The Philippines (2)

The other highlight of our trip to the Philippines, besides meeting God's people there, was spending time with the Kleyns and Smits.

On a hill in the missionaries' subdivision

Two of the men deep in discussion

Hard at work in the Kleyns' house

Rebekah, Irene, and Rosalyn Smit with Jessica

Kindergarteners--Ryan Smit and Megan Lanning

Football on the beach

Subic Bay 

Kleyn, Smit, and Lanning families

One thing that stood out to us in the Philippines was the religion there.  Over 85% of the population there is Roman Catholic.  We went inside a Roman Catholic cathedral and watched people bowing down to statues of Jesus and Mary; we also heard about how, on All Saints Day, the Filipino Roman Catholics will spend the night in the cemetery with their deceased relatives and put offerings out for them.  We were astounded at how similar the Roman Catholicism there is to the Buddhism here in Singapore!  Different gods, same form of worship.

Walking towards the cathedral in Antipolo

Open idolatry

Priest sprinkling "holy water" on the worshipers

We got to take a trike ride, a very popular form of transportation in the Philippines, and also experienced the Philippines traffic!

Walking in the city of Antipolo to try to find three trikes for our whole group

We crammed three people into the sidecar of each trike, 

and had two people sitting behind the driver.

Taking off down the road and around the corner

We enjoyed our trike rides--quite an experience. :-)

Philippines traffic

People selling things among all the traffic

A few more sights from some of our drives:

People crowded onto the back of a jeepney,
another form of public transportation there

We also were able to see some of the incredible beauty of God's creation.

Taal Volcano

Tropical plants

Subic Bay meeting the ocean

Sunset on Subic Bay 

(photo by Rev. Kleyn)

We are thankful that we were able to spend this time in the Philippines.  Please remember in prayer God's saints and His servants in Southeast Asia.