I am the Vine...

Connie and I began our day by experiencing grocery shopping Filipino style. We walked to the grocery store and waded through the crowded isles in search of items needed to prepare an appetizer for Saturday night's couples dinner. I must say that this course is not a standard part of a Philippine dinner function. After much brain storming, we decided upon a delicacy of Ritz type crackers with Velveeta type cheddar cheese mixed with an herb packet on top. Not fancy, but hopefully liked. We shall see! :/

We met with the principle of the school and her staff at 11:00 for lunch at Pizza Hut. I bonded quickly with the head of the Science dept. and the head of the Value's dept. (Yes, they teach values in the school here! USA could stand to adopt this curriculum.), being fellow grandmothers and all we became fast friends. Connie will fill you in on those details. After lunch we had the opportunity to attend a Catholic Mass being held at the school's opening ceremony. We were given front row seats of honor and an electric fan to assist in keeping us cool. Treated like royalty!

Spent after being in dress clothing in all the heat, we returned to Tim's to change and rest before afternoon cell groups. Connie and I were privileged to attend the same ladies cell group that we attended last week. It gave us great opportunity to further bond with the women of last week and also to get to know the new ladies. Our group was 17 strong with many new women that were a harvest of our follow up visits of the prior day. Connie and I both shared our testimony with the group. I was moved by a young woman named Chereez who connected greatly with my struggles in my marriage. She tearfully shared her pain and to God's glory was encouraged by the grace and healing that I shared from my own experience. I prayed over her and Connie prayed over the rest of the group. There is no greater good than for us to use our own struggles and pain to encourage and help others. It truly takes the victory away from Satan! I pray that God will change the heart of her husband and that she too will one day have the wonderful, Christian man that Bert is in her husband Jose Marie.

One thing I have realized to be true is that women are all the same and share the same fears and trials no matter what race, culture or status. However, we are all daughter's of the King and greatly loved and cherished. Our value comes only through our place in Christ which supersedes all barriers. Praise be to Jesus!

Love and miss you all! Debbie