Sweatin it out

Hello from the Philippines. Things have been crazy and I haven't been able to blog. I have to be quick, but here goes..
Okay, the man Paul who I told you about is reading a book I gave him called the Ragamuffin Gospel. He says he believes it and even though he is not "religious" he thinks the book is a good read. Keep praying. I see God moving with his life.
Pray for Poro. We have walked there twice or three times(it is about a forty minute hike in the heat..sweating my brains out). We are doing bible studies everywhere possible and openair stuff-giving away tracks and the Jesus film. But, we may travel to Poro for a week or so to minister there some more than we already have.
Last night our team had a talk about the way our first week in Camotes has gone. We all shared the conviction that we as a group had been trying to sell the gospel like a Hoover vaccum...meaning that instead of just telling the good news we feel we need to show it in practical ways. There are may ways, especially rurally, to show God's love. We know a lady who plows her giant filed alone while her husbands gone.... and we offer to do a bible study..see what I mean? So now our approach is going to be more practical. Our team expeirenced a huge moment of unity through that.
Carly is very sick with on and off fevers and is having to stay at the parsonage everyday and try to get well. Please pray for her.
The people are responsive to the Gospel and some have, just in the last week, come to know Christ through our bible studies. Pray for the islands new believers as we try and disciple them for the next seven weeks.
We visited the Mayor of Camotes on Monday to tell him what we were doing with the people and schools and make sure it was ok-he gave us his blessing. I was scared when we went into his office, but was reminded of Nehemiah chapter 2( I think it is) where Nehemiah gets favor from the king. Thanks, God. The Mayor said tell him if we need help with anything. Pray for the government here that the heads of the schools we teach at and the officials will be just like the Mayor.
I am learning missions is exhausting!!! By nighttime, after hikes in the heat all day and peanut butter sandwiches all the time, that I am ready to hit the mat!!! The climate is so hot!
Oh, quick story. I was in the bathhouse doing what I could to scrub up with the bucket and scoop and I look down at my arm and there is a spider the size of my palm climbing up my body!!!!! yeah, I was freaked out.
Heres some things to look for at a Camotes bible study:

1.Naked babies
2.Women openly feeding the naked babies
3.Chickens sqawking incessantly
4. Little kids without pants sqatting and peeing
5.Random farm animals mooing, bleating, yelping,etc.

I am loving being here, but I am scared of who I will be when I get back. I have seen so much already in a week that is disturbing, enlightening, challenging...I am changing to someone who is scarily aware of the worlds poverty, both spiritually and physically. I cannot go unmoved anymore. I must help the world. I am dealing with missions as a longterm goal lately. I just don't know yet. I am so different. My mind is completely turned upside down. America and Camotes Island are complete opposites. There is no way that you could see what I see and do what I do and not be moved and touched. Who will I be when I return? God knows the answer and I am just along for the ride.
I want to thank y'all who have been praying for me..I miss y'all. The prayers are working.
Oh, please pray for True Love Waits Saturday. I am teaching about keeping and regaining your purity and also presenting the Gospel afterwards. True Loves Wait is a great tool to teach the Gospel in these highschools. I am excited but nervous. Thanks everyone. I read your notes all the time. I love yall. I will write soon.