Welcome to my first journal entry! I plan to update these around once a month, and I hope you enjoy reading about some of my experiences in the Philippines.

The last few weeks have been a real roller-coaster. Some of the time I am looking forward, anticipating what it might be like. Sometimes I am thinking things like: 'Now, where am I going to store all the stuff that I have managed to acquire?' And sometimes, frankly, I'm a little scared!

Change is never easy, so it's always good to look back at past experiences. In doing so I can see, time and time again, that God remains faithful. He never promises it will be easy, but that he will be with me. That's very reassuring, as I leave the familiarity of rural Suffolk and head for what feels like the 'ends of the earth' to work in a busy southeast Asian city . . .

The team I'll be working with is based in the Southern Philippines, a chain of more than 7,000 islands. This team works primarily with the urban poor, reaching out to them with God's love. The Philippines is a place of natural beauty. But it's also a place of abject poverty for many.

It will take time to adjust to my new surroundings. Not least the climate -- going from 4 or 5C in England (trust me!) to 30C in the Philippines. But God is faithful.

I hope you'll enjoy reading about what I will be doing in the Philippines.

Thanks for all your support,

God bless,

James

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