Tuesday, August 28, 2012

time flies

I can't get over how quickly the weeks pass me by and I find I've not written anything down.  Not only have I not posted on this blog, but I have not journalled either.  I worry that I won't remember all of this.  Some of it I hope to forget, but most I want to remember.

Good news on the dog front.  Last week as we walked down the street in the evening I saw 'our' dog, Cherry.  She was with her other family.  They live right below us, but behind a tall bamboo fence (with a hole in it).  Her name is Shelby, they do not have plans to eat her.  Thank God!  The man is British.  At first he was put out that I was calling his dog Cherry and that she was uber excited to see me, but when I pointed out our 5 boys he understood the draw to come visit us daily.  She is sporting a lovely red collar.  Funny thing is that she rides on the man's scooter, right up at his feet!

Post typhoon the beach was a mess.  Fish washed ashore in big clumps of seaweed.


Ha Ha!  This pic is of Ethan's 10th birthday present - he chose to go helmet diving with man.   EQ reported that it was the most awesome thing he's done in his life!


This is beach mess post typhoon.  The big fish is a terra bat fish.  There are pipe fish, a puffer fish, and others that I can't identify.  


One of my 4th grade girls, K.  Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom - thanks for keeping her in school!
K is holding up a bottle she filled with pipe fish. 


We get lots of blue coral. 



The resort folks dig holes and bury the beach mess.  


Another of my 4th grade girls.  Isn't she gorgeous?


A nudibranch on the beach.  Seth caught and released it.  It was my favorite beach find of the day.


Many of the tourist who come to Boracay are Korean - they make me smile.  


Perhaps "Land of Pirates" would have been a more manly monicker?  


Me working on numbers at the feeding site we have 'adopted'.  We try to feed about 90 kids here each week.  Today we had to cancel because there were no funds.  Money is tough here.  In the ministry it seems to be misspent - to my eyes that is.  We find ourselves struggling over many aspect of this ministry.  We are sure in our support of some things, and disgusted by others.   

We need about $30 more US dollars donated each month to be able to feed these 90 kids a healthy meal and vitamins once each week.  More money would mean basic meds and bandages.  If you can help let us know and I'll give you the address to send donations to us.  

2 comments:

  1. Hello, Gretchen,

    I'm going to be celebrating a friend's birthday on Boracay from Sep 30-Oct 2. I was looking for blogs about the area and found yours. I read through some of your posts, and this one broke my heart. Hearing about how you had to shut down the meals is, ugh, it's so sad.

    Would it be possible to meet you and to make a one-time donation?

    This is my blog: lindsayeryn.blogspot.com
    This is my email: lindsay.12m@gmail.com
    This is my name: Lindsay McKissick

    Keep being faithful, Gretchen. You and your family are an inspiration. It's awesome how we have the same Father. :)

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  2. Hi, Gretchen! I was reading your blog to see how your experience is going so far! :-) Send me an e-mail because I'd like to talk to you about the money for the feeding sites.
    eeberling@hotmail.com
    Thanks,
    Ellen

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