2ND DAY IN BICOL (:

THE SECOND DAY IN BICOL, didnt turn out as expected. We were expecting the main body to arrive by noon at Bicol, but unfortunately due to bad weather, their flight was diverted back to Manila and they're stuck there even now. Poor them, with their showers and room service and giant beds and bath tubs while we're enjoying ourselves scooping water out of pails for our showers. But seriously, we hope they'll join us soon. (: The news was really shocking to us, and we're really missing the rest of our team mates :(

Anyway, the show must go on. We did all the remaining marketing, buying supplies of rice, milo and Vix vapour rub for the people we'll be visiting on our treks. We also had an awesome welcoming dinner, and while we ate the delicious food you can be sure we were thinking of the main body people :D. We didn't really do much today, but the praise and worship session we held upon receiving news of the main body really helped brighten us up and raise our morale.The real action's gonna start tomorrow at 5am!!! We'll be going to Tagaytay and hopefully the main body people will be able to meet us there. More updates tomorrow :).

Cya,
Cool Advance Party Reporters

ERM... Uncle Al here again. It's been raining here 70% of the time since we arrived on Thursday morning.  It was no surprise therefore that we had to pass by several flooded areas during the day. Even today, classses were suspended in Albay province due to the rains. Weather forecast for the next few days is again rain. Th question of whether the Legaspi airport could be affected by the weather actually came to my mind. I remember that in 2008, we landed in pelting rain, but the flight that came after us about 10 minutes later were turned back to Manila. 

This morning, as planned we sent out two vehicles to fetch the Main Body at the airport. They were due by 9.10. At the hostel, we divided ourselves into two teams - one doing logistical duties, while the other handling the billeting and organising reception for them. But God had other plans. 

"O God no, this can't be happening," I told myself as I received the news of the Main Body's flight's diversion back to Manila. The implications were dire for everyone. First, the main body  faced the prospect of carrying out the mission in the  biggest mission area - Tagaytay.  But more importantly, how was I to break the news to the members of the advanced party without sounding like a government spokesman? After gathering the facts from professor Pavilando, I gathered the young people at around 11am. We should be alright. God will never put us in a situation that we can't handle. I told them exactly what had happened to the main body, adding that they will be safe and sound in Manila while they await a new flight back to Legazpi. One could hear a pin drop as they took in the news. But credit to them - they took it calmly and prayed for the Main Body's safe journey to Legaspi. We had a mini-praise and worship to pray for their deliverance. Later on I outlined my plans for Tagaytay, bearing in mind our constraints.      

Afternoon, we went around town to shop for materials, met one of the parish priests, managed to play captain's ball, monkey and basketball. Dinner was sponsored by Bicol University. Even as I write, everyone in the Advance party are at an internet cafe here.  

The plan tomorrow morning is for the advance party to proceed to Tagaytay at 830am. After that, our vehicles will fetch the Main Body at the airport. They will join us directly at Tagaytay; we expect them to join us around 11am just before lunch time. 

Please continue to pray for us.