News from Sarah ...

Hey :)

Just to update you on what's happening here.
So we are settled in laguna and loving it. The girls and staff have really welcomed us.
We have had to get used to not having showers here, instead it's a bucket:) but we are embracing the experiences. We haven't had internet for a few days as the bill wasn't able to be paid on time; but it's up and running again so we are once again in contact with the rest of the world haha.

Before moving to laguna on Tuesday evening we accompanied ODC and tunasan to Trinity University for a talent competition. It was a really good day out on all parts. Tunasan were entering the cultural category. They all wore beautiful outfits and danced a traditional Filipino dance. We have it all recorded!:) I am very pleased to report that they took, a very well deserved, first place!:D congratulations to them!

We went back to the Malate centre to pick up our bags and say a quick 'see you soon' to the children and the staff there. I am so pleased that we didn't have to say our goodbyes to them then because I don't think I could have done it! I'm so please that we still have another three weeks left. We are missing the children in Manila already. It will be nice to go back next Monday and have another two weeks with them:)

In the daytime, we have spent our time at tunasan. The first day we were able to help the children with their homework, and I was able to use my maths skills (which came back to me quite quickly - I was quite impressed) to help an older girl. It was really nice to see when she actually understood something I had taught her; it was difficult stuff!
We did paper folding with the kids on thursday, which can be more difficult than you would expect; but we had a lot of fun and laughed a lot.
Friday we went to the dumpsite where we had been in the week that Mary, Mela, Alec and Jess were with us. We helped prepare food for the feeding program and then took it to them. It started raining so we gave the food out quickly and returned to the Jeepney. However, the brakes on the Jeepney had broken so we were stuck there for over two hours while they tired to fix them. The children came and played with us while we waited. They absolutely love having their pictures taken. It's really funny:)
Thankfully the driver was able to fix everything and we were able to get home in the dark.

Yesterday we had a lovely day with the girls. In the morning we did some singing and hair braiding with them - which they loved!
Heidi and I decided in the afternoon to be brave and walk to the supermarket/mall on our own. God really gave us peace about it, we have found being on our own quite a daunting experience as we get payed far too much attention for our liking. But God is good and we had a very nice relaxing time.
The rest of the day we just relaxed with the girls and got to know them. It was lovely to chat and sing with them:)

We performed 'Shackles' (the song we taught them yesterday) with some of the girls in church this morning. It was a lovely church service - mostly in Tagalog, but some English, so I was able to understand quite a lot of it.
I have also really enjoyed joining in with the devotions in an evening. It's amazing to see the passion that they have for God. They are definitely an inspiring bunch and we are very privileged to be welcomed into this family.

Just a quick prayer request. Heidi and I have got to make our own way to and from tunasan this coming week and at the moment we are quite nervous about it so please pray that the journeys will be smooth and we'll feel confident enough to do it.
Also for Heidi's insect bites as they are driving her mad.
And for the coffee shop opening on monday.

Thank you for your support and prayers as always.

Love Sarah xx