On Thursday, Oct 28th I was fortunate enough to join an adventurous group of people who headed to a school opening. The school is part of the EVACF (http://www.evacf.org/), an organization that helps facilitate many things for the Aeta people, an indigenous tribe in the Philippines. This school was made possible through funds donated by MMQ, an organization that raises money for a variety of organizations through drama presentations. Okay, enough back ground, onto the adventure!
Leaving Manila at 4pm, we travelled by car for about 2 hours north of Manila, picked up a few people from the Indigenous People department of government, and after another hour or so, arrived at the end of the road. There we were met by some guides and other people, plus our official guides as seen in this picture. Yes, the Philippine Army was going to travel with us (they do protect the white people well in this country!). So off we went - army guys in front, behind, interspersed and I believe on the sides of us somewhere in the jungle.
Eventually we arrived at the Mt. Terranus Bayan-Bayanan community, home of the new two-room school. This community of 65 families has no running water and no electricity. Some of the children attended a school in another village, but had to live away from home to be able to do that. This school has transformed the future of these children. The impact is immense.In the Aeta tradition, there was the scaring of the evil spirit ceremony performed by the elders. Have a look - note the hand made 5-string guitar that needs a second person to carry it, the blood on the doorways and the screams to scare the spirits as they enter the rooms. WARNING - a rooster was harmed in the ceremony.
After that rather disturbing ceremony, there was dancing, lots of speeches, and a feast.
In this picture, you will see some of the students with the MMQ representatives (on the left) and the teacher of this school on the right (man in white shirt). The teacher lives in this community during the week and returns to his home (down the mountain) on the weekend. True dedication! The government does not build the schools, but will pay for the teacher once it is built.
The children also received needed school supplies. These are not provided by the government and these people, who truly farm to live, have little left over to buy any school supplies. 
One last hug before we started the trek back down the mountain...out of the peace and quiet, the simple and contented life of the Aeta people.
Our army men prepared (I just love this guy with the IPod)
and we were on our way home. 
A few hours later, at the end of the trail, we thanked out army buddies (the one in charge, Pete, was very friendly and soft spoken. He did one of the many speeches at the school opening, and commented on what a joy it was to help with this project because it was so positive compared to what they usually did...see why we loved him!)
A few hours after that, we fought our way through Manila traffic, remembering the quiet simple life of the Aeta people - their joy in life despite having nothing (no shoes, no toys, no electricity). Their overwhelming joy at a school - something we all take for granted. The organizations, MMQ and EVAC certainly live out Jesus' words "I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these, you did to me". I leave you to reflect on these faces - and seek out "the least of these" in the faces you see in your own city. Love you all - Linda
What a gruesome ceremony.Army or no army, you had plenty of courage to tramp through the jungle. I'm glad I was not there - but I guess a wheelchair would not have coped with the trail!
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