Recap of the week!!!

It's been quite a while since my last blog posting.. sorry for the delay. A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN, AND THE LORD CONTINUES TO POUR OUR HIS BLESSINGS ON ME! Our days have been constantly filled with fun, serving Jesus every step of the way! We lost internet a few days back, so i'll catch you up to today.. Here are a few pictures! Enjoy!

This past Saturday, we loaded up the "Jeep" with a bunch of teenage girls from the church and drove them all down to Bacolod City, which is about 2 hours from us. Total, there were about 21 people, filled w/life in one car! It was so much fun! In Bacolod, we first went to a TV Show, called "Kapamilia Winner Ka"... I don't really know what it means or understand the game show..but it was a lot of fun! It was the first time that the girls have been to Bacolod and definitely the first time they ever got to be on TV as a live audience! They absolutely loved it, dancing and singing the whole time! It was such a joy! After the TV Show viewing, we went to the main mall. It's actually a really nice and big mall, I think maybe even as nice as the mall back home. We split up in four teams and played "Picture Scavanger Hunt" !!! This was so much fun to run around the mall, trying to find different things on the list that Dave and Jen made up.

(Picture above is at the mall after the game). It was hilarious to watch the girls play! They had also never seen a mall before so they were thrilled to see the "moving stairs", aka escalator! And the losing team got to wear those ridiculous looking hats. After the mall, and stuffing ourselves with chicken and rice (sooo delicious) we went to a mansion ruin near by, which was burned down during WWII. It was a beautiful structure, with a lot of really neat history behind it. We took a tour, and then had a picnic and played games out on grass field near by. By this time we were so tired and worn out.. we ate one more time at Pizza Hut! and then came back home to Himamaylan. This day was so much fun, and exhausting. When we got home, I was Peer-Pressured into eating "BALUT"!!! If you don't know what that is... well maybe you can google it.... I'd rather not explain.. it might bring up bad memories..haha.. just kidding! It wasn't too bad, but definitely not my choice of snack. But a great experience overall.

Sunday was a great day! It was the first time I got to lead part of the worship at a Sunday service. Dave played 2 songs, and I played 2 as well.. it was a blessing playing worship once last time w/Pastor Dave! The pictures is actually from last week's midweek service.

Monday, we headed back to Bacolod City, where we said goodbye to Dave and Jen as they headed out to the states, to be w/all of you! You are blessed to have both of them for a month back in the states! Take advantage of their wisdom and joy! It has been such a blessing to live with Dave for a few days.. I really learned a lot from him, and he has definitely helped open my eyes to the Filipino culture, and the wealth they have. They truly are a much wealthier country than USA. Not in monetary terms.. I'll let you think about that one. It was nice getting to know Jen better too. She really is a great wife for Dave, and has blessed me just with her hilarious sense of humor and loving heart for people. It has been so much fun w/them, and I know you will be blessed to have them both back in the states. When we got back to the house, Dandan had me try a fruit called "Durian". It smells a lot like.... like somebody used the restroom after eating a huge meal, and forgot to flush the toilet for about, lets say a week or two. It smelled horrific, but once I tried it, it was actually quite tasty. Kinda like a sweet avocado ish taste.. hard to explain.. I guess the stinkier it is, the better it's supposed to be... And believe me, it was pretty delicious... and pretty smelly!

Tuesday, I got to studying.. I spent just about the whole day studying for the Bible studies this week. Since Dave is now gone, and Doug doesn't arrive till Saturday, the opportunity has opened for me to teach the studies this week. So Tuesday I hit the Book, and began to dig into Genesis 22, and Exodus 13. Also tuesday night, I spent some time getting to know Jens two brothers a bit more (Bembem and Dandan). I told them my testimony, and then we walked through Colossians 3:1-17, what it means to now live with characteristics of "The New Man". I went through Genesis 22 this morning (wed) with the missions class at the local Bible College (SONBI). And then I just got home a little bit ago from another Bible study with a few high school teachers, and that was on the Exodus 13 study. Both were so much fun.. Lots of preparation and study time, but after it was such a blessing to be used in such a powerful way. To teach the Word of God. What a Scary/Amazing experience and opportunity! Its amazing because it's God's Word and always a blessing to dig into a bit, but scary because I know I am accountable to everything I say to these listeners. It's a huge privilege, and responsibility all at once.

Well God has been so good to me here. The more time I'm here, the more I become attached to the culture and the people, and the more I fall in love with them. It's constantly busy and never a dull moment, but constantly fun at the same time. Last saturday, right leg swelled up pretty good, but as of today it is looking pretty normal again. Maybe got bit by a spider or cockroach..haha. Everything is fine though, even though I know my Dad is worrying back at home about it! Don't worry Pops, everything is ok! I still have both my legs! Well I'm getting a bit hungry and diner is ready, so I'm gonna go grab some food. Rice, Chicken soup, and Dried/Fried fish! MMM-MMMM!!!

Thank you so much for all your prayers. They truly do help. Whether it was healing my leg or giving me strength to study and go through the Bible Studies. Please continue to keep me in prayer. Tomorrow is midweek service w/the church family in the Bukid, so that ought to be lots of fun as well, studying and spending time w/my Lord. I miss you all, and love you all dearly! God Bless.

In Christ,

Nick