Guest Blog

Today’s Guest Post comes from Jim Cunningham.  Jim and his wife Marilou are regular LiP readers, and will soon be retiring to live in the Philippines.  Thanks to Jim for such an interesting article!

During my recent holiday to the Philippines I made myself several promises and one was to visit AmericanLola and deliver some novels that I had promised to give to her some time ago.

Before I left England I had already contacted her and informed her of my plan to visit Cagayan de Oro and give her the box of books I had previously promised her. She in turn gave me her address and telephone details to enable me to contact her on my arrival. Since I had sent the books on ahead as part of a Balikbayan Box I was hoping that the box would arrive whilst I was there. I need not have worried as the box arrived at the end of the second week of my holiday.

My wife Marilou was also keen to meet AmericanLola as like me she is an avid reader of her blogs in www.liveinthephillipines.com and just thoroughly enjoyed reading her views on living in the Philippines from the experience of a housewife as well as a very compassionate and culturally knowledgeable person. With the directions given to us we found the house quite easily and were soon welcomed by one of the warmest and friendly expatriates I’ve met so far in the Philippines.

Prior to our visit I had already text AmericanLola to say that we would be accompanied by Greg and Rose Longcob from Bethany who was kind enough to suggest that they assist us in delivering the box of books by driving us from Talakag to Cagayan de Oro. We were so pleased about this kind offer of a ride as the box of books was quite heavy. AmericanLola asked if we would be staying for lunch but as we had another appointment in the afternoon we had to decline so she suggested we at least had refreshments whilst we were there.

Following our arrival and introductions and of course handing over the box of books for which she was genuinely delighted, I could already smell the aroma of baking from her kitchen. I was already glad I had taken up her offer of refreshment; AmericanLola explained the aroma as that of “Brownies” she was baking for us.

Very soon the “Brownies” arrived along with “English Tea” and this very resourceful woman began to explain how she had made such wonderful brownies. The secret is in the type of chocolate used and AmericanLola makes her own from cocoa beans purchased from the local market. AmericanLola even allowed us to taste the raw dark chocolate straight from her fridge I guarantee it’s delicious.

Since AmericanLola and her husband are a missionary family they receive a lot of guests and visitors so as you can imagine her house is quite large and of the “old colonial style”. One thing that was so evident from visiting AmericanLola, this woman has a heart of gold and is totally dedicated to helping the people that need her help most. AmericanLola has also acquired a vast knowledge of the local culture as well as being able to speak Bisaya fluently. (Bob I maybe have a teacher on my doorstep). After a whirlwind tour of her house and garden (an old custom of us expatriates) our visit had come to an end all too soon. I would have loved to have stayed longer time permitting but since we were dependent on our friends for transport we had to go.

AmericanLola will be on sabbatical leave with her husband from May onwards for a period of one year. I’m sure she will be every bit as busy whilst on leave raising awareness for their work in Mindanao being the good Christians that they are.

I hope on their return we can meet up once more along with her husband (who incidentally had travelled on business that day) and share their many experiences of living and working in the Philippines.

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