Welcome to our little corner of the jungle. We finished building our home in 2019 and have been studying the local culture and language since then. Our community is located in a lovely valley nestled between lush green mountains.

Before moving to this location we had rented homes in several different Filipino towns. Each time we lived behind a tall metal gate and had very little outdoor space. Relaxing outdoors felt more like baking on a concrete cookie sheet. So it has been a surprise and a delight to find so much joy in the outdoor spaces of our mountain home.

At first our piece of land felt so bare compared to our neighbors who are expert gardeners. But slowly I'm adding bits of color to our yard and new friends are teaching us what grows best in this soil.

Many Filipino homes have a "dirty kitchen" or an outdoor space for cooking. I have come to love cooking and baking on our back porch without all the heat being trapped inside my toasty warm kitchen. Ovens here are not insulated well, so it has been especially nice to have the hot oven separate from the rest of my kitchen while our children are young and oh so curious!

When we built our home a few years ago, many others suggested we design it with ample covered outdoor space. Being so close to the equator creates intense sunshine unlike anything we’ve experienced in our passport country. We are grateful to be able to spend time outdoors without always being in direct sunlight and also have shelter during the long rainy season.

At times it’s a challenge for us to know how to throw things away here. Even if we did have a street, no garbage truck would show up and magically make our trash disappear! Sometimes we get a little creative turning our trash into something usable again. Here is my collection of broken coffee cups and empty peanut butter jars. How is it that little green plants bring so much joy?

Our back porch is also a quiet spot in the mornings where we enjoy watching the fog slowly rise. My house helpers and I take our mid-morning coffee break here too. This spot has overheard many slow conversations as I'm stumbling through learning this language. But despite all my awkward jokes and the stories that never made sense, this nook has also seen the beginning of meaningful friendships being formed.

Outdoor areas here are normally shared spaces, so we've tried to create a place where neighbors feel comfortable visiting. Many of their homes also have worn benches with comfortable deep backs. Countless cups of coffee have been served under our house in this shady spot.

Since moving overseas, hanging laundry on the line quickly became my favorite household chore. There is something so enjoyable about those few minutes of morning sunshine.

Initially I struggled feeling very exposed in this new world. So much of life happens where neighbors can see (and hear) everything going on. Whether I'm hanging laundry or helping our kids play well together, my life feels very visible. But as friendships have deepen I can tell my perspective is changing. We are here to live life together. And maybe all those seemingly unimportant moments mean more than I realize. But will I alway feel a little awkward chatting with my neighbor as I hang my underwear on the line? Yeah, probably.

By late afternoon we are finished working with our language helpers. As soon as the sun sinks low enough in the sky we take the two minute walk to the river. Some days we attract a crowd of neighbor kids and other days it's just our family enjoying the cool water. This simple evening routine has been so life-giving.

There are very few boundaries when it comes to outdoor spaces in this culture. Neighbors are welcome to come and go. Children will show up hoping our kids can play. And neighborhood dogs, cats, chickens, and even the occasional cow never hesitate to enjoy our green grass. In the beginning days this challenged my idea of clear property lines and unspoken privacy rules. And some days it still wears on me. But now I understand and appreciate that it goes both ways. I am also welcome to stop by my neighbor's home any time of day. I don’t need to wait for an invitation or a reason, I can simply show up and be welcomed. And that is such a gift.