Sunday Report, from Elyce

It's about 10 pm Sunday night, i am sitting across from our hotel at the infamous and so loved internet cafe. Today we got to go to two church services, the first of which we had to go through this very poverty stricken village- it was right by the ocean, practically off the beach. We learned that a monsoon had come and taken out some huts that were on the beach. I had no idea we were so close to moving water, since as we walked on uneven concrete slabs between huts, past cockadoodledooing chickens, and people who were wondering who the heck we were, and why the heck we were there.

We all cleaned up quite nicely, and i felt horribly overdressed. There was standing water under peoples' huts, kids were acting like they were fishing in it, i couldn't believe the sight, let alone the smell it was like the dump with water. We walked up a ramp that consisted of what looked like tree bark laying flat and nailed to a single board under our feet, into a hut a good size, where we joined everyone sitting on the floor, cross-legged.

We got the chance to introduce ourselves and also sing a song or two as we get to in every village. The people loved us, the little kids had a blast, they aren't scared to get close, smile or touch you.... Something that touched my heart was that as we were leaving the hut, i just hopped from one steady place to another over the wonderful water under my feet, and this little tiny boy that Kona and i swear was like 2 years old and looked like he was younger than that, grabbed my hand and touched the back of it to his forehead... That is a sign of respect, if anything i should have been doing that to him, he is amazing, he was showing respect, appreciation and love at so young.

There was so much love in that place, during the service, as the preacher was beginning to preach a woman started crying, and it didn't subside, i was like, "Yikes, now is when you have to do something, God is here, are you?" I fought with myself for a while, asking in my head "Do i ask the preacher to stop preaching and help this woman? How can he go on? This is sooooo awkward". Well, i didn't feel quite as guilty later as i asked Pastor Alan what was wrong and he informed me that the woman who was crying and sobbing as if someone had died, was actually praying to God on behalf of her brother in law- the preacher. To give him strength and wisdom and such... Wow, what a great lesson- to seek God on behalf of our family, to cry out with all our might, to really trust God.

We left and got to experience the Davao Vineyard, another great group of people, we worshipped our hearts out, completely and udderly surrendering to God. I'm runnin' out of time, but i'm sure we will get on later.... I love and miss you all thanks for your dedication and support.......!!!! There is more, but at least you got a taste....