I'm in the Philippines!!

I havent really gotten a chance to take many pics
but here are some of the view from the Sonshine Center

Wow! So after much anticipation I am finally here! I made it to Iloilo Tuesday night (Feb 3rd), I even had a little welcome party at the airport, which was nice! I got to my dorms and met my roomates for the next 2 months or so. The dorms are actually not bad at all. We have electricity, a window unit for AC and a bathroom in our room! We also have a kitchen downstairs. Only catch is we can’t drink the water and the shower is like a hose in the bathroom (and it doesn't really get warm either). It is still nice and definitely exceeded my expectations!
Well upon coming to the Philippines I dove right in! Wednesday morning I was up at 6 am and we were at the Sonshine Center at 715. We started off with prayer and devos and then headed across town to help Full Gospel church with their feeding ministry. We basically had church service and then fed the mothers and the children. It was cool but I def was having some culture shock! I didnt remember any of the language so it was hard to communicate with the mothers. I did get to hang out with the kids though and that was nice! After that we came back to the center and had a meeting with the Sonshine Center staff. We prayed and then I crashed and took a nap ate some food and went to bed! That was day number 1!
Filipinos are really great. They are not afraid to show their emotions. They laugh alot and really listen to you when you talk. There is however alot of things going on culturally that I need to learn. How people interact here is much different than the states. There is also alot of poverty You would be shocked to see the houses that many people live in here. I am still getting used to everything being so different that the states and Australia.

I understand my role here better now. Camp doesnt start until April I believe. Meanwhile there is a program through Calvery International to train people who want to do missionary work full time. I sit in on their lectures and go out and do ministry with them. However, I also help to work out some admin issues with the people running the program.
It is really cool because I get the chance to learn alot and to go out there and help people who really need it. Each week focuses on a different type of ministry. This week is partnering with a church and next week is Children's ministry which I am really excited about.
This weekend we will have kids club. That is where a jeepney goes around and picks up the street kids. Then we have a mini Camp Sonshine with the kids. I am so excited about this!
There is so much going on I am trying to organize it all in my mind. The interns have already been here for 3 weeks so they are more in sync than I am. But I am learning. I thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers! Please continue to pray for the people here! I love a miss you all!
-Anna

p.s. pictures to come soon, I honestly have been so busy I haven't even taken any!