Today on my final day here in the Philippines I will spend it as I usually do on my last day and try to say goodbye to everyone.  This is always the most difficult part of traveling…..mahirap talaga!  Not only am I saying goodbye to friends I’ve had for the last 20 years, but each time I […]

Because I have spent so much time here in Balut, Tondo Manila over the last 20 years, these past couple of days I have been trying to pay attention to the different dynamics that come into play on a daily basis. This place is non-stop in activities, emotions, struggles, sorrows and laughter. I am able […]

A few days ago we went to the Taytay region of Manila to deliver relief goods to people who suffered during the major flooding from the multiple typhoons that hit the Philippines a few months ago.  Believe it or not there are still some areas that are flooded even now.  I was asked to be […]

This morning before we left to go to the Smokey Mountain dumpsite, I was asked by Leah who is traveling with me if, in the last 20 years since my first visit, anything had changed.  I was able to tell her that for the residents of the former Smokey Mountain a lot had changed for them.  In […]

I’m writing from my room here at the Youth With A Mission staff house in Tondo, Manila. It was quite a trip to get here this time. I arrived early at Newark Airport with my two traveling companions; my niece Kristen Grimsland and her friend from college Leah Hirsch-Cotter. Upon our arrival we noticed our […]

Hi Everyone, June marks the begining of the school year in the Philippines. In the next few weeks we will be posting pictures of students in need of sponsorship. We would ask that you help send these children to school. $95 will sponsor an elementary child for the year, $125 for a high school student […]