Day Eighteen: Payatas

Wow... we didn't realize it has been four days since we last wrote. So I guess we have much to update you on as things here in Payatas have been busy and we have reached a new level of exhaustion. Needless to say the blog has even seemed like work. We are looking forward to spending a few days with Bill and Midge on the island of Corrigidor to relax and catch up on much needed rest before coming back to the USA on Sunday.
What has gone on these last four days you must be asking yourselves!?! Friday we left very early in the morning for the beach (Infanta Quezon Province). In total there were fourteen of us who all fit into a small van with all of our camping gear and traveled for three hours on extremely tiny twisty roads up the mountains until we reached a beautiful beach. The water was blue and we were among the local people. It was fun to experience life in the provinces, but I (jill) received about 30 mosquito bites and Jason got sunburned pretty badly on his back due to his antibiotic (whoops!). We stayed the night camping on the beach and then spent Saturday fishing/swimming/sleeping along the beach!! We left Saturday evening and traveled three hours back to Payatas. Saturday night we took all of the beach goers to Pizza Hut... we needed a small break from fish heads and chicken liver :) (Evelyn and Julius we still love you!!)
Sunday we had a wonderful visit with Bill and Midge. They came to payatas for the church service and then we had a great lunch at the home of Evelyn and Julius. Once they left I joined the women's Bible study and shared from Psalm 51. Jason had a chance to sleep and then we headed to the home of Ate Marychris and Hermie. They cooked dinner for us and we stayed the night at their home and enjoyed a restful night of sleep. Tomorrow will be our final day and night in payatas before we head to be with Bill and Midge for a few days. We will post pictures later as I am writing this Monday early evening and our friends here are preparing a going away party for us... Love to you all and thank you for your prayers we continue to feel them here and are comforted resting in our Lord to carry us through as He has so faithfully done.