JANUARY 11

Our day started pretty early due to the time change. Sitting out on the deck with a cup of coffee with the cool (-er) early morning breeze is amazing.

Morning meeting here starts at 10, so we were all in our seats by 9:45 quieting down before the start. Impressions? Shoes/sandals are left outside, so all are barefoot. the room we meet in is about 9X9 and there were 9 of us with the emblems of Jesus' broken body and shed blood in the midst of the room on a small table. From L-R: Front row Clyde (12) and Arnold; 2nd row - Susan, Marilyn, Debbie, Sara; back row - Larry, Alfie, Celso, Uncle Max. All are Filipino or Micronesian with the exception of Marilyn, Sara, Debbie and me, of course. English is spoken, but it is fairly broken, so it's a little tough to understand some of the testimonies, but the Spirit of thankfulness can be felt. Uncle Max - far right, back row - typically cooks something for lunch each Sunday. Today we had pancit - vegetables stir fried with chicken pieces. I had two big helpings it was so good! Then the leftovers are put in "bento (to-go) boxes" and sent home with the families. All are poor, don't have transportation, and work long hours 6-7 days a week for minimum wage and send money back to families in the Philippines. Clyde is 12 and just arrived from the Philippines last August. Susan and Celso had not seen him since he was a baby. Alfie's wife and two kids live in the Philippines and he has not seen them for eight years. Even at minimum wage, the pay is better here than in the Philippines. it's just the way things are done. A couple on Guam bought a used van for Max to use on Sundays to pick everyone up. The van is also used by the workers when they are on island. Marilyn and Sara had a gospel meeting at 5, so all went and enjoyed listening and singing.