February 21, 2025 - Filipino Veterans Museum

    In the bustling Taguig morning, Jayson picked me back up on his motorcycle and I came to Johanna's home for breakfast. I ate breakfast, and waited for Johanna to get off work. After getting off work, Johanna and I walked over to the family business school supply store, so that Johanna could print something off for her work. Rowena and Sheila were to get the order printed and Johanna and I hailed down a trike just up the road from the store. As we walked Johanna and I praised Jesus for another glorious day. Another day to enjoy each other's company. Another day to love one another. And another day to explore the kingdom of the Philippines here in Manila. Johanna and I held hands and gave each other a hug every now and then just to show love and affection to one another. We really love one another deeply. We are a perfect match, and she is much different in person, than what I thought she would be like. She is more loving, more kind, more compassionate, and more gentle than I imagined. She loves me for me, despite all my flaws and failures. And to top it all off, she really loves Jesus with all her heart, soul, body, and mind. We are going to make an outstanding team for Christ. I can't wait!

    The trike driver drove us to the Filipino Veterans Museum. Outside the museum was a large tank and several artillery weapons. The museum focuses on World War II, and it tells the story of the Filipino people, their bravery, their heroes, and the hardships and victories they faced during World War II and other parts of history. The main Filipino heroes mentioned in the museum are Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Gabriela Silang, and the Filipino guerrilla warfare fighters throughout their history. The museum was spectacular and we really enjoyed ourselves. A gourp of college-aged students gave us a walking tour of the museum, then Johanna and I went back through the museum one more time to really learn the history of the Filipino people.

    Lastly, we went to Market Market, Johanna bought more things for her team at the National Book Store, and the we enjoyed Bible study at the Coffee-bean and Tea Leaf Cage in another mall a couple blocks away from Market Market. Johanna ordered a vanilla tea with whipped cream, and I ordered a green hot matcha tea. Absolutely delicious!!! Such a great place to relax and do our Bible study. Here, I gave Johanna her day 8 gift and let her listen to her day 8 song entitled “Island Angel.” We were all smiles with smiles from ear to ear. We were grinning so much I think my mouth started hurting in a good way. Ahhh...what a wonderful time with my most wonderful treasure. My island angel...Johanna banana.

    Following our Bible study, we caught a bus at the terminal of Market Market to take us back to Johanna's home in Taguig. Upon arrival back home at her house, Johanna had to once again retire for the evening due to her night shift work. Mrs. Cora made a wonderful meal! Salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and thousand island dressing; she also prepared lumpia, white rice, and leftover spaghetti. It was a most delicious Filipino meal. Mr. Joe, and I talked some more, and then I asked if I could go work on the bikes. I fixed up Johanna's bike (it just needed a tune-up, a cleaning, and air in the tires). I got it riding well within 30 minutes or so. After test riding the bike, I was greeted by Ruel, His wife, Jueyyn, and their two boys Jokonon and Yaiir. I was going over to greet them, but I had to watch out because the sidewalk where their house is at has been freshly poured earlier on in the day. So, I stepped on a piece of plywood as I was going over to greet them. The plywood was covering a wastewater culvert. The plywood gave in and I fell into the wastewater up to my knee. I was so embarrassed, as I got out of the culvert, I stepped onto the wet concrete and put my footprints into the concrete. Despite the accident, we all laughed with glee, and I went to change out of my wet socks and shoes and clean my legs and feet. Luckily, I was wearing shorts, so my clothes didn't get wet. This is something I will always remember. The most silly Chaplinesque greeting ever.

    After I cleaned up, Mrs. Cora took my shoes to wash them and let them dry out on the roof top. Mr. Joe gave me a pair of sandals to wear, and then after working on Johanna's bicycle a little longer, I rode with Jayson back to the AirBnB. Thank you Binuya family for helping me out so much. God bless you and be with you guys. May the love of Christ blanket you with joy, gladness, and peace. Amen!