Journal Entry 5 (Recapping days 6-11)

So to recap the last 6 days...

Last week ended well. I preached 15 times and enjoyed every minute of it! God has really reminded of His word and His promises through the Gospel. This trip has been a huge blessing so far. Thursday evening we went to McDonalds for supper. Can I just say I'm so tired of fast food that I can get in America. It's not even really the same as an American McDonalds--I digress. After we ate, Mr. Tebow asked us to share some thoughts/stories from the week. I really enjoyed this since I haven't had a chance to really meet everyone and get to know some people. Some stories were funny, and some were really touching. It's great to hear the different ways of how God is working on this trip. Then we were told what we needed for our trip to the orphanage and what time we were going to be leaving Friday. I was pretty pumped at this point! I had been waiting, patiently might I add, for this trip to see those kids. So I was really ready.

Friday was a good day! It was a short day, but a good one nonetheless. Everyone in our group was going to the orphanage so we kind of cut our day short so we could go back, pack, and get ready to leave that evening. So we returned early in the afternoon and I showered--a good shower since I was told we wouldn't really have a chance to get one this weekend...what!? Then I packed my stuff up and got it ready to go. Little did I know this was going to be a rather rough trip for me...
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Orphanage
We left Friday night for Manila to spend the night and wake up early to catch a flight @ 7AM for Mindanao--What!? Yeah, so we sat in traffic for 2 and half hours in Manila Friday night--blah--and while we did that I caught up on some sleep. We finally got to the hotel and I was sooo exhausted. And I was dizzy from being exhausted. I was also really thirsty. Once we got up to our room, all I could do was fall on the mattress and curl up and sleep. My body was so tired. And I was so thirsty. I think my body was shutting down. So the next morning, we got up around 3:30AM and I felt horrible. I was still so thirsty and dizzy. So I pushed through and made it to the airport, made it through customs, got our tickets and waited on our flight. It was a pretty long morning but we finally got on our flight and headed to Mindanao. I slept on the plane because that's what I do now and before I knew it, we were there! Landed in General Santos, caught a bus for two hours and tried to sleep while riding. The roads were pretty curvy, or maybe it was my imagination, but I ended up getting a little car sick along with a fever. I knew something was wrong. The dehydration and exhaustion--it was going downhill fast. I was definitely jostled around on this bus ride and so that didn't help much. I was freezing because of my fever and this bus was hot. Something terrible was happening and I knew it. I kept trying to tell myself it was psychological or that it was just motion sickness--it was neither. We finally got to the orphanage and I was thirstier than ever! I still had a fever and it was like 80-90 degrees outside and I wasn't breaking a sweat! My head hurt so bad but I didn't want to miss anything. So I just pushed through it. The kids were wonderful! And I knew I wanted to play with them. They were so awesome to be around--so loving. We went down to the river to play with them and just love on them. I'm glad I didn't miss that. I took some medicine for my headache and fever so I was starting to feel better and just figured that was it. Not exactly. It rained for a good while and so we played with the kids underneath some shelter and sat around with them and just talked. One girl taught me some songs and we sang those together. I was having so much fun but feeling awful. So I finally made myself go lie down for a while to boost some energy and make myself feel better. I slept for about an hour and a half when I made myself get up and go back and play. The fevers never stopped and so when dinner time came, I ate rice. That was it. Then I went to bed for the rest of the night. I missed the rest of dinner and the kids program they put on for us. I felt so bad. So the middle of the night is when it hit--the long awaited diarrhea. I knew it was coming. It was just a matter of time. So anyone can imagine how the rest of the trip went that weekend. The bus ride, plane ride, bus ride again stuck in more of Manila's fine traffic...it all was just lovely. We stopped at a Burger King at 10:30 at night and everyone in the Philippines was there! These people literally never sleep. I had rice, again. Then we got back on the bus and rode some more to our next city. We arrived at the hotel at 3:45AM and once again, had to get ready and go for our next day. I however, didn't go out that day. It was an awful day of stomach cramps and smelling fuel from the traffic outside. Both not a good combination. Sleep was good when I could get some. I ate one bananna and drank some Gatorade. Everything was horrible until about 7PM that night when I started to feel better. Things started to settle down. I woke up the next morning and things were so much better. I was ready to go and feeling like myself again. Thank you Jesus for getting me through that. Never do I want to experience that again. I'm good. Promise.
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The next day...
The day after I was sick was a great day! I mean a really good day. Not sure if it was because I was just happy to be back or what but it was a great day. I ended being in a group with some great girls and we had so much fun! The pastors were great as well that day! We all laughed the whole day. We got to 10 schools. I just love getting to go from school to school to see the children. They're so beautiful and lovable. They listen so intently and just hang on your every word sometimes. They're obviously hungry and want to be loved. I'll love them :) We ate chicken and rice for lunch at a really cute place that I want to go back to. We met up with our other half of the group so it was nice to hang out with them as well. The pastors are so funny. I love getting to hear their stories and learn about their families. They're just amazing people. Such a good day to visit and share the Gospel after such a wretched day before. I praise you God for giving me this day!

Journal Entry 4 (sort of)

So my days and time is definitely off. I'm having a hard time keeping up with what day it actually is here and in America. Haven't been able to call the parents yet--we've just been so busy and I really haven't had time to take everything in yet. I guess that's a good thing...maybe I'll get a chance to call them today.

I woke up again around 4:20AM again--it was a little bit rougher this morning though. Not feeling 100% today but nothing I can't handle. I had the best bananna this morning and Dunkin Donuts for breakfast--Dunkin Donuts, Thanks God :) You know just what I like! We also got PB&J sandwiches packed for us for a snack today--unfortunately, I forgot mine today :( I was with a good group of girls today and we had a pretty awesome day! It started out a little rocky--spiritual warfare possibly. The first school I went to was a pretty big school. 500+, elementary school. I was pumped! I was going to get to share with all of these children and teachers. Parents were also there dropping their kids off and hung around to see what we were going to do, so that was a plus in my eyes. Our pastor/translator talked with the principal about allowing us to speak. She was very reluctant to allow us to do this and only allowed 15 minutes for us to "do our thing". Her school was in some sort of contest and they won, so she wanted to announce it during their flag ceremony. Even though I don't understand the language real well, I can pick up on some of the language and definitely the body language, so I could tell that she was very apprehensive about letting us do this. Give me the words to say Lord, I have 15 mins to share with them about You. Allow me to tell them what is most important and what they need to hear. So they had their flag cermony and did some morning excercises and then she introduced us and allowed us to go first before she made her announcements. So I started telling them about Jesus--thanks God for the words. I got all the way through the prayer and the principal told our pastor/translator that it was time and we needed to go. I was like, what!? I need to follow up with them Lord. So the pastor wrapped it up real quick for me and we were done. It wasn't even 15 minutes yet, and I was a little frustrated I didn't get to follow up with them. We were going to stay for the rest of the announcements but the principal asked us to leave. When we got back in the jeep, the pastor apologized for what had just happened and said that most Filipinos were not like that. That they were very friendly and hospitable. It's interesting how caring they are compared to people in America. This would be a typical situation in America but here, it's not. Interesting the different cultures. God, I pray that You use anything that I said this morning--I pray that they know how much You love them and what Your Son did on the cross for them. Help me to realize I can't do it all, in fact that it's not me who does anything. It's You in me that accomplishes things for Your kingdom. I also pray that You would not allow satan to be any part of our work here. You are faithful God. You know exactly what You are doing and I thank You for that.

We had Filipino cuisine today. I must admit that I was a little skeptical of this, however it turned out to be really good! We had a really good day today. We got to know the pastors a little bit better. I love that part! I love getting to hear about their lives and how long they've been in ministry over here. They truly understand what it means to live out their faith--they get it. And it's so refreshing to be around. Thank you God for the encouragement they've been to me already and the ministry they're involved in. Bless them and their families as they continue to minister to the Filipinos here.

Going to bed now. A long but enjoyable day!

Journal Entries 2-3

So yeah, God, I asked for it and now you're giving it to me. Sacrifice. It's about 12AM and I just found out I have 4 hours to sleep, on the bus ride, to Urdaneta City, when it will be time for us to get up. So when we arrive at our hotel, we'll have time to put our stuff down, "freshen up", and go eat breakfast. Ok, I can do this. Sacrifice for Jesus, right? Got some sleep on the bus so that is good. Bus driver drove kind of crazy--I wasn't use to that so this is new...however, I am starting to feel a little more energized. Thanks God. I need all the energy You will supply for my day.

...unpacked, "freshened up", and ready for breakfast. I'm feeling pretty good at this point and am anticipating what this will be like. Have I mentioned that I'm really not sure how this is all going to go down? You're in control God. You've called me here and I pray you use me.

Today was the first day of our adventure. God supplied all the energy I needed and I praise Him for that! It was a tough day as I didn't really know what I was doing, but God has been faithful. My first Gospel presentation at an elementary school--it was ok. Let's just say I'm glad God uses anything for His good. It's kind of difficult to get use to having a translator repeat everything you say. I also need to remember to just break it down phrase by phrase or sentence by sentence. Not really sure about this but I know things will get better and God will use me. I'm clinging to that. I got to preach twice today. I would have liked more "practice" but it will come. The day was a little slow but not a bad first day. We took one of my teammates back to the hotel because she wasn't feeling well. Ate at McDonalds for lunch and then hit the road again. However, we had a little bit of jeep trouble but nothing that set us back for hours. Just kind of a slow day. I love the people here! Thank you Father for giving me a heart for these people. They're so beautiful and friendly. I love that You have created them this way. I'm feeling a little tired now that I have been sitting still...It's about 4pm and I am going to take a nap until dinner.

A few hours later...
I just slept through dinner! Got to love jet lag. It's about 9:30pm and I'm debating on whether or not to eat something or go back to bed. I'm still really tired...ok, going to bed now :)

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Day 4, I think

I feel great this morning! I got 10 hours of sleep since I slept through dinner and went back to bed after realizing I slept through dinner. My alarm clock went off at 4:20AM and I actually feel pretty good! Thanks Lord, for the much needed rest. I just knew today was going to be great and it was! Lord, you have definitely blessed me today. I was with a great group and we got to 14 schools today! We ended up dropping people off with pastors to hit more schools. I liked this a lot. I ended up getting to preach 5 times today and I am already feeling more comfortable with preaching. Thank you Lord, for giving me courage and boldness to preach the Gospel. Thank You that You have not given me a spirit of timidity, but of power and love. These people need Jesus. They need to hear the Good News and I thank You that You have chosen me today to tell them. "I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge." 2 Corinthians 11:6
Lord, I have the knowledge. I know You personally and I know the Gospel. Help me to take it wherever you lead me. God, allow me to continue to be used by You where You see fit. Thank you for the opportunities you have given me today. Your children truly are beautiful.

Dinner was at 6pm promptly and I just made a fool out of myself. Singing songs. One of my favorite things to do with my closest friends, in my car alone, and for worship. Not to perform for all to hear just because someone told me to. Jingle Bells. Really? Oh me, it's so messed up. Pizza Hut for dinner, was pretty good. Mr. Tebow spoke about why the Gospel really is good news. I'm challenged as I ponder on the Gospel in general. Thanks Lord, it's been food to my soul. It's about 8pm and I'm going to bed. I love it!

Journal Entry 1

**This is just a summed up version of my journal entry--they're way too long to post all of it but hopefully you will get a good idea of the things we did and what was going on.

7/18/09: I left for the airport at 8am. Got to my flight by 10 after. I said some sad goodbyes to my mother, father and Katie. It was good, no cries :) Confusion maybe but all is well. Had about an hour & and half before I left ATL so I did what I love most--people watched! It was good, some old lady sitting next to me had a Beyonce ringtone on her phone--so silly! Since I didn't have a seat assigned just yet my name was one of the ones called first to board--yay! I felt like I was getting special treatment, even though I know I wasn't. The flight left around 12:30pm for Detroit where I met my teammates. Nervous, excited, scared, anxious--this all describes what I felt. God is in control. He has brought me here and I have nothing to fear. Got to keep reminding myself of this. Landed in Detroit and I had exactly enough time to use the bathroom, get some lunch, let a man yell at me because he has "called my name for the last time" to get my seat assignment, meet the team and board the flight. What a whirlwind! Teammates were nice and immediately welcoming--it was good! I was feeling pretty pumped at this point and really excited about getting to know my teammates when I realized I wasn't near most of my teammates on the flight at all. Actually, I wasn't sitting with any of them. It was fine though, no worries. I'll just meet the Filipino woman to my left and the Japanese girl to my right.

Well, the Filipino woman didn't seem to want to talk much and the Japanese girl went straight to sleep so I was left on this 13 hour flight to stare at my hands basically. So I tried to sleep, I was so exhausted. So I closed my eyes for about an hour but didn't really get much sleep at all. Just trying to focus my mind on the things set before me. A lot of prayer trying to prepare my heart for the people we will minister to.

Couple hours later...
So now the flight is just plain boring and I can't really sleep like I want to, some of my music didn't get put on mp3 player thingy and now I'm kind of pissed. Plus I have this middle seat where I can't move anywhere--how quickly my focus changes in a matter of hours. God get me through this and get me through this quickly...please.

Few hours later...
I just want to sleep and the lady next to me won't shut the window--the light is shining in my eyes! I don't even know what time it is my time or Japan time and my body is just really confused and exhausted. I also have to use the bathroom, but for some weird reason, I can't!!!! How uncomfortable I feel. God please help me to use the bathroom and help this flight to end soon :)

Few more hours later...
So I think it's 7/19 now, maybe. I'm really not sure anymore about date or time. My eyes are really bloodshot and dry. I still have to use the bathroom. The lady finally shut the window but I have yet to get some much needed sleep. I feel kind of crappy just because of all this and I have lost some focus here. God help me focus back on my purpose in this. Also help me get some sleep even if it's just and hour.

Finally arriving in Nagoya, Japan!!!! How happy my heart is :) Hitting some really bad turbulance and hoping I don't die. God is good though. I made it through the flight. Not really looking forward to getting back on this flight but we're that much closer to Manila. Did I mention that the food on these flights is really turning my stomach? They feed you so much yet I don't really want space food 6 times in a flight. Blah! All is well though. Thanks God.

Arrived in Nagoya, used the squatty potty, stretched for about 20 mins, got back on the 4 hour flight and had a whole row to myself--thank you, thank you, thank you God :) Slept for about 2 hours straight! Skipped the space food dinner again and napped on and off until we arrived in Manila. Mabuhay! Praise God we made it! I smell bad, and look bad, but all my bags came in and I'm so ready for a bed. Thanks God for getting me through what I feel has been the roughest 48 hours of my life but yet is nothing compared to what your son did for us on the cross. Still, I thank You and praise You. May I come to understand what it truly means to sacrifice.

Home Sweet Home...

I'm home and home has never felt so good! I've been back for about a week and a half now. Things have been crazy since I've been back so sorry for the delay in posts.

The Philippines were amazing! God is truly at work over there and it was an incredible experience! Neither time nor space permit me to share half of what God taught me, how He worked through me and just the awesomeness of the whole journey. I got to meditate on the Gospel for two solid weeks and God did great and mighty things. How wonderful is the story of His love for us; how He sent His son to die for each and every soul out there! God is good. He is faithful and I am honored that He chose me to partake in His work! It's in His arms that I have truly been blessed. We have thousands of new brothers and sisters in Christ--praise God! My heart has been changed and my eyes have been opened. To God be the glory!

Over the next couple of weeks I will post some excerpts from my journal that I kept while I was there. I figured this would be the best way in letting you see the day to day things that went on. So that is to come in the next couple of weeks.

For now, here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

This little boy was just hanging out at one of the schools we went visited.

Listening to the Gospel presentation.

The most beautiful Filipino boy ever!

Me preaching at one of the schools.

Filipino children praying to recieve Christ.

Some beautiful mountain scenery.

Me and some children after I shared the Gospel at their school.

Some Filipino boys at one of the schools.