things for the children, too – toys, games, books, like that.'
'If you'll help us, then, we'll go shopping again this morning.' Kelly told her.
Marlyn happily agreed, as did Marilyn. I was particularly happy to see that – I expected that we'd need her help to figure out what kinds of toys and things to get for the younger kids.*I* sure didn't have any ideas!
As I'd expected, when it got right down to it, neither Kelly nor Marlyn had any idea of what to get for the kids. I didn't hesitate to tell Marilyn 'We would like to get some toys and things for the others, too.
I know that some of the toys we see are very pretty and look like fun, but I know you will remember that the things we buy will have to last for a while, too. Will you help us by showing us what things would be best?'
She solemnly nodded, and carefully led us through the toy section of the store we were in. I was pleased to notice that all of the things she selected were both durable, and sufficiently generic as to be toys for either gender: things like a set of blocks of assorted sizes and shapes, a few jump ropes and hula-hoops, assorted balls of varying sizes and colors, and so on. We went on to buy several boxes of coloring pencils, several reams of paper, pencils, erasers, and a couple of chalkboards with several boxes of chalk – white, and mixed colors. The final stop was a bookstore, where she guided us through the process of selecting about twenty pounds of books, running the gamut from learning-to-read to the experienced reader. Several times, she paused, as though waiting to see if she had selected too much; each time, Kelly or I would assure her she was doing fine, and to keep going. At both stores, she was wide-eyed to learn how much Kelly and I were willing to spend on the kids in the orphanage. Marlyn just stood there and tried not to cry.
Our last stop was at a market, where Marlyn went about selecting an assortment of fruits and vegetables, canned goods, and a hundred kilos of rice. The market was willing to deliver the purchase for free, once they learned that the destination was the orphanage.
It was shortly before lunch when we pulled up to the orphanage again.
Marlyn went inside to get the head honcho while the rest of us stayed in the van. Once she'd gotten him outside, she showed him the things we'd brought; he all but collapsed on the spot in happiness that the children would have something other than clods of dirt and twigs to play with. He literally ran back into the orphanage, only to reappear a few minutes later with almost the entire staff – they, too, were overjoyed with the things we'd brought. I explained to them that we didn't want the children to associate US – Kelly and I – with the toys, so we didn't want to make a big production out of it. They understood perfectly, and assured us that the toys would be given to the children over a period of time. Then Marlyn told them that there was a food delivery coming, and what it was that she'd selected – and that Kelly and I had paid for it.
A couple of the staff were literally crying in their joy at this sudden largesse, and all of them reiterated their previous assurances that they would be praying for us. About that time, the delivery truck from the market showed up; all of us chipped in to get it unloaded, and the food stored. I could see from Kelly's expression that she was as unhappy as I was when we got a chance to see how little was in the orphanage's pantry; even Bhoy looked distressed when he came out the first time.
As the truck from the market was leaving, a priest walked up to where we were all resting. It being fairly obvious that Kelly and I weren't Filipino, he politely asked in English what was going on. The orphanage staff all started telling him at the same time, in a mixture of English and Tagalog. After a few futile seconds of trying to listen to them all at once, he gave up and started telling them to be quiet; when they were, he asked the head honcho that Marlyn had brought out first. The telling of it didn't take long, and when the fellow was done, the priest came over to where Kelly and I were standing.
He told us 'I am Father Villanueva, the priest that oversees this orphanage. I cannot thank you enough for the kindness and generosity that you have shown us today – and from what I've been told, the day before yesterday, as well. It is all too rare that we are the recipients of such wondrous gifts. May I ask who you are?'
Kelly and I introduced ourselves, then Marlyn spoke up to tell him who she was. He recognized Marilyn, and spoke to her for a few moments, making her smile. Bhoy hung back, trying to stay out of it.
When he knew who we all were, he told us 'Dan, and Kelly, it is my honor and pleasure to meet you. Rest assured, all of you will be in the prayers of our congregation this Sunday.'
I had a sudden idea, and asked him 'Father, would you be kind enough to give me your name and the particulars of this orphanage? I know someone that might be able to provide you with more assistance than you are getting now.'
He answered 'I would be happy to, Dan. But who do you know that would be able to help us in such a way? Are you Catholic?'
I grinned and told him 'No, I'm not Catholic, though Kelly attended a Catholic school. I've got a pretty good relationship with a Bishop; Bishop Ferguson, if you know him.'
Father Villanueva shook his head, but seemed mildly impressed that Kelly and I would personally know a Bishop. I dug out one of my business cards and handed it to him; the orphanage manager (administrator?) provided a pen, and Father Villanueva readily wrote down the requested information.
When he handed back my business card, I traded him for another one. He looked a trifle surprised, and I told him 'If there's anything else I can do that would help the orphanage in the long term, please don't hesitate to contact me. And if I think of anything that might help, I will clear it with you before I do something foolish.'
He looked at me, and said 'Somehow, I don't think that you do many foolish things – but thank you.'
We shook hands, and he started to leave; then turned back around to put a blessing on Kelly and I, then Marlyn and Marilyn – both of whom looked overjoyed at it – then a last one, long distance, on Bhoy. I couldn't see Bhoy's reaction, but didn't figure he minded.
The orphanage manager spoke a few words to the priest, and the lot of them headed inside so they could show him what all had been donated. The rest of us took the opportunity to make our getaway so we could get some lunch.
With our bellies full, Marlyn told Kelly and I that she would like to show us the sights in San Fernando. Both of us happily agreed; the rest of the day was spent learning more about San Fernando than Kelly and I suspected there was to know.
After supper – at a restaurant other than one from the cluster near the hotel – Marlyn told us that she wanted to treat all of us to a movie.
From my time in the Philippines before, I knew movie fares weren't expensive and agreed. To my surprise, Bhoy even accepted, as well.
Marlyn asked if we had any preference on what kind of movie, I told her 'I think anything would be fine – I don't know that Kelly and I will be able to keep up with the dialog, anyway!' – making Marlyn smile before telling us 'I'll find one that at least has subtitles, then.'
True to her word, Marlyn found a Filipino movie that had subtitles for us non-Tagalog-speaking visitors. A comedy, there wasn't much trouble keeping up with the action. The lot of us had a great time.
We stopped off for ice cream on the way back to the hotel, arriving pretty close to bedtime for all of us – but particularly Marilyn who couldn't help yawning every so often. We made arrangements for the next morning before heading to our rooms.
The next morning, we could all see that Marilyn was a little sad, knowing that she would have to return to the orphanage that day. We did our best to try and cheer her up and make it easier for her, but there simply wasn't any way of getting around the fact that she did have to go back.
When we finally parked at the orphanage, we could see that Marilyn was fighting back tears. Marlyn wasn't doing much better, nor was Kelly.
When we got out of the van, Marlyn and Marilyn had a short conversation, and we could see as she tried to pull herself together. When they were through talking, Marilyn turned to Kelly and I, telling us 'Thank you again, for being so nice, and teaching me how to swim.'
Kelly kneeled to give her a hug that she readily accepted. I kneeled as well, and after a nod of approval from Marlyn, she moved into my arms for a hug, too. She whispered in my ear 'Thank you, Tito Dan. Mahal kital (I love you).'
I whispered back 'You're welcome, Marilyn. Mahal kita.'
When she pulled back from me, I gently held her by the upper arms to tell her 'Don't be sad, Marilyn. I think maybe you won't have to stay here for much longer.'
Kelly and Marlyn both looked at me as though I'd lost my mind – but I'd had an idea the night before. I wasn't sure if it was going to work, or not, so I didn't want to say anything about it to anyone else until I knew.
