first week

So far so great!  Yesterday we all got back from a great resort weekend as part of our Orientation.  I got to swim in turquoise ocean, eat fun food (included a lot of wonderful, wonderful mango things like, mango crepes, mango fruit drink and mango ice cream) wonderful massage which when the money conversion was done was only about 12 dollars Canadian.  Played beach Volleyball, Watched fire dancing and Fireworks!

No its not all fun and games, we are going to start our major orientation this week with lessons on culture and things in that nature.  After this week the real work begins.  The other young woman, Ellora, and I will head up to Tabuk on Sunday the 31st where we will start our two month language lessons.  The students that remain in Davao city will also be in language classes and learning the local language (that I do not know how to spell).
In Tabuk, Ellora and I will be learning Ilocano

After the two months of language class we head back down to Davao city and join our other class mates for a one month missions program called Nehemiah Teams http://www.nehemiahteams.com/ we will spend a month among a Tribal village doing different activities in order to share God's love.

After the Nehemiah Team month, us two Tabuk girls, will head back up North to start our Clinical training in December.

A little about life in Davao city
The other young ladies that are here with me are terrific! The only drawback to going to Tabuk is not being able to be among them for the duration of the two and half years.  I am not the only homeschooler/come from a big family/farm kid.  There are LOTS of us, one young woman is the oldest of 12.  So my background type is actually in the Majority which is a little unusual.  The result is that many of the conversations involve animals or younger siblings.   The food is wonderful, the fruit is out of this world, although there is one fruit called Durion that I am not so sure about.  The traffic is something else, I actually find it exiting because I've heard about places with traffic like this but have never actually seen it!  But I'm glad I don't have to drive in it.....
Being white results in a lot of attention as white skin is in the tiny minority,
The people who are in service are super helpful and attentive, the clerks will be by your side when you buy your products eager to make sure you find what you are looking for and then they carry your purchase to the counter for you.

well that is a taste of Davao, at least of what i have experienced so far.  However I am told that Tabuk is very different.

well I say goodbye for now I hope all of you are well in your part of the world

P.S. Fantastic Church service today!!!! absolutely loved it, it was a guest speaker, the husband of one the students, he talked about the need to tell the lost about Jesus and it was a powerful message.

Arrival!

Well after a VERY long flight I am here!!! In Davao city!  Very exciting, mind boggling, hard believing, a little overwhelming and yes I am on the tired side of things.  But fortunately I dozed lots on the plane which I think will work in my favor for dealing with jet leg. (by the way if anyone knows why Jet leg is called jet leg  please let me know because it has never made any sense to me).  Anyway I did feel a little ill on the plane and although thankfully there was no barf bags involved there was a need for me to trade seats with my neighbor in order to be sitting on a aisle seat in regards to being close to a bathroom....but the air line staff were wonderful and actually come to think of it..... because I wasn't feeling the best I ended up sleeping more, and I am feeling fine now.  

 Oh yes and it is REALLY hot here as expected so I am thinking my Canadian family and friends could ship me some snow and ice.  or I guess you could just pray I climatize quick.

Anyway, so I have about two weeks of orientation here in Davao and then will head up to Tabuk!  So I guess just prayers that adjustments go well.

love you all!!!

quick prayer request

okay so here comes my big flight!  quick prayer request.  I am not feeling all that wonderful, (no worries its nothing major) so please pray that I do not feel sick on the plane. thanks! next time I update I will be in a new country!

A week of travel!

I will give you all my travel plans, but because this is a blog and not a personal note I won't give specific times.....so here we go....

On Wednesday I take the bus from Kamloops to Calgary to spend some precious time with my Grandma and Grandma.  Then on the morning of the16th (Saturday) I fly from Calgary to Toronto, Where I take a breath.  On the 17th I fly with a fellow Canadian student across the country and to Manila, Philippines, where we switch flights and head to Davao arriving on Tuesday the 19th Philippine time.  There are about 15 hours difference from B.C. time. (sigh) so that's the plan!  In the end it will be about 10 hours on a bus and 24 hours in the air.  

A big prayer request is that I don't get sick.  last time I had a long flight I was really ill, and would be so pleased if that was not repeated!  

Busy Last Week

So the final stages are coming together,it is a busy week with lots of family that I am eager to spend time, visiting, and saying goodbye to dear friends and family. I got my twinrix shot yesterday and have to go into Kamloops for a different shot.   There is also the Gospel weekend coming up on Friday of which I am playing a small part in; singing with my fellow worship band members on the last day, of which I am really excited about.

Note to other travelers: Do not wait to the last minute to get shots done.  turns out one has to get booster shots after the initial injection, fortunately I can get those in Philippines.  For this next shot i am getting on Friday I almost didn't get in  as the Clearwater nurse is away until Monday and the Public Health service office is booked all this week, fortunately I was able to get in with Travel connections, a very lovely lady who only charges 10 dollars to give the shot.   So I am thanking God for that.  Also a side note on that, my arm is still sore from yesterdays shot, the last time I got a shot it was tender for months, am praying that this will not be the case.

 Please pray that all the details come together with lots of time to spend with family and friends before the departure.  In the next few days I will post my travel itinerary but for now I can tell you that my journey begins on August 13th