So much to say.

It is January 13th 8:25 in the morning on Sunday. Surprisingly I am very awake. I havn't slept much but God has been so good to me already.
As soon as i sat in my seat from Minneapolis to Tokyo I knew I was not going to be alone. A great friend wrote me a note to read on the plane and she told me not be lonely at all and spend a lot of time with God. From that moment on I have felt no nervousness or hesitation.
I sat next to a woman named Susan and a man named Dino the whole flight. They are both Filipino and told me everything i needed to know. The first thing they both said almost in sync when I told them where I was going was "Dye your hair!" they were not completely serious but it is a consideration. we will see how the first day goes. So far it isn't my hair but my skin mostly. I was with Dino and Susan the entire time between flights as well. They had me practice my Taglag with them. Dino is from FL and visiting his sick mother and Susan is from TX and her husband's cousin died so she is here for a funeral.
Susan has a sister who works in Customs at the Filipino airport in Manila. One thing i did not know was that my connecting flight from Manila to the Tacloban city was in a different airport. As soon as I gathered my luggage susan's sister had TWO security gaurds take my luggage and they expained to me that she is their superior and they were goign to take care of me. They were very concerned that I was flying alone and with white skin. But it was like having my own body gaurds. Everyone had to open up each peice of luggage and they were digging through eveything. These men just said some stuff in Filipino and i was waved. I walked passed all customs with them. I met susan again where the taxis and buses were waiting. Her sister took us two and the two security men in her 4-runner to the next airport. It was like I was a princess. God placed these people there so I would not get lost. I don't know what i would have done with out them. I at least would have been a little stressed. susan hugged and kissed me goodbye as the security officers came with me. I ddin't even have to get my papers out as they explained i was with them once again. They helped me get my ticket to the Tacloban city and weigh my bags. My bags were 7lbs over but they explained what I was doing and they called me a saint. The men working there congragulated and thanked me and I was not charged a fee.
Once I arrived at the Tacloban city there was NO one there to pick me up. I had to explain to many taxi drivers that I was not a hooker. I didn't see any sign of anyone that looked trustworthy so I started to pray again. In no time a man came to me and I was not nervous of him. He yelled at the other men to get away from me. I explained that I have someone to pick me up and he asked if i was a missionary. I told him what I was doing and he said he talks to God and God answers him too. I had the number to the World endeavors here in the TAC city so he let me use his cell phone to call them. They thought i was arriving tomorrow for some reason. He said he would wait with me until they arrived. He did. and told several people to leave me alone. It was a blessing. In about 20 minutes the woman arrived and now I am here at the center! :) I have met two volunteers so far. One is from Canada and one is from Ireland. God has already done so much. Thank you for praying and please continue!

(Oh yeah... susan and I will be friends for a long time. She has a neice that has gone through the same things as I have but she is on medication because she has severe depression. she asked my why I don't and I told her that I have Jesus instead. She wants me to talk with her neice. Pray for that too. Her name is Amy.)

MUCH LOVE,

Toni