Well, we bought a proxy that seems to work from China, so we will try it! Blogs are blocked in China, as are YouTube, Facebook, and who knows what else. I heard that Google will be next. Those who complain about things in the land of the free and the home of the brave don't know how good they have it!
I'll make this blog about our last trip, that's always a good way to introduce you to more of Asia. And pictures are more fun than me writing, so it is better this way. Vacation means plenty of pictures.
We just returned for Boracay Island, in the Philippines. The Philippines has 7,107 islands, so it is mostly just one tropical island after another. It is beautiful, beautiful...but also very poor. The people are wonderful, but don't always have much in the way of material goods. So we decided to go on a vacation with a mission!
Each day started with construction. We were helping to build a ministry center/school/medical center/orphanage. And did our kids work! We went with our friends the Liptak family, plus Lori, another friend from church.
Every afternoon/evening we went to feeding centers -- 20 of them spread around the island. Many hundreds of kids. Fun, sweet, and loveable - they also needed the help. We brought vitamins, medical supplies, games...whatever we could. It was great for them, and great for us, and we have memories that we will never forget.
At the end of a week of intense work, we also took a weekend to enjoy the beauty of the place on our own. Whether boating, beach, or just walking, it was a very memorable place. Think Hawaii, at 75% discount. :)
It is fulfilling and inspiring to be able to join with a local ministry and see for ourselves how big a difference that we can make for others. And it is very humbling. To realize that we did not ask to be born where we were any more than these people did. "But for the grace of God, there go I."
We found faithful, fun, forever friends in this new place. God is good.
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