This Is No Cake Walk

Sometimes I wonder “should I have taken a cruise with my husband?” or “maybe we should take a fishing trip to Alaska.”  Now that would be a vacation. This is no vacation for me I can’t imagine what it is for those who live like this their whole lives. I do get to go back each night to a hotel room with AC, shower, toilet, and a bed. I am in awe of how little they have and can laugh and smile all the time. I realize not all Pilipino live like this but the community I am in is mostly poor.   I want to share all my comforts and give them everything I have. I don’t know if that is what they want, or, if it is what I want for them.

It reminds me of a time 6 years ago I was president of a women’s organization at church. We had some very poverty stricken homes in our neighborhood and I was on the committee to help rebuild these people’s homes. One home could see the sky through their roof and their plumbing was not working so they used the outdoors. Yes this was right down the road from me in small town Gilbert. We had a group of people work for about a week rebuilding and refurbishing the entire home so it would be something each of us would be comfortable living in . The little lady who lived there with her brother, son and granddaughter was thankful but also reminded me we did not need to do this as she was fine the way it was.  She grew up south of us and lived in a small one room home with her family and gleaned the potatoes fields. Within about a year her home looked similar to the time before we rebuilt it. She took in anyone on the streets that needed a place to stay.  It was not kept up the way one might have wanted them to keep it up.

I learned a lesson from that experience. Don’t change things for others the way I want it to be, help them have it the way they want it to be. I find myself wanting to put in AC units, get indoor plumbing or even an outhouse, water purifier systems, bigger rooms, furniture, electricity, refrigerator and stoves. I remind myself of my lesson learned to leave things the way they are. If they want something bad enough they will make it happen or they will ask. We saw so many needs for our good friend Mildred and were actually able to help her a little today with a few added conveniences. It was fun and I know she will get good use out of the one burner gas stove, and an extra pan to cook her steam rolls in. I could have bought the whole store for her as she has nothing but will let her have her experience in life. I can’t steal others growth experiences by giving them everything I think they would want or have. Any of us who have raised children have the same experience. We can’t save them from their growth opportunity even though we would sure like to.

Sweating is all you can do in this heat and humidity. Most people walk around with a hand towel tucked into the back of their shirt to keep the sweat from running down their back. Feeling dusty, dirty and wet is all an acceptable thing. No make-up, and no hair do is necessary, it will all melt off any way.

I noticed on facebook friends commenting that I’m amazing. I cried when I saw that because that’s not the case. The people I ‘m meeting are amazing. They have changed my whole perspective on life. They’ve taught me courage to do things no matter what. Hope for a better life. To love and share what you have. To be happy and share joy with others. I am the one that’s been blessed to meet a loving, generous, determined and industrious people. They are my new heroes.

Seeing Through New Eyes

A 6.6 liter of purified water brought me so much joy today. I had about one inch of water left in my water bottle and every little roadside stand we stopped at was all out. We had to wait over an hour for the bus in blazing sun and humidity to take us back to our hotel. The bus ride was packed like a can of sardines. Each stop more people got in and I felt grateful to have a window seat where my arm was hanging out the window and air blowing in my face.  I chewed gum and took small sips on my water bottle while watching people squeeze their way down the aisles pushing their children into others laps who were sitting down. When we arrived into town my first purchase was the large water bottle. Oh the comforts of life!!

I cannot imagine how it must have been here in Tacloban for days with no water, food or light of any kind other than sunlight. The only local mall is still a mess. It was heavily looted after the storm. The grocery store is open now and a few side stores but most of it is closed and being reconstructed.

Where would one begin with such a big project? One would have to see through new lenses to decide where to start. It is overwhelming to see so much that still needs done and it has been 6 months. There are organizations set up all over with tents that are here for months to help rebuild the city. We met a group today called HELP who are digging holes to make public toilets and setting up solar tents for people to stay in temporally.

We attended church in Dagami where 76 people found refuge from the storm and lived for 3 months. The building is on a hill so did not get much damage. They are still without electricity and plumbing but the building is in good shape. The members of the church and their neighbors have had new homes built for them and necessities donated by volunteers.

One of the families received a new home 10×12 on stilts, a few plastic chairs, two pigs to raise and a pedi-cab to use as an income. They have called Yolanda a blessing. One man said “the trial gives us strength”. Others said they have received more from volunteers than they’ve ever had before Yolanda. When things are difficult we dig deep inside ourselves and build muscle we didn’t know we had. Seeing the blessings from the storm and acknowledging it for what it is shows gratitude at its best.

While sitting in one family’s home on a chair a little mouse scurried across the floor. It was of no concern to them. Large cockroaches and lizards on the walls are an everyday way of life. What may bring a squeal from me at home in my kitchen is a communal agreement for them. They live with the wildlife freely.

My new appreciations have become a breeze to cool off my perspiring skin, a cold bottle of purified water, a toilet with tissue paper, a shower, soft bread rolls, and a bed with a pillow. I couldn’t ask for more. Every time I visit other countries I walk away with a new vision and appreciation for what I have and want.

Home's Pieced Together

Tacloban Airport

Moving Forward

Tears were running down my cheeks as I disembarked the plane, walking out onto the tarmac and seeing not only beautiful lush green mountains but a land that has been turned upside down, inside out and tied into knots.  People were sitting in an open air lobby for their plane to arrive. Walls have been reconstructed in some areas and where there once were windows it is open air. Some were sitting in chairs others were on the ground. The baggage claim area was outdoors. What once was a conveyer belt was torn up and the baggage employees took from the plane on a cart to the guests who were waiting. Tarps were hanging to cover areas still to be rebuilt and bathrooms were available with the assistance of a bucket of water to flush it with.

Trying to get my breath in the thick humid air took a moment along with the attack of transportation options. It was like pigeons to a bread crumb at the beach. We had men calling and surrounding us with options of 3 wheeled bikes, jeepneys, vans, taxis, motorcycles and bus. We opted for the van to carry our luggage. The trike rider was certain he could make it work but I didn’t want to take the chance. I was grateful to have the added space and air conditioning.

When tragedy happens in our lives things fall to pieces. Most of the time we eventually start picking up the pieces and put them back together again as they can fit best. Since Typhoon Yolanda the Pilipino people have picked up the pieces and are moving forward. When their homes, transportation and loved ones were lost they grieved and still do, but kept on going. I saw so many homes today that resembled a crazy pieced quilt. From my viewpoint these people are resilient and resourceful. There were homes constructed of wood scraps, cardboard, sheets of metal, wire, screens, tarps, blocks and cement. It was put together to create a dwelling from the odds and ends of things that were strung across the land during the storm.

The streets are bordered with make shift shelters made of the same materials. Anything to put together a living space and move on with life is what they have done. There are piles of debris filled with memoirs, rock, mud and trees. What seems to be a daunting task has become a daily chore to sort through what is left. I saw a family having breakfast sitting at a chair in a 2 walled room. Children were bathing in bowls with their legs dangling out. A father wet from his bucket shower bathing his child standing on a palm tree stump. The often heard quote “when life gives you lemons make lemonade” is what they have done. Many of them even said Yolanda was a blessing because they have received so much help they have more now than they did before the storm. Even the store owners have hung a tarp on sticks and made their wares available for purchase.

Moving forward despite any circumstances is what I have learned from these beautiful people today. Life must go on. Children need to be fed and money needs to be made to buy them food. They are not stopped by the endless task of clean up and consequences beyond their control. Each day they keep going and have a welcoming smile on their faces, giggle freely and say “hello, where are you going?” I now wonder that about myself. Where am I going? What is my next step forward? What is yours?