Saturday

OK, been a little behind on the posts. I will do my best to catch up! I thought a great way would be to talk about our Saturdays thus far. Weird to think that we have already been here a month. We all love a good Saturday! Time to  kick back & enjoy ourselves or to catch up on things to be done. They have all been quite different. I will not bore you with the details but will just pick one thing we did each weekend. Sound like a plan??

Our first Saturday here in Davao was spent shopping shopping shopping for all types of  things. It is amazing the things that can be had here. I know that many of you probably like to shop…unfortunately, I really just do not. I am however very thankful that we have the selection that we do. Our house is starting to look and feel like our own!

Weekend number 2, we went to the bike “grave yard” or used bike lot. The kids sold their bikes before leaving Niger. Becca, in particular, really wanted a bike. Our neighborhood is perfect for one. So, we started to search and found that buying them used would be about 250 USD for the basic. Well, that would be times three or even five. So, we started to ask around & found out where we could buy them used. Bok, the owner, imports bicycle parts & partial parts from Japan. He even buys them on Ebay. You go & look through what he has, pick one out and even take it for a test. When you decide you are ready to deal, you find Bok and bargain with him. Bok’s guys get them ready for you  to buy….adding parts…seats, handle bars, rust removal etc. Was quite an experience.

		Bikes 4 sale VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The next weekend was just spent here. Just being here as a family. Love the lay low types of days. It was much needed.

Last weekend we took a ferry to The Island Garden City of Samal. Our plans for the day were to find Haglimit Falls and that we did. We did not swim this time and did get a discount because of the muddy water. It was pretty rural and the road was not great. We even had to be aware of livestock. It was nice to drive around and explore this lush little island. We will definitely be going back to climb the mountain, explore the bat cave and hopefully to enjoy a beach or two.

		Island Garden City of Samal VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

That brings us to today. Becca had to be at school early for a soccer clinic and Ben had his first basketball game. Drew enjoyed a very quiet morning home alone. Ben’s game was against some boys about his age from a local church. Leron & I enjoyed watching one of the kids from the opposing team. He was quite small. We did not even know that he was part of the team. He was wearing brown & I am sorry but a few pictures are blurry,  I was trying to show his height. His feet did not even touch the floor when he was sitting in his chair! He said he was 10, but as you will see from the pictures, he was pretty small. We enjoyed watching him because he was amazingly fast & a really good ball handler. I don’t think the boys on Ben’s team knew what to do. He was half their size but he stole the ball quite a few times! You may want to pay attention because in a few years he may be the 1st Filipino in the NBA!

		1st BB Game VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

So, all that to say…I think Saturday is quite WONDERFUL! We also  just finished unpacking a few of our things that we sent from Africa. Now just to get our big container from Manila to Davao. Been another fun Saturday & it is not even over….think we will swim & then grill up some burgers. Wonderful Saturday!

International Christian Schools

Just feels like  few short weeks ago, I was singing the praises of Sahel Academy. It is still a bit unbelievable that we moved all the way across the world. School is such a huge and vital part of a child’s life and now my three are all diving into their second international school experience. We are so thankful to live less than 5 Km from Faith Academy. One of the kid’s favorite things about school is that it is international, they have friends from all over. It is nice because many of the kids know what it feels like to move and are very welcoming to new students. Faith Academy is about 40 percent Korean, 40 American and 20 other nationalities. This school is about the same size as Sahel, maybe slightly smaller (150 students). The kids also like the Christian emphasis at school, they all have bible classes. Although the campus is different in may ways, the “feel” of it is very familiar. very bright  and welcoming.

 

Drew will continue his French studies, but it will have to be independent. His supervising teacher is from Quebec and Drew is looking forward to working with him. Ben and Becca  have a class that is called Heritage. The class focuses on learning about the culture and history of the Philippines. They will learn to speak a bit of Tagalog. Ben and Becca are also required to take band, so they have already been practicing their instruments. Ben the saxophone and Becca the clarinet. Another new thing on their list as Middle Schoolers is Outdoor Education. On the 3rd of February they will both board a plane to Manila where hey will join with the bigger campus of Faith Academy and will embark on a 5 day trip to Corregidor and Bataan. This area of the Philippines is rich with history and the trip will not only focus on that but also on conservation, outdoor cooking, evangelism,  spiritual renewal and growth.  One of the nights will be spent camping on the beach!! The rest of the time they will stay at a Baptist camp. They are both thrilled as they have already been meeting with their teams and leaders. I would love to tag a long, but no parents allowed!

 

 

Having only finished a week of school, it seems as though they have not missed a beat. All three of the kids are continuing in their studies and it is so great that Drew’s course work is exactly what the 10th grade (my concerns were biology and geometry) here is doing. Ben is continuing with Algebra and Becca pre Algebra. They are being challenged but are happy.  They did not even baulk, too much, at the uniform requirement. They have a choice of white, light blue or dark blue polo shirts  and khaki or bark blue bottoms (shorts and pants for the boys and capris, pants or skirts for girls). The kids great attitude about school is a  big relief and is making the transition smoother.

 

All three of the kids have decided not to participate in this year’s school musical, Solomon. BIG SURPRISE. I am thrilled that they all want to try out for sports teams. Basketball season starts at the end of January for the boys and Becca will try out for soccer. If Drew makes the team, he will be busy. Looks like they have lots of games and even a tournament that would require him traveling to Manila (a short 1 1/2 hr plane ride). There are still so many new things, but we are taking it all in stride. So nice to have a great school to help the kids focus.

 

 

Of course, the kids are missing their friends from Niger. We love them and they will ALWAYS hold a special place in our hearts.  We are so thankful for many people who made an  investment in our lives. So many of those people are at Sahel. I am grateful for international Christian schools….they are unique and sooooo vital to what we do. If you ever get the itch to teach abroad, do, Go….well, there is my “plug” and my attempt at answering some questions about our new school.

Adding a few more tidbits that I missed. Yes, they can buy a great hot lunch everyday.

 

The menu is quite extensive and has an “optional” option when they do not like the main meal. They serve fresh fruit and veggies with the meal. Becca had mango the other day. mmmmmmm, can’t get enough of the fresh fruits!  The students eat outside under a covered area and can play ping pong or basketball. The school colors are blue and white…they are “The Knights.” The school pet is a python. Sorry but ICK!

We are sort of carpooling, but nothing  set daily. There are lots of options, we are taking time to find the best one. So there you have it. Keep the questions coming, I love to share about this. Here is the school’s website if you need even more info. http://faith.edu.ph/mindanao

For ALL of your Cock-Fighting Needs

What??? Yep, you did not misread…I said Cock Fighting. Many of you know that we recently relocated from Niamey, Niger to Davao City, Philippines. People have asked about the differences. Very hard to sum it up, I will write about things as they strike me. So today, when we were out & about we kept seeing these little supplies stands……

Upon closer inspection, we noticed they were selling feed & various supplies, everything you need to raise a nice strong fighting cock….”chick booster”. They even sold the leashes that they attach to the ankle. So well, that’s new and different! I have to admit I am intrigued.   I have to admit, I prefer trips to spot giraffes & hippos. I miss Niger but think it is truly wonderful exploring a new culture & trying new things. Not sure I even want to go to an actual fight and I am pretty sure you will not be reading a post where we have adopted any sort of fowl, but hey, ya never know? I have learned not to say that I will “never” do anything….but this is really a long long long long shot, don’t think I could watch or even be a part of that.