joanna in the philippines

Well, right now I should be settling into the tribe and sleeping with the bugs, but that isn't the case... I am back with Sarah and Markus, in Aritao. Yes, we tried to get into the tribe today, but it wasn''t successful. We left around 4:45 this morning to go to the SIL base, and things were going so smoothly! We were 4 pounds under the weight we had to take, we loaded up on time, and the little plane even took off fine. And, it was a beautiful ride! The weather was pretty nice, except for some cloudy places. But wow, what a view! :) I took TONS of pictures, and Ill be putting them up as soon as I can. Well, we were getting closer to the ocean, and there were a bunch of mountains we had to get passed, and when we got to the ocean, we just circled along the coast a few times... and our pilot said we'd have to turn back. What a bummer! We were 8 miles south of Valley Cove... SO close! So, we turned around and had another hour of flying back to Magabag. It was such a letdown, to be so close to the tribe, and be so prepared to get in there and get things moving, then have to turn around when we were pretty much there, but the weather right where we needed to go was just not good... so it was smart to turn around. So, we got back to the base and Ate Robbie, another missionary, loaded up her things and took off for her tribe, and the Epps had to decide what to do. We could hang out there and try to fly out later, or we could come back to Aritao and try another day. Well, we decided to go to a nearby city and wait until the pilot called us... he would check how the weather looked in the air on the flight into Ate Robbie's tribe. So, we began to walk. We left everything behind. I had my camera, my iPod, and some kleenex, and the Epps had a backpack with valuables, and a few things of clothes. And we walked... we walked to the main highway, and grabbed a Jeepnie (the weird public transportation here, but very fun, I must say) and rode into Solano. And we ate at Jollibees... this restaurant here that is pretty popular with the locals. It was fun, we just hung out and ate an early lunch, and we got word that the weather wouldnt be nice to fly back in. SO, we walked around the market a bit, then got on another Jeepnie and rode all the wat back to Aritao, a long ride I must say, then we walked to the base. Ha, it was quite the adventure, but we were all so tired, and a bit disappointed that we couldnt get in. Also, it cost $300 to fly there and back, so its tough spending that money when you know you just have to spend it again the next day... especially with the Epps, they've had so many expenses this month with Don having typhoid and all the emergency bills and all. BUT, we know that the Lord is in control of everything, the weather, money, and whether or not we get into the tribe. So, we just need to REST! Anyways... yeah, it was cool though... today is Levi's birthday, so we had a blast celebrating it with him. Especially since Koi and Thea are his two good friends here... so at 3 oclock we went outside and had cupcakes with the other people here, and then the Epps came over for dinner tonight, and we decorated it and made it pretty, and wore party hats and had noise makers (compliments of MOM :)) and it was SO fun... i think Levi had a blast. He got a new car for his birthday, it lights up and talks and is so fun (but really loud!). But its so funny because it speaks to you in Chinese... so its this random person saying Chinese words. Ha, i found that funny!

Anyways, so yeah... we're back here, and we dont have much with us... left everything with the airplanes, so I wanted to put some of my pictures up from the ride today, but I dont have my card reader! :( Sorry! But I will hopefully do that as soon as I can! I got some BEAUTIFUL pictures of the ocean and the mountains along the coast, its SO pretty. The water is so blue and I saw coral along the coast... I am excited about the things I will see and do once we get there. So, I wish I could post some pics now, but I cant... sorry! But PRAY! The plan is tomorrow morning we'll call and see if the weather is looking good... and if so we can fly out at 10:30... there is a typhoon or a tropical storm coming around thursday, and its heading near VC, so if we cant get in tomorrow or Wednesday, it might be another couple days to a week that we'll be able to get in. I am praying that the weather will clear up tomorrow so we can get there. Also, it would be so not cool to fly there and have to come back again, spending another big chunk of money, so pray for wisdom for the pilots in discerning whether or not it will be good flying conditions.

Oh, thanks for praying! Thats what we need most! It was a fun day, my first little airplane ride... Koi was SO excited when we landed. He kept saying "Home! Home!" and when he found out we didnt land at home, he was SO sad... he didnt want to get out of the plane, and kept saying he wanted home... poor kids. they are so ready for their own home, they've been through a lot this past month. Well, I'll keep in touch! And 12 hours from now Ill either be flying in another airplane, or we'll be sitting here for a few more days. Hopefully not the latter. Love to you all!