A Rainy but Blessed Start in the Philippines



I am happy to be back in the Philippines with a family I love dearly (Happy Family Bible Training Center) although I miss Senegal and the African continent. The weather is much more agreeable and I love the fact that I am eating much more vegetables than in Senegal. I have to say, I am not pining for Ceb bu Jen (greasy rice and fish and overcooked vegetables but fairly tasty when eaten in small quantities). I have 17 students and am a part of a staff of three faithful colleagues and three novices who have joined within the last two years.
The Philippines has two seasons: rainy and dry; but the rainy can be really rainy—serious flooding and torrential downpour—or consistent rain—once a day for several hours. Thankfully, I have only experienced the latter because rain can become a bit tiring when clothing does not dry (the sun is the only dryer we have), books mildew, moldy smells stagnate and dampness never lifts from the air. I have yet to establish a period in which I get out and exercise, but I am sure that will happen once the rains become more sporadic with increasing sunshine.
While here at the Bible school, I am going to share a weekly verse from the Bible. I hope you will have the chance to contemplate the words. May God give you grace and understanding.
(Luke 18: 7-8) “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

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