Phone Call & News from Linda

As I mentioned previously Linda is in the Philippines and currently at God's Town. We came to learn she landed in Japan the day before the devastating earthquake. But from her emails her trip was troubled even before she left the US. She learned, at the airport  because she was scheduled to stay in the Philippines for a month she needed a visa, something she didn't know prior to that time. She worked things out and was permitted to leave anyway.

There were other issues she faced in her travels but got to God's Town only to be faced with mother nature once again raining down on our friends there. She said it was cold and rainy something she didn't exactly pack for. They were also taking some precautions and she was leaving God's Town I think at night and traveling into the nearby town of Catbalogan to stay so that she didn't get stranded at God's Town in case it flooded again. This was due to the last time it flooded the transportation stop down the road from God's Town was only accessible by boat.

Much to my delight last night we got a phone call...initially from Linda saying there was someone dying to talk to me and yes it was Sebio. Now I'm not sure how much he was "dying" to talk to me because he was his usual quiet self, but that's ok because I know it's just him. It was nice to hear his voice regardless of how much he actually said.

During my conversation with Linda she said it was indeed raining again and that they were taking a Filipino shower in the rain as was evidence by M-D, the youngest running around in the rain buck-nekkid.

Unfortunately her troubles have continued she's sick and got bit by Ming Ming the cat while trying to give her a shot and worm meds. She is also preparing to leave early due to the crisis in Japan. Her husband Frank is working on the arrangements. We of course continue to send good thoughts for her to come back home safe and sound.

We're still preparing our next box for shipment to God's Town. Linda mentioned the boys looked a bit thin and that fresh fruits and veggies were in short supply due to the flooding. She also said many of the local residents had lost their chickens too. It just sounds like they can't get a break over there. The one good piece of news in one of her emails was they only lost some small things during the flood and a specific note to me that Sebio's drums were fine. She said Purie can probably pack things up from damage in her sleep when the flood waters start. They are amazing and resourceful people.

New Photos & Safe Travel Wishes

Before I post pictures I wanted to send out a safe travels message for Ma'am Linda who is going back to God's Town on March 9th. I really wanted to go with her but she's going for a month to see how she can help God's Town get back on track after the recent flooding. I requested that whether they want them or not (just kidding) she is to give everyone there hugs from me. That is more for Sebio but she says they are more welcoming to those now than in the past. I'll post updates as to what she finds as I get them.

When I spoke to her on the phone, Linda relayed one interesting note about how resourceful Purie is when faced with these adverse conditions .  They actually took their full sized fridge and hoist it up on top of the counter. It only got slightly wet and probably saved it from being destroyed completely by doing that. She's so smart.

I always love mail from the Philippines and the newest arrival was no exception. The following, as best I could scan them, are pictures of them digging into the balikbayan box that Aaron and I shipped over. The pictures arrived in a thank you card with wonderful words of appreciation, love and Valentines Day wishes written inside. I didn't even know they celebrated V'day but I do now.  One note the pictures unfortunately are a little blurry.  I am including a couple of shots of the notes Sebio wrote on the back of several photos...enjoy, I hope they make you smile as they did Aaron and I.

Front of the card



Inside of card, some of these guys have
great penmanship


















What I love about the pictures are seeing shirts on some of the boys we either bought or sent that had been Aaron's. The box included a bunch of donated sunglasses  which as you can see were a hit along with the pixie sticks I'm assuming is in one of the photos.

Pixie sticks "always" a ton of fun & smiles; Sebio left
and maybe Eric on the right, not sure



Sebio working on the backpack strap, M-D in yellow
Junjie trying on shades and Dan far right






New Superman aka Abraham
courtesy of Aaron

Apparently intently reading the letters that went in the box with all the goodies. This made me want to get the next box ready for shipment right away, which we have been doing.  We are thankful to have gotten a donation from Jack & Jean Lucas to buy items for this next box along with money to cover the shipping costs.

Back of photo

Too cool, we found that shirt with all boom
boxes on it.

As always they truly appreciate everything.

I really do miss each and every one of them and can't wait to go back next year.