Following Where God Leads: Reflections and Transitions

It's hard to believe that we've been in Davao for a month now. Julia and I went on a date this afternoon and we were talking about our time here and how fast it's gone. One month ago yesterday we arrived, completely jet lagged, overwhelmed and not sure at all what life here across the ocean was going to look like; and now here we are in our house, with the kids and I ready to start classes next week. It has been an incredibly busy month filled with finding and setting up a house, learning some of the Philippine culture, learning to use the jeepneys and taxis, finding our way around our part of the city, experiencing grocery shopping, finding a church and finding a school for the kids. While there have been definite challenges and frustrations, there have also been times of enjoyment and relaxation with being able to go to the beach a couple of times, go the crocodile park, and enjoy the swimming pool.

This journey has been broken up into many steps and transitions with the three major ones being getting our family ready to leave Canada and move to Davao, arriving here and settling in, and finally the beginning of my volunteer work at Mercy. The first two have been accomplished and now the third one is beginning in just two days. I have two days of orientation on Samal Island this Friday and Saturday, I begin shadowing at the clinic bright and early on Monday morning, and Vasayan lessons begin on Tuesday. I'm hitting the ground running and I really pray that I'm ready for it. This will be yet another change for our family and I pray that God will give us the grace and patience we need to adjust once again.

I am so thankful that for each step of the journey God has shown his faithfulness to us, and it is comforting to know that He will not abandon us now, He will continue to journey with us. We have been praying for the necessary finances to come in for Julia and Daniel's schooling, and just a couple of days ago we received a donation that will cover the tuition for one of them for the entire year. It is amazing to be able to look back and see God's hand in this from the very beginning and how He has provided for us and continues to do so.

Please pray for me as I begin my volunteer work with Mercy, specifically that I will be able to balance everything well. Also pray for Julia and Daniel as they begin their classes on Monday, and for Steve as he is trying to figure out his role here and how God can use him best.

Kerri