The Perfect End to a Perfect Day!
Hello all! Our day began early in Bacolod City. Because of some minor discomfort in the lower abdomen accompanied by more unpleasant and unmentionable things for Jim, Staci, Pastor Al, and myself, we got away from the hotel a little late (8:10 am). We then ventured to the church building to pick up someone who would be able to drive our van back to its owner when we'd been dropped off at the airport. Ourflight to Cebu left at 10:30.
Before heading to the airport, we needed to drop off the Cunningham's housekeeper, Juliette, at the bus station. She was catching a ride back to her home in Dumagete. Navigating through the traffic to and from the bus station was interesting, but we did get to see areas ofBacolod we hadn't seen on Papa Dan's "Caddilac Tour".
After dropping off Juliette, we raced to the airport which was at least 45 minutes away. Papa Dan got us there quickly, again driving in true Filipino fashion. We drove in, around, and through everyobstacle.
<>Door security was a snap, aside from the short line to get there. We strode to the check-in counter expecting to be able to check our 50 lb. bags with no trouble. Unfortunately there was a 10 kilo limit (about 22 lbs.), and we had to pay for the extra weight at a rate of 100 PHP (Philippine Piso (pronounced peso)) per kilo. With our bags checked, we moved upstairs to the aircraft gates, and once again through security. This is of course after each of us have paid our 200 PHP Gate Area Entry Fees, a local travel tax. Our rushing paid off, and there was enough time to enjoy a quick cup of coffee Americano before boarding (most Filipinos do not have the
pallete for American coffee, and instead prefer Nescafe instant coffees).
After about 10 minutes with our coffee, it was time to board. We piled around the gate attendant and waited our turn to have our boarding passes ripped. All passengers bypassed the jetway, and instead made our way out on to the tarmac to board our aircraft. It was a Dehaviland turbo-prop driven commuter craft, slightly smaller insize than a McDonnel Douglas DC-10.
Our white faces stood out against a sea of olive-skinned Filipinos, and we made our way back to rows 18 and 19, just 4 rows short of the tail of the plane. We quickly taxied to the runway and were airborne, my poor wife was a little green around the gills thanks to our shared illness. It wasn't long before she took full advantage of her airsickbaggie.
On a personal note, I felt so bad for her at this point. She is feeling much better now, but please be praying for her continuedrelief.
<>A whopping 26 minutes after takeoff we landed at our stop in Cebu. We exited the aircraft, picked up our bags, and headed upstairs to check into our connecting flight to Butuan. Unfortunately, we also needed to pay the fee for our additional weight again, along with the gate
access fee again. We made it to the gate just in time for last call. Back out onto the tarmac we went, to an identical plane, sitting in the same spot where we had just disembarked from our last flight... I know what your thinking, and the answer is "Yes." We did just have to leave our perfectly good plane for no solid apparent reason.
Staci felt much better on the second flight, this time at the front of the plane. Our flight was a 40 minute scenic tour over the beautifulPhilippine Islands; and it was truly an incomperable experience.
After landing, we again retreived our luggage. This time though, we headed out of the warm open-air terminal, into the warm Mindanao afternoon. Pastor Junnard Torrevilles' smiling face was waiting for us, and we were quickly loaded into our latest form of transportation,a sky blue Mitsubishi van.
As hungry as we were, we headed straight over to McDonalds. With lunch in our belly, we ventured into a local mall to get some supplies we wouldn't be able to get in Hinatuan. Many people couldn't resist staring at the sight of 6 Americans strolling through the mall on aFriday afternoon.
Supplies attained, we headed over to a local music store to look at a keyboard. Pastor Al, Jim, Pastor Junnard, and Papa Dan went inside to inspect the instrument, while Mom Barbra, Staci, and I waited in the van. The city heat was oppressive, and the stares from the locals were a tad unnerving, but the Hand of God was on us, and half an hourlater we were on our way out of town.
The trip to Hinatuan was packed with vistas of rice fields framed by coconut palms. In the distance, rain clouds buffeted verdant mountains. Swaths of blue sky cut through fluffy cumulous clouds. Needless to say, our eyes were glued to the side windows. As an added
bonus, our attention was diverted from the freakishly scary drive.
"Imagine if you will," intoned Rod Serling, "a car full of hapless American missionaries. Missionaries who are trapped in a blue van hurtling towards the horizon at breakneck speeds, weaving through and around creeping pedicabs, full log trucks, packed jeepneys, and unobservant pedestrians. These missionaries are about to enter (dundun DUN!!) the Twilight Zone."
Ok, so that is REALLY an exaggeration. I know, but it was hard not to let my imagination run away with me. In fact, I seriously considerednaming this entry "the sphincter express". Enough of that though.
<>For three hours we drove through some of the most fertile land on the planet, it was lush and green over plain and mountain. Rivers cut through the landscape, and were bridged by, well, bridges. Just before dusk gave up and night took hold, we arrived at Pastor Junnard's church in Hinatuan, Mindanao, Philippines. We were relieved to be here safely. It was hot and humid during the evening, but the home-cooked meal was delicious and filling. A midnight rainstorm
cooled everything down, and we slept like weary travelers.
Due to network limitations, I am unable to post pictures of our trip, but as soon as I am able, I will.
We love you, miss you, and thank you for all your prayers. Please continue praying! We will be starting the new Worship Works classtomorrow afternoon.
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Andy Pace