Ok, so we get our first overnight trip to the hospital this week. I could certainly write alot here but I am a bit tired from running all over town for my daughter's birthday. The first thing that we noted was that there is some pretty old medical equipment still being used out there. Christine's first EKG reading was adminstered by a machine that had about 8 lines attached to it with suction cups on the ends. It reminded me of something you would see in Frankenstein's lab or something. Wild.
Like what type of room do you want? "What do you mean?" "Well, you can have an open room, a semi-private, or private." We choose private because we had no idea what the other's would be like with large Filipino families coming and going. We are glad we did. It was a basic room but adequate, it just looked like it hadn't been updated in a long time! The room had no windows, pale green walls, an old large refrigerator, a leaky shower and an old 12" TV. Meals came with no forks or untinsels. But luckily there was a set in the "Welcome Pack" you got. We had to wash them after every meal in the sink with a bar of soap. Everyday you got a roll of toliet paper and a bar of soap handed to you (even if you didn't use all of what you had the day before!) We realized later that we had to bring our towels, blankets and wash cloth. (Luckily we were in one of the nicer hospitals, a friend told us that she had to provide her own bandages and things at another hospital up-country). Crazy.
We actually got good medical care, they did run all of their tests on updated equipment. I think the older equipment is used in the ER. We had a lot of surprises because we assumed they did things like in the US. Don't all hospitals operate the same all over the world? I could write a whole nother post on the billing/check-in/check-out procedure. Good grief!!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
You Turn
Well apparently I am not a very good blogger since it seems like weeks in between posts. There actually are a long list of things to write about but life is so crazy that we can't write them fast enough!!
Anyway, back to driving pleasures here in Manila. As a general rule, there are NO left turns! In order to keep traffic moving they decided to make everyone go past the turn you need to make and make a u-turn instead. It actually does keep traffic moving but people don't make u-turns in an orderly fashion like you would expect back home in the good ol' USofA. People form not just 1 line, not 2 lines but usually 3 or more lines to try to force their way through the single lane u-turn that is set up. Fun stuff!
But wait there is more! The government like to keep people guessing so they often move the places you can make u-turns! There are little crews of guys who drive around with a mini crane-type vehichle, picking up the conrete barriars that are used and moving them to either fill in the u-turn spot or creating another one! Let's just say it keep like interesting!!!
Anyway, back to driving pleasures here in Manila. As a general rule, there are NO left turns! In order to keep traffic moving they decided to make everyone go past the turn you need to make and make a u-turn instead. It actually does keep traffic moving but people don't make u-turns in an orderly fashion like you would expect back home in the good ol' USofA. People form not just 1 line, not 2 lines but usually 3 or more lines to try to force their way through the single lane u-turn that is set up. Fun stuff!
But wait there is more! The government like to keep people guessing so they often move the places you can make u-turns! There are little crews of guys who drive around with a mini crane-type vehichle, picking up the conrete barriars that are used and moving them to either fill in the u-turn spot or creating another one! Let's just say it keep like interesting!!!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Good Samaritan?
The other day we were driving back from a conference in southern Luzon (the name of the island we live on). It was rainy and traffic was bad. As we approached the on-ramp to the highway back to Manila, we saw a lady laying face down in a large mud puddle. She would pick her head up, look around and then put her face back in the water. At first, I thought "would you look at that? what in the world will these people do next?" I mean I had seen kids and others playing in puddles during downpours so I thought maybe this lady was just "playing" or swimming or something (yes the puddle was that big). The odd thing was that the puddle was right on the exit ramp!
Hundreds of cars were passing her. No one stopped, they all just drove around her. As we passed her by we could tell something wasn't right (actually Christine and a friend could tell, I was in a bit of a grumpy mood and at first didn't think it was a serious situation that warranted interrupting my long drive back to the city). So we went a few more yards and realized that we needed to find out what was happening. I parked the car, grabbed my umbrella and began walking back down the exit ramp. Our friend decided to come with us because she new a little Tagalog (the local language).
As we approached her, I began to cry out, "Mam, mam, are you ok?" "You should get out of the road." When she saw us she immediately began crying out in anguish. We couldn't understand her language but she was obviously in alot of distress. We looked around for someone to help us communicate with her and realized that there was a bus stop right across the street with people just starring at us. They would not help! The people in their cars saw us standing there trying to help this woman and they just drove on by. It didn't take me long to realize that I needed to go in and get her out of this puddle. So I took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pants and walked in. She didn't understand my language but she understood my actions! I reached under her arms and helped her up out of the puddle and onto the grass. She tried just to roll over on her face but I wouldn't let her. I rolled her over on her back.
We tried to wave down a motorcycle to help us but they just put their hands to their head and made the "she's crazy" circular hand motion. Unbelievable! As soon as we moved her out of the puddle, people began driving through it to get on the exit ramp. I waded back into the puddle to collect her sandles.
My friend tried to communicate with her. We also noticed that her pants were ripped. The best we could tell was that she had some type of fight or something with a family member. We think she may have been trying to kill herself. As she lay there sobbing, my friend just started praying. I thought I better start praying too. I reached out and put my hand on her knee and just began praying out loud in the name of Jesus for anything I could think of. I thought she might even be possessed because of how she was acting. Amazingly, she sat up and stopped crying. We thought her countenance seemed to change. I was able to wave over a tricycle driver. He began to talk to her. Then out of no where she jumped up, grabbed her shoes and ran down the road! It was bizarre. You just never know what you will see or experience living in a third world country.
I walked back to the car just shaking my head. "Lord please forgive me for my initial uncompassionate response. Thank you that Christine and Judy were compelled to stop." We don't know this lady's story but we were thankful that we at least were able to get her out of harm's way. I couldn't help but think of the parable of the Good Samaritan. How long had she been laying there without anyone trying to help her? What if we hadn't of stopped? What if someone didn't see her there in the heavy rains and ran over her? I was also quickly reminded of the message we had heard that same morning about reaching out the "least of these" (Mt 25:31-46). We don't know anything about that women but she certainly seemed like an outcast. The Lord obviously wanted to reinforce that lesson!
Hundreds of cars were passing her. No one stopped, they all just drove around her. As we passed her by we could tell something wasn't right (actually Christine and a friend could tell, I was in a bit of a grumpy mood and at first didn't think it was a serious situation that warranted interrupting my long drive back to the city). So we went a few more yards and realized that we needed to find out what was happening. I parked the car, grabbed my umbrella and began walking back down the exit ramp. Our friend decided to come with us because she new a little Tagalog (the local language).
As we approached her, I began to cry out, "Mam, mam, are you ok?" "You should get out of the road." When she saw us she immediately began crying out in anguish. We couldn't understand her language but she was obviously in alot of distress. We looked around for someone to help us communicate with her and realized that there was a bus stop right across the street with people just starring at us. They would not help! The people in their cars saw us standing there trying to help this woman and they just drove on by. It didn't take me long to realize that I needed to go in and get her out of this puddle. So I took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pants and walked in. She didn't understand my language but she understood my actions! I reached under her arms and helped her up out of the puddle and onto the grass. She tried just to roll over on her face but I wouldn't let her. I rolled her over on her back.
We tried to wave down a motorcycle to help us but they just put their hands to their head and made the "she's crazy" circular hand motion. Unbelievable! As soon as we moved her out of the puddle, people began driving through it to get on the exit ramp. I waded back into the puddle to collect her sandles.
My friend tried to communicate with her. We also noticed that her pants were ripped. The best we could tell was that she had some type of fight or something with a family member. We think she may have been trying to kill herself. As she lay there sobbing, my friend just started praying. I thought I better start praying too. I reached out and put my hand on her knee and just began praying out loud in the name of Jesus for anything I could think of. I thought she might even be possessed because of how she was acting. Amazingly, she sat up and stopped crying. We thought her countenance seemed to change. I was able to wave over a tricycle driver. He began to talk to her. Then out of no where she jumped up, grabbed her shoes and ran down the road! It was bizarre. You just never know what you will see or experience living in a third world country.
I walked back to the car just shaking my head. "Lord please forgive me for my initial uncompassionate response. Thank you that Christine and Judy were compelled to stop." We don't know this lady's story but we were thankful that we at least were able to get her out of harm's way. I couldn't help but think of the parable of the Good Samaritan. How long had she been laying there without anyone trying to help her? What if we hadn't of stopped? What if someone didn't see her there in the heavy rains and ran over her? I was also quickly reminded of the message we had heard that same morning about reaching out the "least of these" (Mt 25:31-46). We don't know anything about that women but she certainly seemed like an outcast. The Lord obviously wanted to reinforce that lesson!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Ants with Cellphones?
So the other day I was watching one of the numerous streams of ants we have around our house. It is actually amazing that they can run up and down the ant super highway without running into each other. They all know where to go and do it effeciently. But what if they each had cell phones??? That would certainly disrupt things now wouldn't it? We know this because we can look at real life examples all around us. We see it everyday here in Manila. Thousands and thousands of people walking down hallways, in malls and yes even across traffic texting people on their cell phones. Normally people could walk without running you over but it is amazing how hard it is to walk in a straight line while trying to type in a text message! As if walking in a large crowd weren't bad enough! Let's give them all cell phones and see how much progress they make! All I can say is good grief.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Now that is 20/20
I was just thinking about what it was like in obtaining my driver's liscence. Christine actually leaves in a few moments to go get hers, brave girl that she is.
The first thing that happens when you show up is that you are offered "help" by a bunch of guys who hope to get a tip for helping you navigate the process. Thankfully I had a local friend with me and I got to bypass that part of the experience. So you go to a big building, stand in line to get your application and your drug test form. Then you get to walk out of the compound, across the street to what looks like a "shanty town" to get your drug test. Again, there are many people offering their assistance. I was told that you have to be careful to only go to "approved" drug testers. Apparently there are those who set up shop and try to take peoples money with fake results.
After navigating down these little alleys filled with vendors trying to make a Peso on selling drinks and snacks, you get to set in a little room (about 10x10) for your urine sample. Then it's out the back door down some more alleys and into another small room for your vision test.
This is where I got my laugh. The vision test consisted of me sitting down on a stool with my back to the chart. I was asked to look into a mirror and read the letter that the doctor pointed to. "C", I said. He pointed to a letter on the line below. "C", I said. "Perfect! You have 20/20." It was over in about 2 seconds! Not only did I only read two letters, but it was the exact same letter! (and one of the more easier ones to distinguish I might add!) I couldn't beleive it. Do all people get "20/20" vision approval so easy? That would explain some of the crazy driving I have been seeing lately!
I was just thinking how nice it would be if spiritual sight could so easily pronounced "20/20" as this!!! Lord open people's eyes so they can see and that they may truly be 20/20 with their view of who You are!
The first thing that happens when you show up is that you are offered "help" by a bunch of guys who hope to get a tip for helping you navigate the process. Thankfully I had a local friend with me and I got to bypass that part of the experience. So you go to a big building, stand in line to get your application and your drug test form. Then you get to walk out of the compound, across the street to what looks like a "shanty town" to get your drug test. Again, there are many people offering their assistance. I was told that you have to be careful to only go to "approved" drug testers. Apparently there are those who set up shop and try to take peoples money with fake results.
After navigating down these little alleys filled with vendors trying to make a Peso on selling drinks and snacks, you get to set in a little room (about 10x10) for your urine sample. Then it's out the back door down some more alleys and into another small room for your vision test.
This is where I got my laugh. The vision test consisted of me sitting down on a stool with my back to the chart. I was asked to look into a mirror and read the letter that the doctor pointed to. "C", I said. He pointed to a letter on the line below. "C", I said. "Perfect! You have 20/20." It was over in about 2 seconds! Not only did I only read two letters, but it was the exact same letter! (and one of the more easier ones to distinguish I might add!) I couldn't beleive it. Do all people get "20/20" vision approval so easy? That would explain some of the crazy driving I have been seeing lately!
I was just thinking how nice it would be if spiritual sight could so easily pronounced "20/20" as this!!! Lord open people's eyes so they can see and that they may truly be 20/20 with their view of who You are!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Your Decision Changed My Day
I used to be able to plan my days and accomplish just about all of what I set out to do. And why not, I had a computer, high-speed internet, my own car, freedom to go where I needed to when I needed to, traffic rules that make sense and even a cell phone that could download my email. But the days of efficiency and accomplishment are gone. For example, just the other day we were driving down a side road preparing ourselves to jump into the "salmon-in-a-stream-like traffic" and all the sudden there was one lane of traffice where normally there was two. Why do you ask? Because some guy driving a dumptruck full of gravel decides to take a short cut across a muddy spot and his tire sinks up to the axel, tilting the entire dump truck at an angle. So of course to solve this delima, another dumptruck has to be brought over and parked in the middle of the road alongside of the first dumptruck and all of the gravel has to be hand sholved out of the first dumptruck into the new one.
What effect did this have on traffic? Well the entire main road was backed up for several hours as people who wanted to use this side-road began stacking themselves up, not in single file lines mind you, but in a crowd of "me first" vehichles all trying to force their way into a small opening. Of course, this is also taking place from the other direction as well. So as you can imagine, it was not pretty. Did you have plans to be at the store before it closed to get the item you needed for tonights dinner? Sorry, fix something else. Did you need to go pay your bill or make a meeting to discuss a timely issue? Sorry, you have to do it tomorrow.
And this happens all the time!! Very few days end like we think they will. It is hard to do much planning at all. So the thing we have come to realize is that we have to pray and trust God for EVERYTHING!! I realized that I never had to rely on God so much in the States. Life is easy, convienient and effecient. Why trust God with ordering your day and accomplishing your to-do list if you can do it all yourself? We can rely on effeciency and orderlyness. Things will operate the way they are suppossed to operate. When stores say they will be open then they will be open. When you turn on your computer to access the internet then it will be on! This has been a good leason, one that is changing our perspective and actually drawing us closer to Jesus. It has brought new meaning to the saying, "Without Me you can do nothing." Let us be thankful for all that we can get done in a days time and let's not forget Him who makes all these things possible!
What effect did this have on traffic? Well the entire main road was backed up for several hours as people who wanted to use this side-road began stacking themselves up, not in single file lines mind you, but in a crowd of "me first" vehichles all trying to force their way into a small opening. Of course, this is also taking place from the other direction as well. So as you can imagine, it was not pretty. Did you have plans to be at the store before it closed to get the item you needed for tonights dinner? Sorry, fix something else. Did you need to go pay your bill or make a meeting to discuss a timely issue? Sorry, you have to do it tomorrow.
And this happens all the time!! Very few days end like we think they will. It is hard to do much planning at all. So the thing we have come to realize is that we have to pray and trust God for EVERYTHING!! I realized that I never had to rely on God so much in the States. Life is easy, convienient and effecient. Why trust God with ordering your day and accomplishing your to-do list if you can do it all yourself? We can rely on effeciency and orderlyness. Things will operate the way they are suppossed to operate. When stores say they will be open then they will be open. When you turn on your computer to access the internet then it will be on! This has been a good leason, one that is changing our perspective and actually drawing us closer to Jesus. It has brought new meaning to the saying, "Without Me you can do nothing." Let us be thankful for all that we can get done in a days time and let's not forget Him who makes all these things possible!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
You Better Go before you Leave
Here is a wild one for ya! Let's say you are at the mall for several hours (not hard to do around here) and you have to stop for a potty break. Well if it is your first time to the mall, you are in for a surprise especially if you have to sit down. Not only will you not have toliet paper but you will not have a toliet seat either!!! Yikes!
I will never forget my first visit to the restroom. After standing in line for several minutes, I was "disappointed" to finally get my chance and find out that there was NO paper. I didn't even notice there was on seat until I went through line again. Can't something be "normal" around here?! It was later on that a friend told me "oh yeah by the way you need to bring your own paper when coming here." Thanks for letting me know!!!
So now you know why it's better to GO before you leave for the mall!
I will never forget my first visit to the restroom. After standing in line for several minutes, I was "disappointed" to finally get my chance and find out that there was NO paper. I didn't even notice there was on seat until I went through line again. Can't something be "normal" around here?! It was later on that a friend told me "oh yeah by the way you need to bring your own paper when coming here." Thanks for letting me know!!!
So now you know why it's better to GO before you leave for the mall!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
