Would you like to super-size your green mountains sir!?

Hello all, Isaiah here posting from Captain's account. It has been paradise to say the least. God's hand over his people is beautiful and remarkable. From the time that we got here we have been loved on and smiled at by so many tender-hearted Phillipinos! Right now sitting in Bytes and Bytes internet cafe I feel clean, full of love, and blessed to have the opportunity to learn this culture and to experience
creation at it's inner beauty.

This has truly been an advent-ure. The past couple of days being
in the tribes has been a journey of a lifetime. Starting the
extravaganza off with a jeepney ride to the bus station early thursday
morning after a delicious american pancake breakfast, we then
preceeded to go on a bus for 2 hours. After the bus ride we threw our
luggage and everything including 3-4 people on these 125 4 stroke
dirtbikes and cruised down into the mountains. That's when the
essence of the mountains and air and trees hit me. We were finally
here and I had no clue what was going to happen next. Going into the
first tribe after the all-terrain bike ride I experienced the culture
even more. The children are incredibly shy! People there had never
seen any white men and only like 2 white female nurses from Texas...in
their life! They were so observant and hanging onto every expression
or word or action that we made. It felt amazing and brought joy to my
heart when I would make a silly face to the kids and about a dozen of
them would laugh.

We visited 4 villages and vineyards in less than 24 hours in the
tribes. At the last tribe way up in the mountains I got a chance to
ride around on a Caribou and actually direct it with no help! I felt
my caballero side coming out. Also I adored playing with the children
and running after them like a mad constipated dinosaur! They took
humor in my interacting with them. I tried a young coconut in one of
the villages and got to sleep outside in tents in one of the tribes
with Captain and see the sun rise over the dew-filled hills. The Lord
has painted many pictures in my mind from this small 2 day journey.
Coming back to civilization was nice. The dirt -bike ride back was a
disaster for me. First my backpack got soaked because we had 4 people
on this small bike and dumped it into a river. Not fun. Then for
part of the ride I rode very tightly between Alyssa and a giant bag of
peanuts. Good heavens, I didn't think I would ever have kids ever,
but everything is back in its place including my mind. The ride back
on a nice cushioned bus felt alot better than the amazing hikes in the
rain we had. I have had to completely rely on the Lord and he has put
his favor over me and the group. I played in 4 vineyards in less than
24 hours and got to meet so many spectacular souls that were
completely on fire for the Lord and desiring his presence.

Tommorow morning I get the priveledge to lead worship in the Davao
City Vineyard. We had practice this afternoon that I got back and the
guys are total Rock-Stars for Jesus. I'm praying for the joy of the
Lord to fall and that we praise God with all our hearts. Well it's
about time that I check-out and go get some rest. Hopefully doing
alot of good shopping tommorow! Everything here is so cheap including
this internet fee right now! God is good, all the time. Love you all
and keep praying for the favor of the Lord to be on us.

Blessings

Isaiah