crocodinner

By presidential decree,

as of last Thursday,

today has been declared a non-working holiday in Davao.

It's in celebration of Araw ng Davao,

the commemoration of the birth of this city on March 16th, 76 years ago.

Here's one unique way to celebrate...

barbequed croc on a stick anyone?

Incidentally, the city shares this birthday with my brother...

Happy Birthday, Steve!  Hope you celebrate with something more appetizing.

glimpse of goodness

 The last month or so has seemed very full of good things!

The photos below give a glimpse into some of the goodness...

October 31st - at the Family Fun Night...dressing up and helping serve others!  Amy went Filipino and Elise Indonesian. :)

 Exploring Savannah, care group gatherings, a visit from my sister (more on that later!) and historic Fort McAllister

Amy and Elise join in praise with the youth choir

Opportunities to speak and share...this week at the lovely Oglethorpe Club.  Thank you, Tuesday Morning Circle!

 Elise and Amy  join in to cook for the youth group...sure smelled good!  And Michael with friends..

How very much we have to give thanks for!  

For all the beauties of friendship,

of family,

of nature,

of architectural beauty,

of worship.

Gratitude takes nothing for granted, 

it is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder, 

and to praise of the goodness of God.  

~Thomas Merton 

early mother's day morning

Mother's Day morning...

I could sleep in, since our children had plans to make breakfast.

Lemon scones dripping with lemony glaze, a beautiful fruit plate and hot scrambled eggs.

Food of kings.

( ♥ Thanks you3, for a wonderful Mother's Day! ♥ )

But instead of sleeping in, at 4:30 a.m. I was woken by noises from outside;

the sound of instruments growing louder by the moment.

And I remembered the festival of the patron saint of the neighborhood.

I was now wide awake, 

listening to the band's notes ebb and flow 

as they wended their way up and down the neighboring streets.

 I went up to the deck with my camera, hoping to catch them again.

But for a long time it was only me

and the birds

welcoming the dawn.

Finally, at 5:30, the notes grew louder, and I knew they'd be passing by soon.

But it wasn't a marching band this year,

no candles,

no following parade,

 

just a group of enthusiastic guys in the bed of a truck;

guys who obviously hadn't thought of sleeping in on Mother's Day!

In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; 

In the morning I will order my prayer to You 

and eagerly watch.  

Psalm 5:3

But God sent them to wake me 

so that instead of ushering Mother's Day in with more sleep,

I could rise,

and in a quiet place give thanks for my own sweet mother,

now at home in Glory,

for my mother-in-law who has always shown me such love,

and for this privilege of being a mother, 

for the gift I have in parenting these three gifts of God together with Mark. 

I am eternally grateful.

♥

I do hope you weren't woken quite as early as I, 

and that you had a wonderful Mother's Day, too!

 

can't hold a candle

Today, March 16th, is "Araw Ng Dabaw" which literally means "Davao Day," 

but this is one festival that's celebrated the whole week long.

Araw ng Dabaw commemorates the founding of the city of Davao,
75 years ago today!
Happy Birthday, Davao!

The city is alive with parades, contests, dancing, feasting and music.
Filipinos know how to celebrate!

But these celebrations just can't hold a candle to the one that happens
at the birth-day of a new believer in Christ.

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God 

over one sinner who repents.

Luke 15:10

Who can describe the joys that rise
Thro' all the courts of Paradise
To see a prodigal return,
To see an heir of glory born?

-Isaac Watts

*photo credit to 'the mark of an explorer'

my God carries me

Mahal na Itim na Nazareno.  This is the Filipino name of the Black Nazarene, a 400 year-old wooden statue of Jesus, carrying the cross, and thought to hold miraculous powers.

It's venerated during the weekly Mass in a Basilica in Manila, but also in annual processions.  The most famous is the procession held each January 9th.  This festival has been celebrated in Manila for more than 200 years.

photo from Reuters

This Monday, about 3 million barefoot devotees thronged around the carriage carrying the statue as it slowly made its way through the city.  Their hope was to have a chance to touch the Mahal na Itim na Nazareno, believing that it would bless them, heal them, or heal loved ones.  Do you see the white handkerchiefs they are holding?  Devotees throw them to the attendants on the cart, who wipe the handkerchief on the image and throw it back, believing that miraculous powers will be imparted through the cloth.


"The Black Nazarene will not let anything untoward take place," said one devotee who has attended the festival with his entire family for the last 40 years. "He will make miracles so that this feast will not be disrupted."
  
But the event is notorious for injuries and even casualties.  This year nearly 600 people were treated for exhaustion, bruises and minor injuries in a stampede in the early hours of the parade and as people pulled and shoved. Dozens were hospitalized due to hypertension and fractures in the crush of people in Manila's narrow streets, the local Red Cross said. (Reuters)

As they carry their god through the street.  

How grateful I am that it's not up to me to support my God. 
It is His powerful person who bears me, who carries me. 

  Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! 

I have done it, and I will carry you; 

And I will bear you and I will deliver you.  

Isaiah 46:4 

  
He is found not in thronging masses of desperation, but in stillness; 
it is here He is exalted.

Be still, and know that I am God. 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth!   

Psalm 46:10

And the miracle that is needed most, 
far beyond physical healing or temporal blessing
is His free gift of salvation, the eternal treasure.  
Earthly blessings will end, 100% of us die, but His salvation is for ever.

...by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, 

having obtained eternal redemption for us.  

Hebrews 9:12

The devotees of the Black Nazarene challenge me.  Do I exert as much faith, as much energy in trusting the power of God? 

kadayawan attractions

It's time for the Kadayawan Festival in Davao once again.  

"Kadayawan" is a "warm, friendly word" used to explain a thing that is valuable, beautiful, or profitable.  The week-long festival is rooted in a ritual from years gone by, when ethnic tribes in this area would converge to give thanksgiving to the gods, 

especially to the "Manama," or the Supreme Being.

These days, the festival is officially promoted to celebrate the bountiful harvest of fruit, flowers, and other produce, while celebrating the wealth of cultures that meet in this city.

 

From parades and produce fairs...

to street dancing and talent competitions

This year, since Mark has been out of town on business, we took a less daring approach to joining the festivities.The kids and I visited a local mall, where Kadayawan displays and events were scheduled.

But I'm not feeling guilty for taking the easy way out.

Not after talking to two Filipina friends yesterday,

who both told me that they always enjoy Kadayawan events on TV,

rather than going out to battle the crowds!

At the mall we enjoyed native displays of art,

a native drummer...I mean, drum!

Local produce and plants; lots of photo ops for Elise's photography class!

displays of local crafts,

and musicians playing traditional instruments.

The colors and sounds were distinctly Filipino.

Adorable babies in native dress joined the celebration,

as well as sweet children,

and silly children!

The true irony was that WE were considered a unique attraction.

People wanted their photos taken with US,

the musicians wanted Michael to try the drums

and Amy to dance.

(Which she politely refused, saying she'd rather watch them do it...)

Elise and I escaped some of the spotlight by hiding behind our cameras.

Next time you'll have to bring a camera, too, Michael and Amy.

We give thanks to The Supreme Being, Lord God Almighty,

for all the goodness of the year;

for the bounty of provision He has supplied,

and for His creative genius displayed in  

all the cultures of the earth!

 

Here are links to posts about the two previous Kadayawan festivities our family has enjoyed...

2009

2010

all saints day

It's All Saint's Day today, a holiday to remember family and friends who have died.
Amy, Elise, Michael and I walked up to the nearby cemetery and took a stroll through this morning.


There was a quiet festival feeling in the air.
Cars were lined up to enter, some with lawn chairs piled on top.

We passed a long row of vendors, selling everything; flowers, Pepsis, candles, snacks.

Even Dunkin' Donuts had a booth.

People had set up awnings to spend the day at the graves,
and others had tents; they had spent the night.
Still a few others had slept inside elaborate mausoleums complete with a/c and TVs.

This pavilion was being set up for a 9 a.m. Holy Mass service.
And at 7 o'clock tonight there will be movies on some sort of big screen.

Can you see all the graves up on the hillside? There were lots of people there, too, walking around the graves, cleaning them, and leaving flowers and candles.

In a culture where relationships are so important, it's not too surprising that a day like this is reserved for such devoted remembrances.

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 15:53-57

kadayawan

Last week Davao celebrated the festival of Kadayawan, a festival celebrating the unique tribes that make up the city of Davao. Thursday evening we went downtown to People's Park, hoping to get in on some of the festivities. Since we could find no printed schedule of events, we knew we were taking a chance.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at 6:30, they were winding things up for the evening. We just got to see the very end of a children's dance, and to hear this musical group perform.

The park was full of people, and we were hopeful that maybe the performances would pick up again, but after a walk through the park...

...we came back to find the bandstand deserted.

Sunday morning was the big parade, and not being huge fans of largely populated spaces, we didn't work hard to go and see it, though we've heard that some of the floral floats are really spectacular. Maybe next year!
Early Sunday morning, around 6 a.m., we heard traditional Filipino bells/chimes being played in a sing-song way out in the street.
It went on and on. We finally went out to take a look.

Our next door neighbors were preparing their float for the parade!

There was a very festive air about the city all week, jeepney routes were skewed, and the streets were packed with people.

The President even declared Friday to be a non-working holiday for Davao residents so they could better participate in the festivities!

county fair

This past Saturday we were invited to join three Filipino families for a day at the first ever Malagos Farm Fair. It was a fun day getting to know these families better, and to experience a Filipino Fair.

Below are lots of photos...we hope you'll enjoy them!

An enclosed jeepney was hired for the 1 hour ride;
another four adults and two children fit into the remaining seats beside Elise! There were 16 of us altogether, and we spent the ride talking, laughing and playing games.

I was so happy that sweet little Seth let me hold him for part of the ride. He was so quiet and content the whole day.

At the fair there was farm-fresh produce for sale like rambutan and lanzones,

and farm animals to see like these baby ostriches.
They were so fuzzy and cute!

New friends gather for a posed shot.

There were gourmet cooking demonstrations; several in a row on how to cook hot dogs.

Here's Michael with his octopus-cut hotdog sample. A little oil, a little garlic, a little sweet ketchup...(you would have loved it, Kay!)

The Animal Encounter Show was next.

It began with colorful, energetic native dancing. What gorgeous costumes!

Then came the animals; here's Blanca, the albino Water Buffalo. Also shown were horses, goats, chickens, and other birds.

The entrance fee included a buffet lunch; all you can eat BBQ Pork and Chicken, Rice, fruits and vegetables, Cokes, and this delicious roast beef.

The beef-spit was enormous!

After lunch Amy tried her hand at some basketball games,

and Michael hopped in the pool to join in a bare-handed fish catching competition armed with a little bit of advice on technique from our friends.
He didn't try too hard after the fish bit his foot...(!)

Then a good-ole' fashioned hay ride...Filipino-style!

And a final stop at the petting area where this nanny startled Amy by trying to leap the fence in her excitement over the grass Amy offered her!

Elise liked the Shetland pony and her foal.

We didn't get a whole group shot, but we had a great time with everyone. Thanks for the fun day, friends!