Update from Ellen – at work in the Philippines

Today (Thursday) we invited the students from the feeding program and their families to come to our house.  We tried to enter their barrio of Canlasid yesterday but it was blocked due to cementing of the road, therefore we were unable to interview the kids to update their information.    (I had lots of fun trying to back up and turn around).  These children are so darling and it’s so much fun talking to them.  Besides asking them their age, birthday, grade and number of siblings in their family and what kind of work their parents do (if they even have work), I also asked them their favorite color and their favorite food.  The answer to the last two questions was hysterical.  About 98% of them said their favorite color is red and their favorite food is chicken – fried chicken.  Since Filipinos eat fish and rice three times a day (if and when they have food) it’s understandable that chicken would be a real treat for them.

One 11 year old boy came with his father.  This man is a single father who has raised three boys.  His wife died in 2008 giving birth.  His only job is a day laborer when he can get work.  At times it was impossible for him to leave his house because he was taking care of his children.  His name isDanny and he is still young and able to work.  Presently we need some extra help here so we will be contacting him to offer work.  One little girl came to see us two hours late (Filipino time).  We were on our way to Tagbalaran to buy supplies for the canteen and we told her mother that we would interview her next Wednesday when we will have a meeting with all the parents at the school whose children are in the feeding program.  This little girl is one of only a few who are sponsored by the government for school lunch. She eats with all the MOM kids and we prepare her food – the government just pays for her for a few months.  Poor child -she burst into tears thinking that she was not going to be able to eat.  We assured her she was absolutely included in the lunch program and tried out best to comfort her,  she’s so darling and so tiny.

Tomorrow, May 15th, Laarni and I will be taking Marife Matildo, age 15, to Cebu to see a hematologist.  Marife has a rare autoimmune blood disease and was dying when Mery Donald and Debi Howie discovered her in her hut last November when a team was here.  Marife really needs prayer.   We saw her two days ago in the barrio but she tried to hide her face because she is “ashamed”.  She is on Predisone and her face is puffy because of it.  Her condition will be a life long issue so please pray for her and for the trip to Cebu tomorrow that the specialist will really be able to help her.

Thank you each one for your prayers and support for these barrios that you have served for many years.

Blessings,  Ellen