Filipino Episodes

Life often takes us down Memory Lane of times in the Philippines.  We meet Filipinos quite often - cashier in a grocery store - nurse in a hospital or pass a couple on the street talking away in Tagalog.  Here are a few Filipino events that have recently popped into our lives -  

 

KANKANAEY CULTURE

After the students spent time studying the fine details of interacting with another People Group, we were asked to try to reenact a ‘Kankanaey Setting’ in a 'Tribal Village'.

 The students walk in to see us as tribal as can be under the circumstances - painted skin, dressed as tribal folks, cooking over an 'open fire' and only speaking Kankanaey. 

 They observe many things (like how we point, do we make eye contact, what is our reaction to visitors etc.) It is always amazing to us the things that they observe – young minds are sharp and they hardly miss a thing! 

FILIPINO NIGHT 

 

All the students who are interested in the Philippines are invited to our home to experience a ‘Filipino Night’ – Filipino food (rice, pancit, lumpia, adobo and bananas) – we empty our house of furniture and sit on the floor and eat with our fingers – dress like Filipinos and share lots of cultural stories, plus the current needs.  We love talking about the Philippines and evenings like this excite us about being there again.

 PRAYER MORNING

One morning each month is set aside to pray for the work of NTM in various countries.  When the country of the Philippines is focused, guess who is asked to organize it?  Although it takes quite some time, in the end the time spent is always well worth it.  We write each family on the field, asking for current Praise or Prayer items, the ministry they are currently involved in, plus pictures. The info is put into Power Points and we gather together to spend the morning praying for each family. Not only is it encouraging to see the families being brought before God’s Throne, but it helps the students get a idea of what is taking place in that country, plus the current needs.

Trying to give the whole morning a Filipino atmosphere, I decided to make some Filipino desserts for the coffee break too.  My first attempt at making so many Leche Flans - hopefully learned some helpful hints for next time.

FILIPINO FIESTA

We could hardly believe our ears when we first heard about a Filipino Fiesta right here in Grimsby (about 1/2 hr. drive from home.)  All the Filipinos in this area decided to get together for a Fiesta.   

I had to pinch myself a few times to see if I was dreaming, as I was sure we really must be back in the Far East - the atmosphere, the music, the food, the language, the gestures, the bargaining, the line ups (or lack of them),   the expressions, the parade, the posing for shots etc. etc. 

 What fun - Filipino food, handicrafts, planned events and best of all lots of Filipino people to talk and laugh with. 

 I guess it actually was a reality although unbelievable to feel so at 'home' again, even if we were in Europe and not Asia.