Elyce's post-We are Safe and Sound

Well we left Davao yesterday afternoon, and loaded into a van which we took for 8 hours, we had a crazy driver, Kona slept a little or atleast tried, and i journaled (Jamie you will be able to tell probably when that was) curvy roads, high speed, lots of honking of horns which is natural here, it's like a caution and alert not a road rage action and a few drops of water from the air conditiong (i think) would fall on me and or Kona depending on how we were situated yay!. So even if you WERE trying to sleep you would most likely be woke up by a beep beep or a sharp curve. We were all singing to a song and all i remember singing was "Hotel California" i think we all were thankful for an English song and a thought of being somewhere like California at that moment. Our driver then put in a worship cd which by the grace of God we knew a few songs- Thanks to Erik Nelson, and the opportunity to be in children's ministy, we knew "I am a friend of God" which by the way we have sung quite frequently and the kids LOVE!

Kona and i had the first seat behind the driver with his son and the amazing CAptain who sat with them(he will probably blog about that experience). We made a stop to do something like realign brake padding, all that i knew was that it was dark and we were on the side of the road. We threw rocks to the other side and Isaiah talked me into climbing the side of this MOUNTAIN *hill probably* but everything is bigger at night so it's a mountain (plus it sounds better) . We climbed\were sliding up it, kind of like when you are at Camels Back, and almost to the top, sliding and trying to stay up when Captain (secretly) through a rock up to the top, i was pushing Isaiah up so he could somehow cimb on the little ridge, and next thing I knew Isaiah goes "Animal!!! i heard something" We (I) scream and panic, and WE go sliding down, i slide he grabs me, he slides, i grab him, and we sllllllllliiiiiiiiiide in, to find out the ANIMAL was a ROCK! i love how he can make any situation Adventurous and fun, and Captain adds laughter!

We arrived in Cagayon De Oro as we all were all spent, we can ride for 52 hours in a bus in South America, but 8 in a van took it out of us, plus we almost all got a nice sun tan(burn) to bring with us......Whoops! WE all crashed, i was on the floor, felt crappy and so tired, the girls and i got into our room and i said "No talky, just sleepy" and that's what happened. God has been totally challenging me. Even when i'm tired, i want to worship him, i found it EXTREMELY hard to do so and satan totally tried to add to the tiredness by making me second guess everything. God Won and gave us rest and cream for our sunburns, minus the brushing of teeth, we were all asleep! double whoops!

Today started wish devotion time and the opportunity to sleep in, we have a shower that works, and we get to experiment every new place with the CR- comfort room and the toilet, how does it flush? DOES it flush? how much water did YOU put in?. God gave us an amazing breakfast eggs, bread and jelly! i loved it, perfect start- all in one- the Bread, the jelly, then the egg mmmmmm-like i think my dad used to do. We have a comfy toilet seat that reminded me of my Grandma Dorothy's house, and i will start tonight by putting MY MAT on the mattress I have.

We have an internet cafe close to the base, but a little walk, and the pastors house as well. We got to visit some people, i already made a sweet friend named JEN JEN that's in YWAM here. We went through her village, i met her family. Her brother's name is Albert- which is my step dad's name. God is totally confirming that i'm home, i'm where he wants me to be. I needed that after a few wishes of sneaking into Kona's back pack or shoving her in mine.
Matt, Jen Jen and I got to meet two familes today. One of which the lady had 6 kids, and her husband died i think about that long ago. I was able to share my story as well (that i lost my dad at age 8) and pray for them like i would pray for my mom in that situation. We also met a woman named Gena, she spoke english very well, so we didn't need an interpreter, that was nice. God totally used me today even in my weakness, and reminds me that he will take care of us, we are WELL FED, and today has been quite simple. I love you all muah! Elyce