Last one from the Philippines :(

Hi All,

As you may have guessed, this will be my last post from the Philippines! Tentatively the schedule will allow one more week in our villages, debrief here, then traveling to the big debrief in Alabama. It's incredible that it's gone by so fast! The Lord is so faithful to provide and I am truly blessed that He has chosen me to do His beautiful work of spreading the gospel to the nations. 

So much has happened since my last posting that it would take me hours upon hours to write it all down. I'll just quickly tell some good things and stories that have happened...

One of my favorite things about the Filipino people is their transportation system...the Jeepney specifically. On our way back to the village of Consorcia, we rode the Arlin Jeepney (yes, they all have names) and when it came up, we waved it down but there was absolutely no room...at least to the American eye...we managed somehow to fit all six of us on there with our hiking backpacks and groceries for two weeks! Still to this day, I'm not sure how we did that but I was halfway hanging out of the back :)

Another favorite trait of these people in the villages is their front porches. I know this sounds a little strange, but everyone has built-in benches on their front porches. It's like they were designed for relational conversations! How great would we be as neighbors if we just invited each other over for conversation and of course the southern sweet tea every afternoon? And it doesn't stop there. The kids in the villages roam around like they own the world. It's actually pretty funny, they'll go in and out of houses and perch themselves down not even in their own house! Haha we were visiting a family once and I saw a little boy who I hadn't previously so naturally I asked is he your (naturally, right) and the lady who we were talking to gave me a confused look as if to say "he doesn't have to be mine to stay in my house". These people are so loving and hospitable, I have truly had an amazing experience that I'll never forget!

If I haven't mentioned this before, it rains everyday in the village which this Texas girl just loves because it doesn't rain much over there! The rain usually falls right in the window of siesta which is wonderful. Taking a nap under a tin roof while raining is so relaxing! One day while it was pouring all day, Ross and Melissa decided that they were bored and the kids were already playing with the soccer ball in the rain so they went and joined the "game". It's kind of like kindergarten soccer where the mass of kids just follows the ball around with no real strategy, but it sure is cute! While playing in the rain, there was a mud puddle near by which Ross completely whipped out in! It was funny from my balcony perspective and the kids just had a field day with that and started trying to imitate him falling :) It was pretty cute!

Our team sure is full of joking and playing pranks on each other. One night, I had to go to the bathroom and it was already dark, so I went downstairs and I was already on edge but before I could look around the corner Loren had jumped out from behind and scared me to death! Haha, I'll get her back though....Another night, Melissa decided to hide under a table and grab Ross' ankle as he was walking by. She asked me to "signal" when he was coming in and everything worked well from our part but when she jumped out to grab his foot, not a peep! He just looked down and said "what are you doing?" Hahaha more pranks have been played than I can remember, but we sure are close :)

We have a little down time each day in the middle of the day for siesta or whatever you'd like and I have recently finished a book by Kyle Idleman called "Not a Fan." It is a fantastic book and I think that anyone who is willing to label themselves a "follower of Christ" should read this and examine their life. It really has opened up my eyes to a lot in my life that wasn't right with God. The point of the book is to call out the "fans" of Jesus and realize that they may only be fans. I for one was a fan. Kyle had me marked to the T for what a fans is and I had all the check-marks...just the wrong checks. Notice I said "I WAS a fan" I am not a fan anymore. Christ has saved me from myself basically and I am more and more grateful to Him everyday for that! If your looking for a good book to read, I highly suggest this one. He's not only wise, but he is incredibly funny! You won't regret reading it. 

Basically I could go on forever about how good the God we serve is and how faithful and merciful He is, but we are about to leave. I hope this post finds you all well and I pray that (even if small) God allowed me to have some impact in your life this summer. He sure has changed my life and if He has your too, I would love to hear about it when I get home :) That will only be in two weeks!! Gracious that's crazy! 

I love you all dearly and thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts this summer, they are greatly appreciated. Now as we go onto our last week, please pray for endurance and strength to finish to race that our Lord has given us to do! (Acts 20:24)

--Rachael