Yesterday was a good and relaxing day for us here. I am still waking up at 3, but in general we are handling the jet lag very well. Ginny is recovering from her infection and has not found the travel too taxing. It has been good to stop here at the Manila Guest house for 2 nights to catch our breath before heading up north to Tabuk where we will be with people all the time. We have had the privilege of meeting and visiting with a few old friends/colleagues at the Guest House here. Rambie did not have any classes at the seminary yesterday so he came over after their morning chapel and spent most of the day with us. He and I took 3 cases of our heavier luggage (books and things) to the bus station. The bus company also acts as a cargo service for things like this. Later today we will fly up to Tuguegarao which is about an hour’s drive from Tabuk. Christy and Eduardo will meet us there.
Rambie’s Spiritual Advisor (Fr. Frary) from the seminary wanted to meet us so last night Rambie took us to the seminary for evening prayers and then we went out with Fr. Frary for Japanese food. Fr. Frary is an elderly American priest who has served in Asia (Philippines, Korea and Japan) for much of his ministry life. He entertained us in style, first taking us to his room at the seminary for appetizers and an aperitif. Then we went out to his favourite nearby Japanese restaurant where they cook the food right in front of you. As he said, “if conversation wanes, the cooking is entertaining in itself.” Conversation did not exactly wane, but the gentleman speaks softly with a New England accent and is sometimes difficult to hear and follow even for us, especially in a noisy restaurant setting. I don’t know how Rambie manages to follow him. Since my favourite theologian these days is the Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright, I felt that I could hold my own in conversation with this Anglican theology professor. I am wondering if Rambie chose him as his advisor so that he can get to know and understand him better in more informal setting in order to be able to follow his lectures in class.
It’s good to be back and we are looking forward to our month here.
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