Hello from The Philippines!

Hello everyone! This evening concludes our second full day in the Philippines. After 31 hours of travel we arrived late Friday night to Manilla. We were very tired and slept comfortably in a nice hotel. Saturday morning an outreach staff member, Val, picked us up from the hotel and drove us to Cabanatuan City, where we will stay primarily in the next couple weeks.

Saturday was filled mostly with driving, and because of the 14 hour time difference from here to the Midwest, we were very tired and disoriented. Understanding that, the OPI (Outreach Philippines Incorperated) staff left the evening for rest and dinner.

We all fell asleep early that night, but were wide awake at 5am the next morning! This was okay though, it gave us plenty of time to prepare for church. We attended a small Community of Christ congregation where we were welcomed by friends. Our group enjoyed the music, message, and fellowship. It was such a neat experience for all of us, as COC members, to experience our church in a new culture.

OPI workers and church members were very happy to see all of us. Particularly, Ethan who participated in this trip last January, and is now back for his second time. Ethan also had been so excited to see these friends. He says, "It feels like no time has passed."

After church, lunch, and purchasing some $1 sunglasses, we gathered at the OPI head quarters for an orientation meeting. We were able to get a better grasp on what the next couple weeks will entail in that meeting. Chris, Becca, Andrea, and I, who were not here last year, learned more about last years work. And also about the steps we will be taking to learn and address needs of the community.

We shared dinner with the staff, which was filled with laughter and adventures. Andrea accidentally tipped over a bottle of water trying to share her dish. Before any of us could react, majority of the liquid had emptied directly on the crotch of Chris's pants. Turns out looking like you peed your pants is funny in any language! Later in the meal we began discussing interesting foods that are common here. Pigs blood soup, fried chicken heads, and a variety of intestines were all mentioned. But what horrified us the most was a hard boiled egg in which the chicken fetus is partially developed. We joked about it for a while, and soon it was realized that a vendor carrying these treats was right outside. Emily, one of the OPI staff, and our bravest Enactus member, Becca each ate one. We were so impressed and of course captured it on film.

Tonight we are all still tired. Our minds all seem to be full of hopes, ideas, and some concerns for how the next few weeks. We are all definitely excited to see what they will hold. More later. Thank you!

Kylie Bassett and
Philippines Enactus Team