WorldService in the Philippines

Meg Baertl and Erik Skoor set out for their long-term WorldService Corps assignments in the Philippines in September 2001 (see January 2002 Herald, p. 36-37). In the following passages, Meg and Erik share the struggles and joys of adapting to serving God and humankind in a different culture.

Meg is based out of Binalonan and stays with field ministers Chito and Josie Magabilin. Erik is based out of Outreach International’s Shaw Center in Roxas.

Erik and Meg at ribbon cutting for dedication of the Diffun Chapel.

Meg 12/16/01

My first two months were full of learning experiences. Life in the Philippines is becoming easier each day and I am thankful for that. There were days when I was struck with boredom, frustration, and homesickness-those were the times when would I grab my journal and write for hours. I can positively say that with each week that goes by those times occur less and less.

I know from my WorldService Corps experience in Kenya last summer that I am not meant to “fix” anything in this culture that is so different from my own. However, I feel I can offer possible resolutions to problems or introduce new technologies and methodologies to the people here.

Through my conversations with people in Binalonan, I have found that support from outside the Philippines is a common need. That is why I feel a two-year volunteership for this WorldService Corps assignment is ideal. It takes several months to become comfortable with a different culture and by the time one year is up, I will have just begun the important projects I was sent to initiate. Although my original plan was for a one-year stay in the Philippines, I am considering extending that to two years.

My schedule is not jammed with tasks, meetings, or projects. I teach Young Peacemaker’s Club at the Santa Fe Learning Center three times a week for one hour, facilitate Bible study on Friday evenings, and the remainder of my time is open so I can become familiar with the people and the culture. For YPC I see fourth graders on Mondays, fifth graders on Tuesdays, and sixth graders on Wednesdays.

At first, many students seemed to wonder why this Filipino looking person could only speak English. The second week was better as more kids responded and got enthusiastic about the activities. I plan to speak with the teachers and encourage them to continue the program for the next school year.

This past week it seemed like I complained about everything-from the chickens and roosters crowing in the morning to the army of ants marching in and out of the bathroom sink, trash can, and bread basket. The good thing was that Erik was in a similar mood. So, we complained to each other. Eventually we became more tolerant as we helped plan the staff Christmas party, a trip to a resort to swim, and my ordination.

Last Sunday we celebrated Maxell Magabilin (age five) and his cousin Hyacine’s (age sixteen) birthday. The families in the compound spent all day Saturday cooking food. One Filipino game we played had the children jumping and reaching for prizes strung from a wooden cross. A rope was attached to the cross to pull it up and away from the children as they jumped to try to catch the prizes, which consisted of food, marshmallows, gum, cookies, crackers, and money.

The little ones had a great time jumping and grabbing. I was invited to play too and grabbed a big bag of marshmallows, which I divided among the kids who didn’t participate. We also played musical chairs. There was a dance party, which is always popular, and then it came time to sing “Happy Birthday.”

I ate so much--pancit, limpiang, chicken, hotdogs, and on and on. The cake was good too. This was one of the craziest parties I have ever attended. Hyacine grabbed a handful of icing from her cake and smeared it all over our faces. This proved to be contagious and we all just destroyed the cake to smear each other with icing. Some unsuspecting guests got caught in the crossfire. It was hysterical.

With Erik’s help, I have started a Bible study with the kids here in the compound. It seems to be going well. This is the first time the youth have had any kind of scripture class, so the lesson layout is basic, but fun. Participant’s ages range from fifteen to twenty-six. This is my first time being in a Bible study, let alone teaching it. Erik has been a great support and resource person for this. He plans to start one in Roxas in January.

Today I was ordained to the office of priest. I am happy that I was able to do this in the Philippines. It seems it was meant to be. I received my call in the middle of August and immediately began Temple School courses. My plan was to be ordained before I left for the Philippines. However, with getting approvals from my congregation in Beaumont and the Southeast District, the service was pushed back to a later date. It was hard to not have my parents and congregation family there to share in the day, but it seems like this is how it was meant to be and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The service was really special. Around forty people attended. I guess they wanted to see the first American to be ordained in the Philippines. Stan and the praise band provided music for the prelude. Chito welcomed everyone. Max Cabida, the founder of the Philippine church, gave the call to worship. Erik gave a testimony. Jen De Guzman read a letter provided by my mother expressing her account of my journey. Chito gave the message. He spoke about service and how Community of Christ is truly an international church in the pursuit of peace. Elders Josie and Jen performed the sacrament. We sang English and Ilicano songs.

I already have three baptisms lined up for January. And, on January 2 Erik and I will be named godparents to a little girl named Cherry. Wow, I had no idea I would become a Godmother!

Erik 2/3/02

This week was fairly low-key because rain interrupted our plans for home visitations. When the roads in the barrios become muddy it makes driving on them very difficult. Tuesday I worked on my Bible study and started preparing for the class I offer at Roxas National High School.

I cooked rice for the first time without a rice cooker and without assistance-just the burner, the pot of rice, and me. I also received some insight into what I may want to do when I return to the States. I haven't always looked forward to the future because of the unknown and changes that can occur. As a visual person I express my change in attitude by saying that I am no longer chasing sunsets, but looking forward to the sunrises instead. Maintaining my excitement about the possibilities for my future, I have to make sure my focus stays in the now in the Philippines.

When the first day of February arrived I was amazed. Where did the last couple of months go? It seems like just last week Meg and I were getting off that 747.

My fourth Bible study in Roxas was another success. I feel like I am "in the groove," and I am not stressing nearly as much. We expected fifteen people for the study because a few of the girls were on a school field trip, but more than thirty people showed up! We were a little short on post-study snacks but it went great otherwise.

The focus for the evening was "Actions Speak Louder than Words" and involved the kids acting out Bible stories in groups without talking. They recreated stories including the good Samaritan and the prodigal child.

I got the idea from one of my favorite quotes that goes something like, "Proclaim God's love to everyone…and, when necessary, use words," by Aquinas. I feel very strongly that our actions must be consistent with our beliefs and that they are in fact more important than the words we say. As Christians we should spread the love freely given us with our actions, not only words.

Jen De Guzman and Erik

A very sad event occurred this Saturday. A woman I had met passed away from cancer. A small group of us traveled to Simimbaan to clean the chapel and attend a small memorial service at her family's home. It was a very simple, yet touching service.

We sang songs and pastor David De Guzman shared a few words. I was asked to sing. My mind went instantly blank-half because of the shock of being asked to sing and half because of the emotion of the service. Luckily, I was able to compose myself and sang "I Love You Lord." This was another experience from my journey that I will always hold near my heart.

Visit www.CofChrist.org/worldservice to learn about volunteer opportunities.