Well first week in the Philippines and I’m loving it. The moment I set foot on our mission sight I felt so much better and at peace. It also helped talking to squad mate Jess in China and making a friend. Before that moment my head was at war. I didn’t want to come anymore, I wasn’t ready, I was unsure about my team, I wasn’t really friends with anyone, please I just want to go home. Even at the LAX airport I saw a flight going home to Spokane that I could catch and the thought definitely crossed my mind. Oh besides the fact were staying in a pretty nice mission house, so thankful for that. This week has been pretty chill. I’ve spent time cleaning, painting, and getting a medical clinic ready to be opened sometime soon. Helped clear some forest area by a house (with a machete no less and in a dress) and pulled up part of the fence. Spent time in the baby house which has 8 of them. They are absolutely adorable and I love playing with them. They get so excited and want all the attention sometimes pushing each other away. My favorite loves being tickled or just making faces at each other and she is constantly laughing. Sometimes I sing songs for them and we build blocks. The older kids are in school at various times but in the afternoons we can go over and play with them. One afternoon was a birthday party with sweets and karaoke. Got to sing lots of disney songs! yay! Friday night we watched Wreck-it-Ralph with all of them. Sunday we rode tricycles into the local market and it was a level 1 typhoon. Best part was having 6 of the older girls over for Ever After in the afternoon. So far so good here. It’s fun having team time and we all get along fairly well with a few hiccups of course, but what do you expect with 7 girls living life together who don’t know each other.
Lesson of the week:
On saturday I rode into town on a bike with our ministry site leader to get groceries. She’s really cool, about my age, and from Australia! The ride in and out was a blast and balancing act. I love seeing the culture and waving saying hi. There’s lots of road freedom here specially on a motor bike. We stopped in at the farmers market thing and at a fruit stall three street kids came up begging. My first reaction was to turn away/ignore and I didn’t understand what they were saying. She in turn spoke to them and bought each an apple. They were so happy there faces were priceless and they were so grateful. How often we turn away to someone in need when a simple nice act could change the circumstances. Sometimes even just a smile or wave can make a difference. Everyone matters to God no matter how you look, act, or status. It’s about loving like Jesus does who looks on the inside not the outside of a person.
Love to all from the Philippines! Miss you! pictures will come later
Ate Marie or Ate Tabitha (what the kids call me 🙂
