* Tarlac Sugar Cane Harvest

On our way to Gabaldon this past weekend we were driving through the area of Tarlac City.  We saw a LOT of trucks loaded down with stalks of something or other.  We guessed maybe it was sugar cane.  Upon inquiry we found out our guess was correct.  There is a sugar cane processing plant near Tarlac to which the sugar cane farmers from miles around bring their crops. 

A sugar cane field.

This gives you an idea of how tall the sugar cane gets.

Central Azucarera Tarlac - the cane factory

Notice the loaded trucks parked in front.

Trucks lined up waiting for their turn to unload.

There were trucks parked everywhere. 

We wondered how long they had to wait to unload.

Do you think you could fit any more on this load?

    

* Tagalog Class

Every Wednesday from 11:30 to 1:30 Rev. Smit and the Kleyns go to Faith Academy (where the Smits send their children) for Tagalog class.  Our teacher is Nona Caballero, wife of Tonton.  They are the couple who run the World Team Guest House where many of our ministers have stayed (and experienced the Caballero's warm hospitality) when visiting the Philippines.  Nona also teaches Tagalog to highschoolers at Faith Academy.  We are thankful to have her as a tutor and for her patience with us as we try to learn a new language at 40 (+) years old! 

Teacher Nona

Hard at work

We have recently made a shift in our class from studying the grammar, to practising using what we know.  This past week our assignment was to write out a Bible story in Tagalog and to report on a newspaper article from a Tagalog newspaper.

The students

Pray that God will prosper our language studies for the advancement of the work here.