Looking back and Looking forward to 2008

Dear Brothers & sisters, frirends and families,

Warm greetings from Agnes! I hope that you had a joyful X'mas and a blessed New Year 2008! :)

Time files by... less than 2 weeks time i will leave Calapan and heading back to Hong Kong to have my reunion with my family and relatives there! So.. i think this will be my last prayer letter/ update from the Philippines soil......!

Looking back my last 12months, it was a very special year to me (especially in my spirtual walk with the Lord) -- full of laughters, love, challenges, trials, tears, joy and PEACE. I still remembered last new year 2007, i shared with my closed B&Ss/ colleagues about my wish in doing longer mission trip and set my heart to Out of my comfort zone in 2007! At that time, i had no idea if this desire will be materialised - least to say where the country i would do my mission! Indeed " Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4. What i could say is that our Heavenly Father knows how we think and feel in our hearts. He searches deep in our hearts and know if we are willing to walk on His way. He is always faithful and He is always gracious at all time.

I won't say 2007 was an easy year for me, in fact, it was a tough year when i set my mind and heart to do mission -- full of challenges, trials one after another; and at time, in agony waiting for a clear direction from the Lord what i should do next in order to fulfill my Mission desire?? I must say, i also lost count on how many times i was in tears or crying when i prayed and seek for the Lord will ( i guess, it must have been the year i consumed most tissues at home!!!!!).

But i thank God for His faithfulness and tender loving care and He is an understanding God. He raised different people/ churches at different times to be my prayer partners, i've just realised that the urban poor churches had been praying for me since 3 months before i arrived Calapan. Especially when i was confused in hearing God's guidance, when i was heart broken when tension between home was mounting up, when the challenges that God set before were seems to me so "mission impossible"....!! The
power of prayers and God words always give me guidance, hope and peace.
So here i'm, writing this last prayer letter from the mission field, i would like to say "THANK YOU SO MUCH" for your faithful prayers about my mission and my family back home.

Now that i'm in my last 2 weeks of my mission in Calapan, you may ask me what ministry and what exactly i'm doing here with the urban poor??! It is a good question! I also asked myself 2 months ago....

Now, i know why i'm being called here and what is my ministry during my short time here -- "To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God and with the lives of the urban poor!"
That's mean: To be their listening ears when they want to share their worries, to care for them when they need care/sick, to give them pharmaceutical advice on how to take medicines when need, to share Jesus's love with them, give them genuien smiles esp when time they hardly can get one from other people, show them love and attention that they deserve, join and play with them, to encourage them and to pray with them when their trials are just too heavy to bear .....

Yes, i believe that is what God has called me to do in Calapan, to walk humbly with God and walk with the poor...Many times, the problems/ trails that the poor are facing are just beyond my ability to solve or to handle. However, we know that we have a Good God who is a Good shepherd, always cares, leads and protects His sheep. And this is the great comfort and hope for us all :)

I thank God that i've come here. Not just to filful my mission desire that God has set for me, but also to meet so many lovely and Godly urban poor mothers, faithful youths and lovely and caring missionaries here in the Calapan. And i surely did not regret my decision to come here to serve the people here. :)

Of course, it was a huge bonus as a short term worker that i could go to the OMF Philippines Field Conference 2 weeks ago too! It was just great! It was so sweet to study/ share God word (Daniel Chp 1-6) with other missionaries and to listen to Dr. Patrick Fung (General Director of OMF International) to preach those chapters in a much deeper meaning and different dimension which is so relevent in our spiritual life during the conference was wonderful. Indeed, God is Soverign and is in Control. :) God also provided us a wonderful hotel to stay at during the conference with beautiful garden, beach and swimming pool!!!! What a wonderful gift that God has given me at the end of the year 2007!!!! You will see what i mean when you see the pics! :) See the link below.


Although my time in Philippines is nearly finished, i believe thta my mission is not yet finished... And i know that i have another mission to do... "Mission in Hong Kong"! I dont know what exactly i need to do apart from spend quality time with parents & family, i can only ask God to guide me in my next step in HK. :)

Last but not least, i would like to share with you a Tagalog hymn which i've learnt from the urban poor during my time here. Indeed, it is the first hymn i've learnt from the urban poor kids. :) I love it not just because of the melody is so nice but the lyric of this hymn is so truful, real, sincere and meaningful. Hope you like it too. Here is the English translation of the song:

"Thank you O Lord for all the things that have happened today.
May it be sadness or joy, pain or hurt or comfort,
for all the days that you have been with me.

Please stop the fighting, remove the bitterness in every hearts,
and from every sins grant forgiveness.
Bless our lives.

My prayer, please hear O Lord .. when i go to sleep, watch over me;
and when i wake up, i will always think that you are just on my side."

So my dear friends, i hope that you enjoy reading my last prayer letter and the pics. I praise God for His guidance, protection and love during my time in Philippines. I pray that my walk with God will be your blessings and encouragement in 2008.

Please continue to pray for me as i'm heading to HK next for 2 months. Keep in touch then!

Please pray for:
1) smooth debrief in Philippines, adjust quickly in HK (hopefully no "cultural shock")
2) safe travel from Calapan (20th) to Manila then to HK (22nd)
3) God's guidance, close walk with God during my stay in HK and divine opportunity to witness Christ at home
4) Good health (i'm havning mild diarrhoea now!) and protection from evil

Thank you all very much!( Salamat ho nang marami Tayo!)

Enjoy the pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/agnes.mission/TimesInCalapanChristmasNewYear2008?authkey=bM1rczNtWIk

God bless,
Agnes :)

Love, Health and Stormy night in Calapan

Dear Brothers, sisters, friends and families,

Warm greeting from Agnes again! I trust that you are all well in your home countries!

It has been nearly 3weeks not sending update to you all... sorry for the long silent as i'm finding opportunity to write to you all. :)

Life in Philippines for the last 3 weeks was busy to me. Not only been travelling up to Manila twice - each way of travel take about 6 hrs fr Calapan to Manila. One trip was training session by OMF at their Manila center, the other was visiting church friends who came all the way from London to Manila to visit me -- it was certainly v nice indeed!).

Apart from the travelling quite a bit, i was also helping on organising the Marriage Enrichment Seminar Celebration night 2weeks ago (Not that i know much about marriage!!!!) and then also help giving Health seminars for local urban poor on how to use medication safely and teaching them on the use of some common simple drugs which they commonly used ( e.g. Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, NSAIDs; the different of generic and brand names...etc.)

Both Marriage Celebration night and the Health Seminars went well. Many people came and i know that if it is not the Lord was in control in all things, surely both event wouldn't go well nor even won't happen as the weather for the last 2 weeks was very rainny and unpredictable!!!!

Only one week ago after i had met my church friends in Manila, i was travelling back to Calapan with the Dutch nurse as we were planning to give health seminar to the urban poor. On that morning, we were on the bus journey (2-3hrs journey), we're informed thru text msg that the typhoon was coming to our way and it was already signal #1 ( roughly equal to #3 in HK)near to the pier and all the fast boats to Calapan was stopped operating, only the big slow boat were still operating but did not know what time will have one. Anyway, when we arrived the pier later that morning, the sea was unusually calm.... no rain and we safely arrived Calapan and the Mission home that afternoon and straight after, we gave 3 different Health Seminars to the local on the next day. But deep down, we know that it is kind of the "eve" of the storm coming!!!!! But the great news was that the typhoon changed direction next day and not coming to Calapan -- well praise God for this changed direction tyhpoon as Calapan was hitted by the super typhoon last december and many homes damamged and lives lost -- they are all scared of typhoon esp the poors.

So.. i thought all typhoon gone and just back to the rainny days.... but on this Tuesday,the weather once again gave us surprise!!!

I was already staying with my host family since sunday night. On tuesday morning, we were saying there will be heavy rain as the sky was so dark... in the afternoon, the winds was gradually picking up and you can feel that. I was having my Tagalog lesson at the host family (as the mother is my teacher and local leader) and when we finished the lesson at 4pm, the heavy rain came with strong wind....we needed to close all windows but the winds continue to blow in thru the gaps making the nose "wwooo.... wwooooo"... As the winds were building up strong, we know it must be some sort of storm coming and electricity might cut off later today!!! So.. we started charging up the emergency lamp, mobile phones and getting ready the candles, matches and torch... We were kind of cut off from outside as we have no TV, no landline, and the urban poor only use the cell phone for texting and as calling is very expensive (8-10times more expensive), so we did not know what is going on weather wise apart from knowing the storm/ tyhpoon is coming fast!!!!

The storm was surely getting worse and all the 5 children of my host family were out in school or at work....! My teacher also had to go out to pick up her 7yr old son from school... so i was kind of home alone and "guarding the place" until someone came home. Thank God that one of her elder sons came home safe with clothes soaking wet! When my teacher and her young son came home, we were already busy "rescuse" the wet laundry outside the open ground....
At that time, the wind was really severe, and i could see some empty plastic water drums/ basket were half flying....! I was standing next to the kitchen door and help passing all the wet clothes from outside to the basket inside the kitchen. Even i was kind of indoor, my top part of myself and head were wet as the strong wind and rain were blowing to us - like having a shower!! We were busy filling up water into the water drums as it will be problem to have water later, charging up cellphones while electricity still on..... the son started cooking some rice while we were not in darkness and electricity still there. And suddenly....as we expected, the electricity cut off!!! All the lights off and candles were lighted.... we were thinking, it must be a evening having "candle lights dinner",so we thought...., We were start worrying about the other children and my teacher's husband whom had not yet arrived home in such a situation.. i started praying for them and ask the Lord to keep them safe and bring them back home safe. Soon after i had prayed, the elderst daughter came home and... then the elderst son...and so on.. all soaking wet but we thank God that all came home safe that evening. :)

On the very same evening, there was supposed to be the women bible study at my host family house -- but my teacher said that they might probably not come as the stormy weather! Well... as to me, it was surely understandable.It is just like when it was signal #8 in Hong Kong, who will go to church/ meet up with someone as per plan?!!! I'm sure they would cancel it.

However, out of my surprised, more than half of the women in the group and a husband came to us for bible study! What more is that they also brought us with food that enough for many of us!!!! As the electricity was out, they couldn't quite do bible study.So... they had fellowship and we sang hymns and praise God under the candle light instead. To me, it is a special experience that even in such a stormy weather, those urban poor women still came for bible study... they all had children at home and i'm sure they all know that their journey back home would not be easy in such a weather. However,this event told me that their hearts for the words of God are sincere and that they hungry for the Lord's word :) This is certainly something for me and us who live comfortably in the west to reflect on....

Well.. when we were ready to have our dinner and when we were praying and saying grace, all in Tagalog, the electricity was suddenly ON again!!!! Hurray!!! we could all eat in bright light!!!! Thank God for such a "divine timing" for providing us light! We all enjoying the delicious food which was prepared by one of the women. God provision is certainly more than what we can imagine... the rice that we cooked earlier on was not that night as the food brought to us was plenty and rice can be safed for next day to eat. :)

The storm continue and we were getting text msgs from other urban poor families that saying their houses were flooded and the sea was very rough and waves were high!! Their roofs were leaking and in such a strong wind... it is scary especially for them, some still had no electricity...! One youth of our local church text us that she was left home and was standing outside against the wall of her home as the house was not seems to be safe to stay in and rain was just keep coming in!!! It was nearly 9pm at night..... i was worrying for her as she is only living with her mum and her friend -- 3 ladies! We text here to go to the church (nearby) for refuge that night and kept dry... as no way they could stand outside home overnight in such weather... eventhough they could make it till next day, i'm pretty sure all of them will be ill and sick from the cold stormy weather! I prayed that God will guide her to make a wise decision and not leave it too late.....

Once again, i'm very lucky as i was staying with my host family who has a solid build house and it was in the higher ground. But for those who are living next to the beach... life could be in danger and under real threat!!

So... nothing much we could do apart from texted them and gave them suggestion for safely and to pray for their safety and the Lord's mercy on them. Again, i thank God for keep remaining me His words that He is the God of Creator and all things in this universe are created by Him. For the past 7 days, my daily devotion were about the same passage/ bible story -- The disciples and Jesus were on the boat and they met a huge storm at the sea --but Jesus woke up, rebuked and calmed the sea and wind (Matthew chp 8: 23-27). Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord of Earth, and Air and Sea! As the winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey Him. What a great news that we praise God even more is that, even at the point of despire and closed to be perished in our lives, our Lord cares about us... just like the diciples, they all cried out for His help at that very scary moment in their lives, even though they know Jesus was on board, physically with them. Indeed, we have our Captain of Salvation (Lord Jesus Christ) sailing with us in our lives. Like my devontion said : -- "Where He leads He loves, where He points He protects, where He plans He provides, where He sends He saves." Amen! Once He kept me safe!

On Wed,the storm died down quite a bit and sun came out! Praise the Lord! I came back to Mission Home, and.. i had a chance to watch news again. i've just realised that the storm (Lundo) was indeed passed Calapan area last night --no wonder the wind was so strong!! But i've also learnt from the local news that there were 19 dead and more then 30 fishermen gone missing at the nearby fishing city because of the storm...... And... Earthquake in Metro Manila on the very same day....!

What can one say...same day last week, i was in Manila... but nothing happened but all calm and cheerful; I thought i couldn't come back to Calapan as there might not have boat opperated on that day due to typhoon #1 was on; but my journey was plesant and calm and safe. There were no other reason, but because the Captain of Salvation is sailing and walking with me.... And i thank God for that :)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading my sharing and also my latest pics (see the link below). Indeed we are very lucky, and we should give thanks to the Lord with gladness daily for what we have.

http://picasaweb.google.com/agnes.mission/LoveHealthStormyNight?authkey=QexCH3ZUuJE

God bless you!
Agnes

Sharing on Ilaya Community Outreach Service 3rd Nov 07

Dear Brothers & sisters, friends and family,

Hello again from Agnes! Many many thanks for all your encouraging emails/text to me for the past week. It is really touching and sorry that i cannot reply to each one of you in person thru email!


Once again, thanks for your faithful prayers. For the past week, the weather has been very unsettled and at time rainning quite heavily. however, the weather on the Day we did our Ilaya community outreach was excellent! Not too hot (so that all of use won't sweating like mad!) and not too cold for taking a cold water bath outdoor! the Lord has certainly answered our prayers! Praise the Lord!

Personally, i think it is a successful community outreach (OR). It is the first time that the Calapan team has done it and i'm so grateful that i can be participated and be part of the team.

Two days before the OR, Ate Sonabel (my language teacher & host family, she is also the team leader) and i were busy buying the remaining things that we need for the outreach, e.g. soaps, 2nd handclothes, toothbrushes, toothpastes sachets, plastics bags, electric shavers, wound treatment stuffs......etc!

Anyway, although the whole team were inexperience in such kind of OR, and organsation/ communication could be an issue on the actual day (as we also worry that bathing so mnay kids might "flood" the local area as their drainage system is not really good/ reliable...), we thanks and praise God for His faithfulness. The Lord was indeed among us and the whole time of the outreach. We had good turn out (at least 50 kids came) and those we did not have much briefing on the actual on how exactly to do all the "tasks", somehow, we just "go with the flow and the situation" and somehow, it was all nicely done with good team work and spirit!

As for me, most of my time was busy treating and cleansing the wounds. My station was outdoor without shelter, but i thank God for excellent weather that i did not feel sweating hot that morning!

Many kids came to me after they have been washed (none of them would allow to come to me without a wash as it would distorted the whole purpose of cleaning their wounds!!!!). I must say, as a pharmacist, i hardly or never need to deal with wound cleaning in hospital!!!! However, the Lord has used me to clean & treat many "wounded" children in the community of Ilaya. Well... the station is basic (as you can see from the pics i share with you on next email), and the resources are also basic too (cotton wool/ buds, 70% Alcohol for wound cleansing, Iodine solution as antiseptic and plasters).

For those who need wound treatment, they came and sit in front of me... in no time, there are plenty "patients" waiting for me...!!!! What a popular station!

As i started, one after one, i asked each children to put his/her foot on my lap so that i can examine where and which wounds need cleansing. Actually, most of them need treated and most kids have more then 2-3 wounds each leg. As my Tagalog is very limited, i cannot really quite communicate well with the young kids, but I thanks God as they all seemed understood my body language. Some older kids whom know a little bit of English also helped me.

Yeah... never in my life have been so "up close and personal" with so many little tinny feets & legs!!!!! :) But i thanks God for this opportunity and this experience. AS i guess they would hardly get this kind of "tender loving care" treatment at home or in their community. One young kid was so unfortunate and poor..... He had his hair shaved and need wound treatment. When i saw him, i was not quite sure where to start... as he just has so many old wounds and fresh (or infected) wounds on his little scalp.....! Poor little boy! I guess most of them are caused by scabies bites and then wound gets bigger becuase they were scratched by their dirty fingers due to itch...Sigh......!!!! So, Ate Apple (she is a student nurse) and I were cleansing his wounds together as it would be too much for 1 person to take care of him.... I really do feel sorry for this little boy.

At the meantime, also teach them it is important to have a wash each day. Not just splash the water on themselve but their feets must be properly clean each night (as i can see a few of them suffered from athletic foot type of fungal disease.... Education! Education! Education! is important!!!

After nearly 2 hrs of wound treatment... all patients treated!! I feel very happy and satisfying. I felt my heart is full of joy which is hard to described :) Eventhough i did not physically say how Jesus love them nor be able to proclaim the gospel in Tagalog by saying it out (due to languge barrier), God reminds me that the sence when Jesus washed the disciples' feet at the Last Supper... it is all about communication of LOVE in Action, there is no bibical words were said but the ACTION said it all...... God wants His children to serve one another in gladness and then God will be pleased. :)

Again God also reminds me this verses when i came back at mission home later in the afternoon: "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this chld is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18:4-5 .

Yes, i'm certained that the Lord is pleased with our outreach service we had done. What more to suprised me is that today (sunday) i went to Ilaya church for sunday service (1st time during my stay), there are many children come to church whom are 1st time comers! When looked at them, i realised that most of them were those kids we served yesterday! We had a full house sunday service today and all church memebers were much encouraged by this!

We pray that the gospel seeds that sowed will gradually grow in their hearts.

So... that all from me! Hope you enjoy my OR pics on this web link below!

http://picasaweb.google.com/agnes.mission/IlayaCommunityOutReach?authkey=kbbMMDRrwfc

Love in Christ,
agnes :)

Coming up 1month in Philippines soon

Dear b&S, friends and family,

Magandang Umaga! (Good morning!) Greetings from Calapan!

Well... time flies by.. soon i'll be in Philippines for 1months (3rd Nov). I do thanks God for His grace each day and that i'm stay safe, well and healthy!

There are many stories to share but lately, i felt v sad....

On sunday night just past, the whole day had been raining and at time the wind was a bit strong too! It was the first time that i felt a bit cold and would like to wear somthing thick or a long sleve T-short or sweater... Then, on the same evening after dinner, it suddenly rained so heavily (like a storm). The rain hitted the roof at the mission home so hard and the loud sound was tremendous!!! After an hr, we were worry that the power might be cut soon or anytime so we all get the candle ready at each room.... as for me, i'm "fully equipped", i have a spot light on my mobile phone and i've a torch too! I went back to my room and started feeling a bit sad... as i start thinking all the urban poor families -- their homes are so simple and they all mostly lives next to the beach... so in such a weather condition, their homes will be either flooded (due to high tide from the sea) or leaking rain from the roof! Everywhere will be kind of wet; and belive me, it was freezing cold for them with the strong wind blowing!!!

My heart was so heavy and i started praying for them in my room. But... once i closed my eyes and started praying, i couldn't help crying and weeping for them as i know how lucky i'm and that i'm right now staying is a solid building, my bed is dry, the floor is dry and i have a proper windows in my room that i can close to stop the heavy rain and wind blowing in!!! As the poor are also God's children but yet, they were suffering the wet and cold. I guess not many of them would have a restful night but stay aware whole night just in case the weather even get worse and more furious high tide from the sea that they might need to leave their homes....! Sigh.... with a helpless heart, i can only pray wholehearted to the Heavenly Father to have mercy to them that the low pressure storm will soon stopped... as the wind, the rain and the seas all listen to His command!
Praise to the Lord, after an hour, the storm stopped but only occasion light rain! Whateven better is that the next day (Monday) it was a sunny and bright day! Praise the Lord for His mercy and His love to those who are unfortunate!

Yes, i'm going to stay with the host family today till Friday! Will give out gospel tracks tomorrow (i think!) and that coming Sat, we will have an out reach to the local community. I've assigned to help clean the wounds/cuts for the kids. :) We will going to bath the kids, cut their fingers nails and give appropirate treatment to the cut and wounds. Please pray for GOOD weather!

My language lesson is getting there. Had my 1st one last week. It was good. Keep praying for me!

So...that's all for me and i shall let you know what happend with the outreach next (and hopefully more pictures!) :)

Blessings,
agnes

My First Week in Calapan

Dear brother & sisters, friends and family,

Greeting from Agnes again! Writing from Calapan, Mindoro Island.

Time flies by, it is now 1 week in Calapan. Thanks for the praying and all well wishes, the trip from Manila to Calapan (about 5hrs) was very smooth and safe!

Bonbon, the mission home in Calapan is very nice. Especially the sea view, it is absolutely wonderful! The mission home is built on top of the small hill, so we can see the boats coming and going and also sunset and sun rise (if i wake up early enough!). Very quite environment and the mission home manager (a Scottish couple) are absolutely lovely persons. They spoiled me v much there with good accompany and good food! :)

My first night in Calapan experined a big lighting and thunders --- it was so loud as if all electricity was going to be off and black out! Luckily... it wasn't..but certainly it was a experience of the nature!

On my 3rd night,i was staying alone in the small house of the mission home as other were away or not around. I have a simple single room there. But... thinking of staying alone and all the "nature" might happen plus the "friendly" creatures ....e.g. lizids, mosquitos,.. frogs... hahahh... it did take more than a courage to stay there by myself....! But thank God, it did had a good night sleep and now... i take it as a priviliage that i'm "living" a whole small home myself!


I've visited the local community already and host families... they are all very friendly and kind. The city itself is easy to get to and it is just like a town. You can easily walk to town in 15mins and other families in walking distance.

Most of the urban poor families live along the costal line/ beach... their home are v simple... sometime, when the rain is a bit more heavy... rain might go thru their "roof"!
The children there are very cute and kind too. :) They always thought i'm a Filippino and speke to me in Tagalog.... but of course... i can only speak v little Tagalog at the monment BUT... they are all very GOOD techers to me!! The children taught me simple word and even CORRECT my pronuciation!!!! haahh... it is fun!

It is really a privilage to visit them and spend time with the local families. Their simply living but yet strong faith in Christ really make me humble. Most of them do struggle with getting food enough to feed whole family. Especially, if one of the family member get sick/ill and need medications... it will certainly put the whole family in financial strain.... At most, their daily wage is about200-300 pesos (GBP 1 = 90 pesos; HK$1 = 5.6 pesos)... so you can understand how much they can earn (if they do get a job) per day and ususally, only 1 person get the earning but need to feed a family of 5 or even more!!!!! Therefore, by their standard, we - (those from West and developed countries) ARE all rich by default. One meal we spend back home could be their monthly weges!!!
So... i do thank God for this experience i had and be able to part of them to understand more... and yet, when i spend time with them, they always thank God for all provision, whether it is just noodle or rice with nothing else.

So... coming Tueday will be my 1st Tagalog lesson with my language teacher. And Wed-Sat i'll be staying with a host family. She is my language teacher's home. I will be joining her family of 10. :)

Pray that i'll be a good witness to her family and be their blessings.
Pray for protection from evil and illness
Pray for wisdom and grace when start learning new language


Miss you all... for those from CCiL, i pray that you'll all have a good Mission Conference this year! I know it is a good one, so don't miss it! :) The local team in Calapan is praying for the Mission Conference too!!!! :)

Speak soon.. and take care!


God bless,
agnes

Hello From Manila - my first 4 days!!

Dear all,
Warm greetings from Agnes! Yes, I'm currently in Manila.

It was a bit of "stormy day" in the morning when i needed to go to HK International airport to Manila. I was really worry that if the flight may be cancelled due to bad weather. By God grace and your prayers, i got to airport without delay and the flight only delay for 1hr.

For the last 4 days in Manila, it has been lots to see and to observe. It was kind of busy and fun too!
I've met lots of people, missionaries, local people, had brief induction at OMF office and of course, learn a bit of Tagalog as days go by! :)

So far,i've been adjusting fairly well locally. No jetlag, eating well, drinking (water) well, and sleep well. That is a huge bonus to getting use to the local heat, food and environment. :) I feel that i'm having quite a healthy life style here!

Yesterday (Friday) was a bit of a busy heavy day. I've met the leader of Urban Poor ministry, Pastor Danny & Josie. Had a lovely lunch with them and then Josie took me to visit one of the local urban poor community, Weathwareville. It was also my first time tried out the local public transport -- try the jeepney 3 times, their local underground (MRT), taxi and coach in 1 day!

I've also met with a local Healthcare nurse, a Dutch lady, Regina,who also works with the poor with OMF. We followed her to observe her healthcare session about mental health at one of the families home. The foothpath from the entry of the community to her "home" is quite a bit of walking. It was narrow, full of squatter home, but from time to time, there is an open air place (like a normal class room size) for community to hang out, playing baskball or games or chatting...etc. There are so small stall/ tuck shops for selling sweeties/ rice/ veg..etc. There are many children and youth there as i walked along. When i took my camera out and try to talk some pictures, the kids where all coming in front of me and wanting to be framed! They were all very gentlt, sweet and full of energy!

The community is poor but i can somehow relate it to the community i knew in my grandma place in Cheung Chau, outer island in Hong Kong. But of course, it is at least 3 times more dense and squashed and narrrow footpath then those in Cheung Chau.

The "sleeping place and living room" of the family that hold for the healthcare seminar is just a about a King size double bed ish if i don't mis-judge it. There were 8 of us in there for the worship and sharing devotion before the seminar started. It really humble myself that those they have such hardlife, they do not see it as obsticle but they still have positive attitude to their lives. I then had dinner with the local urban poor mother and she had prepared for us a meal. To me, that meal was even better than i had in London! It was delicious. We had veg, rice, fish, and pork! They really had very warm hospitality and i really enjoyed their hospitality and fellowship! BTW, most of the urban poor mothers whom i met do speak a bit of English which help me a lot to communicate!

I also had try the local " Banana Cube" -- BBQ Banana with sugar! It was a treat as a snack by one of the Youth leaders of the Urban Poor. It is really nice too!

Then at night, i visited a chinese church with Pastor Danny & Josie and their team as they were present the Urban Poor " Bukang Liwayway" to the chinese. The presentation did give me a better understanding of the ministry. It was also nice to speak to some local Filippino chineses. In fact, few of the older generation do speak Cantonese and mostly from Hong Kong!

Today (Saturday) i visit the "Faith Acadamy" which is the local shool for missionary kids. They have a funfair and stall for selling different handcrafts (from their ministries) or outsiders (just want to sell their goods). It was fun and see many people there! I've bought quite a few bookmarks and cards which are made by "Bukang Liwayway" communities! The host family in Manila, Sarah & Peter McKibbins also had their stall!

Anyway, i'll visit a mega large chinese church tomrrow --apparently they told me it is about 2000 people each session!!!!!! Wwwoooo! I shall see then and tell you more in the future! I'm going to visit another urban poor community and join their local sunday service. They are inviting me to give my sharing to them! Of course, i'm more than happy to do so! May God be the Glory alone!

And hopefully, i'll go to Calapan, Mindoro on next Thurs! I shall then meet my local team whom i'm going to work with for the next 3 months and will stay at the Mission Home (Bonbon) most of the time!

So... please continue to pray for adjusting with local culture and good health and close walk with God! I've been told that there are 5 host families in Calapan are interested to host me! Praise God for their willingness to have me! Do Pray for wisdom for which host families to choose and to stay with.

So.. till next time... I shall speak soon and love to hear from you!

If you would like to know my local mobile no (i have my local sim card in philipppines), please email me and i shall let you know!:)

Take care and God bless you all!
Agnes :)

Mission Incredible -- Ready, Set, Go Go Go!!!

Hello All...
I'm READY to Go!

Yeap! I'm flying out on 29th Sept to Hong Kong this evening! How exciting!!! :) Will going to see family & HOME again after... i think over 2 years?! Lost count..!
Well... i haven't been home around this "relatively hot" weather so i hope i'll be ok and take it easy before i fly to Manila on 3rd Oct.

Yes, i have slightly updated and changed a bit of the colour scheme of my blog page - not much but i think it is nicer.
I also added the links of the Organisation which i'm going with (OMF International) and also the minitry which i'm going to involve with. Hope you'll find it interesting as you continue to read my journey.... :)

Anyway, i must go to sleep now... .. (hope that i can fall asleep and not being too excited!!!) it is getting late... must wake up early to do my morning devotion. :)

So.. till next time i share with you my MI update thru the E-world!!!!

God bless,
Agnes :)