Today, there is one more McDonald's in the world

Living in a different culture, it is so nice to have familiar things. Funny, but as my Mom and I talked today she was asking if we even liked to eat at McDonald's. While visiting or living in the US, we really did not go much. But to have it here in the Philippines, it is a taste of home. The menu is slightly different but my favorite Cheeseburger tastes so good here.

So today, my walking buddy, Marlene, and I decided to attend the Grand Opening ! Grand Openings are a big affair here, loud, lots of people and giveaways. Many other businesses will send flowers with their well wishes.

With our ticket we got a free umbrella and the McDo chicken meal.....fried chicken and rice. Yep, they serve rice as an option here and you can even get spaghetti! YES, you can still get yummy fries here too, I am certain they sprinkle them with magic powder that makes them oh, so good. Sooooo we stood in line, listened to the Minion band (yep, the same one that was at the Happy Walk on Sunday). and smiled and greeted all of our McDo lovin friends.

So there you have it. A McDonald's is born. Buhangin....Davao City, Philippines. It is something quite wonderful to start the day with such joy, friends and festivities. I just wish it was not so close to our house....UGH! 

Sand Tables

I am a total sucker for anything that allows me to play. I have been wanting a sand table for the kids at Tebow Cure Hospital  ever since we opened. Maybe it is due to the fact that CURE Niger was in the Sahel and there was sand EVERYWHERE?  Maybe it is because I find it incredibly relaxing to sift and dig in the sand?  Maybe I have seen t he benefits of sand play and want our patients to have this special treat? Whatever the reason, we had been given a very generous gift from a stateside VBS. Of course I had a bit of a wish list as did others that work with our kids. This was at the TOP! I started asking questions where one might purchase a sand table her in the PIs. I started looking online and just brainstorming. L had the brilliant idea of having one made! Brilliant to me, but some what obvious, I guess. So, I went into dream mode......needed to be wheel chair accessible, just the right size for little arms to reach in, deep enough, mobile, colorful and inviting.

C, our Facilities Manager, listened to my list and by the next morning he had drawn up an amazing plan. He hired a carpenter to bring the plan to reality. Unfortunately the project was put on hold when  the carpenter went missing (please pray that he would return to his family). Hmmmm, so what to do now?  C recruited our awesome  maintenance man, A, to finish the project and that he did! Look at this amazing paint job ta boot! I am thrilled. They exceeded my expectations!

It took more effort than your would think to find sand. C was diligent and finally found some at a local pet store. Funny when you live on a island and the kind of sand you want is not allowed to be taken from the beach!  Today, C greeted me with a huge smile and the news  that the sand was IN the table. Off to the store I went to find a few sand toys. I found exactly what I wanted.

My little buddy, J and I broke it in today!      

 This is going to be such a treat at TCH! I love our one of a kind sand table. What a fun distraction....playing with sand inside, while healing up from surgery or while doing physical therapy. Most wonderful of all? The many smiles and joy that I am anticipating. 

Balimbing

Oh, the fruit! I just love the fruit and what I love even more is the surprise of finding a new fruit. The Philippines is full of them. Check some of them out here. This past year was full of fruit gifts. I guess friends are starting to catch on, it must be my love language? They may be my favorite kind of gift. Mangosteen, pomelo, lanzones and the latest.....balimbing. 

  

 This is not the first time I have tasted this (It is also known as star fruit) BUT this is  the first time I have been given such pretty, yellow/orange ones.  The giver suggested sprinkling them with salt as he said it would bring out the flavor. I decided just to try them as they were......they had a very subtle taste, sort of pear like? L says it is not like anything he has tasted before. I guess they just taste like star fruit! They were very juicy and just oh so pretty. SO wonderful getting little surprises and trying new things.

Our Lady of Victory

Last evening, we had a sweet treat. Our friends from Our Lady of Victory Training Center for the Handicapped paid us a visit and brought some Christmas Cheer. OLV has been an awesome partner here in Davao. They actually have their training center on the Island Garden City of Samal (a quick ferry ride away).  They are "differently-abled".  For example, I remember meeting Ernie a legless swimmer. He went to the para Olympic games! Amazing this little orphaned boy had such vision and drive! I am inspired by the tenacity and joy. I just love to visit there, what a wonderful place and wonderful people. OLV has helped house many of our patients that could not afford to make the many trips home and back to the hospital. They provided them a place to stay and regular trips for PT and follow ups.I wish that I had a video because pictures just do not do their visit justice.

 

 It was fun to watch Princess sing and stand so straight and proud. She started to wiggle a bit and will be dancing soon, I am sure. 

To top the evening off, everyone sand to Dr Reyes. It was his birthday! 

Gifts were exchanged between Tebow CURE and OLV. I am sure that the partnership will only grow as the years go by. So thankful for them and how they love people. They are great to work with and something wonderful to be around.

Thursdays

It may seem odd, but my favorite day of the week is Thursday! I woke up early today and just knew it was going to be a fantastically full fun day and I was not disappointed! Since opening the hospital, Thursday has been my favorite day. I just love our charity clinics....tons of kids to meet and play with. I lavish the guests with plenty of bubbles and spend so much of the day smiling. 

Seems like every Thursday there is some sort of surprise. Today there were several! I wish I had pictures of EVERYTHING! 

My day started with a amazing time of worship, scripture and prayer. Our friends from Life Church led us in such a sweet time with Jesus. Immediately following our chapel time, I met the 5th grade class from Faith International Academy in the lobby. They came prepared to encourage and bless our patients.  They did an amazing job as they incorporated singing, guitar, violin, scripture, a story, homemade cards and gifts into their visit. We visited all of the kids who had procedures  this week.

After leaving the wards, we headed upstairs to the charity clinic.  The kids seemed to enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy clinic. They were also excited to be invited to the Christmas Party being thrown 

by our own Doc Jun and his sweet wife, Pam. 

The party started with hand dipped Filipino ice cream......durian, ube and chocolate and cotton candy. It was a thrill to have the street vendors bring their bikes upstairs, Hee hee!

There were so many surprises for everyone. We have had a Jollibee party before but this one was even better......Twirly came along with Jollibee. You have to understand, these characters are pretty big. It is sorta like meeting Mickey Mouse.....so much better than Ronald McDonald! There was lots of singing and dancing. Oh the joy!

After Jollibee and Twirly were finished with their greetings, Clown Bern took over. He played lots of games and tied balloons for everyone. The kids were so cute and it was so high energy, loud and fun!

In the lobby, I saw the ice cream man getting off  the elevator with his "cart".  I asked him if I could take a spin and that is what I did! 

I always enjoy seeing our staff have such a wonderful time too. everyone enjoys a good Jollibee party and ice cream is the perfect mid day snack.

                                      

Those are some of my Thursday highlights(that I have photos of). The day still included seeing my buddy Ky, shopping with Cyra, Mars and Madel for some very special upgrades for the playroom and finally some wonderful flaming Baked Alaska with my sweetheart. Thursdays are truly something wonderful!

Ruby Anne

Yesterday, we had a very special visitor to Tebow CURE Hospital. Ruby Anne and her mother came by just to visit.

 

 Madel took some time to read the Bible and pray with Ruby Anne and Anne. It was so great to see them. We get quite attached to our patients, as you can imagine.

 It has been an entire year since she had her surgery.

 The hospital is FULL of remembrances of the people we have the privilege to meet and serve. Every time I get off the elevator on the 4th floor of the hospital I am greeted by the large painting of Ruby Anne.  She was a bit shy the first time she saw it.  Ruby Anne does not smile all the time, but she is so peaceful and gracious. I love watching she and her mother together.

You see, Ruby Anne was our very FIRST patient.  Something wonderful indeed.