DAY ONE

We just finished our first day of class and are now in Calapan checking out the city. I just bought 1kg of the best mangos in the world for only about 90 cents. Everything is so cheap here it's unbelievable and a good thing because I have no money.
Class was really good, the couple teaching is from the UK so it is sometimes hard to understand with their accent. But they are amazing and so passionate about using medicine to serve the Lord. I can't wait to start our first outreach, we have a very dynamic team. It will be great!
But at the same time, we are struggling a bit to come together as a unified body. We vary greatly in age and theological backgrounds. We all love Jesus, but come from such different backgrounds that we are having a hard time finding common ground. Please pray for unity, I know it will come but we don't have much time here so the sooner the better.

GOD'S SENSE OF HUMOUR

I was just reading my friend's blog and was reminded of how emotional moments seem to always have a laugh attached to them. When I was saying goodbye to Jenn and Kim in the coffe shop parking lot it was pretty emotional, because we are all going different directions in life. So there was definitely some tears. Not long after the tears started coming did we turn to see a man relieving himself while his girlfriend waited in the car. What a beautiful moment. Even now as I read emails and blogs I'm starting to tear up. But I am also trying my hardest not to laugh as a really horrible Filipino singer is singing the backtstreet boys. No word of a lie!
God definitely has a sense of humor.

IN THE PHILIPPINES

The last post got cut short because the computer at the hotel in Korea started writing in Korean and I didn't know how to make it go back to english. I'm in Manila now and will be heading to the base in Calapan in a few hours. Three out of seven of our team is here now. There has been a lot of problems already with pick ups at the airport, it seems that the shuttle service has given everyone different directions on where to be picked up. Please pray that we can find the other four members of our team and that there is no more delays or cancelations.

Traffic here scares the beans out me, they have lanes but don't use them and pedestrians don't have the right of way. There is no seat belts and nobody signals. Most people speak at least sme english, so that makes things easier. I have only seen downtown Manila but already I am shocked at the poverty. I can't wait till our first outreach when we can reach out and help these people.

Also pray that I will not melt or burn to a crisp. Yesterday was about 39C with the humidity. I can't wait till I see snow again!

I have to go but before I do here is a few tips for anyone planning international travel.
1. A 12 hour flight is not the time to be adventurous with your food choices.
2. Don't allow someone who does not speak your language cut your hair, even if it is only 3$ Canadian
3. Stay away from BALUT, unless you like the taste of poultry fetus
4. Learn to like shrimp before you leave because that is the only thing that looks famiiar
5. Learn the money conversion so you can tip more than 12 cents
6. Be prepared to encounter a variety of smells

Love You All!

JUST ABOUT THERE

Right now I'm in Korea. So far nothing really weird has happened. I'm staying in a really nice hotel, you know the ones with the elevator dude that pushes the button, and I'm on the 20th floor with a sweet view of Seoul. I just had supper, I don't know exactly what it was, and I don't want to think about it. It was called soup but it looked like one on those cancer lungs they put on cigarette boxes. The fliㅑㄴㅇ롸냐ㅗㅗ마ㅓㅑㅕ

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT

It's Saturday night, and I am losing my mind as I realize how unprepared I am and how much I have to do before I leave. I'll be heading to Edmonton Tuesday, my flight leaves at 6am Wednesday.
I just bought a suitcase so at least I can start to pack now. I'm mostly prepared to go there, I've gotten my tickets, VISA, insurance etc., I'm just not prepared for life when I get back. I still don't know where I am going to school, I seem to keep taking one step forward two (sometimes three) steps back. Until I figure this out I can't apply for my student loan, scholarships, or a place to live. Oh boy! I'm having a mild panic attack thinking about it all, but I'm trying to trust God with it. It's hard though when you're a control freak, perfectionist and over-thinker. I wish God hadn't made me this way! :)
Despite this I can't wait to get there and start class. I never thought I would spend school vacation doing more school but here I go. This is school with a Jesus centered purpose, so it should be a little more enjoyable than taxonomy and chemical equilibria. Anyway, I really have nothing to say but I needed a break from the mind boggling work of preparing to leave.