Off the Radar Screen

Greetings….   I just arrived back in Manila from the second Asian Deaf Catholic Conference near Tagaytay City outside of Manila.  It turned out that the wi-fi there didn’t work–the signal was just too weak–and even my data connection on my smartphone wouldn’t work in that remote area.  I have now arrived at the hotel in Manila and am using their wi-fi so I can send this preliminary message and then get to work.  I just downloaded 247 e-mails to respond to from the last four days of no connection.  If you sent me something, I’m getting to it!  Please be patient!

Welcome to the Philippines….Not

I’m in the Philippines for an Asian Catholic deaf conference.  The trip was rather routine and even enjoyable until I actually got here.  More about that tomorrow when I start documenting the trip.  Getting through immigration was a trip and then the taxi couldn’t find the hotel.  But I’m here now and because it’s so late, I’m going to bed.  More in the morning.

Water Festival 2018 #3

Waiting for a ride to grandma’s house

 

Many people closed their shops the first day of the Water Festival but in a culture where you live in your shop, it’s not likely you’ll keep things closed up the full three days of the holiday.  Click here to see some people in action on the third day of the Water Festival.

Bro. Terry Heinrich

Yesterday we received the sad news that Brother Terry Heinrich died in Australia.  With the Marist Brothers, Terry established and directed the LaValla School in Takhmao, a really excellent facility for young people with physical disabilities that is a model for Cambodia.  Terry had been ill and returned to Australia about a month ago for treatment.  He was also a significant member of the English-speaking Catholic community that meets on Saturday night and he served there as one of our best lectors.  He was a most pleasant child of God, a real gentleman, and he will be greatly missed.