I did have the opportunity to visit the family farm in Nasanagan, which Cherry owns in the mountains. I was introduced to a new definition of remote. We traveled over 5 miles on a dirt and rocky road to reach the farm. It is hot and an experience that I will never forget. It was an opportunity to really see the beauty that our Lord has created. Here is a few pictures of the farm.
Cherry and I meet with the Bishop in the Philippines and he is encouraged to see our interest. Aside from spreading the Word of Christ there is a great need for a Medical Mission. One of our objectives is to help the High School children with basic school supplies and backpacks. There is a need for rain gear since children walk such long distances during the rainy season. The 2010 trip will be costly as transportation is limited and costly to hire someone trustworthy. We will have to transport the majority of the food and is necessary to bring ample supply of clean drinking water. We are trusting that the Lord has his hand in our mission and will ensure the funds will become available.
This is a brief overview of our trip. I had to return to work the day after we returned and I am way behind in everything. We will be more than happy to provide additional information at a later date. We do ask that you remember us in your prayers as will continue to finalize our plans for 2010.
Here is a picture of the Community Center in Biao. You will find people gathered here selling fruit, vegetables and fish every Sunday.
Biao has an Elementary school and a High School. The high School has 337 students, far less than the Elementary School. The majority of children do not attend High School because their family is poor and they are needed to work on the farm. Antoher reason most children do not attend High School is due to the long distance they have to travel. You will see children walking in from the mountains, some travel 5 - 10 miles one way to reach school. It is sad to see them carry a plastic bag with a little rice and a dried fish, all the eat for the day. Here is a section of the roadway near the school with several school children.
You will see a lot of small stores in the front of homes. They sell snacks, drinks and gasoline in glass soda bottles.
Here is what the typical road looks like in Biao. There may be a few stretches of concrete road way and many areas surrounding have dirt paths.
Here is the Market Center in Payo where they have many small stores. There is a small hardware store, several small markets, cell phone load center, electrical shop and every Monday they have an open market. 
Maria and I arrived in Bacolod on March 7th, Cherry had arrived several weeks prior to this. It was a good two hour trip to the Village of Payo where we stayed most of the time. Payo is the last Village where supplies can be purchased before you get to Biao. It takes another 40 mins or so to reach Biao and most of the roads are dirt and rock, you will find a few small stretches of concrete.
