Can you tell I have been busy since we got back from Bangladesh??? Last month I promised one last post about our alumni we visited . . . . then life got hectic here in Manila!
Anyway, I can't close my Bangladesh saga without mentioning our alumni Hirak and Metali (pictured here with Michelle, and their son Anik) It was Hirak who arranged and hosted my trip a year ago. This year's trip was sponsored by a different group, in a different city. But Hirak and Metali are like family to me. I wouldn't dream of going to Bangladesh and not visiting them!
I was caught between a rock and a hard place . . . Michelle is the mom of three young boys (ages 12, 9 and 7) and this was the first time she had left them. The conference (described in earlier posts) took a week of our time. Michelle needed to get home to Manila ASAP. Hirak and Metali wanted us to spend a week with them. Aaaaaaaaaauuuugh! What to do? Michelle herself was torn, because she wanted to meet them too. In the end, we decided to fly to western Bangladesh on a small commuter plane, and spend one day with Hirak and Metali and family. Then we flew back to Dhaka and caught our flight to Manila.
We were so glad we did. It was the icing on the cake of an already wonderful trip. I got to meet many of the new believers I met last year. It was so exciting to see how they have grown, in spite of some very severe persecution. It was a joy to talk with their church leaders and see their enthusiasm about sharing the Gospel with others. We sat up half the night talking with Hirak and Metali. I am so encouraged by their hearts for God, and their willingness to do whatever it takes to make the name of Jesus known in Bangladesh. I love them because I see in them a combination of wise and strategic thinking, and joyful abandon to God's plan. They inspire me. And I am honored to be counted as part of their family.
Last month the ladies in my discipleship group decided to visit a women's prison in Manila. We had a week set aside for ministry outside the school, and we thought this would be a good experience. Little did we know that we would get hooked! We have decided to go back once a month. This prison, Correctional Insitute for Women, has 1,800 inmates. We are finding unique ways that we can help the inmates of CIW, both physically and spiritually. Pray for us that we can make the most of our time there and serve in a way that will honor our God. The above photo shows us doing a special dance during a worship service. (On the far left you can see a few of the prisoners enjoying the show.) 
Usually when I travel to other countries, I go with James, but this time I decided to bring another of the teachers in IGSL's Partners in Ministry program. My traveling companion was Michelle, who is from the Philippines and has been a precious sister and colleague for more than 15 years. She has a passion for training others to teach children about God, and that passion led to a special opportunity at this conference.
