Yeah. I mean, pretty much.
Friday we flew on an 1.5 flight from Manila to Cagayon de Oro then drove 3 hours to Malay Balay. Flying into and over the area gave me a realistic idea of what it would look like if we had a real life dinosaur amusement park: 
Humid, green, flowers, trees, mountains, rivers, waterfalls.
The only thing missing was a giant T-Rex coming out of the trees to devour us…anyways.
While taking the drive from Cagayon de Oro to Malay Balay we got to see some breathtaking views, and we are blessed enough to be living here until February 1st.
We had 2 separate vehicles to get the 6 of us on Team Fellowship, our packs, and a new friend Maddie who lives in Malay Balay, all back to our site. Josh and I rode in one car with all the packs surrounding me, including 2 guitars…a little cramped but I’m getting used to this World Race thing, I was comfortable enough to sleep an hour or so of the trip.
Our driver, Mackey, was very friendly and pointed out sites and plantations along the way; he taught me to say “Mageman” – pronounced mag-ay-man – which means zigzag road…we took this road down a huge mountain going anywhere from 60-80mph.
We got to see some nice areas of Mindanao and some very poor areas during this drive. Of the poor areas, I witnessed children and women near small bodies of water doing the best they could to launder their clothes in what looked like brown water that in America, I wouldn’t give my dogs. We saw shelters made with grass used as their roof and dogs, cows and coconut trees galore.
There is so much beauty in this place of terrible need- need for clothes, food, and shelter, and most importantly, a desperate need for Jesus Christ.
I am reminded of a song/phrase – Beauty for Ashes – God will take the ashes, the broken and needy, the despair and loss, and give back beauty. That is why we are here, to show this plan and desire God has for His people, to love like Jesus does, and extend hope to the weary.
I really am so excited for all the next couple of weeks has to offer and all we will have to offer back!
It has been a blessing to visit neighboring villages and share bible stories, games, songs and love with the children and adults there. We have also been able to attend a service at our ministry location and I shared in the women’s group a short message and my testimony that I pray touched some of their hearts. The children in the orphanage we are staying at are so sweet and loving and I am praying I can be an extension of the love Jesus has for is to them.
Pray for our team for unity and love to be widespread throughout our group and that we can make deep roots during this time here.
I am on an unexpected journey and unsure of where all this adventure will lead me, but I am here. I have been sent. Now I must trust Him.
