So we left Palauguina Nicaragua on the morning of October 31 (Friday) and took a bus ride to Managua where we were reunited with our squad and spent the night in the airport before catching an early morning flight to Georgia. We then had a three hour layover in Georgia and boarded another plane to LA. Our layover in LA was supposed to be about 14 hours but our plane got delayed so it ended up being around 20. We then got on a plane and made our way to Manila Philippines. 18 hours later and after a pit stop in Hawaii for gas we made it to Manila. It was now about 2am on November 4- yes five days later. We then spent two days in Manila as a squad at a hostel where we were able to get used to the time change, rest and debrief the past month of ministry. Then on November 6 we all split up and went to our separate ministry sights. Our team was originally supposed to be in Manila working with an organization called KIM (which works with abandoned street children but as is becoming a routine with our team it changed last minute. Instead of staying in Manila to work with KIM we are flying to an island and spending two weeks working with Street Light Ministries (which is a branch of KIM ministries) and then two weeks in the mountains of the island living at an orphanage. So we spent two days at the KIM base in Manila and early tomorrow morning (November 8) we will make our way to Mandonia. I think I may be a little disappointed when I reach a month that our ministry doesn’t end up changing because it just adds so much thrill to the beginning of the month.
However, there was one catch when we booked our flight. We are not allowed to bring checked bags on the plane. So that means that for the next month my team and I will be living out of our day packs. Now let me just tell you when I applied for the race I did not know how I was going to live out of a hikers backpack for a year and if you told me I would be living out of my little backpack for a month I would have called you crazy. However, I am oddly excited for the adventure. I packed my bag today and was surprised with how little I really need to live off of. And my packing skills have increased exponentially since leaving for the race so you really can fit a lot into a backpack.
We have only been in the Philippines for a couple days but I already remember why I love this place so much. I love the crazy fast paced life style of the city. I am still trying to figure out if there are any rules when driving or if it really is just a free for all. I love that most people speak at least a little English so although communication can be interesting at times it is possible. I love the joy and love of the children here. Walking down the street it is not uncommon for kids to run up to you and give you a hug. There are street kids constantly hanging around the gates at the ministry sight we are at and they get so excited when you come out to say hi or play with them. I spent an hour or so having races with the kids, singing frozen, dancing in the street and just talking with them and it was awesome to see their faces light up with joy that people are willing to stop and give them some attention. It is weird to see such poverty among such wealth. There is a lot of western influence in the city of Manila and there are a lot of people with money but there are also THOUSANDS of people living on the streets. It can be discouraging because there is such a great need but I am learning to go where God leads and it is not up to me to measure the impact I am having on these people. I cannot love on all the street children in the Philippines even though I would love to be able to but I can show Gods love to the ones I have the privilege of meeting.
Thank-you to everyone who has been praying for me and supporting me thus far in my journey. My next financial deadline is December 1 and I need about $900 more to reach that deadline. Please prayerfully consider financially contributing to my mission journey.
P.S as I promised I would and I am sure you already know you are still number 1
