Philippines Trip January 2011 #4

Good morning on Friday, January 7. Yesterday not a busy day as we continued to adjust to our jet lag and unpacked some of the things we had sent ahead – mainly gifts, books for the library and used clothing. We went to market with Christy her mom, just a block from the house. Eduardo has a “meat shop” there. Each day he butchers and dresses a pig for market. The butchering happens about 3 AM not far from our bedroom window. To keep the pig from screaming too much they insert a rubber blocker in its mouth. Eduardo and Christy shared a concern they have about their business at the market which we are praying about with them. There is a man from one of the tribal communities which is still reputed to be one of the most violent of the Kalinga groups who dominates the market vendors and tries to keep everyone in line with threats and intimidation. All business is conducted on his terms which inhibits any fair competition or growth. Eduardo and Christy have more clients than they are allowed to serve, but he won’t let their business grow. Everyone (including the authorities) fear this man. He shot and killed someone who crossed him in broad daylight, right in the open market last year, but posted bail and was released from prison. This is one illustration of why work on peace building in this community is still so important. Another major conversation we had yesterday with Eduardo and Christy was around the work they are doing on building the second floor of the house we are helping them build here in Tabuk. We did not mention this project in the 3 goals we articulated for this month here. It is a longer term project which we started shortly after the New Testament dedication in 2004. Tabuk is a major gathering place for Kalingas from all over the province. They come here for market, business, health services and education. Christy has inherited the gift for hospitality which we experienced from her family from the very beginning of our time in Kalinga. A major motivator to push forward with the second floor now was the decision last year to help provide a place for translators working in the various Kalinga dialects to stay when they need to come to Tabuk. Our part in this project is mainly encouragement, prayer and financial investment. They shared how the cost of building materials is increasing, so we want to help move the project forward while we are here. Because the Philippines is in the “Pacific ring of fire” houses must be built to withstand frequent earthquakes. The construction style is “post and beam” with sturdy concrete pillars to support equally sturdy beams. The walls are made of cement block. It is encouraging to see the progress that has been made on this project since my visit in October when I left some funds for materials. Construction here is very labour intensive and labour is not expensive. The labourers work for the equivalent of $3/day. The foreman and skilled workers get about twice that. The project is in need of another major investment for materials right now, so our visit is timely. After breakfast today I will have my first meeting with some of the Kalinga translators I have been asked to serve as a consultant. On January 18 we are planning a major team meeting with the entire “Kalinga Cluster” which involves translators working in 4 projects right now. Later in the day we hope to pay a courtesy visit to Bishop Andaya and to follow up on his offer of hospitality for some of those coming for the team meeting and the use of some office space at his “pastoral centre.” He is very supportive of the translation work. His own first language is Kalinga.