Today was a little less jet-lagged and I feel like we packed a million things into one day. Let me just tell you guys that Manila is one crazy city.
First, I went on a little run this morning around the neighborhood which is so peaceful and green and beautiful. Everyone just stares and smiles, and most say "Hi mom" meaning "Hello mam" but it cracks me up that everyone calls me Mom haha. I'm already falling in love with the Filipino culture. Merch's mom Remy, a glorious 80-something-year-old, makes sure that I eat a lot and try all the Filipino dishes. We sit down for every meal, which is so foreign to me since I am used to Starbucks drivethru's and grabbing something on my way out the door. It's nice to sit and talk and never be rushed. That's "Filipino time".
Merch took me to a Sunday Flea Market which was so busy and had so many distracting but rich, sights, smells and faces. It's even more LA garment district-like then the Tiendasitas from yesterday. It's a bunch of tarps over tables of ALL different kinds of food, and of course theres a clothes section, and also an exotic plants section. It's kind of like a Farmers Market but 5x bigger and 10x more intense. I got to try some Filipino specialties, but the one that stands out is what Merch calls "Chocolate soup". It's pork in this chocolate colored broth that is salty and flavorful and delicious. She told me AFTER that it was BLOOD SOUP!! Ha gross, but actually pretty tasty.
After the shopping, we went into downtown Manila. It is a dirty and stinky of people and deisel, but it is the reality of the native culture. Traffic was crazy and there are Jeepneys and Trikes all over (you should google both of those ;)). We went to Quiapo Church (DEF google that) which is the biggest Catholic church in the Philippines and the largest one I've ever seen. Merch's brother is the Parish Pastor there. It was the most overwhelming feeling to push through the sea of people into a huge rectangle building with very very high ceilings. Its probably as big as a football feild- crammed with people. We walked through the church, with tears building up behind my wide eyes into the Sunday market, another flea market but different. The first one was more "middle class" and this one was just EVERYONNNEEE, from dirt poor, to wealthy- everyone goes to Quiapo. Vendors were selling everything from sandals to purses, to seashells, to nasty smelling dried sardine-looking-fish, to toys and balloons. Merch was great at bartering, because everyone tries to rip off the white chick :)
When i get a chance, I will put up pics/video and you guys will get a little taste of how absolutely overwhelming it is. I was just shoulder to shoulder with people, guarding my purse and eating a weird orange. Let me just say, I was very happy to take a shower tonight.
Then we went to Old Manila, called Intronuros, where there is a big wall surrounding a few churches/cathedrals and old houses and buildings. We ate at a restaurant run by the Bishops of the Philippines called Restorante delle Mistre which means restaurant of the Bishop's hat. It refers to the headress that the Lord instructed Moses to make for the sons of Aaron, check out Exodus 28:40. Anyway, the whole reason we went there was because Lola (grandma) Remy told us to ha, and how funny the Lord works because here is where the good stuff happens...
So, my camera died and we decided to get lunch before we started to head back. Lo and behold, in the restaurant were three nuns, just chillin, and I went up and started talking to them and Merch helped me explain that I wanted to do Missionary work etc. Ironic that they were the order of sisters called Missionary Catechists of St. Therese. Missionaries ha. They were so happy when I explained about what I felt called to do and directed us to the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul, which is the order of Nuns that I have been in touch with! We went to St. Vincent De Paul orphanage and met the sweetest Sister and I got to meet some kids there. They were all playing with my wild red hair and were so facsinated with the feathers. The girls kept asking me if I knew Taylor Swift ha. The kids were older so its hard to find things for me to do, especially because not many speak English. The Sister then directed us to El Hospicio de San Jose which houses orphans AND SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS!!!! Um hello. Yes.
Soooo....(sorry this is exhaustingly long, but I am so excited!!) we talked to the administration and I have to write a letter to the Sisters, explaining my purpose in coming and wanting to help there. They were more guarded about their kids, but I think we'll be able to work something out.
And ALL this happened because God let my camera die. He was telling me "Stop being a tourist Erin, and be a MISSIONARY!" lol. Merch and I had many laughs about how He was just guiding us all day long.
I feel like I already have a thousand more stories, but that's enough for now :)
Sweet sweet Lord. Thank you for being such a bright light today. Thank you for bring my ultimate guide. I promise to keep you in the front of my mind and remember why I am here. Please keep showing me the way. I am listening.
I love you with all my heart and soul.
Amen.
First, I went on a little run this morning around the neighborhood which is so peaceful and green and beautiful. Everyone just stares and smiles, and most say "Hi mom" meaning "Hello mam" but it cracks me up that everyone calls me Mom haha. I'm already falling in love with the Filipino culture. Merch's mom Remy, a glorious 80-something-year-old, makes sure that I eat a lot and try all the Filipino dishes. We sit down for every meal, which is so foreign to me since I am used to Starbucks drivethru's and grabbing something on my way out the door. It's nice to sit and talk and never be rushed. That's "Filipino time".
Merch took me to a Sunday Flea Market which was so busy and had so many distracting but rich, sights, smells and faces. It's even more LA garment district-like then the Tiendasitas from yesterday. It's a bunch of tarps over tables of ALL different kinds of food, and of course theres a clothes section, and also an exotic plants section. It's kind of like a Farmers Market but 5x bigger and 10x more intense. I got to try some Filipino specialties, but the one that stands out is what Merch calls "Chocolate soup". It's pork in this chocolate colored broth that is salty and flavorful and delicious. She told me AFTER that it was BLOOD SOUP!! Ha gross, but actually pretty tasty.
After the shopping, we went into downtown Manila. It is a dirty and stinky of people and deisel, but it is the reality of the native culture. Traffic was crazy and there are Jeepneys and Trikes all over (you should google both of those ;)). We went to Quiapo Church (DEF google that) which is the biggest Catholic church in the Philippines and the largest one I've ever seen. Merch's brother is the Parish Pastor there. It was the most overwhelming feeling to push through the sea of people into a huge rectangle building with very very high ceilings. Its probably as big as a football feild- crammed with people. We walked through the church, with tears building up behind my wide eyes into the Sunday market, another flea market but different. The first one was more "middle class" and this one was just EVERYONNNEEE, from dirt poor, to wealthy- everyone goes to Quiapo. Vendors were selling everything from sandals to purses, to seashells, to nasty smelling dried sardine-looking-fish, to toys and balloons. Merch was great at bartering, because everyone tries to rip off the white chick :)
When i get a chance, I will put up pics/video and you guys will get a little taste of how absolutely overwhelming it is. I was just shoulder to shoulder with people, guarding my purse and eating a weird orange. Let me just say, I was very happy to take a shower tonight.
Then we went to Old Manila, called Intronuros, where there is a big wall surrounding a few churches/cathedrals and old houses and buildings. We ate at a restaurant run by the Bishops of the Philippines called Restorante delle Mistre which means restaurant of the Bishop's hat. It refers to the headress that the Lord instructed Moses to make for the sons of Aaron, check out Exodus 28:40. Anyway, the whole reason we went there was because Lola (grandma) Remy told us to ha, and how funny the Lord works because here is where the good stuff happens...
So, my camera died and we decided to get lunch before we started to head back. Lo and behold, in the restaurant were three nuns, just chillin, and I went up and started talking to them and Merch helped me explain that I wanted to do Missionary work etc. Ironic that they were the order of sisters called Missionary Catechists of St. Therese. Missionaries ha. They were so happy when I explained about what I felt called to do and directed us to the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul, which is the order of Nuns that I have been in touch with! We went to St. Vincent De Paul orphanage and met the sweetest Sister and I got to meet some kids there. They were all playing with my wild red hair and were so facsinated with the feathers. The girls kept asking me if I knew Taylor Swift ha. The kids were older so its hard to find things for me to do, especially because not many speak English. The Sister then directed us to El Hospicio de San Jose which houses orphans AND SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS!!!! Um hello. Yes.
Soooo....(sorry this is exhaustingly long, but I am so excited!!) we talked to the administration and I have to write a letter to the Sisters, explaining my purpose in coming and wanting to help there. They were more guarded about their kids, but I think we'll be able to work something out.
And ALL this happened because God let my camera die. He was telling me "Stop being a tourist Erin, and be a MISSIONARY!" lol. Merch and I had many laughs about how He was just guiding us all day long.
I feel like I already have a thousand more stories, but that's enough for now :)
Sweet sweet Lord. Thank you for being such a bright light today. Thank you for bring my ultimate guide. I promise to keep you in the front of my mind and remember why I am here. Please keep showing me the way. I am listening.
I love you with all my heart and soul.
Amen.
1 comment:
Major tears and chills as I read this post. Praising God for your open heart...praying that he continues to open your eyes and guide you daily. Keep the updates coming ...I feel like I'm there with you! (wish I was!!)
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