It is raining hard today and we won't be able to leave our home today.
The picture of me teaching the combined 5th and 6th grade classes at Igpanolong Elementary School how to tie boondoogle is what inspired my title. Just check out the faces of those beautiful kids. I am the old wrinkled-up guy.
I am on our third expedition, and I find myself asking the question, is this expedition a magical experience or just a monumental boondoogle or sorts? That question usually comes with force to my mind during the first night I spend in San Jose as I lay on a 3 inch layer of foam that separates me from the tile floor of the DepEd Building while pondering the thought, what in the "freak" am I doing here? (I have picked up the term, freak, from these kids with us. Thanks to Kellen and Chandler.) It happened this year, and it will happen next year and beyond for all the years ROW draws young people to its magic.
The answer is, it is both magical and a boondoogle. Mostly Magical and the daily magic makes the boon doogle seem very insignificant.
The expedition can be a boondoogle at times: the unpredictable nature of travel including air sickness, lost luggage, destroyed luggage, delays, over-weight luggage and sleeping in third-world airports; housing arrangements that change, bugs, dirty CR's (comfort stations) that do not flush, outdoor temporary showers; new and interesting food including filipino tuna sandwiches that are not what mother makes, food served at school that is cooked over an open fire and you wonder where the meat came from; upset stomach's, colds, fever's the run's, cuts and bruises, nail in foot and road rash when body leaves Jeepney and meets the road; rain, rain and more rain; changing daily schedules; heat and humidity never felt before. You add these all together and it can tie you up if you let it.
But, that is when the magic comes in, and the magic of this experience loosens the boon doogle and makes it feel very insignificant. The magic starts with these 12 wonderful and exceptional kids that are the heart and soul of this team. Hans, Paul, Sadi, Tori, David, Kellen, Sarah, Brooke, Chandler, McKenna, Victoria and Ally. Then the leaders; Ben and Maddy, Olivia and Tom who are attentive, supportive, patient and just darn fun. Then there is Emily and Dewey who are the masters of organization patience and fun, and my rock and team foundation. The magic continues when you meet the kids at school, their leaders and their families. You feel their love and appreciation; it comes through quick and true. You see this happy and humble community of people that have very little, but have it all. We go to serve them and we leave feeling like they have served us and given us much more in return. This connection to the kids is an incredible dynamic that touches our hearts and mind in a real and loving way. It is impossible to not connect to them. Then you see the magic in the change that takes place in the hearts, attitude and behavior of the team. These kids, your kids, change in real ways and they will never be the same again. They come to the Philippines as wonderful kids and return home exceptional kids with changed hearts and minds.
Back to the picture. I introduced the kids to Boondoogle. We made friendship bracelet's together. I found that the kids knew how to weave better than us. They loved the personal connection. Tom did the same lesson in Salvacion Elementary School. Boondoogle is a new found family trait.
Now back to the boondoogle. I mentioned all the challenges, but please don't let them worry you. We have all survived and are in good shape; really good shape. I have found that no fever, case of run's or even road rash put's these kids down. As I said, they are amazing to be with.
I love this team. Every high school student that is a friend, family member or just and interested reader should consider this experience. ROW invites you all. Come see how a boondoogle can be untied with magic.
Parents, thanks to you for raising wonderful and talented kids.
Cathy, Beth, Sara, Joe and Sadie and Lucy, I miss you and love you.
Rick Graham
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