It felt like forever getting here. It was a quick trip from Denver to LAX. I had time to relax and slowly find my gate because I had a few hours before the next flight. From LAX to Hong Kong might have been 15 hours but I filled it with sleep and Marvel movies so it went fast. Then I had 9 hours in Hong Kong. That was rough because I wasn't sure I'd get to leave on time due to a super typhoon. The time came and they let us go. It was a bumpy flight which included an audible gasp across the plane at one point. Relief! I was on solid ground again. Due to the typhoon the Cajigas family couldn't leave Bohol to meet me in Cebu, but Pastor Iglee and another man I know met me at the Cebu Airport. We stayed overnight at a hotel so I slept pretty good, but I was still exhausted so the 7 hour wait at the Port the next afternoon had me slumped over my bags sleeping again. Thankfully the Philippine Coast Guard did lift the hold on ferries and we were off by 8 pm. Ate Jess and Kuya Jonah met us at the Port in Tubigon around 10 pm which is nearly the other side of the island. I think we finally made it home by 1 am. Oh yeah, I left Denver at 8 pm CST on Wednesday and that would be 1 pm CST on Friday that I finally made it to my new home. Talk about long travel!
Now I am in Juagdan and things feel normal here. I have visited often enough and right now I'm staying with close friends. Kids argue, fuss, and fight no matter where you are so that is no different here.
I think the most difficult thing right now is actually the humidity! I know I grew up in Florida and had plenty there, but we had Central air-conditioning. Here it is just a small wall unit in the bedroom. I mean it is great and I actually got cold last night, but other things are affected by the humidity.
For example, most foods are acquired in small batches because there is only so much space in the refrigerator. Flour and dry oats are among the things I would normally leave out but can't here. Spices clump quickly. Laundry takes days to dry because we don't have a machine to do it for us. It is rainy season so the ground is almost always wet and therefore muddy. I have to be careful to not wipe out on that! There are also certain areas I have learned to walk with my hand in front of my face because the laundry lines hang low and are almost invisible when no clothes are on them.
Overall, life is good. I'm getting over a cold which has slowed me down, but each day I learn something new. I have a lot to learn before classes begin in January though!
Until next time... A word from the Lord for you...
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
