Meet Phil...

The importance of making connections and networking is a part of life anywhere, but many people would say that it is particularly true when living and working in a new culture/context. There are many types of connections to be made   value in each. With this in mind, I introduce Phil... a recent, and somewhat unexpected addition to my network. And, while we have not been acquainted long, I would say we are already to friend status. 

I came across Phil last weekend on the way to one of barangays where shelter distributions have been happening recently. While my party had other plans for the day, we took time to make this important connection. Phil holds an important place in the circles here. I don't have a picture of how hard working he is, and according to one of our friends, he is young and will have a lot ahead of him in that regard. I do however have an example of the kind of contribution that Phil makes...











Work doesn't stop for rain, and in that you can see a picture of the people here- determined, pressing on, doing what needs to be done. Even though spending time with Phil was enjoyable, as I mentioned, there were other plans for the day. And, those plans involved some other, very important connections... these guys:

Earlier in the week, SP was in their barangay doing shelter distributions, and some of the kids sent a message to Ms. Laura, that on Saturday, they did not have school, and could play all day. Ms. Laura could not pass up such an invite, and neither could a couple of the rest of us. Threats of rain were not going to keep us away either- after all, what's the difference between being playing wet with rain or wet with sweat here? It was a great way to spend a Saturday. We had a ball that we played dodgeball and kickball with and when that and the rain called for a break, we did some singing. Let me tell you, these kids can sing... and they like it! We sang some songs with them, and they sang a couple of songs for us. I noticed after a little bit though, that some of the boys were slipping out. I knew exactly what they were up to as well... time to play around with the ball some more. Of course I head out with the boys, and it ended up that I would be the one to throw the ball up into the air so that they could then hit it with their heads. I documented this with photos, which they then all had to see. As you can imagine, it went on for awhile. This is what the boys and I were doing.... 

 
Meanwhile...

 ...the other group was a bit more organized. Playing with the kids ended up being the best part of the weekend. Happiness can come from the simplest of things... like a big blue ball, but joy- that comes from somewhere else. Like the song says: I've got joy down in my heart, deep, deep down in my heart. J-O-Y down in my heart, deep, deep down in my heart. Jesus put it there, and nothing can destroy it. I've got joy down in my heart, deep, deep down in my heart.

 

Second First Anniversary

One month. I realized this week that today marks a month since I've been in Tacloban. It is the second month that I have been in the Philippines. In a neat turn of events, I ended up going to the airport today to meet some people. When I arrived back in Tacloban in February, I could tell that a lot had changed in the 3 weeks that I had been gone. Today, one month later, there was even more of a difference. While some people who have never been here may ride through the city and see destruction, it's pretty neat to have a perspective where you can see a good change happening. Yes, there is still damage, and there is still need. I don't forget that. I talk to people every day with great needs. But there is also rebuilding, and reopening of businesses, and more and more activity.

To summarize a month, I'd say: business. The easiest thing to see is a check list in front of you, reminding you of things yet to be done. And, if that doesn't do it, then like I said, there are many people to talk to in which you are quickly reminded. I think it's important not to neglect either realization- that restoration is happening, but also that there is still need.

While there is a lot of focus outward, I think it's also important to look at myself and contemplate what a month means to me. It's easy to see people and to see checklists and not to stop and think about what God is doing in me, or trying to teach me. I'd say, the biggest thing for me in stepping out of 'normal' life and into a new job, new office, new culture, new everything, is learning a new reliance on the Lord. I tend to be one that likes challenges, and I like victories, but recognizing that it's not my strength which accomplishes anything is important. If the challenge is great enough, we turn to God crying out for help. I think in the little things, we want to take credit for that ourselves. As I reflect on a month, I see God at work around me, and I see God at work in me. My prayer is that each day, I will praise God in the little triumphs as well as the big ones, and not just stop every month or so to recognize and celebrate what I see Him doing. I think that can be a challenge for us, just getting swept away in the day to day and never taking time to reflect or to process or to be thankful.

So, as I look towards another day, and another month, I'd like to throw down a challenge to you that I'll be taking on myself: look for God at work in and around you. Thank Him for the little triumphs each day- cause you may think it's your strength, but you don't even have breath without God- the creator and sustainer of life... of you. It'll be good for you!

Shelter and Perspective

This past week I got to go out in the field. My job can be dominated by the office at times, and I am thankful that it involves a mix of office work as well as getting out to the projects to see what is going on and to interact with people.
One of the greatest needs here is for shelter. I remember when I first saw pictures of the destruction that the typhoon did here in the Philippines. It was not long after that a tornado went through Illinois. It was crazy to me how the pictures from both places looked quite similar. When you think about it though, it makes complete sense, because both storms involved winds of crazy speeds. There are times where you can almost imagine it when you see huge telephone or light poles of heavy metal layer over like they were made of aluminum foil. At a point, you get used to seeing this, and to seeing people rebuilding. But, just because there is progress, it does not mean there is not need.
With this in mind, this past week was a really exciting time. SP has been buying downed and damaged coconut trees in order to produce lumber. The trees are cut from the field into planks, the planks are hauled to a sawmill, and then they are cut down into boards. The boards, along with nails, plastic, and roofing are then given out in shelter kits to people who's homes have been assessed as being 70% to completely damaged.
If it sounds like a lot of work, it's because it is. It takes a lot of effort to produce lumber to make into these shelter kits, and as you can imagine, there are many people that need them. It's been amazing to see the process happening, but, just like with most things that we work for, seeing completion is also such a fantastic experience. I got to be there this past Thursday when shelter kit distributions began in Santa Fe. People came with whatever transportation they could arrange- pedicabs, trucks, the other day there was even a water buffalo and cart, to pick up materials to rebuild their homes. In order to receive these, as mentioned their homes were assessed, but they also went through a training on how to build their homes back stronger and sturdier. (If a parable about building your house and foundation is going off in your head, then you're on the same track as I am.)
I had a chance to talk to several people receiving shelter kits. As usual, I was amazed to talk to them. Remedios was one lady that just energized me to talk to. She was so upbeat and was teaching me some Waray-Waray while thanking me for the support that SP is giving. She told me that she was praying for us, and I told her that we prayed for them as well.
God gives us incredible moments of perspective changes. Times where, if we're willing, we can see situations, and ourselves in a much different light. I'm so thankful for these moments. It can be incredibly humbling at times, but in such a good way. I feel so blessed when I get this opportunities. Sometimes it's like the most obvious thing, but when it clicks in your mind, you're just amazed and all you can do is praise the Lord and be thankful for it. Getting to be at the beginning of the shelter kit distributions and talking to the different people there, was one of these perspective moments!

Today I met a lady, we'll call her B. She came with her friend to ask about work. We have a cash for work program that we've been running to provide work for people by having different projects to accomplish. In the beginning there were a lot of clean-up programs, but as time goes on projects change. This is different than employment, which we have as well. It's meant to provide temporary work- day labor for people to be able to earn some income. While we are able to help many, today was a reminder of how many people need work. When B was giving me her information, she pulled out a card that had her contact number on it. It was a work ID from a job she no longer has. She's a worker. She's also a mother, and a single parent at that. She told me that she and her friend were both single parents. Both ladies looking to be able to provide for their families. They wanted to work.
I don't know what's going to happen with B and her friend, if we will have work that we can give them of not. Reality tells me that there are more people than we can employ, but to look into her eyes, it reminds me of why we are here, for people. There are responsibilities, there are tasks to be done, sometimes it seems like my check list is why I am here, but I'm here for B. I'm here for people. And, not just to help them back up, but to show them that there is hope, and it comes from Christ.

It's been really neat to see how many people we've been able to hire by coming here. Thinking about today, it kind of dawned on me, that it's a beautiful picture to think that we're not just giving people jobs who need work, and we're not just accomplishing relief in an area where there has been devastation, we're doing both at the same time. And, working for organizations that come in to provide relief, gives the people here opportunities to work and to provide for their families, and also a chance to be a part of rebuilding their own communities. It's not something to forget that the people we work with every day, are also our beneficiaries. Just yesterday, I was listening to one of our national staff talk about loss in her family. We were driving by an area and she mentioned it was where one of her uncles had lived, and where he died. It strikes you, doesn't it? The reality of loss, of the pain that they have gone through and are still processing.

The word that I have heard used most since Yolanda has been resilient. The people in Leyte and the surrounding areas have not been broken by the loss that they have been through. They push forward. They work hard. They are not just achievers either, they are full of thanks. There is inspiration all around here, if you're willing to look for it. There are people. There is B.