We arrived safely in Manila (Friday) in the late afternoon, got ourselves settled in my Uncle’s condo in Eastwood, a fairly new and really nice shopping/dining area. It is a huge blessing for us to stay in it. We also had a chance to get a quick meeting with our Compassion International contacts for a briefing of what our days ahead would look like.

On our first day we anxiously jumped in a Taxi and we made our way to a Compassion partner church. I am starting to get used to the traffic and aggressive driving here (at least as a passenger), Lynnette on the other hand is going to develop an ulcer. Numerous times I would feel her nails dig into the flesh of my hand as our driver zipped around as if he had nothing to live for.

In the morning Lynnette taught 9 – 11 year olds for 2 hours. I was going to help the mom’s in the kitchen prepare the meals, but it I could see that I would just get in their way rather than be any kind of help to them. I got the hint when they smiled nervously and were silent every time they were told I’d be helping them. So instead I helped out Lynnette with her class. Which, now that I think of it, Lynnette also had that same look when I told her I’d help her out.  

After all the kids ate the lunch that the mom’s were preparing, we also had a chance to eat the delicious Filipino food with the Compassion volunteers/teachers. I got in a quick game of “Upwards” (a scrabble like game), with the staff. I thought my hours of playing “Words with Friends” on the iPhone and having English as my first language would be an opportunity to dominate, but I was put to shame for most of the game and narrowly finished in second place.

In the Afternoon I taught the 14 – 17 year old class, and Lynnette taught the 11 – 13 yr old kids. We talked about “God’s will for their lives” which was the topic that Compassion gave to us. It was encouraging to see how attentive, and enthusiastic they all were, which really made it easy for me. But I think they were bewildered by the fact that this Filipino looking guy in front of them could not speak or understand Tagalog. I really enjoyed teaching this age group, and would definitely do more of it if God opened more doors for it to happen.

It’s been such a huge blessing to serve with Lynnette and being partnered together as a husband and wife team. God is giving us both opportunities to use our gifts and it’s amazing to see us draw even closer together as we support and spur each other on as we do whatever God calls us to do on this trip.