I’m all set on the antimalarial pills. I got them on Monday, and I was advised by the pharmacist that it was extremely important to take these pills as directed. The directions are for me to take one pill one week before I leave, one pill each week that I am there, and then one pill every week for four weeks after I return. Each pill had to be taken exactly seven days after the previous pill. And I’m talking really exact, even down to the very time of day.

So I figured out that, due to the time difference, I would have to take the pill at 8:00PM on Tuesdays while in the U.S., and then 12:00PM (noon) on Wednesdays while in the Philippines. That way I can take it with food at convenient times of the day. I’m sure I’ll have to set an alarm for this since I’m very prone to forget this type of thing.

I’ve been to the store for my final few items that I’ll need to pack, and it looks like I’m pretty much set to throw all my stuff in a bag and head out. I’m just studying up on some common phrases in the little Filipino phrase book that I got, so hopefully I’ll be able to say “hello,” “goodbye,” “please,” “thank you,” and “I don’t understand”. There are some really random phrases in the book that are actually quite funny. A small sampling:

Under the “customs” section:

“Hindi ko alam na dapat ko itong ideklara.”
“I didn’t know I had to declare that.”

“Hindi akin iyan.”
“That’s not mine.”

Under the “hairdressing” section:

“Hindi kita dapat pinalapit sa akin!”
“I should never have let you near me!”

Under “signs” section:

“Bawal tumae dito.”
“No defecating here.”

We had our last meeting before out departure on January 24th to the Philippines. The travel itinerary goes like this: LAX to Guam; Guam to Manila; Manila to Puerto Princesa; Puerto Princesa to a small airfield; small airfiled to the village. There are no roads into the tribe, so we’ll be flying into the area on a small plane. We will be bringing almost all of the tools along with us to build the roof, so we’ll have a lot of baggage along for the ride. I get 40 lbs worth of luggage space, and 15 lbs worth of carry-on space. I like to travel lite, so it should be pretty feasible.

I still haven’t had a chance to get my antimalarial prescription, but I think I’ll be picking that up today. I can’t be any later than tomorrow (Tuesday), though, because I need to start taking the pills one week before I leave, and Tuesday will be one week before I leave.

We got to eat Filipino food at the meeting today, and it was very, very good. I think that got me all excited to get going! I’m really looking forward to this trip and to what God has in store for all of us. Thank you ahead of time for your prayers.

I will be joining Rancho Community Church on a short mission trip to the Philippines from January 24th through February 11th. The long term missionary family currently living in the small village on the island of Palawan needs a new roof. Our team of eight individuals will go and see what we can do.

Fortunately, I already received the immunizations that are necessary for travel to the Philippines when I went to China three years ago (wow, has it really been three years?!). The only additional immunization that I need is an antimalarial prescription.

I would love to say that I’ll be posting updates daily on here, but there won’t be any hot water in the village, much less internet access. I’ll probably keep a handwritten journal and then post its contents when I get back.

I greatly appreciate your prayers for this trip.