These are my friends Christina and Lila, I always buy my fruits and vegetables from them. They are cousins and are very sweet girls, I love going to the market and seeing them every week! It's really fun and convienient that their stall is really close to the paanakan (down near tickling right at the bottom of the hill/street that the birthing home is on), Lila even has family who have given birth at Shiphrah!
Ate Lyds giving a baby bath to a gorgeous three day old baby girl who had a slight fever.
Maybell and I
Recently, Ate Lornie and Ate Grace helped me make a filipino dish called tortong talong. It's really easy and especially delicious, I think it's my favorite filipino dish.
With my last two weeks in view I'm feeling many different things while evaluating the time I've spent here. I have learned so many things about life and have changed so much, yet in other ways I'm much the same. I'm worried about coming back home, about what will be different and what will be the same. But I'm also thrilled to see all of my friends and especially my family again! I am excited to see how this experience will continue to affect and change me. I know it will be extremely hard to leave the Philippines, the Gustafson's, the baby home and the birthing home. I've learned so much about life from each of these beautiful people, they have truly influenced and changed my life for the better. I don't think I'll ever know how truly wonderful God was for bringing me here. He has saved me, changed me, and blessed me through this experience in so many more ways than I will ever know.
Bittersweet . . .
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the little market brings back memories. There will be times you will see a picture like this, or smell a smell that you first encountered there, or hear a Philipino accent, and it will all come back. I was there (yikes!) over 40 years ago, but it really imprinted on my mind -- I guess because it impacted ALL my senses so -- was so different from what came before or since.
What a privilege to go there for all this time! You have learned so much! Isn't God good?
:o) Auntie M.
that's sweet that it has made such a lasting impact on your life! I'm sure it will be the same for me, I've been so changed here and have experienced so many new things! Yes, God is amazing! I can't believe how good he has been to me! I can never be thankful enough for this beautiful experience I've had here! I know it was 100% him who brought me here! His plans for me are so amazing, this trip has proved that to me even more than before!
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