5-13-2003:
So this is the first post to the Philippine part of my site. I have 15 days til I leave for 8 and a half weeks. If I weren't so laid back, I'd proly be stressed!
5-14-2003
So Malaria pills are quite expensive! $96 for a vial of 12 of the things! Can you beleive it, just to rid myself of the possibility of malaria! I guess it's kinda worth it so as not to catch malaria, hear it's not a lot of fun. So Malaria free is the way to be.
5-16-2003:
Anti microb water filter w/ hand pump: $70.00
Chemical to treat the water for the most purity: $20.00
Chemical to treat the water treated with the purifier agent, so the chemical taste isn't there: $10.00
Not having an aeomeba that causes severe stomach ailments: $100.00
5-27-2003:
Okay so to catch everyone up to what's goin on with the travel arrangements I was supposed to leave tomorrow May 28th to fly for a bizillion hours to the Philippines. Well the Philippine consulate rejected my visa along with Seth and Tremaine's. Obviously that has had an impact upon our travel arrangements and stuff, so tentatively I'll be leaving June 5th. So I'm in the country for a few more days than I thought now, and I'm kinda feeling disappointed because I won't have as much time in the Phillippines which kinda sucks. But on the plus side God surly does have a plan behind all of this. Everything has unraveled too perfectly not to have a higher purpose, whether we ever know what it is is a mystery. Pray that our visas get approved swiftly so that we may leave on the 5th or earlier. Pray for the safety of those flying on the 28th. And pray that God keeps our spirits up after this setback.
5-30-2003:
Welp I did miss my plane that I was supposed to miss. I still haven't heard anything about visas or plane tickets or a definite leave-date for that matter. I hope that I will hear something soon so that I can make the arrangements to get to the airport and all that stuff. That's about all for now I'll keep this updated for any late breaking news. Thanks for visiting!
6-3-2003:
So here's the latest info on the Philippines. One of the three of us from Alabama has gotten his visa approved and it was over-nighted to him today. Both mine and Tremaine's visa applications are still at the embassy waiting for approval. Right now it looks like we're just going as we get the visas approved. Anyways, God is starting to answer prayers. Keep this whole situation in your prayers that visas will be approved quickly and God's will be done whatever it may be.
6-4-2003:
Fresh off the phone. So the Philippine consulate is needing some more stuff from Tremaine and me for our visa applications. Turns out that they are needing a letter of invitation from my supervisor and a letter of support from my parents. Seems they think I'm an irresponsible minor that's coming over invited. I think a convicted felon would have less trouble getting into the country. Anyways, Seth leaves tomorrow so pray for him in his travels. Pray for me and Tremaine, cuz I know I'm getting really discouraged and frustrated. But I know that God has a plan and is over the whole thing, but it's our humanity that makes us think that we need to know what's going on and that we could do something about the situation.
More from 6-4:
OK so I've been on the phone a little more today with the state office. The thing that flagged the visa applications is that so many people are going there. One would assume this happens about every summer and they'd just be used to it. Anyways, I've sent back the last set of plane tickets which had me flying tomorrow, in order to get some more that are good for whenever I get to fly out. I hope Saturday or Sunday, cuz I'm packed up and ready, and I don't have any food at my place cuz I don't know when I'm gonna be goin :)
June 8, 2003
So here's the latest poop for my trip to the Philippines. I still haven't heard a word from the visa people or the state office since Thursday. Turns out the people over there on my team have been having a little trouble as well. Seems the housing fell thru and the campus pastor has taken a break from student ministry. You can read more here about all of the teams in the Philippines. Anyways, I'm getting really discouraged here of late, with Karen leaving and all. I feel completely useless here as I watch my time there fade away. It's wasn't that long anyways, and now it's even less. But I don't put this out to whine on and on, so that's all about how I'm feeling. God has a plan, I don't know what it is, but it's there somewhere.
June 11, 2003
I've gotten my visa. I get my plane tickets tomorrow. I fly Friday. I'm going.