Thursday, April 14, 2011

Scenes from the Philippines


As we travel up an down the mountains in Northern Luzon we have such beautiful vistas. This is a picture Sister Perkins took as we were heading up to Baguio on Kennon Road. There are a multiplicity of Bridges crossing over the river as the road switches sides often. This reminds us of the Canyons in Utah, but with much more foilage and tropical plants



This is two shots of the Baguio Area taken from the top of Mount Santo Thomas which is about 7400 feet above sea level. You are looking down at Baguio City which sits on the tops of the mountains. In the distance you can see many of the mountains of Luzon. The bottom of the picture in terraces are vegetable farms. The Philippino's plant any piece of land possible. The mountains are covered with small farms. In this area, and only this area are strawberry farms. It is too hot in the lowlands to grow many vegetables and some fruits.






This is a shot from the road going up to the top of Santo Thomas. You can see the houses in the outskirts of Baguio.



Baguio has one airport that is built between two mountains. There is no commercial air service into and out of the city. The big problem is that clouds move in constantly so the visability is not conducive to flying planes on a regular schedule. So most people get up and down from Baguio by Jeepney, Bus, or car. You can see the end of the runway is a drop off down the mountain so there is no room for error in takeoff or landing. You get one shot.

You can see why we enjoy being here in Baguio. The climate is like the Northwest with cool nights, warm days, and rain off and on until the raining season when it rains, showers, and pours almost everyday. The people make all the difference for any inconvenience or weather. It is a joy to be here and associate with such wonderful people, members of the church, and the great young men and women who serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Flower Festival in Baguio


In Lingayen this beautiful Gazebo was covered with Flowers and Sister Perkins could not resist getting a picture of the building along with the flowers. This is not Baguio, but the flowers are in bloom everywhere.



The trees are in blossom. This is on the road to Aguilar


The next two shots were at the Lingayen Gulf World War II memorial. This is where many Philipinos and Americans lost their lives during the invasion of Luzon.






The flowers are now in full bloom in the Philippines and it is a beautiful time of year. We have had a Flower Festival in Baguio where they had parades and floats that were made 99% our of flowers. It is great to be here and enjoy the beauty of this wonderful country. I don't know the names of all the flora, but as the pictures show they are wonderful.



These floweres are just outside the mission office and greet us each day








Monday, January 24, 2011

More Beautiful Pictures of Baguio


Baguio Hills are covered with Pine trees, not like ours in the US, but still beautiful.


The sunset looking west over the roof of the Mission Home from the Misson Office, I have sen orange skies, but never pink and blue. The picture does not do it justice. The view was outstanding as the evening came on at the tops of the mountains in northern Luzon.






This is a view of the fields on top of the mountains. They farm everywhere. Most of what you see are vegetables and strawberry fields at 7400 feet high on top of Saint Thomas Mountain top.

Urdaneta Is Almost a Reality


It is exciting to see the beginnings of the Mission Office and Mission Home in Urdaneta. As you can see by the following pictures we are making progress.

The start of the Mission Office. the foundation and pillars are being built


This is looking east at the Mission Office

The Mission Home is two stories high and is further along than the office.

Hopefully the office will catch up with the home and be done at the same time.

The previous pictures were taken in November and as the work has progressed we have taken another set of pictures.
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