Maayo Hapoon

Well, it has been a few days since I posted anything, so I better get at it. Patrick and Inneke are beginning to step out as the local leaders (they are heading back to Canada for a year) and a local guy named Jun and myself will be stepping up to run the show here for a while. I think it will be a stretching time for me and an exciting time. Definitely will be doing stuff that I have not done before, but I look forward to the challenge... makes life interesting.

How am I growing in my faith? I guess just realizing again how dependent I need to be on God and that Jesus needs to be the center of your life no matter what you are doing or where you are (i.e. if he is not the anchor in your life its gonna be rough). Why do I say this? Well I guess working around a lot of hurting lives and broken, hungry people, you really really want to make a difference and help them, to show them love, and to give them hope. As just man I can only do so much... even though you smile and try and show care, it feels kind of like selling cotton candy. You sell the candy and they eat it and are happy and enjoy it but you have not made any real change in their life. I guess I want to effect these people more then that. I want to see them changed and grow in their faith and to find the peace, love, acceptance, grace, and joy that I have found in Christ. In essence to become faithful disciples of Christ. I know that without God I cannot make this kind of difference so that is what has been drawing me back to even greater dependence on God. I know that even if I lack skills, abilities, and the character traits to do so, that God can make up for where I am lagging.

For those of you that know me well, you will know that I have weathered some rough months in the last little while. Someone asked me if I would be where I am today if that had not happened. And the answer is no! Not just geographically, but spiritually. There is no doubt that these hard times have driven me to a new level of faith and relationship with God. I will never be the same, how can I be. I had a work associate ask me if I had always been this religious after they had read my blog. I just laughed and said well I have always been spiritual, just stealthy about it I guess.

It looks like I am definitely going to be staying longer then 6 months. Not really sure how I will do it, but I would like to stay a couple years (where did I get two years from? It just seems about right. 6 months is too short and 5 years is too long). Much to my mom and dad's frustration, but I think I can convince them to come and visit.

Starting to really feel at home here in the Philippines. The only thing that really gets to me after a while is the heat, but you can always escape into an air conditioned coffee shop or mall.. just be prepared for a blast of heat when you leave. Anyway, don't want to drain all of my creative juices, so until next time!