Facial before the Wedding!
Caught a photo of my honey while she was getting a facial the day before the wedding! 
Best Man / Maid of Honor Gifts
Mark wearing the lion ring we got him in appreciation of his role as best man. We can’t thank him enough for getting a passport at the last minute, taking time off work and time away from his family to come all the way over to the Philippines for our wedding! 
Hanica with the ring Che picked out for her. Hanica did the majority of the work in preparing for the wedding and we don’t know what we would have done without her!
KUMUSTA!?
Mark making friends at Eurotel 
Friendly street vendor selling cigarettes, candy and gum
More Jeepney Pics
What does Jeremiah 6:16 say?! “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Explanation:-The people’s stubborn refusal to walk in the traditional ways of true righteousness is often mentioned by Jeremiah (12:16,18:15,23:12,31:21). Moving in their own paths and following their own way could lead only to Judah’s destruction (Prov 14:12). The contrast of the way of righteousness and life with the way of the ungodly and death is often made in the Scriptures (Psalm 1, Matt.7:13-14). 
The Good Shepherd from John 10, verse 11: “I AM the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” and verse 14: “I AM the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” 
“El Shaddai” (Lord God Almighty/All Sufficient One/Sustainer) is one of the names or titles of God found in the Bible. In the Old Testament, the name El Shaddai is used 7 times, the first being in Genesis 17:1.
Mark in a jeepney late at night as we head back to the hotel.
The best man has to look his best!Thanks David & Kristi!
Che opening a special gift picked out by Kristi!
How lovely! A Cake Topper from Willowtree. My honey has already started a Willowtree collection as my “promise ring” and then “engagement ring” extra gifts included willowtree creations! Great taste, Kristi. This will be placed in a special spot in our home!
More Manila Mall Madness!
Wazzup?! Hanging out with the boys! 
My honey with the mascot of her favorite Filipino fast food joint-Jollibee!
Shopping in Manila?! Bring it on! 
The “aftermath” of one of our mall outings. There were so many awesome things available at such cheap prices in the Philippines that Mark and I both had to buy a 2nd suitcase to get our stuff home!
Rocking the Las Pinas Mall, ha!ha!
I heard of Karaoke before, but “Videoke”?! They had this booth in the middle of the mall where you could sing just about any song and you could even get a DVD copy of your performance. It was a blast and we went there twice during our few days of wedding preparation.
Mark really got into his performances! (Check him out singing Sweet Child of Mine!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fykYlTcszd4) Other songs he sang included Always (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZUyB7ku4Wc), November Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CarbZZsz7Ew), Patience (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0_bSylDdVI), With Arms Wide Open (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK-032tp_VI), I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXnp_xOVLtM), and Wanted Dead or Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-6ee0OyckA)
Here I am…but not much of a singer. You’ve been warned! Coward of the County (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6QaVbUx0KY), WonderWall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkFWrSQjqbw), and Creep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy4CmyUJ9HY)
Here’s my love, Che! Born For You ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67nHvXsVTiI ), I Belong to You ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qEO0Uzu9eg), Very Special Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJXXPNIRbMw), El Shaddai (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB8RufLu6Pk), and We Fall Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV0DL1d23gQ)
Che and Mark in SM Mall. Decorations were everywhere for Chinese New Year.
More Jeepneys!
Domestic passenger vehicle. Their rich and colorful psychedelic designs show-off Filipino artistic talent and exemplifies a unique vehicle art recognized all over the world.
Mark gave me this awesome postcard with Jesus riding a Jeepney. Thanks, Mark! License Plate – John 14:6!
Kenny Rogers Roasters
Che and her eldest sister, Marilyn, who drove 12 hours in a bus from their province to attend our wedding
Mark at the Las Pinas SouthMall (SM)
Mark talking to Jen in Canada. How sweet!
On your MARK….get set… 
Giddie-up!
On our hotel hallway wallMark Brown, the Best Man, Arrives in Manila-Jan. 18th
Can you spot the lost small-town Canadian man?! ha!ha!
Mark finally arrives at his hotel around midnight!
Because Mark’s wife, Jennifer, works for Air Canada, he was able to fly over from Canada for only a few hundred bucks. He had to dress up in case they bumped him up to business class which they did on this flight! This was Mark’s first trip outside of Canada! How exciting!!! The wedding and whole experience just wouldn’t have been the same without him.
Yucky! Stinky! Phew!
In many parts of Manila where there is running water, the smell seems more like a running sewer.
Koreans Galore in the Philippines!
It was amazing to me just how many Korean there are in Manila. You can see signs like this in Korean in several locations. (mostly singing rooms/bars) Because of the low cost of education in the Philippines, many Korean parents send their children here in order to save money.
Chicks being sold on the street
Beware of Dog…& CAT!!!
One really has to be careful about stray animals in the Philippines. This can be harder for those, like me, who are animal lovers. My first instinct when I see a cute dog or cat on the street is to pat the little sucker! Not such a great idea in some parts if one values their life!
The Philippine Jeepney!
The Philippine Jeepney is a Filipino innovation of the GI surplus jeep during the 1940’s. The unique vehicle was the answer to the country’s scarcity of transportation after the war. It has the same strong design of a US Army jeep but was resized and converted into a public utility vehicle. A typical Jeepney would usually accommodate 20-30 commuting passengers. 
The result was a time during vehicle with a remarkable combination of Filipino ingenuity and creativity in the midst of the post-war crisis. In terms of appearance, no Jeepney is exactly the same. Each Jeepney was designed with well-detailed artworks elaborately displayed on its bodies and even in the vehicles interior. Every single one has its own unique design and is usually given touches often reflective of a common-man’s sentiments of the time.
Today, the Philippine Jeepney is the most popular means of transportation in the Philippines. It is proof of the Filipino’s world renowned ability to produce efficient technology from scrap machinery and limited financial resources. Truly, Jeepneys have become the country’s symbol of adaptation to global influence and change.
Catholics and their religious ways!
St. Paul’s is a chain of catholic shops found in many malls throughout the Philippines.
Notice their excuses for venerating idols and relics on the shop wall in contradiction to Commandment #1 and especially Commandment #2. (Venerate – to honor (as a relic or idol) with a ritual act of devotion.)
Idols! Idols! Get your idols here! 
Get your “Queen of Heaven idols”-30% off!!! (Jeremiah 44:17-30) 
Idol worship and false/demonic doctrine often go hand in hand. “Will Christ die a second time for the souls in hell?!” What a ridiculous, unbiblical and blasphemous question!! Any doubts?!-check out Hebrews chapter 10, verses 10, 12 and 14. 
Some punks were going by the store while we were near the entrance and one girl inched her foot slowly towards the door screaming (in Tagalog), “I’m burning! I’m burning!” There is something about the name of Jesus which the world just loves to curse…Interesting, that!
My dear Maria Chyrell (Che) at the Mall!
Che at Kenny Roger’s Restaurant in SM Mall, Las Pinas
Che at “Fantasy Land”. I feel like my life has been a fantasy/dream since meeting this lovely lady! Well worth the wait!
Grace’s 38th Birthday!
It was nice to be able to celebrate Che’s sister’s birthday with her and her family on January 16th.
Yummy Filipino Desserts!
“Buko pandan” made of coconut and pandan leaves turned into a jelly with condensed milk and covered with icecream. One of the most well-loved desserts of the Philippines!
Ube pudding
Mall of Asia, Manila – One of the Biggest Malls in Asia
As you can see, my honey was a little tired from all the walking around. 
A “lucky saint” and a Buddhist idol, both on the same counter in one of the dress shops – How sad!
The shopping mall marching band entertaining shoppers!
Mall babe! 
An iceskating rink in the mall 
The Beast and Beauty
Sunday Afternoon with the Flores Family
Ben and Marilou with their son, Benjemar Hope
me and Che with Che’s niece’s son, Benedict
Christian Joy watching over her his cousin, Athene, at the mall amusement centre
Che with the entire Flores family minus Andrew who was working at Starbuck’s
Alabang New Life Church, Las Pinas
Che and her niece, Faith, before the Alabang Church service
Che with her uncle Ben (married to her sister, Marilou)
On the Streets of Las Pinas, Manila
Collecting bottles for money 
Collecting cardboard boxes for money 
A mother picking lice out of her daughter’s hair (I saw this several times along the street)
A Great Devotional I bought in Manila
I still can’t believe I found such an awesome devotional in a regular mall bookstore! It was another book by Henry Blackaby, “Experiencing God“, that first got me involved with missions in Ethiopia. There are 12 chapters, containing a total of 73 days of devotion. There are many scriptures quoted (centred around different themes). Here are some of the short questions I have pondered over from the first 4 chapters “Ask Yourself” section:
Am I available at a moment’s notice whenever He wants to use me? Am I willing for others to know my past if it helps them to know God? Am I more focused on achieving goals than on following Christ? Do I know Christ well enough to know when He is speaking to me? Are the desires of my heart truly pointing in God’s direction? Am I working harder at anything than my relationship with Christ? Would I notice if something in my life was coming between God and me? Is there something God could ask me to do-and I would say no? I’ve been far from perfect, but is there a better day than today to start over? Has sin ever delivered on its promises? Why should I expect it to do so now? Is there anything in me that I wouldn’t want anyone to know about? Are my sins as offensive and disgusting to me as they are to God? Do I see God as all warm and fuzzy, or do I realize that He is Almighty? Will I be serious about Christ for more than this week-for a lifetime? Have I obeyed the last thing God asked of me, or is He still waiting? What do I spend most of my time thinking about and searching for? Can I see my daily work as my way of serving Christ? Do I often run ahead of God and find myself alone on the battlefield? I always say that God comes first, but can I prove it with my life? What am I attempting to do with God that is God-sized? How much do I really expect of God? How much does he expect of me? When I come to the end of all my questions, is God my final answer? ”If you leave this day to chance, you’ll lose it in a blur. But if you place it in God’s hands, He’ll use you in a heartbeat. That’s the priceless promise for The Man God Uses.”
Hanika with the Cash!
Hanika really outdid herself as Maid of Honor! She had to contact, negotiate and pay for several things which we ordered while in Oman. She spent SO much of her time in organizing the whole wedding!!! You’re the best, Hanika!
This was about a week after arriving in Manila. Hanika is negotiating with the original venue lady in this photo but the woman was so uncooperative that we decided to change the wedding venue! (which was just across the street)
Auntie Che
Che showing her nieces, Athene and Aisline, how to use the Barbie laptop she brought them from Oman. It has English/Spanish/French word games, mathematical questions and many other cool functions for the girls to play/study with.
Filipino Food – Our First Meal at Che’s Sister Grace’s House
Barbecued chicken intestines and chicken blood….I think I’ll pass….You can find these and other such foods being sold by street vendors all over the Philippines. It’s not uncommon for vendors to tap on car windows to sell their stuff. 
Pork sinigang soup 
Chicken adobo
A Typical Filipino Taxicab Dashboard
Spongebob, Mary, the cross and an occasional random “saint” thrown in for good measure…So much religion in the Philippines. Unfortunately, a lot of misguided prayers to Mary as if she is divine…Made me think of a passage I read from January 5th in this devotional: 
RITUAL or RELATIONSHIP? “Neither did they say, “Where is the Lord, who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness?” (Jeremiah 2:6) “Christianity is an intimate, growing relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. It is not a set of doctrines to believe, habits to practice, or sins to avoid. Every activity God commands is intended to enhance His love relationship with His people. God designed worship for us to see Him in His glory and to respond appropriately; for many it has degenerated into “religon”, one more meeting to attend out of habit. God established the sacrificial system so that we, His people, could express our love to Him; but we often diminish our gifts to our Lord into futile attempts to appease Him and to pacify our guilty conscience. God gave us prayers so we could have conversation with Him, but we often distort this by “saying prayers” and hurrying off without ever listening to what is on our Father’s heart. God instituted His commandments as a protection for those He loves, but the commandments can become a pathway to legalim rather than an avenue for a relationship with our Father in which He protects us from harm. Religious activity apart from fellowship with God is empty ritual. The people of Jeremiah’s day were satisfied to have the ritual without the manifest presence of God. They became so comfortable with their “religion” that they didn’t even notice God’s absence. Is it possible to pray, to attend a worship service, or to give an offering yet not to experience the presence of God? It certainly is possible! And that has been the sad commentary on many a Christian experience. Don’t settle for a religious life that lacks a vital relationship to Jesus Christ. When God is present, the difference will be obvious.”
