Looks like we made it

hi i'm back long time since i wrote. As you all know by now we are here and enjoying life in the Philippines. I have experienced many of God's riches through the people we've met so far. Ate Merly and Uncle Peter (Joann's aunt and uncle) welcomed us with open hearts and arms. I wish you could have seen the beautiful piles of food that greeted us when we got to our new homes, they even cleaned our dusty places and prepared a lovely environment to come home to. We experienced God's gracious and generous love through them. Since that day nearly two weeks ago we've adjusted to jet lag and settled into a loose schedule for some of us (like homeschooling for the moms and kids) and continued to meet many excellent people. Our neighbor, Boyet, and man of peace (like brian likes to call him) is always around looking out for us and lending a helping hand (like towing our humongous van, a recent purchase, which likes to break down often). Him and his whole family have been warm and kind and loving just because that part of God's character is part of theirs. I have also seen God's sacrificial heart in the men and women who minister to others around them not because they have to but because they want to and even when they run out of funds they still sacrifice their time and resources so others around them might know how much Jesus loves them. I am blown away by all that Jesus is patiently teaching me. I realize i am slow to learn and way to spoiled and used to much comfort. I am learning to be thankful for the little things and the big (like surviving the traffic in the city) and I am honored to be among such wonderful teachers. hope to write again soon. much love, monica