The Lord is so faithful to move and work in our lives.

January has been a busy month for us. We celebrated New Year's, went to Baguio and Manila, partnered with a US mission team, went to Manila again, visited with old friends, and we're preparing for a second mission team. We've constantly been on the move. This has been both tiring and exciting. As we find rest in the Lord, we praise Him that some of our relationships here are really beginning to flourish. He's provided the opportunity to begin home Bible studies with a couple of families. And the He is constantly stripping us of ourselves and showing us our deep need for Him.

In the midst of the business, I took some time to sit back and reflect on our time in the Philippines thus far. I found myself smiling when I realized how quickly we've become assimilated. We often find ourselves doing things just like the locals. For instance, I can't eat rice with a fork anymore; I prefer a spoon. We barely notice the gekkos around our home. I have a supernatural ability to take an ice-cold shower. We enjoy instant coffee. Josh's machete skills are remarkable. We can cut open and grate a whole coconut in about 10 minutes. I sweep with one arm behind my back. And we love mango. I just praise the Lord that He has allowed us to have such a smooth transition to our new home. There are still obtsacles and struggles with adapting to a culture so different from our own, but we couldn't ask for a more warm and beautiful people to spend our lives with.

Sweet girls from Sunday School

Celebrating this brother's salvation in Christ

Big waves!

Transportation of the Philippines- The Jeepney

Taking the team to the beach

Look closely for the HUGE spider!