a roadtrip, a typhoon and a prayer.

This week we went on a five-day trip up north for a board meeting with the Integrated Mennonite Church and then headed to Baguio, a cooler mountain city, for a National Coffee Conference and a couple days of sightseeing. We had a great time!!

It took us about 7 hours to get to the board meeting. Let me tell you.... a small church in rural Philippines, unreachable by car with no road signs or church signs is not easy to find!! We had to ask a few helpful people for directions ("Do you know Pastor Felix?? Where's his church???") and at one point someone led us to the pastors house.... I texted Reg and told her that we're supposedly "here" but all I see is a rice field and carabao (water buffalo)! She walked up the dirt path from the church to find us and we had a good laugh :)

The boys loved all the animals around the church. Pigs, dogs, roosters, hens, cats. Cody is always quite hesitant around animals but Makai just goes right up to them. Fread had to hold him back a bit as we didn't trust these dogs!

Best toy ever for these boys....

Darnell joined the meeting while Fread and I played with the boys. It was SO good to have Fread along to help me keep the kids entertained. And out of trouble!

They spent a good hour in this hammock and met the neighbours. Cody knows a Filipino song, "Bahay Kubo," which means nipa/bamboo hut.... so he thought it was pretty fun to visit a real bahay kubo.

So nice to be out of the city!! Cody saw little boys doing back flips off that pile of hay  and wanted to try! Maybe not :)

Next we headed to Baguio City and had a couple days of sightseeing. The highlight was the weather.... it was like Vancouver in June. Just perfect and even nice to put a hoodie on in the evening.  I loved not being sweaty for a few days and being able to enjoy the outdoors even during the hottest part of the day.

Family bike ride! $1 for an hour of fun... yes please!

Strawberry fields!

And strawberry ice cream :)

While Darnell attended the coffee conference (with Coffee for Peace staff from Davao), Fread and I did a little more touring of the city. A little boat ride was in order....

 A "hike" to a great viewpoint and shopping at street vendors.

Taking the boys on a little horse ride....

And the last night of the coffee conference had a cultural show. The boys absolutely loved it! They also loved this little girl, who was, funny enough, the exact same age as Makai. Oh my little white giants :)

We are thankful for this trip and the chance to see more of the Philippines. Today, while the boys nap, I am praying for the safety of so many Filipinos who are in the line of Typhoon Haiyan today. Its sounds like this one is going to be very bad (through central Philippines, not here in Manila or in Davao). The rain pounds outside my window and my heart is heavy.... for the potential loss of life, livelihood and homes. I love this country and these people so dearly. Lately I have really felt the weight of injustice, corruption and poverty here and am feeling burdened by the dichotomy we live in. I am forever grateful for the blessings of a comfortable home to live in and good food on our table. My tears fall, as I write, for the many people who do not have this gift. Our home is open, as always, to live the hospitality Jesus calls me to.

Please join us in praying for the Philippines today.