3 More Years of This

chuggin' along here. It's been 3 months to the day since I arrived in Biliran. no profound or senti reflections. the chapter continues.

Yesterday, I spent a few hours visiting and measuring the pigs we dispersed last month. I found myself elbow deep in pig stuff, and stinking like it. All for the greater glory, I suppose. Most of the pigs looked "pretty good" according to common sense, but one looked "sick as hell;" all small and weak. The owner is afraid to give it medicine because the same thing happened to the last pig she had, and after she gave it meds it died. I doubt this woman can pay us back if/when this one dies, but it's a learning experience.

The loan for the feeds hasnt come through yet, but hopefully this week. There's also been talk of some "Korean Technology" of pig raising that is sustainable - ie does not involve expensive, non eco-friendly commercial feeds. still don't know the details. bobbi, you're Korean. u know?

I've also been asked to lead the forthcoming "Pastoral Social Action Team." Not sure it's a good idea to accept, with the methodology of international community development and me still being new here, but what the heck, sounds cool. it will involve more money matters (microcredit) which has the potential to help the people here rise out of their poverty, but also the potential to adversly affect relational dynamics. (These uncomfortable dynamics are already at play. Being from the States, it's common knowledge that i have more money than my friends here. Many are not afraid to ask, and it's a constant stuggle for me to decide 1) who and who not to give to, and 2)when and when not to give. I've tried to stick to several policies which have failed, but such are the ambiguities of life I guess.)

Youth groups have taken a back seat with all this other work. Feel kind of bad, but I find that its really difficult to break the language barrier since the kids here these days speak less english than the adults. I think for now it's best to stick to hanging out and going on outings to mountain or sea.