Beauty in Bicol

They said I couldn't go because it was too dangerous for a foreiner...too many rapes and kidnappings even in the last week...
I'm glad they changed their minds.
We went to Bicol to chat with some pastors (meaning: Ate Pen talked for most of the time and we gave her support). Kuya Doy drove the 12 hour drive both ways (well done, Kuya Bogart) which was such a blessing to Ate Pen.
The trip was... ... .....

This woman here is the most beautiful Filipino I have met so far. She told me that once she became a Christian everything changed - she had joy, health, love for others and could speak English all of a sudden. She's 64. She is indeed beautiful. I hope I can look like her when I grow up...

The sand was black and the shells were plenty.

This was the first time a white person had visited their island...what a privilege.

The one in the middle is the one responsible for the sand in my Bible.
The one holding the pitcher of coconut juice is mysteriously innocent.

"Makulit" (ma-KOO-lit)

tagalog word for: annoying and irritating, but not used in a negative way.

The kids. It started with one and by the end of the day I counted more than 30 just following me. We played "duck duck goose" and sang kareoke on the beach while the tide went out...

This boat is similar to the one we used to get to the island. We went across the ocean at 3am in the dark...with the waves...and Ate Pen can't swim. And my imagination could see sharks. Sketch? The Lord was with us.

Their back yard.

Eating area.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." - James