The Philippines have been crazy! So much illness and so much growth!
There's been a lot of confusion with money. I still can't get the darn conversion rates down. I think I'm getting used to it now, though.
We have been pampered beyond expectations. We are living with showers, running water, beds and massages. We got to go to a resort twice. We live near a city. We get to go to malls and eat "rich people food" (aka McDonald's, which is treated with a high amount of reverence here).
This has been a little hard to receive. Some of us struggled with the fact that we got to do this along with all the hard stuff (feeding orphans, playing with kids, helping prostitutes). We came to the conclusion that our contact wants to share her release with us. Who are we to refuse it?
Also, I have been very sick with an infected toe (the product of stress and sewage water). I've had to stick around the compound and not do anything but receive love from my teammates and be ok with not working and just resting in the love of God and trusting him. It's been hard for all of us. We've all been sick and pushed beyond our comfort zones. The Holy Sprit is active, though. We've all grown and challenged each other. We've said tough truths and corrected each other when we were in the wrong. In doing this, we have grown as men and women of God and are learning to buy into everything and love each other unconditionally (yeah, that means bearing with the hard stuff).
Lastly, I still need about $6,000 to be fully funded. I need this by January. If you feel led to give, please do! if not, that's ok as well. Thanks for reading! Thanks for all the prayers. Y'all are wonderful.
