Typhooned

We had made plans to go to Manila to visit Leah and Tom and Wendy. We originally planned to go on Monday, but later in the week was better for everyone. We arrived on the first flight, Wednesday, only to be told by Leah and then the Ballentynes that Manila was to be hit by a large typhoon the next day... around 2 pm. Well! We were planning to meet with the head of missions for the Philippine Christian and Missionary Alliance (COMACOP) on Thursday for lunch to talk about partnering in our ministry to the Ms in the south. That was cancelled. We had a nice visit with Leah and Zinnia and went up to Faith. Not too long after we arrived, it was announced that all Manila schools and government offices would be closed the next day. So, to make a long story short, we really got to know the girls in the dorm much better than we otherwise would have, and it is a nice bunch! None of us could go anywhere! The typhoon hit about 1 PM and lasted until about 3:30 to 4 PM, and it was really amazing to watch the winds and rain whipping around from the inside of a snug, cement house. The power went out before things got very strong. Several large trees were down on campus, inclding one the almost blocked the front door of D&B's former dorm, and the flame tree that was outside the former Ballentyne dorm's dining room window. The Ballentynes are now in the first dorm, at the bottom of the hill. This is because of the construction about to begin on the new auditorium and the consequent influx of construction workers in that corner of the campus. It is now a boy's dorm.