Philippines Days 4-7: Settling In

Sunday morning everyone woke up at 3:15 A.M. Needless to say it was a rough day :). We took a hired van to church. As soon as I saw the church grounds I felt the spirit, a feeling like we were home. The branch is amazing,with a mix of cultures, ages, and languages, although all speak some English. There were 17 kids in Primary, including our 4. The leaders and the children were very welcoming, including involving the kids in sharing time and repeating our kids' names until everyone knew them. I stayed with Lucy until she felt comfortable, which didn't take too long. Several of the moms gave me their contact information and the branch president's wife invited us over on Tuesday for a swimming part, which we gladly attended. Most of the expats we met at church work for the Embassy here. After church we came back to the St. Francis and took much needed naps as jet lag was setting in. The kids were bouncing off the walls when we woke up so we went to the children's play area. They were seriously going bizerk, throwing Little Tyke toys across the room and yelling at the tops of their lungs. A dad named Kyle saw the unchannelled energy and, having mercy on us, told us about a soccer camp at the Faith Academy that was starting the next day. We were unable to get in touch with the coach for Monday but went on Tuesday and it was so hot but so great. While the kids played Jacob and I met some fascinating people, all part of "The Mission," a general term for people who are here to spread Christianity. Many of them have been here for 12-15 years, raising their children without air-conditioning and internet and washing their vegetables in bleach because they feel it is their calling in life. Their children were all so well-behaved, helping the younger players with cleats and water, and when they swam afterwards they were all in modest swimsuits! The kids went back to the camp on Wednesday with Jacob, while I stayed back with Lucy to get things we need for our apartment, like a drying rack for our clothes (no dryer!) and kitchen utensils. The kids have loved getting to meet some kids at the camp. I hoped to come here and have the kids be content to play with one another and lay low but I've realized I can't change them from the social, active kids that they are! I did have a priceless moment on Wednesday at the pool while observing the kids. Anna and Sam were doing flips and laughing together while Will and Lucy were playing peacefully with their McDonald's Happy Meal toys (yes, we've had McDonald's twice in the last week. "Healthy" food is all relative. Here it's the food that is least-likely to give you a parasite!) on the stairs and they were all genuinely enjoying one another's company. Such a happy moment for this mom.

In the van on our way to the Shangri-La, St. Francis, our home for the next 6 1/2 weeks.

 

 Serious jet lag has hit our family. A 14-hour time change will do that.