My team is officially annoyed by me complimenting Filipino's possessions, like necklaces, etc. because apparently saying "I really like that on you," translates into "can I have that?"- I've accidentally received several trinkets as the result, but the point of telling you that= the people are so cool here- even when they don't have much, they are the most generous, warm, inviting sons o' guns in the world- it's just been so encouraging to start out in such a place+ ICM had been insanely awesome to us.
Things We've Been Doing: cutting grass, making concrete, helping with ICM conference stuff, painting church walls, leading devotional stuff/worship, making church benches, visiting families and praying with them, feeding malnourished kids, eating lots o' rice, riding endless tricycles and/or "jeepney's," attending the Tuna Festival festivities, which includes at least 30 dancing tuna routines…
Random Things I'm Learning: Perma dirt= black stuff that doesn't come off of your feet no matter how hard you scrub, Filipino's do not live on bread alone, but rice also, Facebook=hilariously universal and insane that I've acquired more friends here(even if there's no running water, Facebook is available somehow) in the past week than I have in my 6 year career of the stupid thing, Comfort Room=toilet.I'll never stop quoting Mrs. Doubtfire…
Godstuff Things I'm Semi-Trying to Grasp : God is the God of all nations- people's faith here is challenging and admirable-realizing that I have a long way to go in so many ways+that I could stand to learn more than a few things from the "least of these" here that truly get it and live like it-inspiringly so, My team= put together for a reason- I'm learning so much- about them and from them- I'm increasingly thankful for who they are and why we're in the same group o' seven out of place Americans. Being humbled, struggling through leadership-still can't even say that word seriously- constantly fighting for truth in my mind and trying to let it spill over to the people around us so we can truly be lights in darkness here…
