{"id":1886,"date":"2011-06-18T15:48:13","date_gmt":"2011-06-18T07:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/darryl-jordan\/?p=1886"},"modified":"2011-06-18T15:48:13","modified_gmt":"2011-06-18T07:48:13","slug":"arbor-day-in-the-philippines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/darryl-jordan\/2011\/06\/18\/arbor-day-in-the-philippines\/","title":{"rendered":"Arbor Day in the Philippines"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today is Arbor Day here in the Philippines.\u00a0 I’ve was here on Arbor Day 2 years ago, so I didn’t want to miss it today.\u00a0 Thousands of people go to the “watershed” to plant a tree.\u00a0 At 5 am or earlier, kids start to congregate in the downtown area.\u00a0 Dump trucks come and haul these kids the 10 or so miles to the watershed.\u00a0 The first 8 are paved.\u00a0 Then it’s off to dirt roads and mountains.\u00a0 There were all kinds of vehicles there.\u00a0 The dump trucks that I mentioned, public utility vehicles (vans), cars, motorbikes and then there I was on by bicycle.\u00a0 We had to ford 2 rivers.\u00a0 The vehicles were typically underpowered with street tires.\u00a0 At the first river there was some type of heavy equipment that was hauling rigs out of the river.\u00a0 We would go for a while and then even I on my bike would be completely tube-locked.\u00a0 Stopped cars in both directions with either a steep bank or drop-off beside me.\u00a0 And mud!\u00a0 And thousands of people!\u00a0 Mostly HS kids out for an event.\u00a0 It was pouring.\u00a0 None of us were dressed for it.\u00a0 No one really cared.\u00a0 I did snap these two very poor pictures.\u00a0 My camera got soaked and not sure if it will work again.\u00a0 I should have gotten one of the waterproof types and may be forced to.\u00a0 I did finally extricate myself and did have a very enjoyable 3 plus hour ride.\u00a0\u00a0 Came home covered with mud and hoping I will be here in a year to do it again.<\/p>\n

Had a very good week.\u00a0 Busy.\u00a0 Lots of complications.\u00a0 Bad weather.\u00a0 Flights canceled.\u00a0 Thus people not leaving as scheduled or coming sooner because of weather complications.\u00a0 We are struggling to get them all in.<\/p>\n

I’ve been having my devotions in the book of 2 Kings.\u00a0 I’m actually working my way through the historical books.\u00a0 Enjoying it very much.\u00a0 The other day I read about Nehushtan.\u00a0 A good thing becomes bad.\u00a0 I’m sure lots of lessons here.\u00a0 It’s amazing that people will bow to statues.\u00a0 Of course, that is a big issue here.\u00a0 At Mt. Calvary (near the watershed) “they” have the statues and the 10 commandments side-by-side.\u00a0 It’s obvious that they really don’t get it.\u00a0 When I was there on Good Friday a year ago, there were thousands there.\u00a0 They came to touch the statues thinking that by touching them they would get a blessing.<\/p>\n

I was in the dentist office the other day.\u00a0 He’s a “good” religious man and has religious publications for us to read in his waiting room.\u00a0 There were many ads in these magazines paid for by different individuals.\u00a0 They all said the same thing (were the same ads).\u00a0 These ads stated, “If you will say this prayer (and gives a short pray) 7 times a day for 7 days and publish\u00a0this prayer\/ad in this magazine, your wildest dream will come true.\u00a0 Desperate people doing silly things.\u00a0 Yet, they need the truth. Please continue to pray for their salvation.<\/p>\n

Pray for us as we anticipate another busy week with many coming and going.<\/p>\n

\"Arbor\"Arbor\"good_friday_religious_ceremony_at_mount_calvary_1802296\"