Dinner and Bible Study

Saturday, 6th August 2011

Took some photos of people up and down the street. Silas purchased bananas from a corner store.

We had lunch at the Shalom cafeteria again, this time we all chose the beef (except Eden who had the chicken).

At 4:00 Irene and Emerson arrived to escort us to their house for tea. This was quite an adventure to get there. We all walked to Taft Avenue and up to the train station (LRT). I wasn't quite prepared for the conditions on the train. At the platform there is a separate waiting area for men and women. I decided to hold Noah and wait with Emerson, while the others were with Irene. To get onto the train was literally a case of pushing yourself on into a crowd of people just inside the door. On board with Noah being held in front of me and my bag on my back I was standing next to an older man who kept finding occasion to bump into me (I am certain he was trying to pick my pockets). I kept my hand in my pocket that had my change and mobile phone in it, and I had to keep looking around behind me to make sure that no one was trying to open my backpack. Fortunately after a couple more stops we were all moved around in the train and the pickpocket and I were separated.

Getting off the train we exited into an older shopping mall, the roof was only just high enough for me to walk through. We made our way through a couple overhead walk ways to another train station (MRT). This time we boarded an empty train and could all sit down, we were also able to sit together. However after two more stops the train was literally jammed full. I was impressed with the sheer number of people who were moving around. To exit the train it was another case of pushing your way off, absolutely no room for manners, just keep pushing. Sarah was pushed back onto the train by people trying to get on, luckily there were lots of people ready to pull her back off.

We left the train station and had a short walk through a shopping district and boarded a jeepney. The jeepney took us to the outskirts of the baranguy where Irene and Emerson live. Emerson got off the jeepney a little before us to buy some provisions for tea. The rest of us got onto two tricycles for the journey to their home.

Silas enjoying another jeepney ride

Noah sitting between Sis Irene and Bro Emerson, using Irene's fan

The sight that greeted us as we stepped out of the trikes

We were greeted by the DeVera family, their mother (Sis ), eldest brother (Marcos), youngest sister (Sis Marylin). Also Bro Eman (who I later learnt is also known as “German”) and his wife Sis Lovely, and their daughter Abigail. Lovely's younger sister and another young man, Bro Jarrod.

Bro Eman and his daugher, Abigail

Bro Eman and his wife, Sis Lovely

Irene's mother, Sis DeVera and her granddaugher, Jezreel

Noah with Irene's oldest brother, Marcos

I gave a short Bible study (Matt 7 – the parable of the two ways/paths)

Silas particulary enjoyed the pork kebabs.

Irene made a buku salad for dessert which we all enjoyed. This is made with young coconuts and tropical fruits, very sweet and creamy.

The children got their first opportunity to play with other Filipino children. Silas had lots of fun chasing Abigail, and she received lots of teasing from the adults about Silas. Eden found all the questions a bit hard, because everywhere you go you get asked the same questions. She will have to learn to be a bit more gracious.



Our children had fun playing and laughing with them



Some of the children playing outside

We took a two taxi's back to Shalom, and now it's off to bed early for the Memorial Meeting in Manila tomorrow at 9.00am.