Just a very quick note to say don't be concerned if you saw today on the news the typhoon sweeping the Philippines. At the moment it is in the south in Mindanao, 300 killed there and they say it's a big one. Officially the typhoon season is over, but someone forgot to tell the typhoon! It's due to hit here tomorrow, already very windy.
Please don't worry, but prayers would be good. It is likely that the power will go out but will try and update once it is on again.
Just looking at prayer points from last time:
- Creditors - God is good, most of them have agreed we can pay them over a long period
- The bitten child is improving
- HR problems - still ongoing - we pray about this daily
- Christmas lunch - sorted thanks to our wonderful president of the Philippine board who has a part share in a sports bar for ex-pats - 'proper' Christmas lunch with no rice has been booked:)
High points from this week:
- went with 200 of our children to see 'The Wiz' performed by pupils of the Chinese School of Manila. It was performed in a theatre in 'Resort World', which is the Manila equivalent of the London Palladium (needless to say in the rich 'Makati bubble' area). The kids were enthralled. We loved it to although it was quite strange having a Dorothy (and tin man etc) with an accent that belonged in a take-away!
- Explanation of 'twice dead' chicken - we have been trying to source alternative suppliers for our chicken, we were warned not to go to Divisoria, which is the market the locals go to which has extremely cheap chicken, but are 'twice-dead'. It is chicken that has died of disease and then used for food - nice.
- A 'situations vacant' sign asking for 'Financial advisers - no experience necessary', which explains the following -
- trying to extend our visa which cost £22 in the UK for 90 days but here cost 'starting from' 8,000 pesos (about £120) for a 30 day extension because officials charge what they like, quite acceptable practice here, it is Christmas soon (Tagalog for I have presents to buy!), and there was a Y in the day (I made that one up!). We collect them Monday so he will let us know the 'extra's' then. They will expire on January 16th which is very soon, so will either have to do it all over again or come back to the UK for a cheaper, longer one. Will keep you posted.
Christmas blessings xxxx
Hey, heard about stuff you doing here in the Philippines from a friend of mine in the UK ( Lotti Wilkinson) who's a really good friends of your daughter. I'm a social worker here in Manila, i worked in a Christian Organization before who work with children s in the streets and in the community for a year and half now I'm working in a hospital. Anything I can help you with just let me know and know about your group as well thank you.. This is my email kied_ox@yahoo.com
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