So the group is getting use to the time change. For most of the group, it is a 12 hour time difference, meaning when it’s 5pm in Philippines it is 5am at home where they might still be sleeping and not ending the day with dinner at the guest house.  The first day is not too bad but the rumor is that the second day is not as easy.

             The group was taken to the “wet” market today which isn’t far from the Manila guest house.  But far is measured it time, not distance.  (Example: When I landed in Manila airport, it took me and Noel (the gentleman and longtime friend from SIL Philippines who picked me up) took us 2 hours to get to the guest house in Quezon City which is 16 KM or about 10 Miles.)  But to the market took about 15 to 20 minutes so that is “Close”.

      Those of you who have not been to a “wet” market the smell you never forget.  One side was pork, chicken, some beef, the other was every type of seafood you'd ever want. Add in the temperature in the 90's and the humidity in the 80's and you can imagine what it's like

When we walked in they saw some Americans coming and one gentleman had a lobster and he had it out and was ready to sell it to us.  There is also a fresh fruit area also at the market and that has some very interesting varieties (Jack fruit, and Dragon fruit for just a few).  After that we went to lunch and were able to spread out and pick from a food court area in a mall.  Then made our way back to the guest house some RR in the afternoon.      

      A group from Virginia Beach and I had supper at the guest house and when we were finishing up, Kermit a translator working in the Philippines since 1972 walked in and we started talking.  We talked for about two plus hours about so many subjects from translating to farming in Minnesota, and we found connections back through churches and people that both groups know.  Then hearing about the first translation Kermit did, on a small island south of Manila in central Philippines.  How he would ask the fisher men if they had extra fish for him and when he was sick of fish he would ask for someone to sell him a chicken.   These are the connections that God has planned ahead of time and we just sit in awe of him. 

Thank you for your continued prayers for safe travel and clear weather and good health for everyone that is part of this exciting event.  May God be glorified as the Isnag's get the Old Testament in their heart language.