Well, it was our last week in the Philippines! I think this may have been my favorite month thus far. One thing I haven't mention yet is that it's really cool to meet other missionaries while on the World Race. For example, there is a guy here from Australia, and there was also this elderly lady who came from Wisconsin. It was really inspiring for me to see an elderly lady helping here, she was only here for about 3 weeks I think- I hope I'm still kicking like that when I'm that age. I also got to meet a really nice girl from Scotland in Honduras. Anyway…Monday and Tuesday were quite fun. We brought the kids from our ministry to go swimming in the pool where we're living. On Monday was the girls and on Tuesday was the boys. They went swimming, and then we cooked them spaghetti too. The boys played in the game room too. As one of the boys was driving away, he said "Thank you, I'm so very happy!". It was heart-warming. On Wednesday, we visited their community, and a bunch of kids came joyfully running to us when they saw that we were coming. It was a really good image to have on our last week. One thing that was notable that day was that there was an open casket out in the front of the community for a wake. That's quite different from the U.S. where you'd never see a casket out in the open of a community. We also led the devotions that night too, and we encouraged them to be examples and lights in their community. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." -1 Timothy 4:12 and “You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." -Matthew 5:14-16. We had them do skits, and I think God was with us because they turned out well! I wasn't sure how they were going to go. On Friday, we had like a little goodbye party, and we had snacks and a dance party, and made some cookies with some of the girls, and said our goodbyes. It was really sad to leave them. Here's their website if anyone would like to sponsor one of these wonderful children: http://journeyforhopeph.wix.com/journey-for-hope .
Apple,April, Gabi, Irish, Princess, and Daniella eating some spaghetti!
Arvie in center at the pool!
