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 :)