sometimes I think I shouldn’t post anything at all, since life in SE Asia seems to be in continuous motion.  but then, you all would miss out on so much of my experience here, so I will keep posting, even though it’s quite possible that most of what I say today could be different tomorrow.

Jayne arrived two days ago, and I think we are mutually thankful - me for someone to eat meals with, and plan trips with, and speak English with, and her for someone to explain to her what it is we are eating, and how to work our laundry machine, and just generally help her transition into life here.  we are just like-minded enough to get along well, and just different enough to learn a lot from each other, so it’s a good fit. thankful

we had class all day Friday, which really meant doing a lot of research on cultural values and factors which may create an environment conducive to sexual exploitation of children…and we will continue this module all week, with “lectures” and research time every day.  Jayne has some family friends who live in Manila, and we will get to stay there this week, which will be great for so many reasons - autonomy, different food choices, kids to play with (they have four, I think), and expatriate perspectives on everything from cultural differences to where to visit in the Philippines.  yay!  so thankful.

I got an email from a contact here in the Philippines about a possible internship location that seems really amazing.  seriously, I cried when I read it - not just with relief (there is a qualified supervisor onsite, and plenty of client hours, so I can graduate!), but with the opportunity to finally be “in the field”, to be with people…

it’s located in what is sometimes described as a brothel city, a sex tourism destination where there are something like 15,000 registered female sex workers and who knows how many trafficked children.  so I’m pretty sure it will be the most intense place I have ever been.  and of course, there are still details to work out, but things look really promising - I will get to stay here, finish this program, graduate on time, and get the experiential learning I came here for.  so so thankful.

and, I have been incredibly encouraged by friends, colleagues, and professors who have been supportive, helping me troubleshoot and reminding me to just hold on, take it one day at a time…setting up Skype dates and posting messages on facebook and writing me emails to let me know they are mindful of me, praying for me, hoping with me…seriously, so so thankful.

more later. :)