I want to start off by telling you a little bit about our lives here in Manila. Things in the Philippines can always change at any second. For example, one moment the sky might be beautiful, and then the next second it will be pouring rain; or, you might think you are the one preaching at church only to find out your not because the pastor just kept on talking. While life here can be unpredictable a few things are constant:  We will at least once a day make the 30 minute walk from our condo to the YMC ministry center (some days its 2 or 3 times).  On our walk we will see either a...

I want to start off by telling you a little bit about our lives here in Manila. Things in the Philippines can always change at any second. For example, one moment the sky might be beautiful, and then the next second it will be pouring rain; or, you might think you are the one preaching at church only to find out your not because the pastor just kept on talking. While life here can be unpredictable a few things are constant:  We will at least once a day make the 30 minute walk from our condo to the YMC ministry center (some days its 2 or 3 times).  On our walk we will see either a...

7776. That’s the number of square INCHES that the family I met today occupies. In simpler terms, this families lives in a space that is six feet by nine feet. The family? A mother, a father who is a fisherman and not there when I visited, and four small children. That’s five or six people occupying a tiny space. I say space because this family lives on a basketball court with hundreds of others displaced by recent floods. It is an outside court, but it has a roof and concrete floor which provide some shelter. Wooden posts are throughout the court, tied together with ropes that...

With this trip being my first in leading a mission trip, I have been reflecting quite often about the difference between a good leader and a great leader. As I have over analyzed and critiqued every decision I have made, this is what I have noticed about myself. I measure all my ability to lead on my wisdom that I have for situations that arise, as well as the wisdom I can share with my brothers and sisters. All my leadership is based on my wisdom. That had made many high expectations for myself. It was also easy for me not to push myself in spiritual growth, I felt like I had reached some...

7776. That’s the number of square INCHES that the family I met today occupies. In simpler terms, this families lives in a space that is six feet by nine feet. The family? A mother, a father who is a fisherman and not there when I visited, and four small children. That’s five or six people occupying a tiny space. I say space because this family lives on a basketball court with hundreds of others displaced by recent floods. It is an outside court, but it has a roof and concrete floor which provide some shelter. Wooden posts are throughout the court, tied together with ropes that...

With this trip being my first in leading a mission trip, I have been reflecting quite often about the difference between a good leader and a great leader. As I have over analyzed and critiqued every decision I have made, this is what I have noticed about myself. I measure all my ability to lead on my wisdom that I have for situations that arise, as well as the wisdom I can share with my brothers and sisters. All my leadership is based on my wisdom. That had made many high expectations for myself. It was also easy for me not to push myself in spiritual growth, I felt like I had reached some...