9/24/10
What a busy three weeks we have had. We been traveling and out of the office. We traveled north to the beautiful city of Baguio, then up into the Mountain Province. It was amazing 
to me to be in a tropical country then travel up into the mountains and be among pine trees. The air was fresh and relatively cool. They grow vegetables up there in the cooler weather and so we ate wonderful fresh salads. It was beautiful but very hard to get to. It took us 9 hours to travel 72 miles. The roads were terrible and very prone to landslides. We were stopped at one point so they could dynamite the debris off the road. Fortunately we had a heavy duty high clearance vehicle our regular car would never survived on the dirt roads. We met with leaders of the village of Sagada to start the process of bringing clean water to the community.
to me to be in a tropical country then travel up into the mountains and be among pine trees. The air was fresh and relatively cool. They grow vegetables up there in the cooler weather and so we ate wonderful fresh salads. It was beautiful but very hard to get to. It took us 9 hours to travel 72 miles. The roads were terrible and very prone to landslides. We were stopped at one point so they could dynamite the debris off the road. Fortunately we had a heavy duty high clearance vehicle our regular car would never survived on the dirt roads. We met with leaders of the village of Sagada to start the process of bringing clean water to the community. Next we drove out of the mountains to Tuguegarao where we delivered a specially designed three wheeled tricycle like v
ehicle that is powered by hand peddles to a woman who lost both of her legs in a terrible accident. She had a stand alongside the road where she sold food before a truck smashed into her, this new wheelchair (trike) will make it possible for her to continue selling from the container mounted on the back. While there we visited the farmers who participated in our organic gardening program. Their vegetables are growing great and some people have harvested already. Their yield has been so good they have been able to sell what they don't need. It was so satisfying to see the tangible evidence of the Lord blessing of these humble people.
ehicle that is powered by hand peddles to a woman who lost both of her legs in a terrible accident. She had a stand alongside the road where she sold food before a truck smashed into her, this new wheelchair (trike) will make it possible for her to continue selling from the container mounted on the back. While there we visited the farmers who participated in our organic gardening program. Their vegetables are growing great and some people have harvested already. Their yield has been so good they have been able to sell what they don't need. It was so satisfying to see the tangible evidence of the Lord blessing of these humble people.We then flew south to Bacolod. We had a very interesting few days on the two islands. First we investigated a isolated village up a mountain and through a sugar cane plantation. I've never been on a rougher road, and I've sure been on plenty here in the Philippines. Lucky we were in a truck with high clearance. Then 2/3rds into our journey it started to rain, coming down in buckets like only it can in the Philippines. It was very exciting to say the least, I am so lucky, what other old lady gets to have such adventures. It was a good visit and it looks like the people have the makings of a good water project. An interesting thing I learned while driving through all that sugar cane is that it is home to big fighting spiders. At night I noticed men out in the cane with flashlights. They capture the biggest meanest spiders they can find and then match them against another person's spider, it is a fight to the finish. The looser get bound up in a web and eaten by the winner. People bet money on the spiders. I was told that some people actually sell fighting spiders in the street market.
The next day we took a fast ferry to Iloilo to meet with doctors in preparation for a vision project. Before setting sail a prayer was said; I didn't know if I should feel frightened or comforted.
We just got back from a celebration of the completion of the water system for about 2,000 people on east Samar island. They all now have water that is close to their houses. For a few who could afford to pay an extra $1.50 per month they have a facet actually installed in their house. It is hard for us who think nothing of having running water to comprehend what a luxury that is. 
It was fun with lots of speeches, singing, dancing and thank yous. After the program we had an interesting pot luck meal where many people brought their specialities. The party was just getting started, but it was getting late and we had a 4 hour very rough ride in front of us to our hotel. We said our good-byes. How blessed we are to be able to do this rewarding work.
It was fun with lots of speeches, singing, dancing and thank yous. After the program we had an interesting pot luck meal where many people brought their specialities. The party was just getting started, but it was getting late and we had a 4 hour very rough ride in front of us to our hotel. We said our good-byes. How blessed we are to be able to do this rewarding work. 
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