Under The Mango Tree
Faith, Culture, and Life in the Philippines
Where Stories and Shade Meet
Like a shared bench in the shade, this blog is a place for real conversations—unhurried, heartfelt, and rooted in something deeper. In many Filipino communities, the mango tree isn’t just a tree. It’s where people gather to eat, rest, laugh, and swap stories. It’s a place of connection—and that’s what I hope this space will feel like too. A place to share bits of my life as a missionary in the Philippines: the ups and downs, the funny moments, the quiet ones, the ones that changed me. I’m not here just to write about what I’ve done—but to invite you into the journey. To sit with me in the shade for a while, and reflect on how God is quietly at work around us, and within us.
A Heart Set Apart
My name is Christian. When I was in my third year of college, I felt like my heart was unsettled. Life in the States felt routine, even dull, and I sensed that God had more in store for me than simply getting a job, starting a family, and buying a house. I had only ever known life in the U.S., and I was curious—hungry, even—to see what else was out there.
So, I left college and set out to explore the world.
I loved traveling—meeting new people, seeing new places—but when I landed in the Philippines, something changed. I fell in love. I knew in my heart that this country would become a home to me from that day forward.
I’ve been to El Salvador, Peru, Malawi, and Zambia, to name a few. Along the way, I made incredible friends and experienced adventures in places I never imagined I’d visit. I grew in my faith and learned how to love people from different cultures and backgrounds.
