Poverty

Poverty. 

pov.er.ty

noun

the state of being extremely poor. 

Growing up in the United States and living there all my life, I have never been exposed to much poverty. I have seen briefly what penury looks like in Mexico. I have seen what poverty looks like in Nashville, Atlanta, and Rhode Island; But never have I seen this ... 

-- Families living in a shack on the side of a busy road. The children not attending school because parents simply         can’t afford it, so the kids are left to play on the side of that busy road.

-- Frail old men and women begging for people to buy their stuff ... candy,fruit, cigarets.  

-- A CHILD sleeping on the steps of an overpass. A CHILD! 

 Homelessness in the USA don’t compare to the amount of impoverishment I have seen here in Cebu. 

For the last week Ronald and I walk to the Country Mall and get some bread to eat for breakfast, and everyday we see the same two children sleeping on the steps of that overpass. Hundreds of people must walk past these kids and yet NO ONE stops to give them even 1 peso (equivalent to 10 cents in the states). They say I will become numb to  seeing this, that I just simply have to turn away from it. But will I become numb? Will I be able to turn my head from this? Im not sure I have that capability. 

I have seen so much poverty. I am not used to this. 

However, the people here are STILL happy. They know nothing else. In whatever circumstance they find themselves, they are still genuine happy people. I have a lot to learn from them. 

Peace and Love. 

--Caidy  

Quick update

We arrived safely in Cebu, Philippines on Tuesday night at approximately 11:40 pm ... which in the States was Tuesday morning at about 10:40 am (EST). Our travel was uneventful, just how we like it! However, I did get a pretty intense case of motion-sickness, which didn’t subside until almost a full 36 hours after the fact!! Lesson learned, take a Dramamine before boarding the plane for the long 13 hour ride. 

The first few days have been a learning process, as I imagine most of the next few months will be. I have had a journal with me to take notes, here are a few ... 

• Beeping horns is a way of life around here. I am used to people beeping because they are upset, here its totally different ball game. Beeping could mean, “get out of my way, I’m coming through” or  “Hey, you want a ride?” . Its not a bad thing to beep. Everyone does it. 
• Music is so random here. We could hear Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Michael Buble, Usher and Casting Crowns all in the same place within 30 minutes of one another. 
• Look up when showering ... you may fall victim to a HUGE spider falling on your head. 
• Realizing that I am living here, that this isn’t just a short term mission trip, has been hard to swallow. Learning a new culture, a new way of life ... its going to be a challenge. 
• God has brought us this far, He will not abandon us.  

Marvin and Josie Whitt drove us all over Cebu looking at homes, apartments and townhouses. The last one we looked at was the winner!!! We saw the townhouse on Thursday and moved in on Saturday. We were surely blessed to get it so fast and at a good price. God has awesome plans for us and this apartment! We are excited to see what He is going to do here. 

Over the next few months we will be getting settled into the new culture, our house, and preparing for work at CBC. We will update as much as we can, but we don't have regular internet yet ... so the post may be few and far between for a little while. 

 Thank you all for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for us as we transition into life on the other side of the world. 

Love and peace.

--Caidy 

At the Chicago airport -- before getting on the plane headed for Korea 

Literally carrying our bed to the house ... the only piece of "furniture" we have so far. 

Our house number in Banilad Greens

After a long hot day we headed to Yellow Cab pizza and shared an AWESOME pizza and ice cream 

About to wash laundry by hand for the first time. 

Ronald was showing me the ropes. He is a pro at washing by hand. 

Success! -- It only took us a little over an hour to wash almost 2 weeks worth of clothing. 

Jesus Calling

Come to be for rest and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.

Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.

This sounds like an east assignment, but it is not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of “the world, the flesh, and the devil.” Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence. 

[Jesus Calling -- Feb 7 -- Romans 8:28, Psalm 42:11] 

I read this a few hours before boarding the plane to Seoul. I have read it every day since. Thank you, Debbie Oldach, for getting this book for us.