Hello from the Philippines! We all
arrived here safely about a week ago! We are curently in Manila,
Philippines at a ministry called K.I.M. Both Q and R squads are here
for Launch week training and breifing. The location we are staying at
is amazing and our host is the best!
My team (Team Habibi), we are leaving
tommrow to fly to a small remote island for our ministry contact for
the month here in the philippines. I am very excited about it and
cant wait to know more of where we are going once we get there! The
name of out ministry we are working with is I.C.M. (International
Care Ministrys) My team is all excited to partner with this ministry
and to see how God will use us and move in us and through us for his
kingdom there!
The last week has been a fun and crazy
mix of adventures, meetings, training, teachings, worship, and
adventures. It has been a lot of fun getting to know the other
leaders and going on crazy fun adventures with them everything
from…learning how to fit 6 people (american sized) on a
motorcycle…to singing Karaoke at the mall…to finding an amzaing
and buetiful waterfall to jump off of and swim in.
It seems like the theme for me the
last week has been P.T.L. (Praise The Lord) In all things! My friend
back home got me saying the phrase right before I left for my
trip…and at first it was just a funny line to throw out there when
something crazy was happening…but now it has taken on a new meaning
for me…P.T.L. For everyday…everyone…and every situation…good
or bad…I praise God even when things dont go my way…or when I
dont feel like doing something…or if things are not the best…I
praise him…because he is my provider for all things…and he gives
me life…and he loves me soooo much! It has realy changed my
attitude about thanksgiving…and how it should be used for all
things!
With my team over the last week we
have been walking around the village surounding us. The people of the
Philippines are amazing and kind. They have such a warm heart and a
welcoming smile. Everywhere we go they make it a point to scream
hello across the street and speak a small english line at us and
wave! They love to make us feel welcome. When walking around they
invite us into there homes and communitys. Neighbors sit together
outside and talk and prepare food for dinner together. They share the
stories of the day, a smile, and time together, because that is all
they have to offer…and its awesome! They cant afford electricty, or
cable, or internet, but they do invest time in one another! They have
realy been teaching me what it is to live in community…and what it
is to die to self and love other over yourself in all things!
I am so blessed with my team! My
teammates all are awesome people that god has placed in my life to
learn to live in community with over the next year! And that excites
me!
For those of you back home…I LOVE
YOU! And I miss you a lot! I will send out new updates once we get to
out new island and know more about the ministry we will be partnering
with this month! Blessing to you all…and P.T.L!
