Living Water

After almost 2 weeks, we finally have water here at Second Mile Compound! Yippee!!! The two weeks have been truly a time of learning... to be patient (with each other), to understand how others feel (just think of Africa and even the flood affected areas right here in the Philippines), to be creative (we put out buckets to collect rainwater), to be thankful (that just outside our compound, we can get water), and many more. It even showed man's kindness - as I went to the nearby sports club and was able to get a free shower. =)

It also gave me a real appreciation of this resource - water! A lot of our everyday life is dependent on water - washing hands, cooking, laundry, shower, and more. Basically, cleaning - water cleanses us of the filth that we acquire everyday. It reminded me of the Living Water that washes away all my complaining attitude during this time... and in the future. Thank you, Jesus.

H2O

We woke up Monday morning and found out we don't have water coming out of our tap. We thought it was the usual breaker problem, and Wayne went outside to check it out. That's when he learned that the motor pump of our water system in Second Mile was broken. After some 16 years, it finally gave in. Not bad for a motor pump. But, then that means we won't have water for a few days! Yikes! It's good that we still have the 'filtered water' that we buy for our drinking water. Wayne also put outside whatever buckets or containers we have, to collect rainwater. As much as we had prayed for the the rains to stop, what with the recent floods, I must say, the rainwater did come in handy. It is inconvenient, I  admit. But, nothing of course, compared to what the rest of the Filipinos who suffered from the recent floods are experiencing.

ILOG (RIVER) COMMUNITY

A few weeks ago, we went to visit a ministry of one of our ACTION colleagues. We visited homes that were set up on stilts by the river (not to mention, the river is dirty). One mother was carrying her 2 year old baby (which looked like over a year only), and the baby had tons of big scabs on her head. I admit it was hard for me to look at her, much less to touch her. My heart grieved to see how people could live in such conditions. But, there they are - carefree and seemed not to be bothered by their conditions. Whenever a storm comes through, we think of them, and pray, "Lord, have mercy." by Phoebe

OH, WOW, THIS IS REAL!
Hi friends! This is Wayne blogging some of our daily experiences.... The reality of finally settling into the Philippines hit home last week when I held my new Philippine drivers licence in my hand on July 26. After an eye test, drug test and 3 hours of waiting I had my "Oh Wow this is real" moment. Oh by the way, there IS order within the APPARENT traffic chaos here.

Yesterday after putting down my umbrella at Robinsons, a local grocery store, and forgetting about it, I thought I would never see it again. After going back to where I left it and not finding it, my last ditch effort at the lost and found desk left me leaving with a smile on my face and heart. Filipinos do return lost items!

Getting Ready for the Philippines

This is it! After almost 5 years since Wayne had his short term missions experience at 2nd Mile in Silang, Cavite, Philippines, we have actually been given the green light to book our tickets. A good, good, good friend is giving us his airmiles to book our flights. Some say it's a long shot getting 3 freebies, but let's see how God will work. He's been faithful all this time.