Melissa here!!!

Hey everyone....sorry I haven't said anything yet. Its all on my facebook. But I'll add it on here now:

July 8th: Hey People!! How's it going? Well I am in the Philippians right now. It wasn't as hot as I imagined but it grows on you...litterally, the sweat grows on you!! Well, I just arrived yesterday morning (that would be my Sat your Fri night). Our first flight was 12 hours and the 2nd was 2 hrs 20 mins. It was a very long trip! But I think I'm over getlag....I made it through that first day and slept the night! Well, once we got off the plane, Jeremy and dad picked us up- Bob and Jean (missionaries) drove. It was strange b/c they had to wait at the other side of the road behind a gate and once they saw us come out they had to go to the security guard to let them over to us....kinda diff. But they said without that the whole country would be in the airport! On the drive to our place I drove in the car with bob emily and Jeremy. Basically what happened was I looked around at everything while Jeremy talked about everything and anything! But that worked out quite nicely!

My first impressions of the Phillipians were:

There is a lot of poverty everywhere. In our society it is almost contained to certain areas whereas here, it is everywhere. It seems as though there is barely a turn where you don't see poverty. It is really quite sad...they live in these makeshift shaks of anything they can find. Jeremy told me that once he saw a place without even a roof. It was a floor and a counter and it was flooded so all there was was the top of the counter...b/c of the rainy season this happens a lot. (the rainy season is like their winter)Another thing that really struck me was all the beggers and ppl on the street. At intersections they come up to your windows and beg or sell you diff things. This one begger girl was very percistant. She had seen money in the car and then wouldn't leave. she would make these faces that actually made me laugh (b.c she was so percistant and the way she wnet about it was kinda funny!). And then she even brought over this littler girl who was even cuter!! It was kinda amusing but quite sad...bob said its funny to see b/c as one person gives at the front of the line, then as the beggar goes down the line more ppl give! But it's actually illegal to give to beggars. You are supposed to give them food and stuff instead so that they can't buy drugs etc. That's what hit me the most-the poverty. Now another part that hit me like a rock was standing out. I was told that I would stand out b/c I'm white but it isn't the same feeling I had then when I actually experienced it! They laugh at you and whistle b/c your white....so its very strange to ( as a white female) walk down the street! And they talk to you with their eyes so I can't look into the men's eyes at all....it is VERY diff. It will take some getting used to! So pleaze pray for me in this adventure. And that God will help me ajust and minister to the ppl....thanks! I miss you guys! Melissa :)

July 13th: Hey there everyone! Well I see that the temp is rising over there and you are feeling the heat like me. I see on my dad's comp. that you in wl are suffering with 33 degrees C. HAHA! And it only 30 over here!! lol! But it is more humid here so that makes a diff. But how is your summer so far? So far I have gone swimming numerous times, gone 10 pin bowling....I will show you the videos soon (I forgot my cam cord at home so I have to get whit to bring it or see if one of my fams cords work...) I have also ridden on a VERY squishy jeepney tons of taxis and gone groceryshopping 2wice. They actually have a lot of canadian (american actually! I just like to say canadian!! lol) name brands in the stores....all kinds of stores too. Not just food and clothes. Oh yes, and I've been shopping in the malls ate at McD (gross!) and been to the gym....I'm VERY sore from that. I have a trainer and I was supposed to go again yesterday, but there was a fire in the mall somewhere and the gym isin the mall so it was closed.....so I got a day off just to get sorer(if that's a word!!) today!! Well, have a great summer! Melissa

So that is all that I've said so far...that's pretty much all that's happened! I hope you enjoy my short statements....I wish I could show you pictures, but I forgot my cam cord at home.

Well, one last thing.....last night I made a concoction. I called it brain puffs....now don't jump to conclusions. Everyone in the family liked it! But I won't tell you what was in it. I will soon show you a picture and then you can guess!! Well, have a great summer!

this is Melissa signing out...