One week

Well, we left a week ago tonight. It is Saturday morning at 7:50 for us.

We have almost completed the house we started. However, about 6 or 7 of us convinced the rest of the team that we finished yesterday while they were out taking a tour of the IJM office here in Manila by taking pictures and video that was quite convincing.

At the end of the night, however,the joke was revealed. :) We will finish today.

The weather is almost unnoticeable anymore as we have all adjusted quite well. The children have captured our hearts and we will be very sad to leave them. Each night for the last 3 nights we have traveled to the home of our friends, Miles, and have fed a group of homeless children. They are allowed to take home the leftover food to their parents. The first night was a good size group, the second about 30 children, and last night must have been about 50. It has been such a blessing to see them befriend us and open up. Becky, one of our faithful team members, has even passed on "Pound it" to many of the young girls.

The team is getting along quite well and it has been such a blessing to spend so much time with these amazing people. Last night, Cherish and I spent the night at the orphanage in the nursery to take care of any children that might wake up needing something. We were up every couple hours and Cherish was up for well over an hour one time. However, seeing their smiling faces this morning was well worth the effort last night.

Please continue to pray for team strength and rest. We are each working hard every day at what we do and are exhausted by the end of the night. There are endless opportunities for ministry and we never want to say no. Also, please continue to pray for attitudes to continue to be in good spirits. We have had no problems so far and it has been a huge blessing. Praise God!

This was the group on Friday night.

Joe leading a game of "Simon Says"

Me with wonderful children :)

Becky with her girls :)