My date with Piolo Pascual

When I was working in Manila, Philippines, I went to Victory Christian Church. Piolo Pascual and other famous Filipino celebrities go to the same church.

Papa Piola and I at a Chinese restaurant next to our church.

Teasing Papa Piolo! Charingggggggg!

Mommy

Anywhere I go, God always provides me with a wonderful friend. Mommy Vera is one of the first Filipino I met when I got here in Thailand three years ago. She has always been a blessing to me. She became my close and best friend. She's been there for me in good and bad times. Thank you Lord for the blessing of Mommy!

Ministry

I've been so blessed to find a church that really provided a ministry for me for three years now. I love our pastor and his wife. They are always there to support and give me pastoral care. They also started a ministry just for me to lead- the worship with tambourine dancing. In addition, they also give me chances to lead the worship at church from time to time. God has been so good for placing me in ministries that I feel called to. Recently, I've started going with one of my Filipino co-workers at church teaching English as an outreach in the small villages around Hatyai. We do this to create an evangelism opportunity.

My pastor and his wife

My Filipino co-workers and friends at our church. Just enjoying the fresh air at the beach.

Ajarn Mary

I had never been called Mary until I was employed as part of the teaching staff at Hatyai University three years ago. Here is the story... When I introduced myself as Grace to my students, they started calling me "Ajarn Grit!" They just simply couldn't pronounce my name well. Something in their vocal faculties that makes them mispronounce most of the English words. I couldn't tolerate being called "Grit" instead of Grace. So I made a decision to use the other half of my name which is Mary. And there you go... they could pronounce it well. So now, I am known as Mary in the university. By the way, the picture on top is the logo of our international college which I am a part of.

New Boss

Just recently, Hatyai University made a decision to create a branch college called Didyaseren International College. This college is in the campus of this huge university. All international teachers and professors, including myself, were moved to the said college. We all appreciated this expansion. It gave us more opportunities to really develop the international curriculum of the university. In the photo, I was serving refreshments to my new big boss! Just showing my Filipino hospitality.

Tambourine Dancers

I love dancing! But i can't really dance like Break Dancing, Hip-Hop, Tango, Cha-cha and etc. I love to dance for the Lord! Please pray for the next upcoming training for tambourine dancing that I will be providing for the girls at our church starting this Saturday. I am glad you are part of my ministry through your prayers God will raise up more worshipers in Thailand who will praise and worship God through dancing, and singing.

Psalm 150 says, "1. Praise the Lord, Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in the firmament of His power. 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts, Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.3 Prase Him with sound of trumpet, Praise Him with the pasaltery and harp. 4 Praise Him with the Timbrel and Dance, Praise Him with the instruments and organs. 5 Praise Him upon the cymbals, Let everything that as breath praise the Lord."

The tambourine dancers in action!

The dancers with their trainer (me) (far left).

Vacation

I had a chance to make a trip back to the Philippines to visit my family over one week period. It was so kind of Hatyai University to grant me a vacation that long. I like teaching and enjoy being with my students at the university but I've missed my family so much that I was very ready to take off and see them.

My time in the Philippines was spend with my family, especially, with Queenqueen. She has grown so much! Oh, how time flies. It was great having bonding time with her.