Adriana's a Godmother

On Thursday, October 20, Daddy called me to read a phone text he received.  Our friend’s daughter, Stevonnie was going to be dedicated in Saclit Sunday and they had chosen me as godparent.  Our whole family wanted to go but it was such short notice.  Daddy and Alayna were going with part of the team to Sadanga and someone had to stay behind and take care of the rest of the team.  I was very excited about the trip because it was my first village trip without a family member.  

Kuya Steve picked me up.  (Kuya and Ate are titles of respect for people older than you.  Kuya means “big brother” and Ate means “big sister”.)  He was texting my Dad to ask if we liked guavas but hadn't got an answer.  I told him that Daddy was in Anabel and so he was surprised.  We went to the jeepney and got to ride all the road to Saclit, without changing tires or slipping down mountains.  We only stopped to let people on or off and to get water for the engine.   Kuya Steve had forgotten to get something for supper.  There was an old lady with two squash on the jeepney and she gave us one.  Later, Ate Mindel confessed that she had been thinking: those are very nice squash, I want one, Please, God, give me a squash.  An example of answered prayer and God's provision!

We hiked up the stairs and stepped over fences on our way to the church.  Most villages don't have fences, but Saclit doesn't have pigpens.  Ate Mindel would stop to talk with people.  Frequently, I heard the word Americano.  We went to the parsonage (an empty room below church where Kuya Steve stays when he comes to preach) and I played with Stevonnie as they washed dishes and prepared supper.  I wanted to help with decorations but there was a drunk man and so Kuya Steve didn't think I should go up and I agreed with him.  Kuya Steve had been going to ask our former host if I could stay there at their house because he didn't think I should stay at the parsonage but it was 10 p.m. already so I just slept with Ate MIndel and Stevonne while Kuya Steve slept upstairs.  The parsonage has no CR (bathroom or comfort room) so if it was day, you went to the neighbor's house and if not, you went outside.  It was a little uncomfortable for me because I didn't know the neighbor and she didn't seem to know English and the CR had no door.  The biggest thing was the church has rats because it is "so prosperous".  I wouldn't have been so scared if Ate Mindel hadn't said "Let's pray they don't bite us." I was ashamed because I woke her up.  I thought I heard the clicking of many toenails on wood next to me and it was too dark for me to find my flashlight.  It was just a moth in a cellophane bag.

     The next day, we all bathed and went up to church.  Ate Mindel sat next to me and translated.  She is very good about that and I deeply appreciate it.  The visiting pastor said, "Oh, I see you have a white Saclit," and hoped this would not be my last visit.  He preached about thanksgiving and blessing.  Then it was time for the dedication service.  The parents and children sat on a bench in the front and the sponsors stood behind them.  The pastor explained how dedication was different than baptism and he and the parents laid hands on their child and prayed for them.  Then he asked the sponsor (godparent) to hold the baby and pray for him/her.  Then the sponsors were asked:  Whether we would help the parents nurture their child, physically, mentally, and spiritually?  Whether we were willing to take this vow before the congregation?  Then the sponsors came and signed the dedication certificate.  The visiting pastor invited me to a homecoming service at his church 80 km from Saclit.  There was a lot of food.  Later, I learned it is okay to say no, I am full, but then I over-ate because they served me so much and I thought if I didn't eat it all, they would think their food wasn't good enough for me and I would offend their hospitality.  After the service, Stevonnie got to open her present.

We also got to do ministry.  Every morning, Kuya Steve and Ate Mindel have been reading a chapter of the Bible and discussing it.  They are now in Psalms and invited me to join them.  After church, we walked around and prayed for people such as a feverish baby named Julian.  We also prayed with the mother of Lazaro.  One man said he knew me.  He was one of the builders of the nepa huts for the restaurant below our Bontoc apartment.  It amazes me how many people know us.  We visited our former hosts.  They wanted me to stay there but all my stuff was back at the church.  We stayed for dinner, though.  Kuya Alex (our former host) wants a team to go to Saclit because he tries to share the gospel but it doesn't seem like the people listen to him.  They sent us a backpack full of blankets so I wouldn't be cold and let us borrow our flashlights.  Kuya Steve said we would have to get up early because the jeepney left at 8 or 9.  I woke Ate Mindel up again because there was a squeaky scream.  She said it was outside and then she told me that rats only bite if you smell like food and not if you wash.  In the morning, she said that a rat had probably fallen from the church.  I hope I didn't shame myself too much but the scream woke Kuya Steve up too.  

We missed the jeepney.  You can't walk very fast on gravel.  Kuya Steve was wondering if the road from Saclit to the highway was the longest village road I had traveled.  He couldn't believe that I had gone to Chapyosen.  We caught a surveying van.  It would stop and go backwards but it was very comfortable.  Then we finally caught the bus.  Ate Mindel and Kuya Steve were worried that my parents might be worried about me.  We had lunch together at Bontoc and the rest of my family joined us. Mommy got a slight surprise when she saw me wearing Ate Mindel’s shirt.  Ate Mindel would not hear of me re-wearing one of mine.  I was given a squash and peanuts.  Later, Kuya Steve brought us a lot of guavas.

I really enjoyed my time at Saclit.  It was good to talk with Ate Mindel and Kuya Steve.  I loved seeing Stevonnie’s smiles and getting to hold her.  I certainly enjoyed the adventure.

The very happy Ninang (godparent) of Stevonnie Bless,

Adriana