Thick warm air against my skin, the early morning sun hitting my closed eyelids, sounds of motor- tricycles zipping by, Jeepney drivers screaming in traffic and the rooster crowing loudly are the morning sounds of the Philippines.

My first time to the Philippines as a college student was when I went on a campaign trip with students from Harding University. We were trained to adapt to the everyday life of a Filipino we lived with. Slept and ate the way they did, while teaching people about Jesus.

The purpose of this whole campaign was to help churches on the Island of Cebu where 11 students and I worked with five churches in the city of Cebu. My friend Joy and I worked with ministers from Mandue, Cebu learning how to administer the Word to the Filipino people. The ministers only lived on 5000 pesos ($100.00) or less for a month, their budget included family needs, food, and paid for thier transportation fees. Ninety-eight degree weather with 100 percent humidity or heavy rain did not stop the preachers and teachers travel to preach the bible to others. Although they were paid very little they still worked hard preaching and teaching to those who were willing to learn.

Staying with the Ballesteros family was fun and informative. Joy Madlaing another college student and I lived in their three-bedroom apartment. Morning times in the household is where we learned how this Filipino family functions. These early hours was a learning experience for us taking Tabu (a little bucket with long pan handles) baths and eating Filipino breakfast foods like hot rice pudding, mangos, dried minnows with scrambled eggs, drinking coffee or hot Milo (Spanish chocolate drink).

The main form of transportation is open air jeeps that are over decorated with bright colored streamers and signs the latest disco music would be blasting. These Jeeps can hold up to 50 people with passengers hanging on the outer sides and people sitting on to the roof rack. Motor-tricycles are little sports motorcycles that have a carriage attached. One time we managed to fit 10 people on to a little motor tricycle. The little the tires of the tricycle flattened and some of the passengers had to push uphill but we reached our destination safely. Then there is the Church's dump truck, at lest 24 or more people could fit on the back. I was always in favor of these rides because of the beautiful view of the Mountains of Cebu.

Finally, night would fall, the city lights would appear on the mountaintops and the children would play outside finding refreshment in the cool night. The day would close and we would find rest. This close setting with the Filipino people has really opened my eyes to new experiences. Stepping out of my comfort zone trained me to use my talents to the fullest by encouraging, comforting and helping others.

Amber Poblete
1999 Harding University Campaigner
amberpoblete@hotmail.com

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