Update 15
Back in Manila...a huge sprawling, noisy city...but as strange as it seems...felt like coming home. The radio in our cab was playing "Take Me Home" so I asked our driver if they have a station for Filipino music. He laughed & said no so I asked if there was such a thing...and he started singing..first softly but soon with gusto. When he finished he told us it was a love song in the Magola language. We went back to the same hotel we'd stayed in earlier & they'd upgraded our room to a gorgeous suite...felt like a palace after the tiny dump we ended up in last night! We finally visited the Paco Park right next to our hotel. With a chapel in the center, two elevated walkways encircling it and all expertly landscaped, it hardly seemed like a cemetery...but it was where thousands of the cholera victims were buried. The walkways had built in tombs 3 stories high. Many weddings are held there and we were drawn in again the next night by the sound of piano playing...a free concert performed by one of Filipino's most decorated pianist. Oh Elsi would have been in heaven!
We continue each day to go to the Missionaries of Charity orphanage which is named City of Joy...and joyful it is. Kids know us now and pull our arms, grab our hands & beg to play. Rog taught them how to have thumb wars and that keeps our thumbs busy! My kids always called me the "Bog...Baby Hog" and here I go from baby to baby rocking, cradling, singing and loving each one. Many of the babies appear to be in fairly good health though we heard many had TB. One little guy, no bigger than a small 9 month old just rocks back & forth twisting his hands in front of him. Sister told us he was 6. Another little one...well, I could go on and on as so many are burdened with so many deformities. I constantly have to remind myself that God is in control & I can only do so much. When I calm a crying child or make eye contact & make one smile or return a hug, I pray that for just a few minutes...I brightened their life. The song "Here I Am Lord" and Mother Teresa's words telling us to look for God in the most distressing disguise fill my mind...and it feels so right to be there.
Sent from my iPod Touch
