Philippines Connection 2010 is completed as of today when our US
colleagues part ways with us in the Manila airport and wing their way
back home to Kansas City. Ruth, Josiah and I will continue on to Hong
Kong for a few days of rest and sight-seeing. I found online an
inexpensive "basic" hotel in a seaside village on Lantau Island, far
from Hong Kong urban bustle, but just a ferry ride away for a touring
day or two.
That brief vacation will feel good after a busy two weeks in the
Philippines, plus hectic weeks of preparation prior to leaving KC on
June 4. The end result was worth it all.
We enjoyed both of the 3-4 day conferences with approximately 80
pastors the first week and 60 the next. This was fewer than the total
of 200 participants expected, but it turned out to be better this way
for the camp staff and accommodations at Humayan Ministry.
Response to the conferencing experiences from participants was
uniformly positive, even enthusiastic. We were asked many times
whether there could be a follow-up, perhaps 3 years from now--or even
next year! We were noncommittal, saying "We'll see what happens." And
we will.
Convention leaders and those from CPU and the Convention Baptist Bible
College also are interested in events of this sort that result in
ongoing relationships and programming rather than a one time deal
only. Understandably so. The question is one of funding, of course.
And time. Again, we'll see.
Humayan was everything I had hoped for and more. Co-founders Pastors
Billy and Jerry both gave lectures (using PowerPoint) that were
excellent and educative. They could do their presentations anywhere in
the world and gain respect from the most sophisticated leaders in the
fields of organic farming and intentional Christian community. I
listened and learned much, along with the other pastors present. And I
asked a lot of questions, with others unasked due to lack of time.
Humayan is making a positive difference already in the central
Philippine islands. They could be a radical force for peaceful means
to a more just and economically sustainable society in years to come.
I come away convinced that Humayan Ministry is a worthy and
trustworthy recipient of any support others might offer, though they
do not ask for such. Our (team) gift of an LCD projector for use
there, and in the many requests being received by Humayan leaders for
talks elsewhere, was received with much gratitude as an answer to
prayer. But they don't solicit, and wish to remain sustainable "from
what God provides" mostly from the land itself. Is it obvious that I
come away thoroughly impressed, and blessed, by my new friends and
colleagues and teachers there at Humayan Ministry?!
Hopefully there was benefit to participants from lectures (discussions
primarily) I provided in partnership with Pastor-Professor F Neil
Jalondo-on from CPU. We had lively dialogue regarding the ethics of
Jesus, including radical (for mainstream Christian ethics) morals
pertaining to nonviolence and economics. This also was my sermon topic
("Learning Shalom") last Sunday morning at Bacolod Evangelical Church--
the Convention's largest, with several thousand members.
The other session I co-led at the Humayan pastors conferences was on
"equipping strategies for ministry," using family systems theory and
genograms as a ministry tool. Throughout all of this, I clearly was
both teacher and learner. What an amazing experience it has been!
And what fine colleagues we all have met while here. Gracious,
hospitable, competent, caring, funny, bright, grateful, generous.
Doing much with little in the way of financial resources and
infrastructure. I leave with much respect and admiration--and with
hope that perhaps we will meet again.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Much that is good and too much that is disparately tragic
Synopsis of a long blog entry: The disparate socioeconomics of health
and healthcare are evident seemingly everywhere. And those who get
published and come to even international bioethics conferences may
represent only the better off. Many others of our int'l colleagues
labor, live, and die in relative obscurity due to disparity of income,
though not of intelligence or ability or educational level. In one
place, central Philippines, I was informed of typical clinical ethics
dilemmas almost exactly opposite from our own--due probably to
differences of culture, medical resources, and especially of income.
So...
I am writing--iPhone thumbing actually--from a sleepy picturesque
harbor village on Lantau Island of Hong Kong. A 40 min ferry ride
brings one to HK City and what must be the most architecturally
interesting and beautiful metro area in the world. Hi-tech, also. It
would be instructive to learn more of their healthcare system, visit a
hospital (or several--both for the rich and for the poor). Next time.
We notice many elderly people here, but mostly in the villages on
Lantau Island, where we are spending time this trip. In the fast-paced
city, it seems primarily to be able-bodied young people who are able
to negotiate the many stairs, steep grades, and crowds on public
transportation. From prior visits and local friends, I am inclined to
think the elders are there too, but up in their highrise apartments or
in densely populated older neighborhoods less accessible to tourists.
Prosperous 2010 Hong Kong is vastly different than the city I visited
as a college student in 1977. That time I stayed with a Chinese pastor
friend and had no funds for tourism. So it was the common life I saw.
And despite my own indigent state, I was struck then by the relative
poverty all around. Not so in 2010.
This time the economic, medical and generational comparisons are with
the Philippines, where I have been for two weeks prior to this week.
We saw so few elderly people there. Children everywhere. Older people
hardly anywhere. We were not in metro Manila or other urban areas, but
in rural Central Philippines and smaller provincial cities and
neighborhoods.
Our hosts and teaching colleagues were well educated professionals,
including physicians, nurses, professors, and clergy. Mostly young
adults. Gracious, generous, hospitable. Virtually all living on
salaries significantly lower than those of comparably trained
Americans ($8-12k annual salary for a primary care doc; $4k for our
university professor colleagues; $1k per year for the avg Baptist
pastor). Cost of living is less than in the US, but not that much less.
Many of our new Filipino friends seemed to be without living parents
or grandparents, probably due in part to a healthcare system
apparently modeled after the US, but lacking sufficient public funds
and technology to extend and sustain life as is commonly done in the
States currently. At least for some, and especially for elders via
Medicare. Dialysis, for example, is available in Iloilo City mostly
for those who can pay and/or who have the right relationships. (It is
a matter of professional ethics, I was told, that colleagues
reciprocate care and services without charge.)
This is in a provincial capital with several large hospitals, at least
two medical schools, and a number of nursing schools. I gave a
hospital CME lecture at a 350 bed institution, and met for a couple
hours with the chief administrator (an MD with MPH from Boston U),
chaplains, the physician head of a newly established bioethics
committee, et al. In Bacolod City, Ruth and I spent time with a
wonderfully competent psychiatrist friend and others.
My talk in Iloilo was a version of one given at KUMC last month for
medicine grand rounds. On the ethics of medical futility. At KU
Hospital, the typical ethics consult often involves a patient or
surrogate who wants physiologically futile, noneffective treatment
options--and providers who want to say no, but aren't sure they can or
should or are allowed to. At IM Hospital, the case scenario I was
presented with by the pediatrician chair of a "bioethics committee"
was this: What ought we do when a family refuses AMA a curative
treatment for a child who will have ongoing but treatable, health
issues? The family's rationale is that medical treatment of this one
sick(ly) member will have a devastating financial impact on the rest
of the family. Implicitly, the tragic choice they face, and clinicians
then also, is that of the sacrifice of one life for the well-being (or
lives?) of many.
My response was simply, "I'm so sorry. I don't know what you ought to
do. This is such a tragic choice for all of you..."
I also apologized for the economic and political choices I/we have
made in the States that have directly or indirectly affected the
choices available for most Filipinos.
My own clinical ethics case scenario--demands for "futile" hi-tech
treatment, with or without the means to pay--brought blank stares from
my Filipino colleagues. We found commonality and mutual concerns
elsewhere, even in the language of "futility," but differences of
note, also.
Including the (non)use of advance directives, ethics committees and
consultation, organ donation and transplantation, stem cell therapy
(BMT), clinical trials, etc.
And virtually no one I met there had either the time or means to make
known their own contextualized perspectives via publishing or
conferencing. To what extent then do we in the States base our
generalized thinking on the voices of an economically privileged
professional minority, when perhaps the vast majority of our int'l
colleagues remain silenced by a disparity of resources even to engage
in collegial dialogue?
Except when a few of us are privileged to go visit, to listen, and
possibly learn.
Enough 'thumbing' of the iPhone for now. More than enough! But my
reflection, questions, thinking will continue. The world is an
interesting place, filled with much that is good and too much that is
disparately tragic. Of that, I am quite certain--and less so regarding
some other matters apparently more particular than universal.
and healthcare are evident seemingly everywhere. And those who get
published and come to even international bioethics conferences may
represent only the better off. Many others of our int'l colleagues
labor, live, and die in relative obscurity due to disparity of income,
though not of intelligence or ability or educational level. In one
place, central Philippines, I was informed of typical clinical ethics
dilemmas almost exactly opposite from our own--due probably to
differences of culture, medical resources, and especially of income.
So...
I am writing--iPhone thumbing actually--from a sleepy picturesque
harbor village on Lantau Island of Hong Kong. A 40 min ferry ride
brings one to HK City and what must be the most architecturally
interesting and beautiful metro area in the world. Hi-tech, also. It
would be instructive to learn more of their healthcare system, visit a
hospital (or several--both for the rich and for the poor). Next time.
We notice many elderly people here, but mostly in the villages on
Lantau Island, where we are spending time this trip. In the fast-paced
city, it seems primarily to be able-bodied young people who are able
to negotiate the many stairs, steep grades, and crowds on public
transportation. From prior visits and local friends, I am inclined to
think the elders are there too, but up in their highrise apartments or
in densely populated older neighborhoods less accessible to tourists.
Prosperous 2010 Hong Kong is vastly different than the city I visited
as a college student in 1977. That time I stayed with a Chinese pastor
friend and had no funds for tourism. So it was the common life I saw.
And despite my own indigent state, I was struck then by the relative
poverty all around. Not so in 2010.
This time the economic, medical and generational comparisons are with
the Philippines, where I have been for two weeks prior to this week.
We saw so few elderly people there. Children everywhere. Older people
hardly anywhere. We were not in metro Manila or other urban areas, but
in rural Central Philippines and smaller provincial cities and
neighborhoods.
Our hosts and teaching colleagues were well educated professionals,
including physicians, nurses, professors, and clergy. Mostly young
adults. Gracious, generous, hospitable. Virtually all living on
salaries significantly lower than those of comparably trained
Americans ($8-12k annual salary for a primary care doc; $4k for our
university professor colleagues; $1k per year for the avg Baptist
pastor). Cost of living is less than in the US, but not that much less.
Many of our new Filipino friends seemed to be without living parents
or grandparents, probably due in part to a healthcare system
apparently modeled after the US, but lacking sufficient public funds
and technology to extend and sustain life as is commonly done in the
States currently. At least for some, and especially for elders via
Medicare. Dialysis, for example, is available in Iloilo City mostly
for those who can pay and/or who have the right relationships. (It is
a matter of professional ethics, I was told, that colleagues
reciprocate care and services without charge.)
This is in a provincial capital with several large hospitals, at least
two medical schools, and a number of nursing schools. I gave a
hospital CME lecture at a 350 bed institution, and met for a couple
hours with the chief administrator (an MD with MPH from Boston U),
chaplains, the physician head of a newly established bioethics
committee, et al. In Bacolod City, Ruth and I spent time with a
wonderfully competent psychiatrist friend and others.
My talk in Iloilo was a version of one given at KUMC last month for
medicine grand rounds. On the ethics of medical futility. At KU
Hospital, the typical ethics consult often involves a patient or
surrogate who wants physiologically futile, noneffective treatment
options--and providers who want to say no, but aren't sure they can or
should or are allowed to. At IM Hospital, the case scenario I was
presented with by the pediatrician chair of a "bioethics committee"
was this: What ought we do when a family refuses AMA a curative
treatment for a child who will have ongoing but treatable, health
issues? The family's rationale is that medical treatment of this one
sick(ly) member will have a devastating financial impact on the rest
of the family. Implicitly, the tragic choice they face, and clinicians
then also, is that of the sacrifice of one life for the well-being (or
lives?) of many.
My response was simply, "I'm so sorry. I don't know what you ought to
do. This is such a tragic choice for all of you..."
I also apologized for the economic and political choices I/we have
made in the States that have directly or indirectly affected the
choices available for most Filipinos.
My own clinical ethics case scenario--demands for "futile" hi-tech
treatment, with or without the means to pay--brought blank stares from
my Filipino colleagues. We found commonality and mutual concerns
elsewhere, even in the language of "futility," but differences of
note, also.
Including the (non)use of advance directives, ethics committees and
consultation, organ donation and transplantation, stem cell therapy
(BMT), clinical trials, etc.
And virtually no one I met there had either the time or means to make
known their own contextualized perspectives via publishing or
conferencing. To what extent then do we in the States base our
generalized thinking on the voices of an economically privileged
professional minority, when perhaps the vast majority of our int'l
colleagues remain silenced by a disparity of resources even to engage
in collegial dialogue?
Except when a few of us are privileged to go visit, to listen, and
possibly learn.
Enough 'thumbing' of the iPhone for now. More than enough! But my
reflection, questions, thinking will continue. The world is an
interesting place, filled with much that is good and too much that is
disparately tragic. Of that, I am quite certain--and less so regarding
some other matters apparently more particular than universal.
Monday, June 14, 2010
June 12, 2010
We are back in Bacolod City at a hotel with internet access after our first three day pastors’ conference at a rustic rural camp run by Humayan ministries. Seventy pastors attended from the island of Panay, coming from the areas around the city of Iloilo. Most were quite young and prepared for ministry with either a bachelors in theology or a diploma from a Bible school. There were perhaps eight or nine woman pastors among them. The purpose of these pastors’ conferences is to provide continuing education so they are further equipped to serve their people, as well as provide them opportunity to strengthen connections with one another and be renewed through worshiping together in this peaceful place. The vision for these conferences began with Morna Wood several years ago after getting to know a young rural woman pastor who was eager for such an opportunity. Morna and Paul have provided able leadership and elicited the needed support from family and friends in ministry here in the Philippines.
The music that is part of each worship service has been energetically sung. Surprisingly, it is the same kind of contemporary music that is sung in many of our churches in the United States. Pastor Jack Francia is a wonderful musician and worship leader. A number of us on the US team have had the opportunity to preach. I (Ruth) spoke on the subject of building up the body of Christ through nurturing unity, based on Ephesians 4:1-6. Our unity as Christians, whether in congregations or as the worldwide church of Christ, is of critical importance both for accomplishing Jesus’ mission of extending God’s compassionate reign in our world and for being a demonstration of the unity and peace God intends for all of humanity and creation. Although I prepared this message before arriving here, I am learning that it is needed as much by Baptists in the Philippines as those in the United States. However, these days together of worship, learning, eating and talking with one another as Christians from opposite sides of the globe but sharing our common commitment and love for Jesus Christ has been, at least in part, an experience of the harmony, that God intends for all.
Terry introduced the Taize service as a new form of worship and a number were quite interested in using this contemplative approach in their churches. That same evening there was opportunity for pastors to give voice to their own stories of waiting amidst difficulties with hope, and many shared about God’s work in their lives. Although we Americans can only understand part of what was said, as the language reverts away from English to their mother tongue and heart language quite often, we could still see the depth of experience being shared.
Through the course of the pastors’ conference there is also the opportunity of pastors to attend four different two hour workshops. Derek Varney, Pastor of First Baptist of Olathe and a CBTS graduate, is leading one on church administration, in partnership with Joniel Gico of the Philipino Baptist Convention. Terry has partnered with F. Neil Jalando-on, professor at the School of Theology at the Central Philippines University, to address biblical and theological foundations for discipleship, and specifically the ethical issues involved. He also is teaching family systems thinking as a resource for ministry. Pastor Jack Francia and Morna Wood are leading a workshop on worship and music. Pastor Billy Reyes, founder of Humayan ministries, has made a presentation to the whole group followed up by a workshop on the model of ministry he is using in the nontraditional church and ministry he is leading.
I (Ruth) have partnered with Dr. Chit Francia, who is a psychiatrist and pastor’s wife of Jack Francia, to address the issue of depression and hope. I am presenting material similar to that I have been using in many presentations for the Sabbaths of Hope project in the United States, in which we are attempting to raise awareness of depression and educate pastors and congregations to recognize and know how to respond helpfully to one who is depressed. Depression rates are not as high in the Philippines as in the United States, probably due to the more active, healthy lifestyle and close family relationships. However, as throughout the world, depression is on the rise here, but there is even greater stigma and fewer resources than in the United States. As the Philippines continues to develop, urbanize, and be influenced by the American lifestyle, it is likely depression will become an increasing problem. Pastors are on the frontlines and may be the only ones available to help. So we are teaching them to recognize depression. We’re looking at examples in the Scriptures and church history of great people of faith who struggled with depression, and we’re teaching that depression is not an indication of lack of faith or moral failing. We’re teaching a little about the disease process involved. And we’re discussing with pastors the many things they can be doing to help people with depression. A major problem with mental health care, as well as health care generally, is that people do not have financial resources enough to utilize them, even when they are available. In the whole island of Negros, there are only seven psychiatrists and, according to Dr. Chit Francia, there are not counselors here as there are in the United States, so that psychiatrists are the professionals that can provide treatment for depression. However, probably the majority of people cannot afford the psychiatrist’s fees or the antidepressant medications prescribed. Therefore, whatever pastors can do to support and encourage people is very needed. I’m particularly glad that the research of Dr. Steve Ilardi, professor at KU, indicates therapeutic lifestyle changes can often be as effective as medications. Pastors and congregations can teach these and thus be of significant help.
Terry and I continue to be deeply appreciative of Pastor Billy and Janice Reyes, who founded Humayan ministries. In the workshop for pastors that he led, Pastor Billy said that the vision for this ministry and each step of what they have done has emerged out of the daily devotion of attentive listening to God through reading the Scriptures and prayer. His deep spirituality and close relationship with God is very much evident as he speaks. He also has taught us that the success of Humayan ministry is its unhurried lifestyle that allows for such listening to God and daily devotion, its simplicity, and its organic, balanced, holistic and nontraditional approach to life and ministry. There is much here that is both challenging to our faith and attractive as well, as this community lives out its life of faithfully following Jesus’ words and for these few days provides hospitality to us.
The music that is part of each worship service has been energetically sung. Surprisingly, it is the same kind of contemporary music that is sung in many of our churches in the United States. Pastor Jack Francia is a wonderful musician and worship leader. A number of us on the US team have had the opportunity to preach. I (Ruth) spoke on the subject of building up the body of Christ through nurturing unity, based on Ephesians 4:1-6. Our unity as Christians, whether in congregations or as the worldwide church of Christ, is of critical importance both for accomplishing Jesus’ mission of extending God’s compassionate reign in our world and for being a demonstration of the unity and peace God intends for all of humanity and creation. Although I prepared this message before arriving here, I am learning that it is needed as much by Baptists in the Philippines as those in the United States. However, these days together of worship, learning, eating and talking with one another as Christians from opposite sides of the globe but sharing our common commitment and love for Jesus Christ has been, at least in part, an experience of the harmony, that God intends for all.
Terry introduced the Taize service as a new form of worship and a number were quite interested in using this contemplative approach in their churches. That same evening there was opportunity for pastors to give voice to their own stories of waiting amidst difficulties with hope, and many shared about God’s work in their lives. Although we Americans can only understand part of what was said, as the language reverts away from English to their mother tongue and heart language quite often, we could still see the depth of experience being shared.
Through the course of the pastors’ conference there is also the opportunity of pastors to attend four different two hour workshops. Derek Varney, Pastor of First Baptist of Olathe and a CBTS graduate, is leading one on church administration, in partnership with Joniel Gico of the Philipino Baptist Convention. Terry has partnered with F. Neil Jalando-on, professor at the School of Theology at the Central Philippines University, to address biblical and theological foundations for discipleship, and specifically the ethical issues involved. He also is teaching family systems thinking as a resource for ministry. Pastor Jack Francia and Morna Wood are leading a workshop on worship and music. Pastor Billy Reyes, founder of Humayan ministries, has made a presentation to the whole group followed up by a workshop on the model of ministry he is using in the nontraditional church and ministry he is leading.
I (Ruth) have partnered with Dr. Chit Francia, who is a psychiatrist and pastor’s wife of Jack Francia, to address the issue of depression and hope. I am presenting material similar to that I have been using in many presentations for the Sabbaths of Hope project in the United States, in which we are attempting to raise awareness of depression and educate pastors and congregations to recognize and know how to respond helpfully to one who is depressed. Depression rates are not as high in the Philippines as in the United States, probably due to the more active, healthy lifestyle and close family relationships. However, as throughout the world, depression is on the rise here, but there is even greater stigma and fewer resources than in the United States. As the Philippines continues to develop, urbanize, and be influenced by the American lifestyle, it is likely depression will become an increasing problem. Pastors are on the frontlines and may be the only ones available to help. So we are teaching them to recognize depression. We’re looking at examples in the Scriptures and church history of great people of faith who struggled with depression, and we’re teaching that depression is not an indication of lack of faith or moral failing. We’re teaching a little about the disease process involved. And we’re discussing with pastors the many things they can be doing to help people with depression. A major problem with mental health care, as well as health care generally, is that people do not have financial resources enough to utilize them, even when they are available. In the whole island of Negros, there are only seven psychiatrists and, according to Dr. Chit Francia, there are not counselors here as there are in the United States, so that psychiatrists are the professionals that can provide treatment for depression. However, probably the majority of people cannot afford the psychiatrist’s fees or the antidepressant medications prescribed. Therefore, whatever pastors can do to support and encourage people is very needed. I’m particularly glad that the research of Dr. Steve Ilardi, professor at KU, indicates therapeutic lifestyle changes can often be as effective as medications. Pastors and congregations can teach these and thus be of significant help.
Terry and I continue to be deeply appreciative of Pastor Billy and Janice Reyes, who founded Humayan ministries. In the workshop for pastors that he led, Pastor Billy said that the vision for this ministry and each step of what they have done has emerged out of the daily devotion of attentive listening to God through reading the Scriptures and prayer. His deep spirituality and close relationship with God is very much evident as he speaks. He also has taught us that the success of Humayan ministry is its unhurried lifestyle that allows for such listening to God and daily devotion, its simplicity, and its organic, balanced, holistic and nontraditional approach to life and ministry. There is much here that is both challenging to our faith and attractive as well, as this community lives out its life of faithfully following Jesus’ words and for these few days provides hospitality to us.
Monday, June 7, 2010
June 7, 2010
I have found an internet connection here, finally, by sitting outside this late evening and braving mosquitos who hover but seem not terribly interested in landing--yet. Ruth, Josiah, and I are at the Central Philippine University hostel where all of the team stayed last night. Varneys and Woods have gone on to Bacolod, while the Rosells stayed behind one more day and night.
Today was a long day with the Dean and some faculty of CPU College of Medicine. Then I gave a bioethics lecture to mostly clinicians and nursing students at the Baptist related teaching hospital nearby--Iloilo Mission Hospital. Had long conversation there with the hospital director, chaplains, some physicians and members of their new bioethics committee. I found it a learning experience. I hope they did, too.
The bioethics issues here are similar to those in the States in some ways, but rather different in others, mostly pertaining to relative lack of resources. So some of my talk on ethics and medical futility made sense probably; but some likely did not, given that one of the problems faced here is family members wanting to withdraw or withhold beneficial treatments against medical advice due to lack of money and fear of financial ruin. In the U.S., the situation more often is that of family demanding even nonbeneficial treatments for their loved one whether or not they can pay for it. In either case, physicians can feel stuck and patients and/or their families may be, also. In either case, economic disparity is a significant dimension of ethical dilemma.
Anyway, it was interesting conversation. And our hosts have been exceptionally gracious and generous with their time and resources. It is quite humbling. I am grateful to them, and to all who have made possible this teaching-learning opportunity with them.
Today was a long day with the Dean and some faculty of CPU College of Medicine. Then I gave a bioethics lecture to mostly clinicians and nursing students at the Baptist related teaching hospital nearby--Iloilo Mission Hospital. Had long conversation there with the hospital director, chaplains, some physicians and members of their new bioethics committee. I found it a learning experience. I hope they did, too.
The bioethics issues here are similar to those in the States in some ways, but rather different in others, mostly pertaining to relative lack of resources. So some of my talk on ethics and medical futility made sense probably; but some likely did not, given that one of the problems faced here is family members wanting to withdraw or withhold beneficial treatments against medical advice due to lack of money and fear of financial ruin. In the U.S., the situation more often is that of family demanding even nonbeneficial treatments for their loved one whether or not they can pay for it. In either case, physicians can feel stuck and patients and/or their families may be, also. In either case, economic disparity is a significant dimension of ethical dilemma.
Anyway, it was interesting conversation. And our hosts have been exceptionally gracious and generous with their time and resources. It is quite humbling. I am grateful to them, and to all who have made possible this teaching-learning opportunity with them.
June 6, 2010
Internet access proved difficult last night upon arrival in Hong Kong. Part of the problem was that my frugality values disallowed paying the daily rate for internet access at the hotel. Back at HK Int’l this morning, I got on wi-fi while we waited for the flight to Manila. But I used the all too brief online time to call home (TruPhone—like Skype), email a letter of reference and another bit of promised work completed on the plane, and to finish calculating grades on CBTS Moodle for ET502 Ministry Ethics. The latter (semester grades) are quite overdue…, with apologies both to Registrar and students. Lacking 3 minutes yet needed to complete that task despite being the last to board the plane, those grades remain overdue until the next wi-fi becomes available. Sorry!
This note is longhand again while enroute to Manila. It seems strange even in a strange land to not be in church at 11:00 on a Sunday morning. I believe that our Central Seminary colleague John Gravley and two seminarians (Kate and David) are attending Swatow Baptist Church where we visited last year. But we haven’t time to do so this morning. The rest of our Philippine Connection 2010 (hereafter PC2010) team awaits us at the Manila Int’l Airport. Then we all fly on together to Iloilo City in the central part of the Philippines, on the island of Panay.
It was a pleasant surprise to meet up in the Kansas City airport with CBTS’s Thailand group (minus President Marshall, whose flight to HK took her a different route from the other 3 travelers). All of us coincidentally ended up on the same Delta flights, though we never caught sight of our colleagues again after boarding in KC. Hopefully they made it on the Detroit connection and arrived in Hong Kong just fine, as did we.
It is beyond pleasant—sheer delight—to have our 18 year old son Josiah traveling with Mom and Dad this year! This is his first international experience other than Canada, and once jetlag wears off, his excitement will be more evident. Even fatigued, Josiah travels well and patiently. We are so blessed.
While handwritten notes for future blog posting were drafted on planes, those now are being typed in Word while waiting in Manila for our Iloilo flight. Still no internet access. Our team members are here safely, looking quite tired from their overnight flights with no opportunity for hotel rest. But it is good to be together, traveling on to our next destination.
This note is longhand again while enroute to Manila. It seems strange even in a strange land to not be in church at 11:00 on a Sunday morning. I believe that our Central Seminary colleague John Gravley and two seminarians (Kate and David) are attending Swatow Baptist Church where we visited last year. But we haven’t time to do so this morning. The rest of our Philippine Connection 2010 (hereafter PC2010) team awaits us at the Manila Int’l Airport. Then we all fly on together to Iloilo City in the central part of the Philippines, on the island of Panay.
It was a pleasant surprise to meet up in the Kansas City airport with CBTS’s Thailand group (minus President Marshall, whose flight to HK took her a different route from the other 3 travelers). All of us coincidentally ended up on the same Delta flights, though we never caught sight of our colleagues again after boarding in KC. Hopefully they made it on the Detroit connection and arrived in Hong Kong just fine, as did we.
It is beyond pleasant—sheer delight—to have our 18 year old son Josiah traveling with Mom and Dad this year! This is his first international experience other than Canada, and once jetlag wears off, his excitement will be more evident. Even fatigued, Josiah travels well and patiently. We are so blessed.
While handwritten notes for future blog posting were drafted on planes, those now are being typed in Word while waiting in Manila for our Iloilo flight. Still no internet access. Our team members are here safely, looking quite tired from their overnight flights with no opportunity for hotel rest. But it is good to be together, traveling on to our next destination.
June 5, 2010
Greetings from the skies over China as we approach Hong Kong International Airport. As it was one year ago when Ruth and I came here for the first stage of Philippine Connection 2010, again it is disorienting to “lose” 13 hours of this Saturday due to time zones. My watch and body say that it’s 6 a.m. The plane’s captain says local time is 7 p.m. So it is. And now we’re on the ground! Welcome (back) to Hong Kong.
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