Arrival – Day 1
The jet lag lingers as I sit in the early dawn hours looking out over the palms that fill the lush jungle to the expanse of the ocean leading to the horizon. Liz said she felt like she was coming home when we returned to Salangin Balay and for the four of us (Sandi, Zane, Michael and Liz) who were here two years ago everything and everyone seems very familiar. Songs of welcome greeted us as we drove up the hill arriving at Salagin Balay. The Family Christian Fellowship arranged a surprise and serenaded us with a song, “There’s a Christian welcome in this place.” What a welcome!
We spent most of the day yesterday in Tagbilaran City shopping and preparing for our stay. We ate at The Garden Cafe where we received wonderful service from the deaf working at the restaurant. The highlight for me was watching the students take in all the sights, smells, and sounds of the city. People filled the mall and jeepnees and tricycles filled the streets converging together miraculously with no regard for the painted lines on the road. Excitement and wonder filled their eyes as the students’ heads turned every direction to capture every sensory detail of the trip.
We toured the barrio last night in the fading daylight hours, and we saw many familiar faces. The people in the barrio are very welcoming and remember us. Many people we meet last time greeted me with “Pastor Michael” and a very big smile. We stopped by the school where preparations are underway for school to start on Monday. Perhaps more than anyone we recognized the children as we saw familiar faces who aged two years. It’s great to see familiar faces and to be back in the Calunasan Sur.
VBS begins this morning for children and basketball camp for youth in the afternoon. The past three days the Christian Fellowship Church has hosted 75 children for VBS, so we are excited about joining their efforts to work with the children and serve them. What priviledge we have to serve and share Jesus!
Thanks you for your prayers! My prayer for us on this trip comes from Joshua 3 as the people of Israel are about to cross the Jordan and Joshua says to the people, “Today you will know that the living God is among you.” I pray that as a team we see the living God among us in many ways today and every day.
– Michael
The highlight of my day is reading the highlights of yours.
How exciting! It really is wonderful to be in a partnership where you can build on what you’ve done before. Praying for you time there, that it will be very fruitful.
Thank-you so much Michael, how wonderful. What an awesome experience for all. I am thrilled that my son is able to be there and share in this incredible example of God’s love and compassion.
Kevin McCauley
Thanks for the update Michael. I am so glad to hear you arrived and jumped right in. It seems you have a lot of time but it passes so quickly. Enjoy every minute!… I am anxious to hear of your daily experiences. May God bless you and your team and the people you are there to meet and serve. We will all be praying for you. John Campbell