wonderful creation

One of my favorite things about living in the Philippines is the food. There are plenty of things I miss from the States, but overall, I'm thankful for the healthy and delicious eating here. Filipinos pride in their cuisine (and rightly so).
I'm even more thankful for getting to watch things grow and see how God's creation really provides for our bodies' needs. It's a really amazing process to see food grow.
Apart from our garden, a couple other things I've enjoyed seeing for the first time are cocao (chocolate) and black peppercorn.

Black pepper right off the tree

After two days of drying in the sun...ready to be cooked!

This is the fruit of a cocoa tree

The pulpy seeds inside..sweet and delicious to suck

After the seeds have been fermented and roasted

and ground into chocolate powder!

The powder can then be used to make hot chocolate or melted down with milk and sugar/honey for a super yummy, natural, and healthy dark chocolate bar! Add some nuts or coconut and it's like dark chocolate paradise :)

Hope you've enjoyed a little look into our life here.
-Autumn

P.S. Please pray for us as this afternoon is the beginning of a 3-day camp for children in our area. Josh will be coming each day as the 'photographer' but I and some other young Filipinos will be sleeping at the church with the kids. Pray for a safe and fun few days. And for the Spirit's anointing as we share Jesus' love with the kids. Thanks!