Monday, October 6, 2008

here!

Teaching a boy to colour at Mercy Ministries: a drop in center for street youth and kids.
Yes, I am finally here in the Philippines. I"ve now been here for 3 weeks so I feel quite settled and at home here. This is the view from my apartment. There are 2 rooms where I stay: one for cooking and sitting and the other is my bed room. It is a perfect place for me!
This is my very good friend, Ate Pen. She is the one who brings me to the different ministries and travels with me. We are so similar in many ways and she encourages me much. For the first month I will be visiting all the different ministries here and then I will choose which one I will focus on.
This is one of the ministries I have already started to be involved with. The church is called JK and it is for youth. I am mentoring some of the younger youth leaders and also playing the keyboard in their band. Most of the youth have come from rough homes/no homes so there is much need here.
Some kids from the Kanawan Tribe. Our team will be spending a week with this tribe at Christmas time for a big party! The location of this tribe is 3 hours from Manila, up in the mountains.
There is much oppertunity for me to use the skills God has blessed me with. At this church I had the privilege to play a special number.
**God has been so very close to me during my stay here - I wish I could explain how much I value our relationship. I chose to give myself to Him so He would use me how He desired. I am still confident that this is where He wants to use me!
PRAYER: thank the Lord that He is working in mighty ways here! Also thank Him for never leaving me and for being my close friend. Thank Him for giving me 2 good friends to encourage me and teach me about the Filipino culture. Pray that I will stick close to Christ so that I can hear clearly from Him which ministry to choose. Pray that satan will have no hold on me, especially when I am lonely.
Thankyou for praying for me and for encouraging me!