Batangas Trip/Crazy weather in the Philippines!

Last weekend (June 3) we took the long trip to Laiya Batangas.Supposedly it will be a ten hour trip by car as it is approximately 400 km from Baguio. However on the way there we were met with strong gusty winds and torrential monsoon rains. To play it safe we swung by Batangas City where we had lived from 1990-1995 . There we caught up with old friends and waited for the weather to settle...After an overnight stay we ventured on to Laiya Batangas the next day. This is the place where nearly 20 years ago we planted a church, took many outreach teams to, did frequent medical missions, presented Jesus Movies (using a generator) and even built toilets for the poor families without. It was formerly a place without running water, electricity and paved roads...however all that has now changed...Here are some pictures of our time there....

Beautifully paved roads

Typical housing on the way to Laiya

It was interesting to see how the Lord had prospered many of the poor. They are now proud owners of simple beach resorts which gives them a regular modest income and are no longer dependant on fishing only.

More beach cottages for rent complete with electricity. refrigerators, airconditioned rooms, and available Karaoke machines for hire! With a Karaoke machine every few hundred yards this is no longer the sleepy little fishing village that it used to be!

Shekinah Christian Church & Pre-School

One of the reasons for our visit was to encourage the Pastor there as the owner of the land (that the church and preschool are built on) would like them to move due to ongoing development of the area.....

The land is very beautiful with the ocean,mountains and fertile land.
Land developers are increasing! Please pray that the church will be able to continue where it is or at least be relocated to a more central area within the village. The parents still want their children to be educated in the pre-school even if all are not Christians themselves!

The gusty wind was still present while we were there. None of the usual night fishing due to the strong waves and the damage it would cause their boats and the danger for the fishermen.

The sea is usually as flat as a pancake and as blue as blue!

That's me (Brenda)

..........and that's Mel!

Due to the weather we decided to make our way back to Baguio but were stranded in Manila due to flash floods caused by more sudden downpours! We were blessed to find last minute accomodation in Manila which we shared with a small mouse!

Here are some beautiful country side scenes in the low lands on our way back to Baguio.

Rice Fields

.......whoops where did he come from...Yes it's always important to carry an umbrella....
...you never know when it might rain these days...

Cows lazing in the fields


The Philippine Carabao!

Sweating it out in Mel's Home Town of Obando Bulacan!

Last May we took off to visit our friends Ed & Monica Salonga who work in Bulacan with 'Children Bible Ministries' (CBM) Philippines. It was great time to catch up with them and to see a little of the wonderful work they do in this ministry....Sadly we forgot to take pictures of them!

However we did take some pictures the next day in Mel's home town of Obando Bulacan.
It was the town fiesta.....complete with dancing in the streets, brass bands and endless native delicacies for sale! Here are some pictures of that event..

..Brass Bands..

Obando Church and the multitudes of people...

Mel sweating it out with fifteen thousand others, on a narrow congested street with a 2 km traffic jam of tricycyles cars & jeepneys Temperatures at 37.C and humidity at 80%!
I imagine you would have liked to have been with us :)

The view from inside our vehicle as we waited in traffic! It's too late to turn around now!
We are in this for the long haul!

Still sweating!

Brenda standing with one of the street dancers..a family friend..

It sure was good to return home to a nice and cool Baguio City! Thank you Lord!