Nov-23 AM:   Received email from Harris Memorial College Community Service Development team (Rubylin, Tonette, Olive, Eduardo, Ted, plus Dr Angie).  Harris College held a food drive to contribute to the PHI relief efforts.  The team wiht Harris students and Harris' Chaplain, Rev Charles Mendoza, packaged food items in preparation for the long transport, picture attached.  Some students joined the caravan for delivery to the impacted area of eastern Visayas, approx 13-1/2 hour drive, or 839 km (521 miles).

Harris Memorial College students food-drive 

 

Map of Philippines from Manilla area to eastern Visayas

Nov-22 Evening:   The amount saved in today's two meals for the "Friday Fast" total $13.66.  

Now, here is the rest of the story:   I woke up feeling terrific Friday morning, great attitude and energy.  After volunteering in the morning, I stopped for a late-lunch, and after praying over the food I was receiving, a light-bulb went off.   It's Friday, and I had taken several bites of sandwich already.  I asked the Lord for forgiveness towards the Friday Fast.  I have been focused on serving 3 local communities which lead me to forget my Fast commitment.  

Dear Lord;  Please help me stay on track for the Friday Fasts and to serve as you would have me.  Let me be a blessing to those in need in the near and far communities and in the Philippines. These things I ask each and every day in Jesus name. Amen.

Nov-18:  Good morning Lord.  Today is a great day.  The United Methodist organization asked congregations on Sunday to consider making a donation to UMCOR disaster relief in the Philippines, UMCOR International relief #982450:  http://www.umcor.org/

UMCOR website Nov-17 article indicates that Volunteers & UMCOR staff in Manilla, PHI with a caravan of 2 vehicles + a 42 foot cargo truck, began a 26-hour trek to typhoon-stricken communities in central Philippines.  Photo below from UMCOR website is Rev Alan Cabas, UMCOR Manilla office, loading a truck.  God bless their journey.

Nov-16 AM:  My donation totals $25.25 USD for Nov-15 Friday Fast for 3 meals.  I was very hungry by the end of the day. Next Friday will be better.  Following is a passage from reading this morning:  "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23.

Nov-15 AM:  Today starts the "Friday Fast" with Dr Angelito Broncano, Harris Memorial College, &  the 100+ Deaconess students in Taytay, Rizal province, Philippines.  God Bless Dr Angie and her team as they commit to save the money (Pesos) they would spend on food on Friday in the Philippines. They will donate it to UMCOR for disaster relief efforts.  My joining them in this goal seemed like a simple way to support their cause.

Waking up this morning at 6:30 am with my cat NaiPaul meowing for breakfast, I got up to feed him and realized I was hungry too.  OMG Oh my gosh....  It's Friday Fast day and I can't eat food today!  This will be quite interesting since there is so much advertising everywhere we go related to food & eating.  Ooops.. did I just really say that.  All I have to do is stop to pray, find that Peace and be still, and restart the day again.  

I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.  Philipians 4:13

Nov-13:   Prayers are requested for Virgie in Upper Javier.  Virgie is one of the leaders at Upper Javier's sewing center.  Recently she has been hospitalized with fluid on the lungs & I pray for her  recovery.  Virgie is the second person I met in the Upper Javier community and I always remember her smile.  Please keep Virgie and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Nov-13 Late Evening:   Dr. Angie Broncano emailed an update regarding Philippines.  Dr. Angie &  the Deaconess students (approx 110) at Harris Memorial College have committed to Fast on Fridays for 2 weeks starting Nov-15.  Each will donate the money they would have spent on their meals to UMCOR disaster relief efforts in the Philippines.  God bless Dr Angie & the Deaconess students.
I am joining the Friday Fast starting Nov-15 and will continue through Dec-20.  I will make a donation to UMCOR representing the amount I would have spent on meals.  This should prove interesting in calculating the varied costs.  And Yes, I do remember how to use a calculator!
If anyone is interested in joining me in the Fast, please let me know. 

Nov-13, 2013 evening:   The Upper Javier community in the Philippines, Dr. Angie Broncano and the Community Development Team at Harris Memorial College in Taytay, Rizal Province, PHI are  well.  I have been in sparse communication with Dr Angie since Nov-7.  Super Typhoon "Haiyan"  moved over the Philippines islands and left great devestation in/near Tacloban.          
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is sending disaster relief contributions to the Philippines immediately.  Following is the UMCOR site: http://www.umcor.org/ where you can make a contribution directly and all donations will go directly to the relief efforts in the Philippines.  It will be greatly appreciated by thousands. 

Nov-13, 2013.  Three months have passed quickly since my last blog entry.  I have spent some of this time sorting out what to do next.  When Life's journey takes a turn, one must have Peace and be still to recognize the change.  It was a difficult decision to leave the Philippines last June, but I knew it was the right decision: family comes first.  God used that experience to remind me, on a deeper level, how many blessings we have each and every day.  Also that we can be a blessing to one and to many in the simplest means, by supporting the local community and at a distance, giving of ourselves and our resources.  Thank God.