Sept 15, 2009
I have been overwhelmed by the hospitality of the YWAM base, they are so welcoming, it has been great! Today I had a very good night of sleep.
Yesterday was my first day of ministry, I went to one of the slums with Fronie and Dreb to have a youth bible study, many of the young people weren’t around so instead of having a study we just talked with the people in the slums. I have a hard time with the language barrier because most of the people in the slum don’t speak English. I met so many people in the slums, many of their names I don’t remember because they introduce themselves very quickly and the names are not easy to remember. Since Dreb speaks very little English also, Mondays will be very interesting for me. Dreb is teaching me a few word in Tagalog everyday, he is my professional Tagalog teacher. J
Gigi is also a great teacher, showing me the ropes and making sure I always have a full stomach. It rains a lot here, it is called the “wet” season, and it sure is wet, the streets flood very easily. Today is the first day that we have no rain, and it is sunny.
When filipino’s eat they use a spoon and fork, they don’t use knives much at all. Even sometimes they don’t use any utencils and they just eat with their hand, their rice and meat. It is fun! There is a very high respect for people that are older then you. If it is a female, you would call her “ate” (pronounced “a” as in apple and “te” as in temple.) if you are talking to a male, you would say…well I don’t know how to spell it, but quay sp? (Koo-ya).
I feel as though I am adapting well to the culture, but there is still much for me to learn and observe.
Pray that I can have some supernatural learning powers so I can understand the language better.
Blessings and prayers for you Maggie. How awesome it is for you to be a servant for our great God!
Hi Maggie, this little update confirms that you are right where you are supposed to be. Very nice observations about the people and customs. Lord, I pray that you’d help tune Maggie’s ear to the sounds of this language, so that she would be able to remember people’s names and be able to communicate specifically. I ask that your love and truth abound in her life so that even without words you would use her powerfully. Thank you for Mags’ heart for these people. I pray that your divine appointments would happen as you want them to, and that you would keep the enemy at bay especially during these first days. Continue to encourage Maggie’s heart with the simple things of this place! In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
HiMaggie,
It is nice to hear from you. God has been working wonderfully in your life, giving you the courage to travel far away from home to serve others for Christ. It is good that you become familiar with some of our customs. I trust, after 6 months you would be speaking good Tagalog. Maggs,
the word is “kuya” to address an older man. Thanks for the update and God bless!
I thought you meant the little friends–ants–used a spoon and fork when eating. haha
I am glad you have people to interpret the culture for you, too. Makes a huge difference in learning curve.