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Gonig to PI as a missionary

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telemakus
  4/13/2014 16:07 EST

I have recently been given the opportunity to missionary/ relief work on an assorted group of Islands delivering food to highly impoverished people on some of the many islands surrounding the Philippines. . I am not a wealthy man but did do some excellent planning earlier in life.to give me a 3-4k pension of sorts a month.. I know that most of the business portion (IE fule for flying boa tplanes and boats and the relief materials will be paid for by a relief organization. I believe I will be home based in either the Cebu area or Davao City. I have done missions work in ethipia, african congo, india. I know like in most situations the locals who are part of the mission/relief with be helpful, but I am wondering about any advice about the culture and maybe somethings to look for that might get me in trouble. One thing different about this trip is that everyone says I won't be single after I am there for 2 years.. I have been to all sorts of poverty stricken lands and I have never been told this kind of thing before going. What is it about filipinas that make people say this to me. I am a widower with no kids. what suggestions or advice do I need to know that is different about the Philippines.

CAteacher
  4/13/2014 22:24 EST

Proceed slowly. Philippina women, as a whole, are amazing. Many ladies will be interested in marrying, but, as in all things, slow is best. May the Lord bless you in your work. What agency will you be with?

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Borsia
  4/14/2014 02:06 EST

I would point out that foreign missionaries are sometimes targeted by groups like the NPA for kidnapping and extortion.
Be very careful whom you trust.

telemakus
  4/14/2014 03:24 EST

I will be with an organization Called UMCOR United Methodist Committee on Relief. That is working with a group Called World Vision. Of course I have concerns about some of the more physical dangers but I come from a pretty experienced background about difficult situations. IE violence, pirates, war rebellions and the like. Truth be told I am more worried about the less obvious threats. Just really trying to get a feel about common stuff about regular Filipino people and how they perceive relief workers and such. Fishing for info from people who have spent some time there.. I am currently taking a course in Tagalog/Filipino. I can read it and write if but have a difficult time translating and speaking the spoken word. As I learn more languages It is becoming a lot easier to learn languages. Tagolog will be the 6th language I will have learned. Thats my real gift languages. Since this is an expat forum You can message me in English, German, French, Spanish and Urdu.

poochewer
  4/14/2014 04:01 EST

That kidnapping stuff is so extremely rare, that I would not lose too much sleep over it. They usually target a rich Chinese businessman or his daughter.It's no point in having someone who has no money behind him. Besides the Chinese do not go to the police, they simply pay the ransom. U.S people DO go to the police and they DONT pay ransoms!

standupguy
  4/15/2014 00:12 EST

There was a missionary shot in Manila two years ago. Muslim shooters.

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poochewer
  4/15/2014 04:43 EST

At least 2 people get shot every single night in Sydney. What does that prove?

creativeblox
  4/15/2014 08:26 EST

if you are planning to go to Davao or Cebu (where the need is greater) then best to learn the local dialect Bisaya or also called Cebuano as most of the poorer folk dont speak tagalog.

I can put you in contact with some of the local charities in Davao region as well as other expats that are volunteering with food, school and infrastructure.

telemakus
  4/15/2014 16:41 EST

That would be fantastic.

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