"Picking a favourite Filipino food is like trying to pick a favourite child. Challenging, but not impossible!"
Now I know this seems far-fetched...it wasn't me who made this comparison.
I'm not fussy. Whether it be the balut or chicken adobo - You want juxtoposition, well, you can't get a bigger contrast than that! I could happily live off chicken adobo. Unfortunately living on my own has meant that 'fast food junkie' is a more fitting description of my eating habits. I mean, this isn't completely my fault. I have bread, yakult, apples and mangoes, but I don't want to say 'no' when people invite me to come out for dinner! Ahh well...it's nice to have company when the cockroaches and lizards are playing hide and seek.

Every so often I'll stay at the Boy's Home in Filinvest, but on the whole I'm living alone. My first taste of independence...I have started to rely on my alarm clock more than ever! I must admit, I find it very difficult to actually have the motivation to wake up and stay awake when I hit the alarm clock off. Every night before I go to sleep I convince myself that I will get up first time without hesitation, but that verse from Matthew 26:41 pretty much sums it all up: "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

As with any city around the world, it's not safe to walk around this part of Cubao late at night. Even in the day time I've had one or two close calls with pickpockets or druggies! Literally right outside my apartment is a street known for being a pretty rough neighbourhood. The other day some young guys were sitting drinking alcohol and sniffing glue - "Hey Joe" they said. "Halika rito" - nah you're alright mate! Especially for foreigners, certain places can be dangerous and you certainly have to be alert when you're travelling alone! Yeah, it's the type of place you could easily fall into an unmarked hole on the path or slice your leg open on a rusty piece of metal that's sticking out the ground, covered in rubbish and rats the size of small house cats (literally). It's not rare to see men dressed as women - and drunk Policemen are a common sight!

Adjacent to this street of chaos and noisiness, Jeepney and tricycle drivers work 24 hours a day and tend to use their horn as an alternative to their brakes; I guess replacing brake pads is a more costly repair then a burned out horn fuse. They have the cheek to write on the back of every Jeepney: "How's My Driving?". There's a phone number underneath and I've been so tempted to ring it several times and tell them exactly what I think. I guess it's just policy that they have to inscribe this misleading question on the back of every vehicle! Every driver must be laughing to themselves when they stick it up.
I still have no Wi-Fi in the church, so I tend to use it when I'm in the offices, or recently I've made a couple of trips to a dodgy IT Cafe across the road from where I'm staying.

So much has happened in the last 2 weeks, I should have really split this into two parts, but I'll try and cram in as much as I can...
So a couple of Saturday's ago, there was an EAP outing. Sounds fun right? Yeah, they forgot to mention that they were leaving at 5:30 am!!!
There were about 40 children who came along and braved the early morning start, although early mornings are pretty common over here. For many of the children, school can start from 5am-11am or 6am-12 noon. There are reasons behind this, but I won't bore you with the details! When we arrived at the Circle (the park), there were 100s of Filipinos all spread out, exercising and working out. I felt like I'd transported back in time...It was typical 1980s style exercing on display. You know, headbands, leg warmers, luminous yellow shorts and lycra!! "Let's get physical..." ringing in my ears. Terrifying.
It was hilarious, yet nobody besides me saw the funny side to it. We came into the main field and there was an aerobics class going on with the instructor up at the front, shouting through a megaphone...Yeah we get it, but you have a megaphone, there really is no need to raise your voice!! Over 100 people were joining in, doing various moves which were totally out of sync with the instructor. Most of the kids and volunteers joined in with this while I stood on the sidelines being a complete spoilsport. Okay, I joined in for about 2 minutes, but as soon as the cameras came out and random people were taking photos of the awkward white man doing aerobics, self-consciousness got the better of me and I faked the classic leg injury.

After all this had finished, we all went to find a spot where we could divide into groups and give a devotion. The time was now about 7:30am, but hearing 'Gangnam Style' around 20 times on repeat had woken me up! My group consisted of around 6 or 7 teenage boys who barely spoke any English; however, they seemed to understand the jist of what I was saying and I pray that some of it would have been taken to their hearts and minds. I only found out last week that CCM's EAP program supports almost 300 homeless/street children, providing scholarships and financial stability for their education. I mentioned in my recent prayer letter that this is a ministry which gains nothing in return, relying solely on sponsors. Please remember this ministry in your personal prayers!

Later that day, me, Sophie, Ate Cathy and Ate Perla (2 of the workers in CCM) went to the cinema. Unfortunately all the good films seem to have disappeared, so we ended up watching 'Jack and the Giant Slayer'. Word of advice: Don't waste your money! I sat there shivering (this is the first time I've been cold since being here - the aircon was right above me turned up to freezing mode ;)) and trying to keep awake. When we exited into the mall, we were back under the ever-staring eyes of the locals and the sawed-off-shotgun armed Manila police. So awkward!!

Since I last blogged, I've done so many Bible Studies/devotions, I'm losing track! It's the highlight of doing this mission work.
Things are becoming slightly more routine each week, but there's always something new. The good news is, my Tagalog is improving steadily. I successfully was able to insult my sister for 5 minutes without her knowing via Skype the other day. A life-long achievement.
In fact, last week I was able to give my first semi-Tagalog devotion in the Girl's home. I say that because all of my resources were in Tagalog, yet the translator helped to translate my English explanations. I spoke about the 3 benefits of being a Christian: 1) Relasyon kay Kristo 2) Pinatawad 3) Alamin mo na ikaw ay pupunta sa Langit. This was such a blessing to be given this opportunity, God certainly answered my prayers! Some of the girls were very grateful and seem so close to commiting their lives to Christ. Please pray that this world would not distract from their earnestness.
I have now started a 3 part series on the life of Jonah for both the boy's and girl's homes. So many amazing lessons to learn from this story. Jonah is currently in the belly of the great fish, sorry to leave it on a cliffhanger!!

I'm continuing to encounter poverty day after day. Poverty implies you have at least got something...but since I last blogged, I've encountered people who have nothing. Literally, nothing! They don't know where their next meal will come from, so they will scavenge through bins or by the roadside...we just can't even imagine this! One Christian family that I've become very close to since moving into Cubao are currently battling with poverty. A few days ago, the mother (who is always smiling) suddenly burst into tears in front of me. "I don't want to be rich" she said. "I just want to have something. If I did not have Jesus, I would die." She's suffering from depression because of poverty, yet she considers Jesus her only hope! I was close to tears just hearing this come from her mouth...she speaks for thousands of Filipinos! This is a single mother who works 24/7 trying to provide and be strong for her 7 children. I could say so much more about conversations we've had, but all I'll ask is that you remember her and her family in your prayers!

I was one of the 6 speakers at the EAP Seminar on Saturday for around 60 college students. I led the morning devotion on the Parable of the Sower again, but this time I did it as a presentation. This is a parable which speaks about how our hearts respond to the seed of God's Word. This is a life and death issue. We're not talking about trivial, worldly troubles...this is eternity which is at stake! As usual, they were attentive and respectful, asking some challenging questions, but I just pray that this would not just be an image...our God looks at the heart!

I then did a game in the afternoon, Scattegories. Takes me back to the CU days at the Academy...such memories ;) It worked surprisingly well, everyone was very lively which helps because it's the sort of game you can't play with quiet, boring people!! For lunch there was a mass supply of McDonalds for all the attendees and volunteers. Let's just say, nobody went hungry! Once again, my 'Extra Rice' T-shirt was my downfall and I was presented with 4 balls of McDonalds Rice (yes, it's an actual brand on the Mcdonalds menu here...you can't escape good ole rice) ;) The aim of the seminar was teaching the students about life after High School and what to expect during college and beyond! Education is the ticket out of poverty, not just for each individual but for their entire family. So, there's a lot riding on their achievement...I'm very glad it's different in England. My parents would be stuffed if our income depended on my success in school and college! Overall, a very blessed day and once again I was reminded of the amazing time and effort the EAP gives to help these kids to achieve. They all deserve medals!!

Sadly Sophie had to return to England last night because of a personal issue which she heard about on Sunday morning. It's not my place to say what it was, but just please pray for her family at this time! This means editing reports is all left to me...lots of them! A similarity that you Brits will be familiar with at this time: editing the reports is like shovelling snow (while it's still snowing!). Obviously this is nothing in comparison with what the other staff here do, but I like seeking sympathy ;)

On Sunday afternoon I attended the Wedding Shower of future husband and wife, Kuya Joel (one of the deacons at CRBC) and Ate Jill. This is strictly a Filipino tradition, but guys...we need to adopt it!! There's food and presents and food and games...and like, more food!! It's crazy (in the best way possible). A wedding shower in the Philippines is a pre-wedding celebration where people all gather to wish the couple well, give advice about married life and play some games. One of the games was run by the Filipino version of Dale Winton (my personal childhood hero...yes, my parents clearly deprived me of good TV). Come on, who didn't love 'Supermarket Sweep'...no?? Okay, just me!! *awkward*.
'Sesame Street?' 'The Wombles'? 'Postman Pat'? Nope, I was clearly far too advanced for such patronising nonsence. No offence Noddy, you're safe bro!
Anyway, I'm getting seriously sidetracked. It was lovely to celebrate this time with them before they are to be wedded later this month.

We were taken out for lunch the other day to one of the highest parts in Metro Manila. It was a restaurant called Cloud 9, which had a beautiful view of Manila. The class divide is visually seperated into layers. You get the poor squatter areas and slums...just miles of corrugated iron rooftops merging onto more sophisticated apartments and homes. Then, in the distance, there's hundreds of Skyscrapers. Seriously tall buildings all clumped together, hundreds of stories high! It's such a contrast here in the Philippines. The rich live in close proximity with the desperately poor and each go about their day to day business. One will be walking to collect scrap metal with his trolley and rags. The other, on his way to a posh accounting office with his briefcase and suit. I must take photos of this! Anyway, the food was amazing, sitting in full view of God's "very good" creation (Gen. 1:31).

The summer is approaching here in the Philippines and, whilst your freezing in the snow, it's quickly getting hotter over here! I think I'm busy now, just wait until the summer...we're currently preparing for Rebap Camp (the annual church camp of CRBC) which I've been given the role of photographer. No pressure! ;) Thank you all for your general awesomeness...so encouraged to hear that you haven't forgotten me, but are continuing to bring me before the Lord. I can't thank you enough :)

I wanted to include a story about a family I met who suffered from a flood last year which destroyed everything they owned...everything they worked hard to maintain throughout the year was washed away in a matter of minutes (hence the title to this blog), but because of time I guess I'll have to wait until next time to explain!

Something's wrong with me, the other day I sat through an entire episode of Mr. Bean (I laughed) ... and I'm developing a taste for Jamie Cullum's music.
It's the effect the Philippines is having on me! Whatever next...