Day 7

It is hard to believe that the trip is half over. Most of the students get really sad when you bring that point up. I do too if I think about the 18 hours of plane rides ahead of me. I cracked open all the letters from home today - that has helped a ton. I am still homesick but I have eaten more in the last few days and even used the toilet paper supply - that's all I have to say about that.

Today was pretty relaxed, although my standards for relaxed have changed quite a bit. After the experience at the docks - the area called Tondo - anything seems tame. We went to the jail this morning. Funny that being in a room full of inmates felt safer than the street feeding, but the atmosphere in that jail facility is so amazingly positive. They have a vibrant group of Christ-followers and leaders. The students got a chance to go into the cell area (not in the cells) and share their testimonies with the inmates. Bob, Jeff Rice and I met with the group leaders and the prison ministry leader Orik. We sang songs together and than got to hear testimonies from some of the inmates. We all shared words of encouragement with them. It was just really remarkable to hear the stories of what the prison was like before Frontline got involved. It made me wonder what Tondo will be like if Frontline makes inroads there in a couple of years.

The afternoon was spent honestly waiting for the FTC kids to get out of school. We had an early supper of spaghetti. They put carrots in their spaghetti sauce! Weird. We went to FTC to play with the kids and took them to a basketball game that Mike, the FTC director played in. It was really a lot of fun. I can feel myself getting dangerously attached to these kids. They are all so sweet and innocent which is all the more amazing given their backgrounds. Tonight Anabelle was my buddy for most of the night. She is in 6th grade and shares a July birthday. Her favorite color is blue and her favorite number is 8. She grilled me with a lot of questions and so I returned the favor.

I did take time out this afternoon to sit in on a training session for Leadership Interns at Frontline. This is a new program they have just started this week and it was fun to interact with the young leaders. I am almost used to the impromptu requests of "share a word of encouragement Brother Tim." Luckily I am rarely at a loss for words.

Tomorrow the boys are going to help set up a giant tent for something. That should be a hoot! The afternoon will start off with some small group time for our team and than back to FTC I think. Part of the team will be going to the hospital where we started our week. I will be interested to hear what stories will come from that.

I cannot say enough good things about Frontline. The car ride to Manila yesterday with Jeff Pessina was great for discussion and I am sure will remain a personal highlight of the trip. Everything I see them doing really seems to have God's blessing on it and I don't sense any prideful credit being taken either. It is really refreshing to be around them. That being said the Philippines are not growing on me as a place to spend a lot more time. I still want to get home as quickly as I can.

Thanks to all of you that sent letters and have responded to blogs or Facebook posts. That means more to me than you will ever know.

Funny thing happened at the prison today. An inmate in his cell and I were talking through the bars. Bear in mind he is in a prison cell with about 12 other dudes and although tidy I don't think clean is a word I would use for it. He was really concerned that our group had been screened for H1N1 in Manila. Seriously?! God Bless His germaphobia but it seemed a little odd to me.

Anyway plan on lots of hugs when I get home. The Filipino's are awfully touchy feely and I am really homesick, so expect a long, lingering hug when I see you next.