In Phuket, we went shopping at lots of different markets, ate lots of spicy Thai Food, spent some time on the beach and rode motorbikes around the beautiful countryside. We had a whole week of sleeping in and taking it easy. Unfortunately, Lindsey had gotten some sort of bug bite or mosquito bite when she was back in Indonesia where she is doing her onsite, and it got terribly infected half way through the week in Phuket. She ended up having to go to the hospital and get it cleaned and bandaged up! The poor girl was having to limp around and take lots of anti-biotics. But she was great and made it through the week fine, even managing daily trips to the hospital for regular checkups!
We had a relatively hassle free week. At one point, in the middle of the highway one of our motorbikes tires blew, but thankfully we were going slow enough that no one was hurt and we were almost right beside a gas station and got ourselves fixed up. All of our planes got us there and back on time with all our luggage and I would say we all left refreshed and satisfied. So praise God.
As soon as I returned here to Cebu, it was the grand finale of the Doulos. We packed up all our items there and moved off! Rhonda and I were blessed to be able to stay in a guest room on the Doulos it’s very last night in Pier 2 of Cebu City. It was fun to be on the ship and hang out with the crew and send them off with our blessings. We made some good friends and they will be missed.
Only days after the ship left, we received a group of 8 Canadians here on a short missions trip. They consist of 2 grandparents and one of their children and 5 grandchildren. Robin and Morgan are the grandparents. Charmaine is their daughter and she brought her two children, Darien and Christian. And they also brought along three other grandchildren, Autumn, Austin and Jordan. All ranging in age from 12 to 16. So this last week we have been very busy running around with them to different activities. Robin and Morgan have been to Cebu 4 different times and were major contributors to the establishing of Stepping Stones where I am so heavily involved. So we instantly had a connection through the Stepping Stones Scholarship ministry and even though they have been involved longer than I have, I have been able to be THEIR host there, show them more of the community and even took them to visit the schools of some of the children they sponsor. Its been a blessing to have them here. Despite their many sunburns, bug bites and dealing with the intense heat, they are troopers and are open to learning a lot while they are here. Which is what I like to see!
Speaking of Canadians, there is another young Canadian guy named John here visiting for a month. He is a Filipino, but born and raised in Calgary. He actually lives quite close to where I did downtown when I was going to Ambrose, so we were neighbours and didn’t even know it! This is his first time back to the Philippines in his older years. It’s really cool to have him around and use his help in the ministry! He comes with me on the weekends to Stepping Stones and helps lead worship at youth group. And during the week, he’s with Pastor Glemar, going all around doing everything from attending our staff meetings to building church buildings!
This last week I have been feeling really under the weather. I’ve had a cough ever since I got back from Thailand and it’s gotten progressively worse. So finally, yesterday I went to the doctor and found out I have an infection..and now that I’m on antibiotics, they’re taking their tole on my body. They are really hard on my stomach and also make me incredibly tired. So I’ve been taking it really easy and resting at home these last few afternoons and evenings. But I’m restless to get back out with the visitors. I’m saving up my strength for the next few days, because on Sunday, as a result of a great connection to one missionary with Samaritans Purse, we have a tonne of shoeboxes to give out to the kids in Stepping Stones and Didos community. I can’t wait to give them out to the kids. I’ll take lots of pictures to put on here!
Praise God for a great ELE experience and safety in all our traveling. Praise God for all the visitors we’ve been getting and the blessings they are to us here.
Please pray for good health as spiritual protection as we continue working here.
Until next time..
