Welcome to the latest weekly (or so) update…
Mark in Manila. I already mentioned in my last email that my teammate Mark from the WR was coming to visit. It was a great time! I wish I was able to take him around to tons of places, unfortunately, Manila isn’t that kind of a place… nothing is outdoors and everything costs money… but we still had fun! Thank you SO much for coming to visit Mark!!!
Drivers license. Got it!
Physical Therapy. As some of you might know, I’ve had a lot of knee issues in the past 10 months. So after it got really bad this past week, I finally decided to go see a doctor. I went to Ataneo University, where Jeff’s son and daughter play basketball, and had their sports therapy department take a look at it. I’ve gone twice now to get some therapy done and I’ve also started some stretches that hopefully will begin to make my knees feel better soon.
Church. I’ve been to several different churches since I arrived here in Manila. CCF, JCCV, 2 GCF branches, and a couple others… It’s hard to find an English speaking church within close distance, and one that I enjoy as well. So next weekend Amber (another volunteer here) and I are probably going to go back to GCF East for the second time, which we have enjoyed the best so far. It’s also only 10 minutes away and has a great mixture of Filipinos as well as international members.
Discipeship. This week Ive started having a one on one bible study with each of the older girls during their bible class time. We are working on a fruits of the Spirit study. I am excited to see how it goes.
Birthday. Today was my birthday… and by the time you read this in the States, it probably will still be my birthday over there! I woke up this morning and had a restful, enjoyable breakfast. After awhile I headed up to the nursery to get Laine and Amanda from the nursery, along with the babies, to go swimming. So the 3 of us, Venus, and 5 of the babies went swimming at the condos for a bit. Came back and got clean, and went over to the children’s home for lunch and a bday party for Venus– who turned 10 today! Then Amber, Marilyn, and I went to the mall to get a pedicure and foot spa (equivelent to an American pedicure). After a 2 hour pedicure we came home and met everyone to go out to dinner/an activity (a surprise!) …. it ended up that we went to a place called The Elbow Room, where we had our own private room with a pool table and kareoke. We spent a couple hours eating dinner, singing, and playing pool. It was fun! A HUGE thanks to everyone for making my bday so much fun!!
Me and Venus with most of the babies
Cris John and Andrew with a great smile!
Tyra having fun jumping into the pool
Venus- the other birthday girl!
Laine and I after kareoke fun
All of us at the end of the night @ The Elbow Room
July? I can’t believe that there is only 1 week left in June. Time goes by here so fast! There is always so much to do and so much fun to be had, that the weeks just fly by without even realizing it! I really am loving being here and am enjoying the feeling of knowing I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Tyra. 9 months ago this little girl stole my heart, when I was here last October. I am so amazed and so blessed to see her growing so big and becoming more and more joyful with each passing day. It is so wonderful to see her fear and hopelessness disappear and instead be filled with love, joy, and hope since she has come to be a part of the New Faith Family Children’s Home. Even though I don’t work in the nursery anymore, every day I find a way to come see this beatiful little girl and get a nice big hug and smile from her…. it really does make my day, how could it not?
