archive of the ‘church/religion’ topic
Sunday morning in Sagada we arose early in Olahbinan Resthouse and walked down the lane to Yoghurt House for a delicious, filling breakfast of ham, vegetable and cheese omelets, pancakes and mountain tea. Afterward we tried to find AA batteries, razors and shaving cream in the convenience stores along the main road. I had brought my trusty Braun, but Dominic wanted a disposable razor and a can of foam. »→
Nick and his younger sisters came uphill from their humble home in Baguio Gold neighborhood hours ahead of the 4:30 Mass time at Turning Point/Fatima Hill. I think that they wanted the opportunity to watch cartoons on TV or DVD for a while before we departed for Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. »→
Tonight Nick came to the flat soaking wet, cold and shivering. He said that he had walked from Baguio City to Monterrazas Village. I asked why he didn’t ride a jeepney with 10 of the 20 pesos that I’d left for him. He claims that he lost it. »→
Not much to report now. Working on getting electricity to the A-V-C-A family’s home and buying birthday gifts for kids (August 1, 2 and 3). Dominic and I found a modern, 24-lane, 10-pin bowling alley with computerized scoring on the fourth floor of Baguio City’s Center mall, so we bowled 10 frames. »→
I arose at 7:00 to shave then eat breakfast and drink tea while looking at the TV news channels. At 8:05 I gathered my wallet, keys, camera bag, tripod, umbrella, and walked out of the apartment into a light rain. I had expected Nick and a sibling or two and perhaps a friend to come to the flat between 7:45 and 8:00 as agreed for a field trip by jeepney to Philippine Military Academy in Fort Del Pilar. »→
This morning Rose* started Kindergarten in a borrowed classroom in Baguio Gold Elementary School. Tuition costs a whopping p120 per month ($2.66). I gave P240.
I also gave new pedals for Nick’s* bike, vitamins and bread for the family. The metal BMX bike pedals should last longer than plastic ones.
I rode jeepneys and walked to Taoist Bell Church in Baguio City to take some photos in not-so-harsh light. Some of the church property is inaccessible in midweek. A sign reads, “Open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 8-4.”
I see semi-humorous signs in Baguio City. When walking from Bell Church toward downtown Baguio City, I read, “No Parking For Costumers Only.” A decal inside a jeepney read, “GOD KNOWS HUDAS NOT PAY” (the fare). Previously I’ve seen, “DO NOT FALL IN LOVE W/ D’ DRIVER.”
*name changed
Have a blessed Fathers’ Day!
I have had an easy day at home, reading until Nick and Rose came up from Baguio Gold to visit with me and Dominic. After a while, Mack arrived. I showered, shaved and dressed, then we went to Holy Mass in Turning Point.
I enjoyed the scripture readings, hymns and homily which mentioned laboring in the vineyard, evangelizing and serving each other. I felt, as I did in Jamaica, that I am doing what Jesus and the priest exhort us to do. But I’m not saving souls, winning converts as missionaries do. »→
We’ve had rain since 4 p.m. yesterday. Dominic remarked that though the Filipino rainy season was supposedly June through October, it seemed to have begun in May. Indeed throughout last month we had the famed April showers that bring May flowers. »→
May God bless you and keep you.
If you’ve heard of strife in Philippines, in the south, consider that it doesn’t involve us in the north, in Benguet Province, but pray for those involved in saddening, angry conflicts. »→
Easter morning , Dominic, Pie and I rode a jeepney down a very winding road into a valley, to the village of Gumatdang. The principal industry is mining for gold. And the natives farm vegetables, pigs and chickens.
We crossed a swaying suspension bridge over a murky creek where villagers pan for gold and saw the modest Agape Church (Assembly of God), the parsonage, where worship services were conducted before the church was completed two years ago, and we met Pastor Espino, his wife Raciel and Esra.
We met Lydia and Lawrence, two Vietnamese missionaries, we saw Bob and Alma and their daughters and son, Pie’s nephew Josef, and most of the gang from Turning Point Home ready to worship with the villagers. »→
I pray that the Lord grants to you a blessed, joyful Easter Sunday of peace.
Saturday morning I went shopping for groceries for our household and for our new friends. When I returned home Dominic and I sorted the groceries and discussed some things then returned to work on our computers for awhile before going downhill to Turning Point with groceries at 2:00. Ely had asked us on Friday to return Saturday after her seminar/workshop in the former gambling hall had concluded.
Holy Thursday: Today I walked down the main road through Itogon to go farther than I had previously to look for the local Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. I intend to worship there on Easter and every week rather than go into the city to worship in the cathedral. »→