International Family Picnic

Yesterday was our International Family Picnic, where students and their families dressed in traditional costumes, prepared traditional food to share, and presented some traditional dances.  We also played games and enjoyed a 'picnic' inside.  (photos below taken by Jeff Miller, except for the shot with my students)


There was traditional dancing....

And everyone dancing....

We played games like this relay race where you had to hold hands and pass along the hula-hoop

Competition is fierce!

Then each country (there were 20, I think) prepared national dishes to share.  So there were 20 'booths' like this one:

So we partook!

Some people did henna:

I got to hang out with some of the students in my class:

Good times!

First Week / Names

Just a quick note to say thanks for your prayers for the first days of classes.  My class is off and running and going well.  I'm learning and adapting as we go, and I'm excited for how it's going and the potential for this class.  Very thankful to be teaching!

Also, I'm surviving and thriving on the roads of Manila!  Thanks for praying for my safety.  I now can drive somewhere and usually get out of the car without the stress getting so high my shoulders are tight!

Filipinos have a lot of creativity and variety when it comes to names.  There is the Roman Catholic influence - Mary's and John Paul's.  But then there is the - we are a fun people influence.  My two favorite:   Aboy - as in the doctor holds up the baby and pronounces 'it's a boy.'  What should we call him?  Aboy.   The secretary at my apartment complex is Sunshine - just call me Shine.