Christmas is coming... it's a bit different

The weather is still hot here, we have had no rain for a couple of weeks but there is a lovely strong breeze at this time of the year so its not too hot.

We had a great time the other day at our Badjao Christmas party. In the early morning 4.30am me, kuya Dhong and kuya Jhun went down to the Badjao village and – with some of the guys we are working with from there – we went fishing. It was a great experience on the small fishing boat. To get to the boat we had to go through one of the houses over the water, down a rickety ladder, and across a series of floating bamboo platforms and walkways that sank about ankle deep as I walked along. It was great, I saw the village from a new angle and parts that I had never seen before. On the boat we went out into the bay and I realised how lucky I am and how good God is to me. Sitting on the front of the boat as we headed out into the blue water in a bay surrounded by mountains, mangroves and white sand beaches... it was very beautiful. 

On the way back it was a bit rough; the wind had picked up and the waves seemed very large on the small boat, but it was great fun and we made it back safely. After the fishing trip we came back to the house, had lunch together (our catch of fish), games and told them the Christmas story.

For the last couple of weeks I have been having Tagalog lessons from a local teacher every Saturday, which is really helping me. We have some visitors here at the moment and I'm able to chat away in Tagalog and translate for them – it's really encouraging for me and helps me to see just how much I have learnt and can understand. 

Things are very busy here but fun, I am very happy here. I am looking forward to spending Christmas with the kids and team there are some exciting plans for next year. I am working over Christmas and New Year but then having a week's holiday in early January; I may go to a different part of the island for a few days, I am not sure yet. 

Typhoon Bopha just misses us

We've had the storm here today – rain and wind, but not too strong. It only reached us today and may get a bit worse with bad weather for the next few days, but we'll miss the worst of the typhoon. We are on the lowest storm warning. I will let you know if it changes course, but that is very unlikely. Here are some pictures from news reports.

We went today to the badjao village to see if they need help, but they are ok. They have moved all their boats onto land and moved most of their possessions inland (they don't have much). If the storm does get bad they will evacuate on to land.

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News reports say the death toll from the powerful storm battering the southern Philippines – one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country this year – has risen to nearly 300, and rescue teams are already working in affected areas.

For more on the typhoon, click here.