Welcome to the Philippines – according to the area we traveled to this past April 2026 – Bani, Pangasinan; Bolinao, Pangasinan; Aporao, Pangasinan.

Welcome to the Philippines – This was a response when the traffic was crazy or some other Filipino way of life (nonsensical to us Americans) made an appearance. So suffice it to say their culture is different than ours.

There are similarities, of course, but strange differences and beautiful differences.

Money – The average wage in the Philippines is 385 USD a month, $4,600 per year. Welcome to the Philippines.

Food – Rice, rice and more rice. Rice is served with every meal and the saying goes “if you don’t have rice then it’s a snack.” We have rice here, so no complaints. Bananas, also good. They are smaller but sweeter but they also make ketchup out of them – it’s called “banana ketchup” and it’s a lot cheaper to make. It also tastes weird. They eat ALL of the animals they butcher – ALL. They take out the innards and cook them separately and yes, eat them. They chop up the bones and cook the meat and bones together. You gotta be careful when you eat. And then there’s BALUT – a fertilized developing egg embryo that is boiled or steamed and eaten from the shell, often eaten with salt and vinegar. Mmm-Mmm. Welcome to the Philippines.

Fast Food – Can you say “side of spaghetti?” Whether a burger joint or fried chicken or pizza, they all offer a side of spaghetti. Really! You have to ask for fries instead of spaghetti. Welcome to the Philippines.

Water – A valued commodity in the Philippines, pumped into cisterns, put into barrels, into buckets and dipped for your shower and your toilet. Welcome to the Philippines.

Weather – it’s hot. it’s humid. it’s always hot. it’s always humid. It rains a lot from June to November and not much at all from December to May. Did I mention it’s hot and humid? Welcome to the Philippines.

Filipinos old and young – fascinated with Americans. They want their picture taken with you. They may stare at your eyes or your nose because they’ve rarely seen blue eyes and long noses in their country. Welcome to the Philippines.

Children – Beautiful, full of life, humble, respectful. If you reach out to shake their little hand they will pull it up and place it to their forehead to honor you and show you respect. Welcome to the Philippines.

The people of Harvest Baptist Church in Bani, Pangasinan, Philippines – helpful, kind, loving, hardworking, sold out to Jesus, longing to see their people come to faith in Jesus. You’ll see them sharing Jesus on the streets, in homes and neighborhoods, in markets and shops, on basketball courts and plastic chairs. They’ll make you a meal and give shoes and school supplies to your children. They’ll pick you up for church and feed you the Word of God and another meal. They’ll keep coming after you and love you to Jesus. Welcome to the Philippines.

The above and video doesn’t even compare with the experience. I am just so overwhelmed with thankfulness to the Lord for allowing me to witness this culture, these people. Salamat (Thank you) just isn’t enough. To You be the Glory, God Almighty!