Emma writes:

With only two weeks to go in my year of service, I thought I’d take a break from packing and share a bit about an activity I’ve been able to participate outside of my work at Little Children of the Philippines since last December.

My dear neighbor Ma’am Erelyn told me about a sports team she was on, a local dragon boat team that was training for an all women’s race in March and an international race in April. The team is called Umagu, taken from the name of the city D(umagu)ete, and an abbreviation for United Marine Guardians. When I agreed to join the team in training one night, I had no idea the shock I was in for.

…

Being a member of Umagu has proved to me countless times the heart of the Filipino. It is resilient, it is determined, it is fun-loving and it cares always for family and for community. In this family, people of varying ages, experiences and backgrounds come together without hesitation to love and accept one another as they are.

Read her entire post here.

On Sunday, August 27, 2017, we commissioned Elizabeth Welliver and Emma Warman, who dedicate a year of their lives to learn what God is doing through them and in them. We hope to follow their journey through their online blogs.

To follow Emma and Elizabeth as they live their YAV experience, visit their blogs:

Emma Warman (Philippines) https://emmayavyear.wordpress.com/

Elizabeth Welliver (Austin, TX) https://medium.com/@ElizabethWelliver

To learn more about the YAV program, visit: www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/yav/