Clatskanie, Oregon

Well, we made it to Oregon. We got up around 3:00 a.m. EDT and my parents and two friends dropped us off at the Philadelphia airport. We got through security and everything with no problems and our flight was leaving at 7:10. I heard a flight attendant comment while we waited to take off that something must be wrong as they normally don't wait that long. Not a good thing to hear! But soon the pilot told us that a plane had experienced a "bird strike" while taking off and they had to check things out to make sure it was safe to take off. So, we soon were in the air. We couldn't sleep much, but we got to Salt Lake City about 10:00 CDT (about 12:00 at home). Our next flight left about an hour later and we arrived in Portland, OR about 12:00 PDT (about 3:00 at home).



Then we met Gary Jones (with whom we are staying right now) and Beth Durden, one of the other volunteers. On our drive to Clatskanie, OR, we found out some more interesting connections. Beth has been to the Philippines and stayed with the Stewarts, whose home we are taking over renting. Then we found out that Gary and Lynn Jones had also been to Davao and had sold their furniture to the Stewarts (who then sold it to us)! Plus, Gary had been on staff at the YWAM base in Davao while Lou and Tanja Velasco were students there (before they got married)! Wow! I am amazed at how much God has brought these connections together. I don't know that I could have dreamed up a better scenario.

Today it appears we are going for a hike, but I'm not sure where yet. Then apparently we are having a bonfire on the beach. Which, by they way, we are in the Northwest corner of Oregon, kinda near the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River and Washington.

So thank you all for your prayers. They have done much to get us here. And we continue to appreciate your prayers while we are here in Oregon, getting to know the other who will be @ Mercy. We are leaving Monday morning I think around 9:00 our time. Then we go to Seattle and wait a few hours before flying overseas to Seoul. Then to Manila and then to Davao, arriving around 6:00 Wednesday morning there (around 6:00 Tuesday evening back home). Thanks again and have a great weekend!