Category: Random

Witnessing in my Underwear


I normally get a massage about once a month at a place called Massage King. I spend a lot of time walking around with a backpack, sitting on concrete, and working out with weights so I consider this a good investment for my health.* For all my readers, let me assure you that this is a legitimate, very professional massage place (just don’t want anyone’s imagination to run wild).

I’m amazed at the strength that is in the hands of a 90 lb Filipina masseuse. They can really dig into the muscles. Sometimes I feel like I need to “tap out,” as if I were being submitted in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. So far I’ve never had to stop a massage or tell her to take it easy. I know that the discomfort is therapeutic (necessary, actually), and my male ego compels me to hide any pain.

I had an interesting conversation during my last massage a couple of days ago. Olive (my masseuse this particular time) was convinced that I had gotten whiter since my last visit (is that possible?). Clients only wear a gown and a small pair of boxer shorts, so I basically felt like I was in my underwear (even though the boxers are worn over one’s own underwear). She could indeed see most of my skin, but of course, I wasn’t convinced that my skin color had changed. Ganitong kaputi ako dati (I was this white before), I insisted to her and others in the room. The conversation was light-hearted—typical of interactions with fun-loving Filipinos.

I’m still surprised at what people remember. Olive brought up topics from past conversations—things that I didn’t even remember telling her. At one point she asked if I was still teaching at seminary. I think I brought in a Christian History textbook back when I was teaching that subject. The gentleman on the table beside me eventually chimed in on the discussion (the massage rooms usually have two or three clients in at one time). He asked me a few questions about where I was from and what I was doing here.

I decided to give away a few gospel tracts to Olive before I left. I stood up and started looking through my bag. There I was, wearing the equivalent of a hospital gown and boxer shorts while looking for gospel tracks. I smiled to myself as I thought about this unusual opportunity to share the good news.

*You can learn more about how to lose fat and gain muscle at my fitness blog (strongandfit.net).

Manny Pacquiao and the Three Stooges


I had a great day today. I watched the Pacquiao vs Barrera match with Erwin, Joel, and their families (Erwin and Joel are my co-leaders in the ministry—we call ourselves the “three stooges”).

One small problem I have living here is the fact that I’m not much of a basketball fan. There’s an old joke that they should just give each basketball team 80 points and let them play for two minutes—this is kind of the way I look at hoops. Filipinos are basketball enthusiasts, and they follow their own teams (college and pro) as well as the NBA. This is something that I cannot relate to in terms of sports.

I’ve been a boxing fan for a while, so this is something I can definitely enjoy with my Pinoy friends. I became a “Pac Man” fan a few years ago when I watched his first match with Morales. I was impressed with his heart, even though he lost the match. I enjoyed watching him redeem himself through two impressive wins. I remember seeing a replay of his first match against Barrera. Manny’s conditioning and skills were clearly superior. After seeing that, I wasn’t at all surprised that Manny won today.

I also enjoy the way the whole country just gets behind Manny. He takes his role as a national hero quite seriously. I look forward to seeing his next match.