God is doing some great things.

I was able to meet with Troy (the founder of VFV.. volunteer for the Visayans) And explain to him all that is happening here with the Deaf and the organization i am starting. Patrick and his sister came to the meal as well. Patricks sister works for another volunteer company called GoAbroad which is owned by Troy's friend but they are partners with that company. Anyway.. Vanessa(patricks sister) has been telling me about a conference in Washington D.C. that is coming up for all the different places around the world who help with setting up Volunteers. I really wanted to go and do some networking there for the Deaf here and EARN. But i knew it wasn't possible financially. I have been praying about if I should go to this conference or not. I didn't even bring it up to Troy when I was explaining to him my ideas for getting this all set up. He was really down to earth and helped bring me back to reality with a few of the things i was suggesting. He has been working in peru and the Philippines for over 20 years now and he know a lot about the government and how to get around it. His advise was very helpful as well as encouraging to me and Patrick. Troy mentioned the conference but i told him i have been thinking about it and i am sure that I will not be able to attend becuase it is too expensive and too close to my return home in order for me to earn enough money again. He told me he would pay for my plane ticket and the hotel. I would be staying with Vanessa when she goes. I started crying a little bit and told him that would be amazing. I also offered to pay for half of my plane ticket but he refused. he said he wanted to pay for the plane ticket and my hotel. All i need to pay for is the food and conference fee. My conference fee will also be reduced if I volunteer during it for at least 10 hours during the week. I want to volunteer as well as do my own promoting because then i will be able to meet many other people and develop more relatinoships with people around the world. I know that this is a huge step but everything is SO clear and i know that God is using me to do some huget hings. I am very honored to be in the position i am in right now. Somtimes it gets a little stressful but I know that this is not my work..

Today i visted the McCarther Beach landing. It was very intense. But amazing to read the history as well. It hasn't rained for three days now. It was VERY hot the past two days. I have a pretty nice heat rash that everyone is worried about when they see me. I am reassuring them it is from the heat and not from something have eaten or been bitten by. :) Don't worry mom.. i know that is what it is from. This morning we visited the Dump Site. It was horrible. I didn't think it was going to be that bad. four of us road in a bulldozer as the man pushed the garbage all along. There were many children picking through the nasty and trying to find somthing. I am not even sure what they would be able to salvage from THAT. it was disgusting. I have never smelled something so horrible in all my life. I have a pretty strong stomach.. but i ended up throwing up. I couldn't handle it. I was very surprised with myself... but yes.. I vomited into the nasty.. only adding to the wonderful smells during the ride. I guess it smelled a lot worse than it ever has when they take volunteers only becuase it has been raining for a month and now it has been like 100 degrees for two days. there were a lot of flies, mosquitos and other nasty things that flew around. UH>>. just talking about it makes me want to throw up again. I took a lot of pictures but when i look at them right now i can smell it again. so i will have to show them when i return.
so my next step is to put together a brochure and DVD to hand out to promote EARN and the Deaf here in the Philippines.
can't wait to see you all. I can hardly believe i will be back in a week. The Deaf kids here get really sad and tell me they are already depressed that i am going to be leaving. I feel like it just makes it that much harder to leave. But I know i must go home and continue what i need to there while raising funds to return with the plans to bulid up the organiztion.
oh... the conference is May 25-30th. :)