another weekend over....already?

I realize that last time i wrote was on the weekend and i wrote all about the amazing adventures. well this weekend was nothing short of that.

On saturday i was able to go to the beach for the first time since arriving here. It was a public beach, not any tourists and the Filipinos were very respectful there. not many people occupied the space. The sand was white and there were seashells and sea animals to be found at every glance. I never experienced so many sea creatures up close. i was able to pick up a sea urchin and let him crawl around on my hands. not as scary as i thought. Yet, when i wanted to venture out to deeper waters i had to crawl/swim on my hands with my feet floating behind in 7 inches of water so as not to put all my weight down if i were to come across an urchin. They were everywhere. I found many amazingly different star fish as well. Some looked very ancient and some were brightly colored. I swam about a half mile out into the ocean with a mask and was able to view a beautiful coral reef. The fish were colorful and fun to watch as they swam together almost in teasing pleasure. the drop off that far out was so wonderful to experience. i will purchase my own snorkel and mask soon and return to that same place. The drop off stretched for miles on either side. So i will have plenty of coral reef to cover before i return home. If only i could take pictures to show you, but i know that it would not do justice.

I love to watch the discovery channel and read through national geographic. but to see these things with my own eyes, to jump off the waterfall, to swim with the fish, to watch the ants collect their food, to climb the mountain... simply indescribable.

I attended the Assemblies of God church this past sunday. It was so wonderful. I could hear Hillsongs being sung from three streets away as I approached my destination. An unexpected feeling rushed over me as soon as i entered the door. i began to cry and entered into worship with these people immediately. A three hour service that seemed to last 3 minutes. In a culture where the people are polite, quiet, shy, reserved i witnessed the most humbling thing i have ever seen in my life. They were weeping, screaming, singing at the top of their lungs for God to move in their city, in their nation. Not holding anything back, not caring what others outside the open doors may thing.. they worshiped. Truly worshiped with all that was within them. i will be joining the prayer services they hold on Tuesday nights as well as the Young Adults group every Friday night. I am excited to be a part of what God is doing through these people.

I also met a couple from Norther Ireland who have lived here for 5 years now. as well as a couple who started a fishing ministry that trains street kids to become fishermen. During their vocational training on their "fisher's of men" boat they share the love of Jesus and each man who has studied on their boat has accepted Christ. They have an amazing story and offered me to come fishing on the open sea with them in November. however, they have been having problems with Filipino Pirates coming and stealing their fish. They will come and drop their nets right inside of the couple's net and steal all their fish. But because they refuse to carry Guns, they have continued to be targets. So, i guess you can pray for safety for this couple and the men they train to fish.

ok.. i need to go. but much more happened.


understanding true love more deeply everyday,

toni