Sorry it has been a good week since I’ve updated. Its been a total whirlwind since we have landed here in Cebu. Its been great though. We pretty much have hit the ground running. We didn’t have much time to get over jet lag, but my team has been doing incredible at pushing though. I think we are all finally adjusted!
As soon as we landed, we changed over some money, got some basics, dropped our luggage off at our house, and went straight to a feeding that hosts between 150 and 200 kids. While the kids are doing a lesson, they take the parents of the community and do a short Bible Study with them. After we finished there, we went and explored the home church and began some ministry prep. On Sunday we did not go to just one or two church services, but FIVE. We shared and presented at every service. It was really great, but really tiring. But the people here are incredible, so its worth it.
The host church that we are working alongside of has several church plants all over Cebu, but it also is a hub that host Compassion International children. They are over 532 children. About seven years ago, they started a program called “Loving My Neighbor” which is an after school program for the Compassion kids that teaches them about Jesus but also other life skills. It’s an awesome idea. So, for this entire week, we have taken over all their programs and run them for all the teachers. Its giving them a nice break, but also a change of scenery for the children. I have absolutely fallen in love with them, and have enjoyed getting to know them. The kids range from 6-14. Its heart breaking to hear their story, but also I feel honored to get to love on them and show them Christ.
We are staying in a “boarding house” with a few of the church workers. We have no refridgeration or air conditioning or really even a kitchen. Our kitchen is pretty much a sink, an electrical burner, and a rice cooker. We sleep on mats on the floor. We shower with buckets. Our toilet has no seat and it takes a bucket to make if flush. But honestly, its great. We are living with locals and we are experiencing what they experience. It’s different then what I’m used to but we are having a blast. At night we look forward to getting a good “bucket” in before we head to bed! The weather is very humid. I think that is the hardest thing we are trying to adjust to, but we are getting there!
Keep praying for us as we ministry. We are here for just about two more weeks and then its back to America! I am posting some pictures on our team blog, so check it out! The link is in the blog previous to this one!! God bless!
