!
The tourist in me has rejoiced at the opportunity to see some of the city and its history and to begin an acquaintance with the way of life here. I am eternally grateful that the UCCP especially Ate. Amy and Ate. Joyce have taken me under their wing in order to begin my introduction to the city with an easing into things