This is my last day in Manila, and it has been pretty full, to say the least. It’s been so long since morning I can’t say for sure is my Bible reading of 1 and 2 John was actually today or yesterday. This is just a post for me to try to remember this day.
After breakfast and getting ready, I talked to Jane Swan on Skype, and tried calling others, chatted a little with John, and emailed Sarah’s coach about her injury and the MRA test she wants her to get. I packed off and on, and went to the children’s home a little in the morning. At some point Annabell came by with plastic she bought for me, and I bought some of her soap, trying to calculate so I have enough money for my fee at the airport, and my last massage. Throughout the day I said my goodbyes to the kids out on the street, and gave Chris a bag of stuff to give to the kids of hes choice. That was accomplished in about 5 minutes. When I went to the children’s home, Alvin was alone in the yard, so I took that opportunity to give him the watch I had brought. ( aboit that, the first day or so that I saw Alvin, he mentioned that he needed a watch. I just happened to have brought a watch and had not known who to give it to. So today I surprised him and he was VERY excited. Thank you Jesus!) While I was talking to Alvin a horde of other kids came up wanting all the stuff in my bag. So many that I could not keep track and, of course, ran out of stuff. Layer Danilo came up and said he got nothing, as did one of the girls. So “pitiful” but I wasn’t sure if it was true. So I went back and scrambled to get something for them. The moral that I had known already, but ignored, is, basically, don’t give them anything. Later I took a couple of general toys, a nerf mini-football and a sock monkey, to the nursery, and, basically created pandemonium there, as well.
After taking 3 of the older toddler/young kids outside and trying to keep up with them, I finally said my good byes and scurried off to try to find the house of a sweet woman I met at church yesterday. I knew it was a bad idea, but, already late, I took off to find her without asking anyone. About 2 miles in my flip-flops later, and after talking to several friendly Philipinos, I Talked to the guards at Faith Academy ( now I can say I have seen it..) and finally gave up to head home.
At our corner, I got inspired, and actually found her, and had a nice visit wit her, her husband, and their granddaughter. The tea her granddaughter gave me was superb since I was so thirsty… Then, off for a quick bite, talk to the guys in the street, see the Josie’s Angels leaving their Bible study, talk to Dicky and Mindy, Find Jovee and give her a necklace and say good bye, wait outside with the Jazz girls, finally going with them so we could watch My Fair Lady. Not so easy. When we finally got there, they ate dinner, which was fun to see, the some cleaned up while I hung out with others in the room 10 of them share.Finally, we started the movie, with everyone crowded in, including Eliza, the inspiration for watching. Well, although this is a terrific movie, it starts rather slowly, and is hard enoug to understand for those of us with American English as our first language. I’d say about 5 girls stayed interested, not including Eliza..Since my massage appointment was for 9 I asked Mama Maria if Arthus could take me home. Turns out there was no car- it had gone to the airport. I was at least 30 min late. Not only that, but I didn’t have enough money after all, as I had loaned some money, and the loanee had not gotten cash yet. OK, a 30 min massage, ” gentle on the shoulders this time” gentle it was NOT! I think Zoli was determined to rid me of my knots, but, alas, she failed.
Now I have set my alarm for 5 a.m., and may change it to 4:30, to be sure to have time for my shower and finishing packing. So, good night, and I see Pete tomorrow! It is sad to leave. If Pete were here, I would definately want to stay longer. God willing, I will return in the not-too-distant future, with a team, including Pete and dental folk.

