Weekend Reading

This past week I've been in Tacloban, the hardest hit area of Super Typhoon Haiyan. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to visit the communities receiving relief and rehabilitation efforts from E-CARE. I cannot wait to share more about my adventures there. 

Also, I turned 24 this past week. For some reason since I was a child, I've always had the idea in my head that 24 was going to be an amazing year for me. I can't really complain about year 23, though. But can't wait to see what life has in store for me!

Check out what other YASCers have been up to especially as some of their years come to a close.

Weekend Reading

The weeks have been flying by! I can't believe it's already the middle of June. I can count down the weeks now until I come home - 9 weeks! And next week is my 24th Birthday- CRAZY!

This weekend the Diocesan Staff is taking a short retreat to the beach of Dinadiawan, only a couple hours away. Then on Sunday I'm headed to Manila to fly to Tacloban, the area where Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the hardest. I've been wanting to visit ever since the storm hit and excited to give a firsthand report on the relief efforts.

A majority of YASCers are leaving in July, only a few short weeks away. Check out what they've been up to and how they're closing out their years.

Little Things

During the first week of June, St. Mark's and the Diocese of Santiago welcomed nine members of the SE Asian Anglican Communion who are here in the Philippines for six weeks of intensive Church and Community Development Leadership training. St. Mark's felt honored to host them for only a couple of days. They trained them on cooperative financial management, bookkeeping, and governance and management. In addition, the trainees, who are mostly from Myanmar and one from Papua New Guinea, visited an SRI field and the Processing Center.

{The group at dinner on the first night/}

Let me Tell you About the ECP

Let me tell you about the Episcopal Church in the Philippines...

I’ve realized over the past couple of years that even though I’ve been an Episcopalian basically my whole life, I don’t know much about the actual history of The Episcopal Church. Maybe you feel the same way?

After meeting with the ECP National Office staff with Buck and Emily in late March and then again with the JCPC (Joint Committee on Provincial Companionship) in early April, I’ve been awed and inspired by the journey and history of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. Unfortunately, I cannot tell the same story with as much passion and gumption as Attorney Floyd, the Provincial Secretary of ECP and National Development Officer of E-CARE, who lived through and had an influential hand in the process. However, I’m going to do my best.

Weekend Reading

While I'm enjoying the sun, sea, and sand, catch up on what other YASC volunteers have been up to lately!

Paul shares a sermon he beautifully wrote for Palm Sunday Evensong.

Alan traveled to Les Cayes to view another unique version of Haiti.

Sean started teaching English classes at ARI in Japan.

Spring has sprung in South Korea, Carlin enjoys the new season and cherry blossoms!

Watch this fun video of Julie snorkeling off the cost of Haiti!

Nina is settling in to her new placement in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rachel showed visitors around her school and tried out her green thumb with local farmers.

Joseph shares his Holy Week in Panama.

Thanks for reading!

Weekend Reading

Happy Saturday!

As I mentioned in my last Weekend Reading post, I'm in Manila picking up my cousin, Lindsay! We will be heading to the island of Palawan for one week. I'm taking a true vacation and becoming a beach bum. But we'll also be doing some island hopping and snorkeling. I can't wait to share our adventures!

I'm still trying to catch up on my lack of Weekend Reading posts. The YASCers are doing many great things - too many to share all at once!

BE in the Philippines - Down South

The Diocese of Davao, the last stop on our Philippine whirlwind, or better known as the “Battle with the Durian.”

Durian is Davao’s pride and joy. A fruit they say that “tastes like heaven, smells like hell.” Well, it definitely smells like Dante’s inferno and I’d go as far to say it takes like it to. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

{Me and Bishop Casimina with the Durian}

BE in the Philippines - Longest Drive

As the road trip continued, Monday, March 24, was our longest on the road. We made the 13-hour trek from Tadian to Manila with a stop in between.

The stop over worked perfectly as it was six hours between our two endpoints and was the location of another YASC placement. Yup, you guessed it – Baguio!

Before arriving there, the Philippines’ beauty continued to impress as we glided through rolling countryside and climbed towering cliffs where we skirted along the tops of the mountains through the clouds. I’d never driven this route before.  We made two stops to take in the fresh, cool air and the impressive views. One stop was marked the “Highest Point in the Philippines Highway System.”

Weekend Reading

Sunday Funday!

Not really, unless you count fun as reading in the warm sunshine and watching a movie you can barely hear as a summer thunderstorm pounds down on the roof. It may not necessarily be "fun" but it's exactly what I needed.

To show how much I've been on the go, last week was my first five day work week in three months. Maybe three and half months? I'd grown accustomed to it, that by Thursday it felt like Friday and I was ready for the weekend. At the same time, it's nice not to be go-go-go. I have two weeks to catch up on things in the office.

Holy Week

One of perks of working for the Church is a nice long weekend for Easter. The offices closed on Thursday and Friday. All I did was sleep, watch movies, read, and attend church services. Most of the people on the compound visited their families, so it was pretty quiet.

Below is a short photo diary of my Holy Week. I actually missed Good Friday service because a local priest died that day and they moved the time of the service without telling me. While, I had all intentions of going, it didn't work out.

It was a quieter, simpler Easter than I'm used to but I greatly enjoyed the break after all the traveling I've been doing. And it was simply TOO HOT to do anything at all.

{Bishop washed my feet on Maundy Thursday} 

Weekend Reading

Today, the Social Entrepreneurship Training went off without a hitch! It's such a relief for an event you've been planning for months to happen without any major issues. We have 36 participants who are eager to learn and use their new knowledge towards developing the cooperatives and churches they work with.

Now that the training is happening and almost done, I can get super excited and count down the days until Buck and Emily arrive! I've finalized the itinerary and it's going to be a whirlwind 10 days. I go down to Manila on Wednesday to pick them up from airport to bring them back up to see my place and meet my people in Santiago. I cannot wait to share a piece of my experience with someone from home.

Weekend Reading

Happy Weekend!

I hope everyone back home in Virginia is staying warm in the snow! I'm not jealous. Actually, I was complaining alongside all the Filipinos about how hot and humid it was today! After a quick trip to Manila to accompany a visitor from ERD, I'm ready to do some weekend reading and relax. Also, only five days of work until it is Christmas break! Crazy! Can't believe the New Year is right around the corner.

Weekend Reading

Happy Second Sunday in Advent!

I cannot believe the first week in December is almost over! Sorry for the delay in this week's installment of "Weekend Reading." I got distracted by a wonderful skype call with Grace and enthusiastically delving into new packages on Friday night. Then, a successful but exhausting half-day trip to the market with my neighbor and a fun dinner with coworkers on Saturday. Today, Sunday, I finally have time to just relax, do menial tasks such as laundry and cleaning, and catch up on YASCers' blogs!

Weekend Reading

Happy Weekend!

Again, I want to thank everyone for the support, prayers and concerns during Super Typhoon Haiyan. Don't worry I am safe! I was never affected by the great storm which ravaged the Central Philippines. It is going to take many coordinated efforts and generous donations and time for them to recover. Prayers are continually needed.

Weekend Reading

Happy All Souls Day!

Today is an important family holiday to Filipinos. They spend the day cleaning their dead family's graves, sharing fellowship with one another and blessing their loved ones who passed.

I continue to be inspired, amazed, and entertained by my fellow YASCers' posts! I hope you are too, and follow the links to read only a snapshot of the adventures we are all on.