Jenna and Lizzie (my class) and Sarah and Nelly (2nd yr + her sister visiting) went to the beach yesterday and swam for a few hours. Jenna and I went and looked at coral and found some really cool bright purple starfish. We even saw a lionfish! It was so nice to realax and excercise so I could concentrate better on Visayan study when I got home. We get our first assignment when we get back from Paradise Island (more orientation at the beach). Night before last we went out to the park after dark (gets dark at 6pm year round here and light at 6am) with some of the 2nd yrs. and had sooo much fun dunking each other in the fountains. Afterward we went to try halo halo which is shaved ice w/ sweetened condensed milk, all colored jello, huge red tapioca balls, super sweet tofu chunks, young coconut goo, 3 different kinds of beans, and a bright purple mash made from a kind of root --you're supposed to mix it all up before eating it of course. I don't recommend it, but it was fun. today we go to church with the McNeils and have the afternoon free. I am reading "Peace Child" right now, a story about missionaries to the Sawi people in New Guinea who were headhunters and Cannibals.

"Hear o Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever." Ps 30:10-12

I prayed so much before I left that God would provide just one spot for me to get away with him in this city, and he answered my prayer. There is a little balcony off the second story where our rooms are where you can look down and see the buntis (pregnant mamas) walking or being peddaled or motored (trycicad) to the clinic. The other morning I went out there and was singing, and it started to rain. At home I always used the rain as a reminder to praise God when i was outside because it reminded me of His grace. when it rained out on the balcony, it was like God said, "it's the same hand that sends rain here in Davao as it is in Logsden, I'm right beside you and i rejoice in your praise." How blessed we are to serve Him!