Cities and Stories

This 2015, I found myself in towns, cities, and countries far from home. It has been a year of cities and stories. Indeed, as He promised in 2014, the Lord has brought me to greater heights. It is a testimony to God's faithfulness - 36, 000 feet in the air.

During the hours spent in airports and transits, there has always been an urge to write - about the trip, about the places, about the people, etc. And often, I fail to write beyond a sentence or two. Nothing beyond 140 characters. Even square images are not enough to capture a city's soul. 

Stories are waiting to be discovered behind a skyline, a coastline, or even over the horizon. Before I go on other adventures in 2016, allow me to share some stories of three cities I've been this year.

God answered two of my prayers three months ago - to join the cross culture and to visit my dad in the middle east.

Growing up, I have only dreamed and prayed of flying to visit my dad. I dreamed of feeling the desert heat, walking barefoot in the sand, and seeing camels. It was a crazy thought. At the back of my head, while praying for this, I was certain that this is impossible. We need to pay for tuition, for utilities, for daily need, and for other things here.

All of my life, I waited for papa to arrive at the airport. We get to be with him for 60 days, every other year. The family waits until midnight, immersed within a sea of strangers waiting for their loved ones. We wait until we see a familiar face, until we see a cheeky man wave at us. It was a comforting moment to be reunited, to feel safe with his presence. 

A photo posted by Debbie Manalili (@debbiemariz) on Oct 12, 2015 at 7:17pm PDT

#CrossCulture2015

While I'm still thinking to write an entry about my experience #CrossCulture2015, allow me to share some of my favorite posts over the mission trip. I stuck to black and white photos, except the first one with my dad, simply because the experience alone puts color into it. Such cheesiness. 

A photo posted by Debbie Manalili (@debbiemariz) on Jul 27, 2015 at 1:19am PDT

A photo posted by Debbie Manalili (@debbiemariz) on Jul 29, 2015 at 1:37am PDT

A photo posted by Debbie Manalili (@debbiemariz) on Jul 22, 2015 at 8:30am PDT