Philippine Trip – Episode 2

I decided not to mention the leg problem to anyone. After all, one would expect some swelling after a twenty two hour flight. But a blood clot? No. Was I ever wrong! More about that later.

After sleeping less than four hours, the ten of us piled into a seven passenger van and headed up the mountain. Our tribe consisted of Norman, Tina and their three daughters, two teen age fellows (friends of Hannah and Kaitlyn), and Tina’s close girl friend plus the pastor and myself—ten of us in all. We traveled three hours by van and walked the last 35 minutes which was quite a challenge. When we arrived at this small primitive mountain church, built out of corrugated mental, no windows and a dirt floor, Sunday school was just finishing. We were the first Americans that had visited their church. They treated us like royalty.

It was a very emotional and Spirit moving service. Norman had decided a couple of weeks before leaving the States that it would be appropriate and Christ-like for us to do what Jesus did for His disciples at the last supper—He washed their feet. A graphic picture of servant hood.

After giving brief testimonies and a message by the pastor, we took communion together and then took turns washing the feet of these dear Filipinos. God’s presence was so real. After washing their feet we put brand new shoes on them. .

Why was this significant? The school that the children attend is about 30 minutes down the mountain. Many students who attend live in a less poor area. Their parents can afford shoes for their children. As a result they look down upon the children who do not wear shoes. Norman had the pastor purchase 65 pairs of shoes a week or so before we arrived. What a joyous occasion this was for the children!

We retired early because there was no electricity, gas or kerosene for light. But where were we going to sleep? There were no beds or mattresses in sight. We were to sleep on a wooden platform (no padding) not more than seventeen feet wide and seven feet long. It was a challenge to fit nine adults in this small area—a little less than a two feet wide space for each of us.

To be continued….