March and April

We had the wonderful opportunity of having my (Linda's) parent's here for a 2 week plus visit! It was such a great time! We drug them all over Manila and introduced them to the life we live here. They especially loved the traffic :) We were very thorough and (accidentally) took them down one of the busiest streets on a Friday night! We wanted to make sure they had proper introduction to "traffic!" We took them on a tour of the APNTS campus, which included the Communications department, and the APRC department. We got to show them how we do technical support for all of the regions of the world. We got to show them where the phone calls are made for NCM and any other Call Campaigns we have done. We got to take them to the beach. We got to go to Corregidore Island which was so amazing!!! We also went and visited a home for malnourished our unwanted babies. If you would like to read about it, here is a link to the website. http://gentlehands.typepad.com/news/index.html I cannot begin to write all the amazing stories we heard there. Go look for yourself. You will get your heart tugged!!! Then we went to visit an orphanage and a birthing home. This is one of the few places here in Manila where the father can be involved in the birth of his child. It is an experience a lot of fathers here don't get to experience. I made sure to introduce Mom and Dad to one of the most amazing aspects of Manila, the sub-culture of the malls! For all of you shoppers reading this, really there is no greater place to go shopping :) Most of those clothes you buy in the US are made right here :) If you come for a visit, I would be happy to introduce you to the sub-culture of the malls too :) Mom and Dad got to meet the youth group that meets in our back-yard. We just had a wonderful visit. It was really a boost to our moral to have them come and see what we do and who we work with. Of course, the boys loved playing games with Papa!Mari celebrated her 4Th birthday while my parents were here. That was really fun! We are so blessed to have her in our family :) Her vocabulary in continually expanding, and thanks to Barney, the purple dinosaur, she is really learning some great stuff :) Please be praying with us about good direction as to how to go about educating her in the future. She probably could go to the same school that her brothers go to IF we get the proper teachers. BUT, we serve Jehovah Jireh, the Provider, and I know he will provide for her needs. While you are praying, could you tag on a request for a speech pathologist at the school? Not only does Mari need one, there are a lot of kids at our school that need one :) There are good speech pathologists here in Manila, but getting an appointment, getting TO them (through traffic...could be a two hour drive one way), and affording them are sometimes things we cannot do .

The last time I wrote, I shared with you the story about EJ dying from Diphtheria. We had to give 53 people antibiotics, then we were supposed to give them all an injection. Unfortunately, the Philippines has a very limited supply of these shots. But, once again, I serve Jehovah Jireh, and within not too much time, we were able to get the necessary injections. I have been in the process of making sure all of those people are getting their shots. It has kept me a bit busy. Thank you for your prayers for getting the needed shots.

We also have been blessed to have yet another WW team here on campus. This team was made up of two separate groups who joined together at the same time. Half of the group was from the east coast and the other half was from the west coast. It is so much fun to get to know more of our brothers and sisters from across the United States. It is also really fun to watch the team members fall in love with the people they get to meet. The timing of this team was especially helpful to me because one of the members on the team was a MD. When I found out, I recruited him to help me give the shots in the clinic. I think he enjoyed himself. I enjoyed allowing him the opportunity :)

Easter here in the Philippines is a very important holiday. This is a predominantly Catholic country, and there is a very large emphasis put on Holy Week. There are lots of activities that happen during this time. I got to really look and learn a little about one of the traditions on Palm Sunday. Available to purchase beginning Saturday night are "palms." The young coconut palm leaf is taken and woven into beautiful designs. They are then purchased either Saturday night, or Palm Sunday morning. They are carried to the churches where they are dipped in Holy Water and then brought home to bless the house.

The day before Easter, we had the other missionary families over to our house for coloring eggs and we had a BBQ together. It was a fun time. The kids also had their annual egg hunt, and they enjoyed that :)

April brought yet another birthday. I was the one receiving the blessing of yet another year on earth. My husband and some angels from home put their heads together and sent me to the symphony for my birthday. It was such a wonderful evening!!! It was like I was lifted up to a cloud and the breeze of heaven just blew right over me giving me a kiss on the forehead. Thanks to those of you involved :)

When we got home at 1130, we were handed the baton and took over the 40 people that were having a sleep-over in our back yard. The youth group that meets on Sunday's had their annual overnight. Unfortunately for them, about the time we arrived back to our house, so did the rain. They quickly scampered under cover, but couldn't do anything to keep their sleeping places dry. We made some quick modifications and soon enough, they all were under cover and dry. The following morning, Eric rose up at 4:30 and whipped up enough pancakes for all of them. God gave Eric the passage in John where the resurrected Jesus invited the fishing disciples to "come to breakfast." He got to share with the kids that Jesus always wants them to join Him. After filling their bellies with breakfast, and filling their hearts with the word of God, they headed home. They were on their way even before the sun was completely off the horizon. We sure love those kids!!! They have succeeded in worming their ways right into our hearts :)

These kids also had been spending the whole week helping in VBS. They are on summer vacation right now, and rather than participating, they got to learn how to be the leaders. There was a special graduation ceremony Sunday where the kids got to show off their memorization skills and the things they learned. The parents come out and see what they have done all week. As I looked around at all the younger kids, my heart swelled with the thought that some of those kids might be showing up in the youth group soon. Even if they don't, Jehovah Jireh provided them with His word, and they hid it in their hearts, and God promises to never let His word come back void! I hold on to that!!!

We also got to go to a small Bible study while there at the ceremony with the adults. Pastora Jahil took us back into the village, through lots of houses, up and over, in and out, and we stopped at a house with a big lot where they meet every Sunday. There were only two other ladies there. The home owner's name is Niyrbus. She is still seeking. Please pray for her and her family. The other gal's name was Haydee. She said she also has a study on Mondays she attends. We all got to share a verse and talk a bit. Very low-key, comfortable study :) Please pray for Pastora Jahil as she works in that village to bring Jesus into their homes.

Beginning tonight, Andy will be in the high school musical/drama. The school is doing Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore. We will be taking the group from APRC and the Communications department tonight for the opening night. Then our whole family will go again on Saturday. Andy has really enjoyed being involved in this. I am happy to see him branching out in his education/experience circle.