Happy New Year

Happy new year! Holidays in the Philippines are amazing. Carolers roam the streets singing everything from maayo pasco to I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. Dinner is served at midnight and afterwords everyone sets off fireworks until three in the morning. Most public areas are decorated with colorful lights and tree's everywhere are lit up with glowing stars. The celebrating lasts all of December and into January but the biggest firework display is saved for welcoming the new year. At midnight every household fires off it's own arsenal, colorful explosions fill the sky in all directions. The sound of bombs, rockets, and artillery is all that can be heard for hours causing some people to hide inside covering there ears. But the holidays aside our time in Cagayan was definitely blessed. Although the church is small the members are all close, aside from the Sunday service the regulars show up to two midweek studies, a night of prayer and devotions, and any other reason we can find to get together; sometimes just to worship, sometimes to crowd in one house and share a meal together. The trip was especially a blessing to me personally. The church and the family I stayed with welcomed me with open arms. By involving me in all there activities my new friends have made me feel at home in a place I have never been or even heard of before. I was also invited to be a part of the work God is starting there. We visited two pieces of land that are planing to be used for a church plant and farming plots to support the church. It is encouraging to see the hand of God at work in every town I come to, even if I don't know where I am God has already been there and has started a work to bring Himself glory. Willing servants have more than enough opportunities to get involved and serve God with the gifts He has given them.