FUN FACTS ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES :)

I will be on my way home soon!!! I can't wait to share pictures, stories and so much about my life here. Until I get there, I wanted to leave you all with some fun facts about the Philippines. It's just a few but very interesting!! I hope you enjoy :)

See you all soon!!

Fun Facts About The Philippines

1. The Philippines ranks 12th among the most populous countries in the world, the population of this country is about 90 million people.

2. The Philippines has more than 200 volcanoes, although only some of them are active.

3. Philippines are considered the “text capital of the world.” Every day, 35 million mobile subscribers in the country are sending about 450 million short text messages (SMS). This is more than the total number of daily text messages sent in the United States and Europe together.

4. Despite popular belief, karaoke was invented in the Philippines, but not in Japan. Karaoke invented by Roberto Del Rosario, calling it “Sing along with the system”. And the name “karaoke” came later, translated from the Japanese it means “singing without accompaniment.”

5. Traditional ancient Philippine toy “yo-yo” used as a weapon at first.

6. The Philippines has the most numerous species of birds and butterflies in the world.

7. Fish species found in Philippine waters is the most diverse in the world.

8. The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia.

7 Months and counting....

I am SEVEN months in now! Every day I wake up and can't believe that I am here. I can't believe that God trusts me with His precious children. Every day I think of what more I can be doing...how can I do my job better...what did I fail at today that I need to hit on the mark tomorrow....BUT then I stop and think- although we should think about these questions, the best thing I can do for these kids is to love them, to spend time with them, to show them what Christ looks like...what does Christ look like in someones life when they are joyful, facing hardships, have a lot of work to do, faces rejection, annoyed...etc. I just need to live life with these kids. I need to be real and transparent to a certain point. I may not be here forever...I'm still praying about what I am to do next year. I may not be sure on that but I am sure on a few things. I want to make sure that when I go back to the U.S. I leave an imprint of what a Christ follower looks like. That I taught about loving Jesus no matter what..that it is an everyday thing. That its not a mask to wear.

Recently I've been apart of a lot of fun things the home is doing.. I'm thankful and blessed to be apart of them. We had some Graduates recently! We are so proud of them. Graduates of high school and college.

We had all the community based join us as we had a field trip to Zoobic...a Zoo in Subic. It was so much fun. It was a family reunion with our kids that we support in the community. They don't get back to the home often as they are studying and working. So this was a fun occasion to to laugh and have fun!

The kids are out of school now so they are having more free time. They are practicing for Sportsfest coming up soon. They show off their athletics skills!

I'm truly enjoying my time here. I enjoy taking walks everyday( that's the goal!) and hearing kids call my name. I love exchanging the same words everyday with this one little girl..everyday it's " ganda mo!" means " your beautiful"... She is so cute. I love experiencing life differently than the ways I am use to. It reminds me of many things. To be more thankful for what I have, to slow down and enjoy life, to share love of Christ more in my actions and words, to pray more about what God is doing in the live around me..

I have probably said it before and I'll say it again... I may not be the best writer, or communicator for that much, but I'm thankful that all who know me, know that my relationship with Christ is more built with Character and not Charisma. It's not about how good of a show I put on, how I great I speak, or the clothes I wear, but my actions, my heart and my stewardship of what God has given me. So thank you for always trusting in me. Thank you for standing behind me. It's always a blessing to know I'm being backed up by my U.S. Family!!!

Blessings y'all!

5 month mark!

Its been about 5 months already!
I can't even believe it. But I believe in God and that helps me understand this is real life!

Things have been really busy since its the Holiday season. Monica also was in U.S. for a little over a month. I was the interim director while she was gone. There was not much time for rest. I really had to rely on God. I was also sick with a cold for about 3 weeks. It really is hard to be in another country when you are sick.

I have recently been thinking of this game we played in youth group called "Trainwreck". You stand in the middle of a circle of people and say, "I have never_____" and then those seated who have done what you did not, have to get up and change seats. I was thinking of this game because now I have done so many things that Im sure I would have to get up a lot. In saying that, here are some things I HAVE done...so you can understand better.

- I have partied with the mascots of fast food restraunts and clowns.
-I have been hiking up a mountain in another country (3 times now..1 in Mexico, 2 in the Philippines)
- I have eating fresh coconut right from the tree.
- I have learned to say more than please and thank you in another language.
-I have about 40 kids :) and I have experienced the joy of being called Mama. Its truly one of the best feelings that this world could offer.
- I have eaten veggies that look like they were just picked from the forest.
- I have spent my New Years Eve in a police station...no not behind bars! :)
-I have been in a car accident in another country. Not my fault. And I met Senior Officer Sir John Canare... A handsome man who actually speaks good english enough to throw in some jokes about being like Sean Connery, except the skin color.
- I have learned to drive Manual and have driven a Manual van and 2 Manual trucks. And lets not forget the roads are extremely small with everyone hanging out in them!
- I have eaten many foods that I cant pronounce or recognize.
- I have busted my eye playing basketball with my boys. And I was winning!
- I have littered...and felt really bad about it. But they just burn trash here so its not really littering. There are no trash cans.
-I have experienced the joy of handing over a boy to his new family. And watch them bond over few days.
-I have been inside the U.S. Embassy in Manila.
-I have led an entire devotion (like preaching a mini message) in a different language.

These are just some that I can think of.
I have learned many things about myself. I never realized before how much I like to people please. But it works in many ways. Before if I felt like I wouldnt meet your expectations I wouldnt even try. Well here I have learned to suck it up and just do it. I have been so embaressed many times, by speaking terrible tagalog to driving down a road thats not really a road. So many situations leave me embaressed, but I constantly remember its not about me but about Jesus. I figure I get stared at and talked about already as an American so why not just go big or go home, right?
I do have few frustrations. I try not to be a princess on the mission field. But I get so very sad when my internet doesnt work..especially when I am suppose to skype friends or family. I get a bit irritated when I cant sleep in on my day off. One of the issues of living in the home. Anyone can come to your door. Whether they actually need something or just want something impatiently. I get irritated when I wish I could explain more things about Jesus to the youth but the language barrier can be a little issue. I wish I could run on my own with out being stared at and hollered at. I hate hate hate having to put my toilet tissue in a waste basket. I hate ants passionately.

But things that make up for it all..
Knowing God is using me to bring healing to neglected, abused and abandoned children. I get to help find new families for some. I get to play the role of Mama and Sister to some. I get the joy of getting probably 100 hugs a day. I get to share the Word of God every morning with our staff. Plus I get to experience all the awesome things listed above.

So even though I dont get much rest, skype time, American food or able to flush my TP- I know Im where I am suppose to be this season of my life.

Thanks for being apart of it.

The included pics are from our Christmas outreach, Jollibee bday party, youth outing at Mt.Samat, and youth outing at Kings Garden.