We are just learning to get around the city on our own. Our first adventure was Joel, Jason, Lindsay, Lauren, Dan, and Jessie riding the trike. At once. It is the first picture, basically a motorcycle with a sidecar. It is really ingenious, as everyone moves at a slower pace, it is a really efficient way to move a lot of people a short distance. For going further, you have to ride the jeepney, which are remodeled US Army jeeps. They are always custom painted, and can fit quite a few people inside. They run regular routes, but have no regular schedule. So it can be a long wait for the one you want!
We are beginning to get to know our neighbors as well. The guy next door let me take a picture of his best fighting rooster. We are doing a lot of work at the children's home, the school, and the clinic; but everyone around us is lacking something. The woman across the street has no screens in her hut, so mosquitoes are biting her children all night. That is just an example of the needs we see. Pray for us to be God's hands, feet, and mouth so that we can truly help, and not just patronize the people around us.
4 comments:
Jeff,
so how can we help? Things that are so easy for us seem like huge problems for your neighbors. Can we send money for things people need? How much are screens? I have a roll of screen in the bike shed, but that doesn't help much. I could mail it. :) Can you make a wish list for us? Is it better to buy stuff there?
Please tell us how to help!
Hey,
Ethan says, "Hi" to Shane. He wanted to call today, wondered why you didn't bring your phone!
Were you able to do something about a clinic?
Mom
Jeff,
I will put 50 dollars on the rooster there in the photo, let me know. Also keep up the updates they are great. Give a big hug to Mary, Macy, and Shane for me.
Love you guys,
Ben
About the clinic, we are not able to start it this week because they are holding class in the room it will go in. But we are able to keep busy without starting it yet. And we'll be able to do it soon. Also, the good news about it is that they were able to hire a dentist for it.
I'm not so sure about the ways you could help. The woman I talked to about the screens is just 1 out of hundreds of shacks in this slum. Screens are cheaper to buy here, so you could give money for that if you think you should. But that will make a tiny dent in the need. Also there is a culture of relying on missionaries for things here, when living-wage jobs are really what is needed. I'll ask more questions and write more about that later.
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