Last dinner of the trip, at the Dumawa’s, before flying out.

At the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, the largest military memorial in the world. 17,000 graves, 36,000 names of the missing. We visited the grave of missionary Leslie Wolfe who died in a prison camp.

Morning in our neighborhood. Ninety pandesal will do it - “sir, it will be a while.”

Sleeping arrangements — tough, flexible, optimistic.

Late night walk for waters at 7-Eleven.

After a long ride back to Manila, Jack persevered and delivered a great devotional message at our Wednesday night meeting. We had a fellowship meal after that and some good visiting before heading out about 9pm.

Lunch stop.

Leaving Illocos Sur, heading back to Manila.

Taking some downtime before dinner.

The group at San Emilio turning out on a Tuesday for Bible study.

Phillip Dumawa helped run the group activities to encourage getting to know one another.

Sean wrapped up the lecture series this afternoon.

Time for lunch.

Two things: 1. Chris is already pointing with his glasses. 2. I have never seen anyone hand Chris a microphone so he could be heard. Truly a first.

Matt delivered the first lecture of the day.

Got up and headed out to start an all day meeting at San Emilio this morning. Matt, Chris, and Sean delivering lectures on Christian Growth through the day.

We attended the Narvacan this evening for a meeting. Sean was the speaker. Afterwards we had a meal and then we enjoyed a period of singing which the youth got started.

Lunch stop on the way to Illocos. When we arrive it will be time to work.

Saying goodbye to Baguio this morning.

Jack preached at the Midtown congregation this evening, and Matt at Baguio.

Jack, Colton, Macy and Carly all helped out with the youth gathering at Midtown in the afternoon.

We saw lots of photos of one of our favorite people at the Baguio congregation.

The fun continues at Midtown this afternoon.

Chris preached at Baguio Church of Christ this morning while Sean took preaching duties at the Midtown congregation.

Day Six: Today and tomorrow are spent in Baguio. I woke up coughing again like my cold was returning with a vengence. I felt it last night before I went to bed and hoped it wouldn’t. For 3.5 weeks before we departed I had been working with my doctor on various things to try to get the cough controlled. So, I had already had not much good sleep going into Philip’s wedding weekend. When we left on the Thursday morning to head to Lubbock for that I never went home, but instead straight to DFW to fly here. Today, I had to call it and spend the entire day resting (mostly sleeping), because I want to be able to be as present as possible tomorrow (Sunday). Rolly Dumawa organized a trip to the Philippines Military Academy (their equivalent to our West Point), and the rest of the group got to do that in the afternoon. This was especially arranged for Colton, who is a military history lover. In the evening, Jack led a youth gathering at the Baguio congregation. Hopefully, I will have some photos to share soon.

Today we said our sad goodbyes to our dear friends in Isabella and headed for Baguio. Now, this was only about a trip of 130 miles. But now imagine it’s almost all mountain roads winding through and that trip takes about 7 hours. We were glad to get here and are absolutely wore out. Got welcomed into the Dumawa home here, glad to see all those we love here and are now readying for bed before 10pm after finishing dinner. Just a few photos today from a couple of stops along the way to stretch legs and refresh.

Had to say goodbye to everyone in Isabella this morning. After so many years of seeing each other, it’s hard. We’ve grown close over the time and we always just pick up where we left off last time. Until next time my brothers and sisters, may our Lord bless and keep you and your families.

Morning in Gen. Aguinaldo. Six years of watching the light change from this spot. Missing Ken sitting behind me at his table studying. Chris, Sean, and me took the traditional photo dressed in his usual morning uniform to send to him.

Day four is just about wrapped up, although several are still visiting here in General Aguinaldo. Our time in Isabella has been short but active. Today we woke up, had breakfast and then folded and prepared stacks of tracts for use in the Mayoyao outreach. The tract message was written by our dear friend, Lemuel Phillips. We departed at 7am and began the winding ascent to our destination (think constant sharp turns you must brace for on alternating sides while bouncing up and down in a van space that can’t fit your knees straight in front of you). This took a toll on some of our passengers, but with a little help from Zofran and Dramamine everyone pulled through. Hard, but BEAUTIFUL. What an area of the Philippines to behold. We took advantage of a couple of pull-out overlook areas to give ourselves a break from the drive. Once we arrived at Mayoyao, we were welcomed into the home where the church meets. We took time to visit, sing, and I gave a short devotional message. From there we split into three groups which took different areas of the streets to walk, visit with people and provide tracts on some basic beliefs of the Christian faith. Following this, we had lunch back at the house, and departed for Ubao. At Ubao, we gathered in the new building being constructed, and which they have been using since March. While there is still a good amount of finishing that needs to be completed once funding is secured (windows, restrooms, plastering over the cinder block structure), we are so happy that they are able to begin using this site for their gatherings. Leaving there, we stopped at Magat Dam, the largest dam in the Philippines which is only a few minutes from our overnight location here in General Aguinaldo. After enjoying the nice sounds of rain, and then dinner, we gathered for an evening devo, and Sean spoke. Now, there is just mingling (it’s 9pm), and I hear the traditional singing while I type this that always happens when Chris and Arnulfo get together. Wonderful place. More wonderful people. We love everyone here.

The late night song swap tradition between Chris and Arnulfo has begun.

Sean spoke at our evening devo at Aguinaldo.

Colton and Jack flagging people down to hand out flyers.

A quick stop at the largest dam in the Philippines, just a few moments away from our residence for these couple nights. The storms were just arriving as we left.

A visit to Ubao on the way back from Mayoyao gave us an opportunity to see the building under construction. They have been meeting in this location since March of this year and hosted a VBS over their summer break.

Some beautiful scenery from today.

Visiting with a brother and sister who hosts the church in their home in Mayoyao, visiting with people in the city, and a devotional time with Matt speaking. Their young son made quick friends with us. We had a tract printed up for this visit for sharing from something Lemuel Phillips had written as a statement of faith — covering the basics of what is required for faith, as well as some basics of church life.

Stop to reset some inner ears on this road with non-stop winding through the mountains.

Breakfast and prep in Aguinaldo before heading out to work in Mayoyao.

Day one was our travel day into Manila, where we slept last night at Wilkey’s apartment (day two). This morning we got up, got some pandesal, visited with some of our friends there and hit the road at 8. We reached our destination about 6:30pm after a long day in the van. We joke about the ride, but it is a workout with all the curves sharp curves through the mountains and bumps along the way — my watch closed all rings about halfway through. We arrived at Gen. Aguinaldo with Edward, Bing, Arnulfo, Reggie, and Junie waiting to greet us. Tomorrow we start early for work in Mayoyao.

Lunch on the outskirts of San Nicolas.

Passing through Pangasinan and stretching our legs where it is perpetually Christmas.

Morning in Manila, 8am departure for Isabella.

Baggage collected. Time to head into Sampaloc.

Left SFO Monday afternoon, arriving 7pm Tuesday in Manila, and the sun never went down.

Next stop, Manila.