Just to let you know...

A few people have asked how we are doing following last week's earthquake and tsunami in Japan. We have had no effects here in Davao City that I am aware of. I read from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology that the largest unusual wave recorded on Friday was only 70cm. So as far as I can tell there wasn't much impact on the Philippines. The city here is very protected. The mountains protect it from bad typhoons (usually only affected by lots of rain, not the fierce winds). Samal and Talikud Islands protect the waterfront from significant waves and such. There is some flooding with any heavy rains, but not anything like what has happened in Japan.

So here's a quote I heard at church on Sunday that defines love, from the senior pastor of the church (I believe he is in Manila):

"Love is a commitment directed towards imperfect people to seek their highest good which often requires sacrifice."

On Saturday, March 5, Christina and I went to Samal Island (where Paradise Island and Hagimit Falls are located) for a prenatal outreach. Christina and a few others from the clinic did free prenatal checks on the women who showed up. I just went along for the trip. Afterwards, we ate lunch and a roadside eatery and then visited two newer resort locations. Here are some pictures from the trip (next month we will go again and that time I will take pictures at the church where they do the prenatal checks; this time I only took photos of lunch and the resorts).

Here is our lunch (the long stuff is seaweed; tasted pretty good)

The group with the pastoral couple from the church, and the yellow bus that was our mode of transportation

Ilihan Beach Resort is much more "natural-looking" than Paradise

There is a very nice view from here

You can see rain out on the horizon, beyond the man in the boat

This place definitely places you WITH nature, and I find it very beautiful for just that reason

Even though this is man-made, it does not seem out of place here

Grass! Not a very common sight for us anymore

Low tide, but still quite gorgeous

Availing of the low tide to look for shells

A brittle starfish (never seen one before)

Precious Garden resort is also really nice

A view of the beach from the pier

Apparently they will bring meals to you out on the pier

Crabs were all over the bottom of the pier

This was the sunset as viewed from our home this past Sunday night