Cebu

While staying in Cebu, there was a Monday public holiday where Mindy and I took the kids up to the Mountain Top Park, which is very close to the condominium where they stay.  We paid an entrance fee per person before the driver dropped us at the top so that we could walk down.  There was a lovely view over the hills around Cebu and out to sea.  This park had several areas of entertainment including a pool and rope climbing.  The kids wanted to go on the ropes but Grace was too young.  Mindy made an inquiry and was told she would need someone to go with her for supervision.  I thought about it but declined.  Mindy, like a good mother, made the sacrifice.  She later said “never again!”  Benji and Grace had such fun they wanted to do it a second time.  Maybe when Grace is old enough to go it alone!  We then continued walking down the road.  Grace had a paddy and refused to walk any further and stood at the side of the road.  We kept walking.  Eventually we came to a corner where we crossed the road to take in the view.  Grace still hadn’t moved.  She is a very determined child.  Mindy rang the driver who picked Grace and then Benji up while Mindy and I continued all the way down the hill, meeting them at the entrance.  We enjoyed the exercise, views and the chat.

Mindy and I went again the following Saturday, this time on our own. The driver dropped us at the top and left us to walk home.  We wanted to take a track that led further up the hill to see where it went.  We wandered through the rain forest on a moss covered stone path which was quite slippery and steep in places, as we descended the hill.  It was a lovely time for us to chat as we enjoyed both the walk and the environment. Unfortunately this little path amongst the trees came to an abrupt end at the road.  We continued along this road to the main road.  It was quite dangerous walking beside the main road as sometimes the sides were very narrow, with vehicles swerving past us.  On several occasions we had to cross the road to avoid the traffic.  It was over 6km from the hill top to the condo and we were hot and sticky from the humidity.  It was time to have a swim in the complex pool.  I am very blessed to be able to use these facilities. The complex also has a library, sauna and gym.  I should have taken advantage of the gym sooner, as I had missed out on my jogging.  Unfortunately I only started accessing it on the last days here.  I then went down when it opened at 6am to use the treadmill and some weights.  I felt so unfit!  After a bit of a workout I then cooled off in the pool.  This is the life, how spoilt!

Since arriving in Cebu, Mindy had contacted a friend from church who does tattooing.  I had asked if she could recommend anyone as my eyebrows were very faded in many places. Mindy being a doctor I trusted would recommend someone safe.  That Monday I had my eyebrows redone.  She even corrected the shape which wasn’t obviously different but once corrected I could see the improvement.  A little more shape and a very good price around $150 Aust instead of $300 in Perth.

The other luxury I received whilst here was two massages.  The first was when Sam returned from America the second Sunday before flying out.  It was an hour of good firm whole body massage all for less than $10 Aust.  What a blessing.

Another blessing is that Mindy also loves Durian.  I had introduced her to this exotic fruit while she was with me in Bangkok.  The first Saturday after arriving, Jeffery took me to do the shopping at the local markets.  This is usually Sam’s job but as he was not here, I offered to do it.  I love visiting the markets and seeing what local fruits and vegetables are available and of course I sought out durian.  I found a store that was selling cheaper than the others and after checking a large one for the aroma and tapping it to see if it sounded hollow, I bought it.  With shopping in hand, we headed back to the car and home.  Later that day Mindy and I enjoyed a feast.  She told me she had given up on buying durian as the ones she had tried were very stringy.  This one didn’t disappoint us as it was so creamy and delicious.  The next trip to the market was the Saturday before leaving.  I accompanied Sam, who did the family shop in half the time Jeffery and I had done it two weeks ago!   The durian had gone up from 60 to 80 pesos per kilo.  They were still very nice but not as good as the first one.  At one store they were trying to sell one to me for 100 pesos per kilo.  I hunted around and found a store hidden further inside the market piled high with durian.  I asked why hers were cheaper, she told me she was the supplier.

I was also blessed to be able to finish all of series 4 of the series I was watching on the family’s Netflix.  When trying to download the Netflix app my iPhone informed me I needed to update.  I hate doing this as it always seems to stuff up my phone!  Well I wasn’t disappointed.  It happened again!  Fortunately I was able to skip a step which helped me avoid being locked out again.  Mind you I did panic when I misread this step and then tried to log in through the iCloud as I had last time.  It was a moment of horror thinking I couldn’t access my phone while overseas, as it’s been very useful in doing all sorts of things.

During my last week in Cebu, I was praying and looking into accommodation for my visit to Phuket.  My friends, whom I was to visit there, were now back in Aust, and they suggested I contact Roelien from the children’s centre to see if I could visit them while I was there.  I connected for a chat via WhatsApp and decided because this was a busy time for them I’d come for a day and look around.  I also contacted several Couchsurfers to see if there were any willing to offer me accommodation while I was there.  I’d also taken a look at the hotels and Airbnb – there was one that caught my eye, ‘Very Beautiful Beach’ just south of the airport which was also close to Sirinat reserve where I’d like to go on some more nature walks.

Just days before leaving Cebu, I hadn’t heard back from all those I’d contacted except for two Couchsurfers, who said they were away at the time of my intended visit, I decided to check out the Airbnb again to see it if the one I had liked was still available.  I had made an inquiry to a cheaper place not too far from Sirinat but was told there was an extra fee for electricity and water.  My sister, Jen, is a leader with Airbnb in Aust so I called her to ask if this was usual.  She assured me it wasn’t.  I was now very weary, so made sure I asked all the appropriate questions when I contacted ‘Very Beautiful Beach’.  I felt an immediate connection with the proprietors, Sylvain and Shayana.  He is French and she is Thai, together they operate a Pizza Restaurant.  He reassured me there were no extra fees but if I wanted to be picked up from the airport there would be a fee but cheaper than a taxi.  He could come with a motorbike or car.  I suggested the car as I had a small case which was a little too big and heavy to balance on my head.  After some to and froing with messages, I booked my stay; 25^th September to 30^th.  I was unable to book to the 2 Oct which was my departure date but was reassured that I could stay till then.  Since booking I’ve kept in touch through WhatsApp with questions and photos to confirm my airport pickup is arranged.

On Friday Mindy had asked me to join her on a trip to Gilutongan Island, which is where there is a Marine Sanctuary.  We were not going to the sanctuary but with a government health care team to the school, where once a month the health team held a clinic for the local residents at the school.  This school also taught Mindy’s program: ‘Healthy Me’ and today was their graduation. This program helps the girls learn how to respect themselves by saying ‘no’ to the tourists, who often exploit these young vulnerable girls.  The island is known for a culture of prostitution and exploitation, which the government hopes to change with programs like “Healthy Me”.  This program is also taught by other schools, as well as community health centres around Cebu.

It was quite a day.  We left the house by 5:30am to be at the municipal health clinic in time for the van to take us to the port.  We needn’t have hurried, as there was a long wait for the team and the bus driver to arrive.  He eventually arrived around 7:45am.  We were crammed onto the van and headed to the port when we were told there were too many of us and as there was windy weather forecasted it might get quite choppy.  Most of the team were already aboard the outrigger, but on hearing the forecast, many disembarked, afraid because they couldn’t swim.  I think only about 6 of us could swim, and 4 of these were foreigners.  Two young student medics from Germany, Mindy and myself.  The local doctor, team leader, could also swim.  Still there was much negotiation with the port authorities before we were all given life jackets and then departed, leaving half the team behind.  We had instructions to leave the island by 11am before the winds picked up.

During our crossing, we were heading across the path of a huge container ship.  Our little vessel was not going to give way (although by nautical law the smaller gives way to the larger; I wonder if they knew this!).  Instead we were picking up speed to dash across the bow!  I don’t think the container ship was impressed and sent us several loud warnings.

I was very impressed with the school’s vegetable gardens.  It seemed that every class had their own. I chatted to one of the teachers who introduced me to another who was in charge of the gardens.  He told me of their difficulties as there was little and poor soil on this rocky coral outcrop and very little rain water.  The hand pump over the well was actually salt water.  I explained how Perth used desalination for fresh water, as we also have very little fresh water.

We were unsure if all the health programs would be finished before the expected time of departure.  Mindy’s graduation was complete just after 11am as were most of the clinics.  The midwives were missing.  They were out in the village, vaccinating infants who had missed their vaccinations, as the weather wasn’t obliging the last time the visit was planned.  While waiting for their return, we were given a delicious lunch which was prepared by students from the school.  I had to turn a blind eye to the flies that buzzed across the dishes.  Praise the Lord, no consequences from our visit.  Using the toilet was another challenge as there was no water to wash hands, let alone flush.  I eventually found a teacher who was able to supply a dipper of water for hand washing.  I was horrified when one of the German’s used the precious bottled water the school had provided.  Living in a parched land like Australia I’m very conscious of the preciousness of fresh water.

Heading back to the boat I noticed there were about six other boats harboured since we arrived.  They were transporting tourists, many of whom were either Korean or Chinese.  I wonder if they had been given the 11am curfew.  It didn’t seem so as they didn’t seem to be going anywhere in a hurry, even as we left around 1pm.  It was a little choppier on our return journey but not too bad.

We were hot, sticky and exhausted when we arrived at the health clinic and decided to go straight home.  Waiting at a corner for a taxi, we were told by the motorbike riders that taxi’s didn’t come this far.  I prayed, as I didn’t want to take a motorbike ride into the township.  Within minutes we saw a taxi turning, after dropping off his passenger.  Praise God he saw us and the motorbike drivers waving him down.  We tried stopping on route to buy a durian but they were 100 pesos per kilo so we didn’t bother.   It was good to get back and shower after our hot sticky day.

My last Sunday in Cebu I joined Sam at the Vineyard church before he left the service early to join the family at the International church which meets at midday.  The family goes to the international church for the children’s sake but prefer the praise and worship at Vineyard where there is a tangible presence of the Lord.  Again I was prayed for and felt the Lord was reassuring me of His leading and that I was just to ‘enjoy the ride’.  I’ve been reminding myself of this as I prepare to leave Cebu.  I’m so much of a control freak, I like things to be in order and sorted before it actually happens, but this is not always the way it turns out.

After the service I rushed off to meet Evelyn and her friends.  I took a jeepney to Ayala and waited in my favourite coffee shop. From there we went to an eatery to join her friends.  They were there, but the place was closed.  Plan B.  I said I’d like to try local food so BoBoy, whom I met at the business banquet, suggested we go to Park Lane Hotel where they had a Mirinda (afternoon tea) Buffet.  There were quite a few different sweet and savoury dishes which we snacked on while we chatted, before I was dropped off at JY for a jeepney home.

On Monday 23^rd September I caught up with Charlotte, from Vineyard, for chat over coffee and a snack.  We talked about what she was involved with and how I might fit in, if the Lord calls me back to Cebu.  I then met up with Evelyn, who took me to Colon markets, where I bought a small backpack to replace my tatty old one.  We asked around where I could get my ring soldered but was told the heat might crack the stone, which I think is Lapis Lazuli.  I’ve had the ring for years and really like the stone but it’s not really an expensive ring so I didn’t want to spend a fortune in Aust getting it fixed.  I’ll try again in Phuket if I get a chance.  From here we went to the private hospital where Evelyn wanted to pick up her mother’s prescription, but as it was going to take hours, she decided to come back the following day.  Then off to the market where I wanted to buy some more durian before I left.  Evelyn was surprised I knew where to find the cheapest.  This time it was only 65 pesos, as they were closing the stall, as it was around 7:30pm.  We ate one there and bought one each to take back with us.  From here we stopped off at the church where BoBoy offered to dropped me back at City Lights.

The following day I completed my washing, packed my bag as much as I could and finished this section of the blog.

Next adventure:  Phuket!

Photos:    1. Flower on our hilltop walk     2. Mindy on the ropes     3. Hill Top view      4. Durians at market     5. Cebu near Ayala     6. Crossing to island     7. Mindy’s program at a Cebu health clinic    8. Me walking to school     9. Mindy with girls in class    10. Saltwater well     11. Vineyard Church    12. Park Lane Hotel 

Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for the lovely time I’ve had here in Cebu.  All the blessings and adventures with old and new-found friends.

Please pray for the Lord’s protection, leading and guidance as I head off to Phuket and Malaysia.

Pray the Lord will continue to watch over me and keep me safe from sickness and disease, for good weather as I travel around.

Please pray for doors to open and open hearts.  Pray the Lord will provide many opportunities to speak about the mystery of Christ during the remainder of my time in Thailand and Malaysia.  (Col 4:3)

I’m still believing for the Lord’s guidance for accommodation and ministry opportunities in Malaysia.  I’m confident He will lead me as I look to Him for guidance.

Please continue to pray for the salvation of my three sisters, Tricia, Jen and Kat and especially for reconciliation and forgiveness between Tricia and the rest of us.

Thank you for your prayers for the business, Senior’s Benefits and Rewards.  It continues to proceed, although there have been a few hiccups.  The trademark application is going ahead, as is Grace, who is working on a map for the location of our business partners.  Grace will soon be starting the app trial with seniors and coffee shops she knows in Sydney.  Please continue to pray for the success of our venture.

Thank you to all my supportive friends and prayer partners; it’s reassuring and encouraging to know you are all standing with me.