A Proposition of Love: Sojourn to the Philippines

     We set out late yesterday. Johanna wasn't feeling too well and had to get more rest before preparing to come pick me up. This gave me time to catch up on journal articles concerning daily activities, excursions, happenings, and thoughts we have had along the journey here in the Philippines. Johanna arrived at the condo (Grace Residences) around 12:30pm – 1:00pm. A Grab driver in a red Innova minivan picked us up and he drove us to Market Market. From there we loaded up in a large charter bus going down to Batangas. The price to drive from Manila to Lipa City was only 376 pesos. That comes to about $3.50 for the both of us for about a 70 kilometer ride. There is very cheap public transport here in the Philippines. This bus ride was no exception. We sat in the very back of the bus. A couple street vendors came in to sell their food and drinks. I bought a bottled water and a bag of fried banana chips. They were so good! They hit the spot. After eating the snack, the bus...

     Dear God, the Father and Creator of heaven and earth, you have created all things, and you have made all things good within your time, for everything takes place in God's time. You formed the skies and the clouds therein. You created the sun, moon, and stars. You created the earth and all that dwells therein. You created the sea and the fish therein. You created the mountains, the plains, the hills, the valleys, the highlands and the low lands. You created the beasts of the earth and you created all of mankind. You created Angel and Ferds, and surely you r very loving hands are clasped around them. You protect them with your strong outstretched right arm. You breathe the very life breath into their lungs. You give them life and longevity. You give them a purpose and a plan. Their very life is in your hands. The lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, but I pray Lord, that as long as Angel and Ferds are alive, I pray that they will be a mighty team for the Lord Jesus Ch...

     On Saturday we woke up around 6:30-7:00am. I woke up after Johanna. She was finishing preparing breakfast. We had a breakfast of bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. She id an outstanding job cooking the breakfast. Everything was really tasty. She makes one heck-of-a cook. After breakfast, we did our daily letter and gift. This was day 11: 'What If Time Stood Still?' This one was spoken word/poetry with a musical accompaniment. She got all teary-eyed and thanked me/hugged me for the gift and the thoughts of love. After the gift, we engaged in our daily Bible study in the John Coblentz book. We completed part II. Around this time, Angel stopped by and we walked to her house down the road. Then, we walked to the nearest grocery store; a market just outside the subdivision. We bought all kinds of stuff for 20 families that are in need of food and the love of Jesus. We bought 12,000 pesos or about $200 worth of food for the 20 families. We will be giving out the food with Ta...

     Dear Father in heaven, thank you for the bountiful blessings you have bestowed upon Johanna and I. We have all that we can ask for or imagine...especially myself and my family. Dear Lord, I give you praise for you are mighty, merciful, graceful, and just. Your love endures forever.     Thank you for the life of Ate Dhel. Thank you for her witness and her testimony. God, you are a good God, but your servant Ate Dhel is struggling with her health. If it be your will, I pray that you deliver Ate Dhel and bring her back to full health. I also pray for her mental health. She was recently swindled by a scammer and lost much money. Please restore her mental health that has been damaged by this incident. Be with Ate Dhel, Lord. Protect her, guide her, and direct her path. Most important, Lord, heal her both physically and mentally. In Jesus's name.     I offer up a prayer for Mr. Jow and Mrs. Cora. Today is their wedding anniversary (perhaps the 40 th ye...

     Yesterday has been the most memorable day of the trip thus far. I woke up around 6:00am. Johanna was still fast asleep in her bed. I came downstairs, took a shower, brushed my teeth, and then I began cooking breakfast for the both of us (Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich). As I was completing the cooking, Johanna walked downstairs at the perfect time,      After breakfast, I gave Johanna her daily gift and letter/poem/song. We listened to the song on the portable speaker, and she was absolutely delighted. The song for the day is entitled, 'This To My That.' We hugged each other for several minutes, whispering sweet endearments into each other's ears. Neither of us were willing to let go of the other. When we finally let go, we decided to listen to some contemporary Christian music on Youtube. We got up and danced (although neither of us know how to dance exactly) to several songs. I was holding her in my arms, and she was holding me in her arms. We both ...

     Yesterday, Johanna and I woke up before sun-up around 4:30am. We had planned to do a hike at Mount Maculot during and after the sunrise. However, something came up and Ferds and Angel could not join us for the hike. We took a jeepney to Cuenca, nonetheless because Johanna and I still wanted to do the hike together. After arriving in Cuenca we asked about the location of the trailhead. We were told that the trail has been closed since the pandemic, so we were not able to do the hike after all. Instead, we walked the city streets of Cuenca to Imelda's Garden. Imelda's Garden is an extraordinary garden overlooking Taal lake, and the Taal Volcano. It was out of this world, Johanna and I had the most fun and quality time, and we stayed there until about 4:00pm. At the gardens we shot many photos (mostly of Johanna for she truly is an island angel) and leisurely, yet excitedly, made our way around the huge gardens. I also wanted to mention that the gardens have a splendid ...