Sinulog Week in Cebu

Sinulog is a specific to Cebu fiesta held each year one week prior to and including the third Sunday of January. It is a celebration of the Christ child. It seems to mean different things to different people. For some it becomes a kind of idol worship, centering activity on dancing and bowing down to this Christ child icon. For others it it seems to be a recognition of Christ's vulnerability as a human. In any case, the city is bustling with activities, parties, fireworks, parades.

This week we had an opportunity to visit Andrey and Jen's sponsored child, Ivy and her mother. She lives in a small city, Sibonga, 1 and 1/2 hours from Cebu City. It was such a good time of meeting, eating lunch together at the local Jollibee. We also were privileged to go to her home and meet her extended family. Ivy is 6 years old. In three weeks from now we are planning another visit to a Compassion sponsored child--this will be Dhivon who is our sponsored child. We will tell you more about that visit in a future posting.

We have done some sight seeing in Cebu. The Doulos(mercy ship) is in the harbour. On Wednesday we had the privilege of checking that out. We have met several people in our comings and goings and we seemed to all converge on that ship. That same day we checked out Fort San Pedro. This is within a short walk from Andrey's office in downtown. It was founded in 1521.

Just this morning I had the privilege of running in a 5k/half marathon race with Andrey and two other colleagues from his office. Actually we ran 5k. After the three of them had completed the race before me, they waited for me just before the finish line. It made me so happy to run the last several meters with them. What fun!

On Monday morning Lou and I are planning to leave for Manila and points north. We have arrangements to tour in Baguio, Sagada. On Friday a few alumni from Haggai have offered to meet us for lunch in Manila. Saturday the plan is to visit a resort south of Manila with them.

The lack of photos is due to our computer having developed some technical difficulties. Sorry. Pictures may have to wait until we arrive back home.