A day Building...Taditions, Fiesta, and eating eel and rice wine

Saturday morning was spent at the Natonin Fiesta. After joining the parade everyone gathered at the gymnasium. It's a very colorful affair with all the native traditional dress. We were entertained by the gong drums.

We were all given special gifts. Linda received a Balango traditional wrap skirt and sash. The men all received a "g-string".

We were all encouraged to join in the traditional dance

As special guests we were all invited to lunch in the government offices with such delicacies as fresh water eel and rice wine.  After lunch the men changed their clothes and went back to work on the building

Sunday was a day of rest. We attended the local church above the building site. Four men (Robert, Isaac, Dave, and Elden) shared for a few minutes during the service. It's been raining most of the afternoon as a typhoon moves across the island. We're praying that it will pass quickly so we do not miss a day of working.

Sunday afternoon we had a gentle rain that increased as the day went on. We lost power in the late afternoon and it is still off (Mon. 11:00 am). This morning the sun came out, but there are threatening clouds in the sky so it won't be long before the storm hits. The typhoon is coming up the eastern side of the Cagayon Valley, but we're not sure how close that will be to us. We can expect some wind and rain, I'm sure.

Our Globe cell phone has no coverage right now. The Smart cell phone has intermittent coverage and that's what we use for our Internet service. I will try to get messages out to you when I can. We are all fine. John and I (Linda) are both feeling much better. Rob has some chest congestion causing him to cough at night, so he is not sleeping well. 

We only have 3 work days left before four of the men (plus Bob and I) leave for Manila. Pray that this storm will blow over quickly so the work can continue.

Please pray for great flying weather on Thursday for our team leaving Natonin for Manila – Elden, Robert, Dave and Isaac! Pray that Dan and Brian (New Tribes pilot) will be able to get the team out on Thursday. Also, pray their cell phones will work.

Special Guests at the Fiesta