Camiguin Island is five hours off the far, northern coast of Luzon (the main island of the Philippines, where we live), on a little banca--a dugout boat with outriggers. From September through February you watch the skies carefully for maybe one day in a week when it's safe enough to make the crossing. And it's from there that three courageous community healthcare workers have come to learn midwifery at Shiphrah (Exodus 1) Birthing Home.

At six o'clock this morning, Jing (seen above), Helen, and Carol attended a birth with Lornie, who was their midwife instructor. Alathea is the first girl in a family of four boys. Her parents had promised their good friends, who have been married for 15 years and have no children, that if they gave birth to another boy they would gift him to them.

Jovina was divided during the birth: truly, she wanted to bless her friends with a child, but she did not want to give up her child either. She had come think they wouldn't have another girl because their second child had been a girl, and then died after three months.

When Alathea was born, it was sheer wonder. They had not even prepared a name, and had only a few clothes on hand -- because in their minds, this was not their child. Amazingly to me, along with being delighted to receive the gift of a daughter, Jovina was also sad for her friends. We had the wonderful opportunity to talk to them about the possibility of adoption for their friends. The Philippine government is developing an excellent program to help local families adopt.

What Carol, Jing and Helen will learn about midwifery here will only be written on the margins a textbook. But they will go back to their island much better equipped to serve the surprising needs of the families there.

Brian Zimmerman is well on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He contacted us a while ago asking if there was a project he could undertake to help Shiphrah (Exodus 1) Birthing Home.

One of the things we do a lot of is receiving donations and supplies that will be distributed to people in need. But we often struggle to store them safely and in an orderly manner. We suggested he could build a shelving space that would help us better meet the needs of the families we serve.

He headed it up, coordinating cooperation by other scouts, and his dad, Daryl, came out with him today to finish the assembly at the home. It looks great, and it's going to be a really big help. Good job, Brian.

Rey

Rey Cunanan served as HELP Mission Driver for 11 years. He died from liver cancer on Thursday, April 17. He would have still been our driver had
he not lost a foot to diabetes.

He began his driving career driving the
family jeepney in Manila when fares were measured in centavos rather than pesos. There was not an inch of the city he didn't know. When on an emergency transport, facing blocked traffic, he found open side streets and alleys that boggled the mind. The midwives trusted him implicitly and
knew when Rey was at the wheel, everything was going to be OK.

Rey was well-known to our tlc families. Speaking excellent English and comfortable with foreigners, he helped squire many a family to InterCountry Adoption Board, various Embassies, and on sightseeing trips around Antipolo and Manila. He had a wonderful way of welcoming people and making them feel at home. If he wasn't helping new families, driving birthing home transports, Rey was taking tlc kids to schools, to doctor appointments, to embassies for visas, to immunizations, and a whole host of other day-to-day
things that one does in the day of a life of a mission.

He loved both people and animals. He was the life of any party; screamingly funny, outrageously ribald on occasion. He graced one of the mission Christmas parties dolled up as a hip-swinging, belly undulating exotic dancer. Dennis introduced him as Miss Rizalia, or something crazy like that. Brought the house down. Give him a karaoke and he was set for the duration.

Rey's home was a veritable zoo. In the entrance was a huge fish tank,
sporting several varieties of very big fish. Hanging from the
trees were a number cages of birds. He had the usual
compliment of dogs and cats, but, also a couple
of most interesting chickens that were more dog than
chicken. They would toddle after Rey, waiting at the door
patiently until he came out of the house.

He had a special friendship with tlc washlady, Lucy. And, it was particularly Lucy that he asked to see in, what turned out to be his final moments. The photo of he and Lucy was the occasion of Lucy's 20th anniversary as a HELP mission worker. She is weeping as she has just looked at the artificial foot that Rey had as a result of the amputation. They were dear friends.

Rey is survived by his wife of many, many years, Gennie, three daughters, two sons, and several grandchildren as well as siblings.

Even after he retired, Rey stayed in touch with the mission. We were always guests at his birthday parties, his children's and grandchildren's birthdays and baptisms.

We will miss you, Rey. Neither heaven nor earth will be quite the same.