Holiday Week continues

Well, this week has been sort of slow so to speak. Monday and Tuesday was a Holiday which you can learn more about in the previous blog. Where Today being Wednesday we started moving stuff into our new house. We are hoping to be moving in officially, and staying over there tomorrow. So we might be away from the computer for while!

But, the rest of the week will be slow again...because believe or not there is another Holiday in the Philippines which is Idul Fitri which marks the ends of Ramadan. And yes this is a national known holiday, and schools are out, and many businesses close as they were Monday and Tuesday. So as crazy it sounds it's been a slow week. Just to give you an idea of how slow and how many holidays and days off there has been. The local School for both Faith Academy where Tara will probably be working soon at, and the Philipino schools have only one full week without any days off this whole month of Nov! Believe or not it's true!

Future plans, to official get moved into our new place, and get settled. I am trying to schedule a fellowship of swimming with the Sports Ambassadors guys which again are the 10 to 12 local filipino's that will go out and minister through a game of basketball, but more locally around in Davao City or other places that invite us. So hopefully we can plan this friday as a day to fellowship while others in the country will take the day to eat since Ramadan is done!

Probably sometime next week, Tara will be getting into schedule in working with Faith Academy, and she has this girls retreat coming up. Which she is pretty much in charge of, or really helping with it a lot.

Also, coming up...you can be in prayer about. We are having Sports Ministry conference here in Davao City. More details to come about at a later time!

I hope this helps you keep you up to date on us!

We thank you all you again for your great love, prayers, and support that many have shown to us through this time of ministering here in Davao City, Philippines! We hope you can continue to partner with us through this year! God is good all the time!

Holiday Week

CROWDS AT THE GRAVEYARD - true Philipino culture!!!



October 31st and November 1st are special days in the Philippines. They are called all Saints day, and it's a tradition for all Filipino's to visit there dead family members grave sites. This is a very Catholic Country, and the tradition of it is to pray your dead family member to heaven since they might be in purgatory. Popularly identified as "All Soul's Day", this is the day set apart in the Roman Catholic Church for the commemoration of the souls of the faithful dead. It falls on the 2nd of November albeit in this country, most Filipinos celebrated it as early as November 1. The tradition is said to have started in the 10th and 11th centuries and was based on the (Catholic) doctrine that "prayers of the faithful on earth may help purify souls in purgatory". The offering of prayers and masses are solely for the repose of the souls who died not in the state of grace. Prayers and masses are offered to ease whatever pain and suffering they are in. To complement to such thoughtful cause, loved ones offer a spray of flowers and lighted candles. Flowers serve as a living memory reminding us that once these people had remained close to us and they, like us, had once been fascinated by the beauty and color of life. Lighted candles likewise signify that the love, hope and joy they shared with people they had left behind shall be kept forever burning and alive even though they may have found their destiny somewhere or even in the arms of the Heavenly Father.



The stores and native markets were packed with people in long lines trying to buy noodles, packet mixes, and coffee and beer. Candles filled the stores in all shapes and sizes. These were all snapped up through the day.



The crowds started gathering early Monday at the graveyards. The police blocked off many of the roads around the town. The same thing happened all around the Philippines and even closed down several main hi-ways in Manila. The news reporters started covering the graveyards and great excitement was experienced through the country.



Monday night candles were used to light the graveyards. Most graveyards here have large concrete enclosures. Some even have kitchens and eating areas. The families come from the town, nation and overseas to spend time with the dead. Death feasts are planned and people camp around the graves with canvass and sleeping mats. Food stalls spring up all around the graveyards. As the night goes on more people arrive. This continues through the next day. This is all Saints Day. That is the major day with most stores, businesses and schools closed. The Philippines comes to a stand still as people gather at the graveyards. Discos are even held at a lot of the cemeteries to pass the night. There is heavy drinking, card playing and gambling through the night. The police are there in full force and this year many soldiers were stationed around our town because of the fear of terrorists and rebels.


Tuesday afternoon were crowded and people were rushing in with flowers and candles to meet friends and relatives. If someone was dead for a year the tomb is sometimes opened and the nails and hair trimmed of the body. Then five years after the person is dead this is done again. Some people tie up the bones in little bunches then seal the tomb permanently. Lots of crying goes on even if the departed has been gone for 30 years or more. Often some dark practices are put on during the late night since the Philippines is full of superstition and ritual.