Pondering in Pampanga

I am presently sitting outside of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, in Pampanga (Philippines). (I am presently sitting under the tent in the picture to the left.) There is actually a bit of history to this airport. It was formerly a part of the United States air base in the Philippines, which was heavily used during World War II. Entering in here on the bus this morning, I had the opportunity to see a nice collection of Old US fighter jets, which are now decorating a large park outside of the Airfield. I arrived three hours before check in and a full five before my flight--I have a lot of waiting to do; however, this wait is providing me with some much needed time to think about the many, complicated steps ahead.

I am about to begin a very long and ambiguous journey. This present trip is on behalf of APNTS and the School of World Mission, but it is also counting as a part of a cross-cultural internship for me. The current plan is that I will be traveling through various destinations in india (backpacking, really) to meet with Nazarenes and Holiness Missionaries, listening to their stories in order to learn a little but about how they serve and minister and see in what ways we might be able to partner and assist one another in the future. This is the rough plan; however, the details have still yet ti be worked out. By "details", I mean "where I am going to stay" and "who I am going to meet." So far, all I have is a list of several names and email addresses of people in Chennai, Danishpet, Bangalore, and Mumbay (Bombay) who are serving in ministry. Finding these people and getting from place to place--- those are plans that have yet to me made.

I am excited about the steps ahead, but I'll have to admit, I would feel a lot better if I knew a few more details. I have decided that if I do not hear back from any of my contacts by Tuesday evening, I will just find the Cheapest hostel available, and bed there for the night. Tonight should a bit more predictable. I will be in Singapore through the night on a 13-hour layover. I am hoping to meet up with Doug Flemming and possibly some of the people from the Asia Pacific Region Church of the Nazarene. I'm told there is a free ride to the Metro from the Air terminal that I will be arriving at. My hope is to see as much of the city as possible--without paying any money! I'm going to try to see just how far this blind ambition can go.

Throughout my trip, I will be (hopefully) blogging here on a daily basis (I told my Mom that I would do so). So far it is working to my advantage-- this little blogging endeavor has brought me up to 9:16AM, I will be allowed to enter the building in 44 minutes! I'll update in a bit...