Manila

It's been a while since I've updated and there have been a few things going on so I thought I'd fill you all in! Last weekend Jack, Layla, and I made our trek to Manila. The boat ride was beautiful and the 2 hour bus ride was ok. One thing about the air conditioned buses in the Philippines is that they're FREEZING! It is the weirdest thing, but they are so cold you practically need your winter jacket. Luckily I had a blanket and sarong, so we were ok. Jack was super cold and did not enjoy it at all! Once we made it to Manila we met up with some old friends from the Philippines and stayed with them at a missions guest house. It was great to see Chris and Cathee and meet their son Samuel. He is adorable! In Manila we did a lot of running around, mostly getting things that we can't get on the island. It was a very exhausting trip because having a 2 year old there is tough. Because of the way the streets are made you can't use a stroller, plus there's too many people to maneuver the stroller around even if we could use it. So we basically had to carry Layla everywhere! It was very tough and exhausting! While in Manila we were able to attend the Manila Vineyard and meet up with some people we hadn't seen since the last time we were in the Philippines. That was a lot of fun...great worship, but I forgot my bible there...oops! And of course, while were were in Manila we got our Taco Bell fix, something we always do :) Our trip back to Puerto Galera from Manila did not go as well as the trip there. The bus was super crowded and uncomfortable and then the ferry ride was super choppy! It makes me scared and nervous, but praise God we made it safely!

Back here in Aninuan (this is the name of the baranguay, or neighborhood, that we live in) we have been busy helping out. Jack has been teaching guitar on Tuesdays and Fridays, and he started his classes that he has to take at Denver Seminary online. He has also been hanging out with the guys around here and playing some basketball and playstation with them. I have been helping out with prenatals on Mondays and Wednesdays, and I have been attending a moms group that the clinic is trying to start on Friday mornings. So far there has not been much luck with moms coming, but hopefully it will take off. The clinic does well baby check ups on Friday mornings so they are hoping that some of the moms will want to hang out for a little while and support each other with being new moms, and of course breastfeeding!

Yesterday, I attended my first birth! I was so excited! I was paged at 4am that a labor was in process at the clinic. So I went down and supported the mom with her labor and birth. She had a beautiful baby boy and the labor went great! She delivered at 7:30am, so it didn't take too long! I felt so blessed to be part of this baby's birth. Mom, Joveth, is doing great and so is her son (they haven't named him yet). He is breastfeeding like a champ, which I was super excited about!

We also took our kayaks out for the first time yesterday afternoon (after I woke up from my nap). It was a ton of fun! Jack did a little snorkeling and Layla went in the water too. I snorkeled as well, but just for a short time because I have this weird fear of seeing the fish in the water that I'm in. I'd rather just think there is nothing there. However, I am trying to get over that since there are beautiful reefs here!

Our neighbor (who is the family we rent this house from) is having a wedding tomorrow that we're invited to. Their daughter is getting married and there are currently a lot of preperations being made for that. Right now they are building a giant bamboo tent in front of their house for the reception. I will post pictures of that and the wedding once I get them. It should be fun and interesting. So that it what's been going on for now...sorry this post is so long. I will try to update more frequently. Thank you for your continued prayers! Blessings!!!