Philippines Day 1 photos....

We've had a busy first day here in Cebu. The following photos give you a feel for the community we are in and the people we have met and encountered.

This is Josephine. She's a beautiful girl daughter of the missionaries we are staying with, Rick and Jiji.

It's such a different world than NY here, people wash and hang their clothes to dry outside their homes.

I was kind of surprised that basketball NOT soccer was the most popular sport here. Crazy but true! these guys take their ball seriously! Here you see one of the Cebu boys drive past our American Abe!

Kids everywhere! I love the children. Despite their obvious physical circumstances, they are so happy, smiling, laughing and finding pleasure and joy in the simplest of things!

This is a look down the street where we are staying.

Everyone, I mean everyone, ride these bikes everywhere. Sometimes 3-4 people a bike!

This is pastor Ruben. He spoke to us this morning and told us about the history of the Philippines. We also learned about culturalisms that have helped us relate to people here. Ruben was a scholars program and supported by Dr. Eleanor Pease ( a professor at Nyack College).

This is an okra plant. The missionaries Rick and Jiji grow these in their yard. Not sure if this is a plant only grown here but I thought it looked cool!

Another beautiful girl in the community we are in.

We got to visit one of the day care schools in the local community here and the kids were jostling to get in the center of the picture.

Another picture of Josephine loving life.

As part of the many interviews we are scheduled to have for the social work students, we got to have a meeting with the Barangay (village) captain, which is equivalent to the local mayor. He told us about all his initiatives to improve the village and the quality of life of the people there. Students got an opportunity to pray for this new captain and his administration.

I love this picture. This little girl kept looking at me with such a sensitive glance. She represents the deep beauty of the kids here.