Learning

Hello dear friends. It seems just about the right time for another update.
I hope all is well with you back in Canada as you enjoy the last few weeks of summer.
Life is busy here in Cebu. Many things have been happening and happening at a fast pace. I entitled this post 'learning' because I feel that is all I have been doing and nothing else.
I am realizing more and more that I am definitely not in Canada anymore! It seems silly as I write that, but its true. Today I officially got my visitors visa after waiting 2 and a half hours in the immigration office. So now both Ginny and I are good to go (and legally) in the country. Which is of course, a wonderful thing!
These last few weeks have been interesting. We have been doing a lot of visiting of various ministries throughout the city and I am really having hands on participation and experience in what my mentor is living and breathing everyday here in the Philippines.
In my growth and learning there have been growing pains. Not being able to communicate properly, eating different food, adjusting to the sights, smells and heat of the country and learning a totally different world view!
It certainly has not been easy but God is full of grace and continues to give me strength every new day.
I have been starting my language classes, which have been good. My teacher, Anita and I meet in a small room in a tiny building in the middle of a bustling neighborhood. She is really sweet and encouraging when I mess up (which is often). I feel like these classes are very helpful though. All the Filipino's I encounter during my day are eager to help me as I point to something and half mutter the Cebuano word for it. Like when I'm out eating, I will point to the plate and say, "plato!" And they are so happy that I'm trying.
This next week is going to be another busy one as me and the team prepare for our upcoming missions trip to the Island of Bohol, where the famous Chocolate Hills are located! Like I mentioned in my last post, Rhonda teaches a class at VAST (Visayas Alliance School of Theology) which is a local Alliance Bible college. Her class in five eager young women who are being trained for full time ministry. Part of their course is to help plan a missions trip to Bohol. We will be meeting up with a pastor and team there and focusing on evangelism for young people. We have a lot planned and one of my jobs is to teach some drama and songs to the team and also to the children of Bohol we will be ministering to. I also have the oppurunity to share my testimony in a church there, which is great!
This coming Monday night we are planning a large garden party to celebrate Rhonda's ministries and welcome Ginny and I and commission our team to Bohol. It's a pretty big deal, it's catered, there will be an mc and we ahve sent out many invitations. Rhonda, Ginny and I have even learned a tamberine dance (from Rhonda's class) to be performed to everybody! You should see us three white girls dancing beside these tiny beautiful Filipina girls. It's quite the hoot!

This about wraps up my latest news for now. Please pray for our team going to Bohol one week from today (the 7th). There are 10 of us going and still more planning to be done. Pray that God will use our ministry in Bohol and being light where there is darkness!
Praise God that I have been blessed with a wonderful mentor who I can laugh, cry and talk to about anything I may be feeling.
Much love,
Amanda

I am home.

I am now officially in Cebu City settled into my new home with my mentor Rhonda and friend Ginny who will be here working with us in Cebu until the end of August. I embarked on this journey last tuesday, July 15th and had no troubles at all in travelling. Smooth sailing, just very tiring! For the last week we have been spending some relaxing time in Manila with missionary friends of Rhonda's there and also took a trip north to the city of Boguio! It's been a great time getting to know one another and speninding lots of time in prayer and preperation. In Boguio we saw the beautiful mountians and experienced some real live Filipino market shopping! I have been meeting some really awesome Filipino's with hearts for the Lord and for His ministry. The people are making my transition much easier and they have shown much grace to me as I learn the do's and dont's of life in the Philippines.
I have been quite busy traveling so haven't had much time yet to sit and write about all that has been going on. Today I will be sharing my testimony with an all girls class Rhonda teaches and we are beginning to prepare for a missions trip with her class to Bohol ( the island east of Cebu).
I have the oppurtunity to be involved in so many things, I really can't wait!
Next week I will be taking a missions class in the evenings at the Asian Centre for Missions alongside my mentor and other Filipino classmates. As well helping out with lots of children's ministries!
I ask that you will be praying for me as I get used to the heat here in the Philippines. It quickly zaps my energy, so please pray I will be refreshed to work! Also pray for continued safety and good health for Ginny, myself and Rhonda.
And praise the Lord that we all arrived safe and sound here in Cebu with a beautiful home waiting for us and a solid friendship between us three girls :)
Thank you for your prayers and encouragements,I miss you all and will keep you updated on the new happenings in my life here in Cebu City!
ayo ayo! (take care in Cebuano)

I'm on my way!

I received my plane ticket today. It is now real, here in my hands. This is really happening!
God is so faithful even in the smallest details. Things are starting to fall into place and I look forward to these next few months here in Canada as I spend time with my family and prepare to go. I write my last exam tomorrow afternoon and than I will be all done school..for now.
I move back with the family on the 24th and begin my hunt for a job.
Please pray; for He is good and He has plans for me that I can't even ask or imagine!