Philippine Journey- Week 2

So I actually just got back from the Philippines yesterday but I still have to write about my 2nd week in the Philippines. Even though it was not that eventful, it was still very busy.

Monday- My dad had his Elders meetings.. So I went to my friends house again to spend time with everyone.. We had our usual water fight, and had a silly string fight too..
Thursday- We went to Balaybay again.. My dad preached on Roman Catholics and where the religion came from. I was having an asthma attack that whole day, so it wasn't really a good day for me.. but even though I was struggling to breath, it was still a blessing to be there with the saints in Balaybay.. Usually my asthma does not bother me all the time, but the heat and humidity on this trip kind of triggered it. but I told the devil he can't take my breath away and I was continually praying over myself. So I survived ;)

Friday- We had House of God again.. It was our last night there, so of course it was really hard for me to say goodbye to all of my friends..

Saturday was our day of departure.. I'll always remember standing by our car on Jones St. {where we live} and just looking at the people I love and the city I love, thinking how much I am going to miss everything. but I smiled knowing that this is not the end!!
We had a few hinderances on the way to Manila. Our Truck broke down, so we had to go get it repaired. Then other little things happened, so it took us 5 hours to get to Manila. When it should have taken us 2 to 3 hours.. So we lost some time. but it was nice just being able to enjoy my friends and beautiful scenery on the way :)
but the time I was dreading for 2 weeks finally came...We arrived at the airport. It was hard to believe that we were just there getting ready to start our journey, then now we were leaving.

One thing I really hate most in life is doing that.. I held in all my tears and sadness until I got to the airport. As I hugged some of my friends, I just could not hold it in any longer. Saying goodbye to my "Family" there just gets harder and harder.
As I hugged my Ate Sharon, she told me, "Someday we're just going to keep you here" and I said PLEASE DO! This trip really did something to my heart.. I mean my heart has always loved that nation, but this trip I realized something. If it was God's will, I would give up everything in this life in America, to move there to do ministry for the rest of my life.

Being a missionary and doing what I do there, is my destiny!! Ministry is my passion, it's in my blood & very few people really understand! So this journey is not the end!! It's only the beginning :))

God Bless, Kenya-Nicole

P.S here is some pictures of my friends down below.

Best Friends :)

Sweet Rona and I {She is really not as tall as me, she was standing on a chair haha}

Me and Kimmy {Kimuel}

Sisters for life :)

Philippine Journey- Week 1

My first week in the Philippines was truly amazing, but the time is going by way too fast now. We only have 5 more days in this land and it breaks my heart. I know we will be back soon, but it's still hard to say goodbye to the people you love.

So here is my update of what we have been doing this last week.
Tuesday- We went out to place called Balaybay. It's about 40 minutes from where we live..
The scenery that we passed by was gorgeous. I haven't been to Balaybay since I was a little girl, but when I got there I got flashbacks of when I was little doing ministry. The House of God up there is so beautiful. We didn't really do any ministry that day, we just went to check things out and see the need. Which there is a big need.. They lack so much there, but never complain.
Anyways, on the way back, in the middle of like a "Forest Area" There is a HUGE statue of Mary.
The Philippines is mostly Catholic and the graven images here is just unbelievable.

It's so sad, the other day we were in the mall. and at 12 pm, this little bell went off through the intercom, and all of a sudden, people started crossing themselves. A woman's voice started talking and started saying a prayer to MARY and reminding the people to pray with their rosary's that day. I was kind of shocked to hear that but that's why we are here. To be a witness to these people!
Here is a picture of the Statue

On Wednesday we didn't have much to do. So I was able to hang out with some of my friends. I am really thankful for the friends I have made here.. I mean, I've grown up with all of them. but now that we are older, things are different. My heart has been knit together with theirs. We had such a fun time fellowshipping. We had a water fight with all the kids on the compound then later had a pizza party :)

Rona, Luke, Kimuel and Little Matthew










Thursday we crossed the China Sea to go to Matangib.. They built a new House of God there, so we went to dedicate it. I know it was such a blessing for everyone!! We also brought some toothbrushes and toothpaste and passed it out to all the little kids :) Their smiles were priceless :)

Friday was my friend Kimuel's 17th birthday.. I wanted to bless him with something but wasn't sure what to give him. Then I heard that he didn't have his own Bible and the Bible's he did have, were just hand me downs. So I thought I would give him a new Bible. That's the best gift I could ever give him anyways.. :) I know he was really happy when I gave it to him and just seeing him smile and use his new Bible blessed my heart :)

Here is an old picture of Kimuel and I on my last trip

On Saturday we went to Zoobic Safari.. It was so cool to see the White tigers and other wildlife that they had there.. They took you inside caged jeeps, and the tigers would come right up to your window or get on top of your vehicle! We were just inches from them!!!
Then later on in the day, I was walking past some tigers to take pictures and one tiger just decided to spray me and mark their territory. EWWW :( It was horrible and I smelled like Tiger Urine all day haha It sure was an adventure and is something I will never forget!! Then we ended the day with a nice fellowship for everyone at the house. They made Chicken Lumpia and I made some Pumkin Pies!! It's been years since some of the missionary families have had that. So I know they enjoyed it!

Then Sunday, was our last Sunday with everyone. I tried just to be happy, but deep down it was really hard to say goodbye. but we still had a wonderful day together! They had a youth fellowship after service, So I was able to have some time sharing with them.
I talked about Holding on to Gods promises in our life. I shared about how God's love is unconditional but his promises are conditional. So if we are living in sin and not living the way we are supposed to, then it can prevent God's blessings on them, and God's people. I shared with them how many times in Isreal, they prevented God's blessings because there was sin in the camp and that even today, when there is sin in the church, It could prevent His blessings. So that we need to live a pure, holy, and righteous life, and let God purge and cleanse us from any sin.
After that, I just ended with encouraging them to not be weary or discouraged and reminded them of another promise God gave to us. That He will never leave us or forsake us and that they are not alone. I know it touched their hearts!! At the end, I almost started crying when I was saying my goodbyes. I told them how much I love them and love their nation and want the very best for all of them.
I just pray now that they stay on the right path.

So even though this trip has past by so quickly, It's been fruitful. God has continued to change me and strengthen me and change everyone here as well!! We still have a few more days left to do ministry, so I will write another update soon.

God Bless, Kenya-Nicole

After Service on Sunday