UK Team Arrives in Metro Manila

We were hit!

As we stepped out from the airport terminal building we were hit by a wave of the familiar tropical warmth and humidity of Manila (even in one of the colder times of the year). And almost instantaneously we were hit by a wave of warm welcome, as we met our smiling friends, Sally and Joey Escoto. It is such a pleasure to meet up with them again; although we are regularly in touch by email and facebook, there is nothing to beat meeting face to face. And as we boarded our taxis to our accommodation we were hit again by the vibrant, tooting, chaos of Manila roads. What a wonderful country and people.

It has been a long journey, with that sensation when travelling east of somehow losing a night. So here I am on a warm Manila Friday evening, very tired as I write this, not having slept more than an hour since getting up at 5am on Thursday morning. I'm not complaining you understand: it was a good flight spent watching movies (I did try to sleep, but couldn't), and I didn't feel tired till a few hours ago. But now it is time for bed once I have informed everyone of our arrival.

Sarah and Grace, our daughters who are with us on the trip, have also already been hit with the needs of this city, and the reason we are here. Whilst Jane and I sorted out some practical arrangements, they were taken by Sally and Joey on a quick tour by jeepney and tryc to some of the communities we will be working in, Block 37 and 38. The tour even included a visit to the local prison! Here they visited the Support Group and Bible Study that HOM hold for the prisoners, and which is very keenly welcomed.

We have been hit - by warmth and need in equal measure - and we are glad to be here!