HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES!!
The main purpose we made this trip , was to visit the tribal believers - our Kankanaey friends in Mountain Province.
We were on the bus and ready to go bright and early - some things had changed greatly - others were so familiar.
We switched buses after the first 3 hours, where we had an hour's wait for the next one. That gave us time to go to the market for meat, fruit and vegetables to take in with us.
Chopping up the meat for us.
The buses are much more modern - windows that open and close to keep the dust out, although that is not so necessary now as the roads are basically all cemented. That alone, allowed us to make the journey in basically half the time. The buses were not nearly so crowded and were minus live animals, although there were a few bags of cement and gas tanks in the isles.
The roads were GREATLY improved, and there were only a few spots that reminded us of our former 8-10 hours of bumping around to get there.
Excitement is rising - Lenga is just around the corner - we could see the houses through the trees and bushes.
'Our' village surrounded by beautiful rice terraces - where we lived and worked for 11 years. We were sooooooo excited about going back - and showing our relatives the place that they had heard us talk about so often. While we were there, our nieces pointed out to us (with joy) that we used the word 'our' lots - 'our' village; 'our' home, 'our' tribe - and as I am rereading this, I realize they were right. In lots of ways 'our' hearts are still there.
Even when we lived in this area, I never grew tired of taking a walk to the bottom of 'our' village where there is a fascinating view of the valley. In fact, I often went down there early in the mornings to spend some quiet time alone with the Lord. His gorgeous creation is astounding!!
As we walked along the path we pointed out banana plants and papaya trees.
A good chance to get some coffee beans right off the trees.
Rice fields in their back yards.
Lots of friends joined us in the evenings for rice and 'ulam', followed by times of singing and sharing. Here we are enjoying the mountain rice along with some greens.
The first evening we all brought each other up to date on what had taken place in our lives since we had last been together (2 years). Lots of languages were floating around (Kankanaey, English and Faroese), lots of translating, but we all shared one thing in common - understanding how our debt of sin had been paid. Very special times!
Of course a hot cup of coffee was part of each occasion.
It has become a tradition that every time we visit our village we walk over to our airstrip for a picnic. Here we are on our way - carefully walking along the edges of the rice fields.
Airstrip in the background. Of course the airplane does not land there anymore but that nostalgic feeling is always with us when we reach that spot. We can still 'hear' the sound of the airplane in the distance, remembering how our hearts would race faster and faster as it came into view. Here was our only link to the outside world - our pilot, whom we could communicate with in English. We would soon be receiving 6 weeks worth of mail (pre e-mail days), some fresh food and supplies for the next few weeks. Air delivery days were always super special!!
Enjoying snacks at the bottom of the airstrip.
Miriam was one of my Literacy students. I remember sharing with my parents that she couldn't see that well, and they sent a pair of glasses over for her. So she has been wearing them a loooooooong time!! It looks like she has taken her first bite. I wonder if it was her first bit ever of a watermelon?!?!
Soon we were back in the village and in the yard of a friend where I had spent numerous hours, first trying to learn the language and then hanging out with friends. Sally was going to give us a demonstration of how they take their harvested rice and get it ready for cooking.
Pounding the rice of the stalk.
Eydbritt giving a hand at pounding the rice. 
Winnowing - blowing the chaff away.
JP's turn - not bad for the first time ever!!
It is ready to cook - delicious - naimas!!
Sally's inside kitchen.
Now Eydbritt, Susanna and I are on a leisurely stroll through the village, stopping to watch them plant rice, (even giving it a try), popping into several homes for a chat or cup of coffee, and just trying to get a bird's eye view of their way of life.
Rice paddies ready to be planted.
Several people planting a field.
This field is finished - a few months before it will be ready to harvest.
One of the few original native houses still standing.
Stirring a BIG pot of rice.
Huhanna (Susanna's native name) is helping to shell peanuts.
Sunday Meetings
Ragnar had prepared messages from the book of Colossians which he shared with us in the evenings and on Sunday.
Here Danjal is sharing his testimony and Ragnar is translating.
Faroese quartet - very much enjoyed by everyone.
I had considered sitting in a corner and translating for the Faroese, (into English) but thought it would be quite disturbing for the others. They were very patient though, sitting there with pleasant smiles, even trying to sing along in Kankanaey.
Even though we were reminded when it comes to eating, that 'white people' go by the clock but that they go by their stomachs, when it was close to noon, we took a break for our Pot Luck Dinner.
Along with some vegetables, I am sure you are not surprised that there was a wide variety of rice to chose from.
After playing a couple of fun games, we enjoyed more teaching from Colossians. It was a great day, spent not only with the believers from 'our' village, but quite a few joined us from the next village over also.
Children singing a special number for us.
As Ragnar and I were strolling along the beautiful beach at sunset, we had to admit that we were glad we had taken a couple of days at the end of our time in South East Asia, to enjoy this lovely, relaxing atmosphere. When we were originally working on our schedule for the Philippines, spending time at the beach was not even part of the plan. 
Then we realized how selfish we were being - our relatives had never been to Asia before and we knew they would enjoy that experience. A trip to that part of the world, and not seeing the ocean would seem incomplete. Now we were glad we did not just plan the whole trip around ourselves - revisiting all the places we had lived and worked plus spending time with our friends.
Ragnar reading in a Nipa Hut with the ocean in the background.
Enjoying a cup of coffee while listening to the waves rolling onto the shore.
About 1/2 hr. walk on the sand, and through water took us to a great Italian Restaurant - I mean the real thing - the owner and cook were from Italy.
They sure knew how to make pizza and spaghetti come alive! 
Our second day there we took a 'Glass Bottom' boat to an area where life under the water was gorgeous. 
Although it was difficult to get a clear picture, this was one of my attempts.
An even better choice was to put on some snorkeling equipment and jump into the ocean ourselves.
