February 17, 2025 – In the Philippines with Butterflyhanna

     The plane ride from Pensacola to Houston was epic...like being in a city in the sky out of a Star Wars movie. The clouds and the sunlight over the land was so majestic. I shot some great photos of the aerial scenes, and we landed safely in Houston. From Houston, I flew to San Francisco, California. Along the way we flew over Austin, Texas and El Paso, Texas in the middle of the night. The night sky was clear; the ground was shimmering bright with all the bright, sparkling city lights. As I flew over Austin, Texas, I knew my brother was down there somewhere amidst all those lights a few miles south of the Colorado River. I enjoyed the flight to San Francisco, and we landed there in the night. From San Francisco there was a short layover before boarding the next flight. We would fly across the Pacific to Manila, Philippines. I sat in the seat of 50A by a mother and daughter. They were both Filipino. Cynthia was the mother and Elizabeth was the daughter. We talked at length on the 16-17 hour flight. Elizabeth went to ministry school in California and in Pennsylvania about one hour outside of Pittsburgh. Before she went to ministry school, she got a degree in nursing at a school in Cebu City in the Philippines. She no longer uses her nursing degree, but instead has worked at a Starbucks for the last ten years. She does ministry outreach still; particularly in Mexico. She goes down to an orphanage and shelter for the homeless, helps feed them, clothe them, and shares the Gospel of Christ. They also help couples get married, free of charge, with a very special ceremony. They pick the dress for the bride, cater the food, drinks and cake, and they provide a venue, free of charge, to low income couples. Elizabeth's mother, Cynthia, is also a great woman who loves the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and spirit. She wants to see the best for Elizabeth and I know she is rooting for and encouraging her all the time. Dear Lord, God, maker of heaven and earth, I pray that you guide, lead, and protect Cynthia and Elizabeth. Be with them as they bury Cynthia's father in a cemetery in Bataan. God bless them and keep them. Make them successful in all they do, and may they reach countless souls in love for the kingdom of heaven and the Lord, Jesus Christ.

    My chair buddies, Cynthia, Elizabeth, and I parted ways when we reached the airport in Manila. We flew over the island of Corregidor and swooped back around to make our landing. I saw Manila in the distance, covered by gray clouds and dense fog. When we landed, I went through customs. I declared the golden, diamond engagement ring and they taxed me 13,000 filipino pesos, which equals to about $230 USD. That was all they charged me and they let me pass through customs afterward. I got my luggage at the baggage claim. I walked out to the lobby, entrance way to the airport, and there she was, in the flesh, real, right before my eyes...the most beautiful filipino belle, my maganda Butterflyhanna banana...Johanna Nancy F. Binuya. We had an awkward but wonderful greeting. Marvin was there as well and we greeted one another also. Here I was. My dreams were coming true. God is faithful, and everything works out for the good, if only you believe, it will come to pass in God's time. Here I am with Johanna, in the Philippines. Our adventure has just begun!