July 4th in the Philippines ! * !

Today was our July 4th, Philippine style! We went to church at Encounter, Baguio for the last time and had some solid hang-out time with the students before we left. We found a lunch spot and walked around the market to find some souvenirs for you family members! Downtown Baguio market place was an interesting place to be. The market was crawling with people and there were some nice stores and some not so nice stores. It was extremely populated so we had to be careful with our money, purses, and wallets. I found it kind of sad as I walked by numerous beggars asking for money. I never know what people do with the money that they are given in that situation, but it always breaks my heart regardless. Again, I realize how blessed we are to have a home, more than one set of clothes, water, food, shelter, the list goes on... After we toured the market we came back here to the house and Lenae had a fourth of July party set up for us! She had barbecue prepared MMMM, chips, exotic fruit that we had never tried before, and chocolate banana bread. Wow, it was so good. It was so nice of them to give our team a fourth of July party. After supper we let off a bunch of fireworks outside it was so fun! Lots of bonding time with the team. We are blessed to have this experience up here with this great team and Philippine Pastors and mentors. Their wives are also sooo amazing and beautiful. Right now some of the team is playing a card game and the other is playing Apples to Apples with the kids, naturally. We are having a blessed fourth of July, so family members do not feel bad that we are not home to see the fireworks! We are fellowshipping with each other and Christ and it's just a great time. Here are some pictures! Much love,

Brooke