Welcome to the family.

One of the rad parts about delivering babies here are the relationships that you build with the woman who pass through the clinic. At times the bond becomes really significant. If that is the case the chances are that you will be invited to join in on baby dedications, baptisms, birthday party's and the like. It is so much fun. I have gone to a few such events throughout these past 6 months. None for babies that I have delivered... as the oldest of them is not quite 2 months old yet... but my roommate Sarah has asked me to be her "kauban" or companion on several of these adventures. I say adventures, for that is really what they have been. You never know who you will meet, or what kind of cultural experiences you may encounter along the way:D!
This afternoon was another one of those adventures. Yehlia, a baby Sarah delivered 1 year ago today, was having a dedication service, and the family was having a birthday party afterwards for her (the first birthday is a really big deal here). It was at a little church not too far from our house, and the party was out in the countryside nearby. It was a blast being out in the countryside, and with the people from this small congregation.
At one point they broke into a song for us that was saying "Welcome to the family"... and they truly were welcoming! So strange in a way to be accepted so readily... but so nice as well. I find it hard at times to really fit in with the Filipino’s here, because we are such a large community of whities, and perhaps the fact that I no speak the language well yet:(. Anyways... Opportunities like these are really great! I treasure them.
My favorite part was talking to this 8 year old girl named summer. She is such a precious gem. I am glad I got to meet her. We've been invited a dozen times over to attend church there sometime, and I think I will. Great opportunities, great God. Great new "family".