mabuhay philippines and sawadeeka thailand!

so im in an internet cafe in asias largest mall, and the third largest in the world, writing my final blog while in the philippines. we head to the airport in a few short hours to travel across the east china sea and i think part of the gulf of thailand, heading to, well...thailand! we will be spending seven weeks there doing a WHOLE lot of stuff! more to come on that as it happens.
as i reflect back on my time here, i feel that the few short minutes i have here (gary is waiting semi-patiently behind me) is not nearly adequate enough to express everything i want to say...but i will try. when i think about our first day here, and everything that has happened, it feels like it should have been at least 6 months. i am so proud of everything my team has accomplished, from going out to the bars at night to build relationships with girls, and then seeing them come to the base in search of support and help is defintely the highlight. whenever they did any of the skits/dramas, my heart just soared with pride that they are all so willing to jump in and get the job done, and with a smile too! i must say though, i think what i will miss most about the philippines is...the mangoes! im not even kidding, i cant begin to describe just how wonderfully perfect the mangoes here are! we eat them everyday, and i havent gotton even a little sick of them! they are just these delectable, juicy, sweet bites of heaven. i definitely think mangoes will be in heaven. from the hike to the hill tribe, to helping hands (an orphanage for abandoned children, primarily becuase of deformities and handicapps), to working with street children and prostitutes, our team has done a good job. i feel that Jesus is proud of the work they have done! as i think ahead to thailand, i feel a bit more confident about my leadership skills, because i have been there before and know what to expect, and can pray strategically for the students, and over the land.
shoot. i really have to go...there is so much more i want to say though!! grr....okay, part two to come later...