Dear Friends in Christ,

Greetings! How are you? I am sure that it is cold there, but it is still hot here. I have felt that summer is stopped since I have come to the Philippines. From late evening to early morning it cools off a little, but it is still hot and humid during daytime. So it is not quite pleasant weather now.

When it rains, the house gets more damp—all clothing becomes damp, and my leather Bible, bag, and binders get moldy. Electronic equipment breaks easily due to moisture, so my Walkman, CD player, and scanner don’t work at all. In early November, my notebook computer broke down, and it cannot be repaired here in Dumaguete City or even in the Philippines. A colleague told me that electronics in the Philippines are made from different materials in order to resist the high humidity.

So far, I have adjusted quite well to the hot weather and the community. On November 7, I preached a sermon at the Chapel of Evangel (the chapel of Divinity School) titled "Hope for the Future." It seemed to me that Filipinos do not have a hope for their future due to long years of colonial life. The response was good, so my sermon was published in the December issue of Silliman Ministry magazine.

Second semester began on November 4. I teach church history and mission classes every Tuesday and Thursday (8:30-10:00 a.m. and 2:00-3:30 p.m.) to about 20 undergraduate and graduate students in each class. I enjoy teaching the two courses.

The primary problem of education here is the difficulty in getting textbooks. Textbooks are rare and very expensive in the Philippines. Many divinity school students cannot afford to buy textbooks, so they photocopy my books or books in the library. Due to this problem, students do not prepare well for their studies. Furthermore, they are familiar with lecture-style education (or cramming education) rather than discussion style, so I have to lecture alone for 90 minutes each time. If I ask questions, students have a hard time answering.

There were intramurals from November 17 to 19 at Silliman University. I supported students of the divinity school by buying the bread and drinks, then I attended the games and cheered the players—women’s volleyball and men’s basketball and softball. I was the only faculty member to attend and encourage the students that day. I heard they liked my presence.

The Christmas spirit begins in October in the Philippines. Department stores begin to decorate with Christmas ornaments and lights. Card shops begin to stock Christmas cards. Radio stations send on-the-air Christmas carols and Christmas music. I could see Christmas decorations on the streets and in many houses. Can you imagine a Christmas as hot as Florida? There is no snow, but ironically Filipinos sing Christmas songs about snow. During Christmas season, small children and adults go caroling to each house asking for money. On average I had three groups visit my house every day.

People set off lots of firecrackers during the Christmas season and New Year’s Day. Especially at 12:00 p.m. on December 31—the noise of firecrackers seemed like the sound of a battlefield. It was a kind of scary experience.

Every Sunday, two churches have worship services in English in Dumaguete City: Silliman University Church (about 600 attendants) and Chapel of Evangel (about 60 attendee). I go to Silliman University Church on Sunday and celebrated communion service there on New Year’s Eve and the first Sunday of January.

One of the serious problems in my living here is water. My tap water is contaminated, so it is not good to drink. For this reason, I buy filtered water. Often, the tap water is rusty and comes out black. After taking a shower, skin feels weird to touch.

Probably, due to the water and/or environmental problems, I have suffered from stomach aches since October. I suffered from diarrhea in October—I would have it for two or three days and then be all right for the next two or three days. I have also suffered since November from a stomach ache after eating—just a stomach ache with no other symptoms. I take medicines, including Pepto-Bismol, that I brought from the States, but they do not help me a lot. If I continue to suffer from stomach ache continually and more severely, I’d better go to hospital.

I would like to ask you continually to pray for me, my health, my teaching, and my living here. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. May God bless you!

Sincerely,

John Eunsik Cho

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 170