November 2

Happy November to everyone. We had “All Saints Day” this weekend. There was a lot of activity and decorating of graves; like Memorial day at home.

We had a “My Path” devotional on Saturday. “My Path” is a booklet which begins the Self Reliance program. The training leads people to assess themselves as to their self reliance and what would be required to become self reliant. At the end of the training they choose a path that they want to take. The choices are Education for Better Work, My Job Search, or Starting and Growing My Business.

After people have chosen a path they separate into groups and a facilitator is chosen to lead them in weekly meetings and give assignments for the coming week.

There were over 60 people. Thirty people joined the  business group, twenty people joined the education group and only a few people went to job search. I guess that may be predictable of what to expect since about 65% of the people here are in some kind of self employment.

We will be assisting as the groups get going and helping to monitor their progress.

It has been a good week; Mom has taught the English class a couple times and it has been fun and appreciated by the class. I help a little but mom does most of the teaching.

We took a trip to a neighboring island (Guimaras) on Wednesday. A missionary couple, the Taylor’s, who are leaving soon, wanted to show us around a little before they leave. The island is especially beautiful and makes me think of Swiss Family Robinson. There may be a good number of people on the island but outside of the towns we didn’t see many people. They mostly live out in the tropical forest. Guimaras is famous for the best mangoes in the Philippines. We went to a member’s home out in the forest and watched a 55 year old man climb a tall coconut tree and choose three green coconuts. They opened the coconuts for us and we drank the water and ate some of the white coconut which was like jelly. It tasted pretty good.

We traveled to and from the island by “pump boat” which is a large boat with out-riggers which holds about 50 people. It does have a motor and I don’t know why it is called a Pump Boat. The larger boats that carry vehicles are called “Row rows”.

I love you all; have a great week.

Pump Boat

With 55 year-old "monkey man". :)

Sister Robinson drinking kidney stone prevention.