Rachel's First Filipino Post

Yeah. That's a Typhoon!

Hello from the Philippines! Colin has been doing most of the updating because I've been sleeping in due to jet lag. He said it was like I was in a coma... and he was right was a few exceptions. The first of which is that I WAS able to be woken up; however,  because I DID NOT WANT to be woken up I was mean and whiney.

Anyway.

Yesterday we did more than just eat an amazing lunch. There was a whole adventure beforehand beginning with the realization that we had no food, drinkable water, or pesos to get it. Because we had no pesos, we couldn't even pay for a taxi to take us to a bank to exchange our currency.

Needless to say: it was time for an adventure.

...read more!

In the states, it rains. In Manila, it TYPHOONS. The rain is persistent, but life continues because it is an ever present reality. Roads and homes are flooded (please pray for our friends). Luckily, we had purchased very good rain coats in Michigan and were well prepared. I have had many compliments on my black/rainbow polka-dot rain boots!

So into the rain we went.

Our mission: get to a bank.

We asked for directions and headed out. I was scared. I had no idea where we were and felt like everyone was staring at us. As Colin said before, traffic is intense, so we had to be very very careful/fast when crossing streets. The rain made it hard to see, but we made it to the bank only getting lost once. When we got there, DRENCHED, they would not exchange our currency without a passport so we had to hike back in the rain and come back again.

I cannot take anything here for granted. Everything is by the grace of God and His children.

After exchanging currency, we took a taxi to Monsoon Studios. The driver blasted american pop music (oh yeah Usher! lol) and drove in the on coming traffic lane when he wasn't in the no-space-no-lane traffic "where he was supposed to be." That's how it is in Manila. Traffic is like water. If there is ANY space, someone WILL fill it.

Upon arrival, Ann took us to Megamall (think Mall of America times 3 minus a roller-coaster plus churches) for lunch. Check out Colin's previous post for more on that.

After eating we set up our super cool desks at the office and went to Friday Fun Night at our new friend Aileen's house. We walked through the city in the rain with some people from the office. It was so much more fun than the first time on the way to the bank. They were splashing and laughing and it made us realize that it's just rain and you can play in it! I am so grateful for their joy. It is contagious.

We sang Karaoke and had a wonderful dinner to say goodbye to Aileen and celebrate her time at monsoon. She is a kind and insightful woman of God. Please pray for her wisdom to God's guidance as she returns to the States.

We are excited for even more adventures in Manila and can't wait to meet our foster family tonight! Thank you for your prayers!

ps: Please faithfully consider partnering with us financially. We are great for now, but will need more funds before the end of our trip. Also, please faithfully consider contributing to Ann and Oliver. They are amazing people who are seeking to do God's will in Manila but need more support. If you are interested, please let us know and we will connect you. Thanks again!