Time Flies

Thank you to all who have prayed for Eric and Nathan while they were in PNG. They arrived back in Manila safe and sound. God was definitely working ahead of them. The greatest thing is that now it is possible to help remotely. We can help their computers in PNG, from our tech room here in Manila. Technology really is amazing. Eric got to connect with so many of our dear friends! It was great water to his soul.

While Eric was there, he was sitting in front of his computer, stumped as to how to fix a problem. His Skype phone rang and it was one of his friends from home who happens to also be in the same line of work, Rai. Rai asked Eric what he was doing and Eric relayed the problem he was stumped on. They tossed around a few ideas, and then Rai picked up his cell phone and called another friend Mike (who actually went to PNG last year to work on their computers). Rai put Mike on speaker phone, and placed it close to the microphone on his computer. This way, Eric could hear what Mike was saying, and also talk with Mike. They had a conference call using Skype and cell phones. If you are not terribly impressed with this, you have to understand that when we lived in PNG, we couldn't even get email files that were over 500k, sometimes over 300k. As they dug into the problem, they realized that some of the programming was in German. Rai speaks German. The three of them together were able to solve the problem. It is so fun to see the way the Lord goes before us :)

Another great story from PNG...Eric wanted to connect with our friend Pastor Jerry. It was quite a journey, but Eric, Nathan and Dr. Becky went to Pastor Jerry's church on Sunday. When they got there, they were told Pastor was speaking in another church. After going to a couple different churches, they found him. He was being a guest speaker for a brand new church, six weeks old. There was a young boy in that village who got very ill. He went to Kudjip Hospital and there found Jesus Christ. His parents also found Jesus Christ while there. The boy got well, and the family returned to their village, on fire for Christ. In their enthusiasm, they asked to start a church. When Eric was there, it was running 40 some people. It was great to see how the whole picture works. The seed was planted in a time of crisis. God grew that seed, now the family is scattering and watering seeds in their village. Now the village has started a church and they are having guest speakers until they can get their own pastor. Please pray for the new pastor for that church! Praise God!!!

Our kids have started back to school, and actually are having their first "full" week of school this week. They have had holidays or in-service days and so even though they started school Aug 12, this is their first full week. I suppose they might feel a little tired by the time Friday is over. Andy is playing on the JV Volleyball team. He is enjoying learning a new sport. They have done really well so far, winning 3 out of 4 games they have played so far. He has started his Sophomore year in high school, and is enjoying this year. He has a busy, busy calendar. Luke has started his 8th grade. Whew! They grow so very fast! He has decided to learn how to juggle. One of the teachers is teaching a group of kids after school. It will be fun to watch him master that. He also is enjoying his art class. He is really a good artist! Jon has started his 3rd grade and is class this year is only 13 (as compared to 27 last year). He is also playing soccer with some of his buddies on the elementary soccer team. They have Saturday "tournament" type competitions. They play six games that are 12 minutes each. He will participate in four Saturdays like this. He is enjoying it. Mari is adjusting to playing by herself again, since her favorite play-mates had to return to school. She is continuing to speak, more and more...I think that one of these days she will be consuming the talk space...that will be a praise!!!

We are planning to start up a bible study for adults in our home soon. We found the leaders who are Filipino, who will come to our house and lead the study. We were specifically trying to start this for the traffic enforcer who works outside of our subdivision gate. His name is Levy. Eric has been building relationship with him over the last several months. Levy is asking a lot of questions and really wanting information. Eric was able to give him a Bible some time ago, and now Levy specifically asked to go to a Bible study. When Eric went to invite him to our home for the Bible study, Levy's co-worker told Eric that "yesterday was his last day, he resigned." Eric is really discouraged about this, but we know that God will work all things together for His perfect plan. Eric has no contact information to contact Levy, except for there at the intersection. Please pray for Levy as he is searching. Also, please pray for Eric to get another opportunity to connect with Levy to invite him to the Bible Study.

Please be praying for the people in the Philippines. We don't really watch any news here, and only occasionally get tid-bits from the Internet. There is fighting down south, but we are safe here in the northern part. Please be praying for our pastors and church members down in the southern parts. We have several students and workers who have family down there who are being greatly effected by the fighting.

We love you all and love hearing from you!!! Keep up the great communication :)

Hugs to you all!

God is Making the Way in PNG

Many of you know that Eric is currently in PNG with our volunteer Nathan (from MVNU), working out some bugs (haha) in the computer system there. I wanted to share with you the message that Eric sent out this morning :) He and Nathan return to Manila on Aug 12, and Nathan returns to the states on Aug 18. Please keep them in your prayers.

Greetings to all of you,

Linda gave me a verse in Isaiah 45:2 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron."

God did that yesterday and is doing it again today. Papua New Guinea is a spiritual battle zone and our enemy is bold here. Our God is bolder!

We accomplished yesterday (our first day) what I thought would take 3 days or not be possible at all. We now have installed a new Firewall (Internet protection) and the ability to remotely access the Kudjip Hospital network in Papua New Guinea (PNG) from the APRC office in Manila. Wow!

We can access even a missionary or hospital workers local computer and help them fix the problems. We see what is on their screen and share keyboard and mouse control of their computer with them. Obviously they have to know we are doing it and allow us access. Wow! again.

God is really allowing APRC to have a long technology assistance reach. Praise His Name!

Another miracle this morning. I am only aware of one man from PNG whom I would trust to provide contract support for the Kudjip Hospital network. His name is Timothy Kapak. I trained him to install computer cabling in May 2004 before my family left PNG. He now owns a large Electrical Engineering company headquartered in Mt. Hagen near Kudjip Hospital. He also owns a computer support business. I have had no contact with him since I left PNG in 2004. This morning I called his office from Kudjip and reached him. Amazing. There is a long list of miracles here:

Kudjip only has one working phone line at the moment, I found it and it was not in use by someone else.
Timothy has been gone for 4 months doing contract work on the coasts of PNG, he is just back in Mt. Hagen this week
This is the only week I will be here, he is available this week to meet.
His company has a new technician that appears to have a skill set that meets the Kudjip needs.
God's timing is perfect, what a miracle.
Praise God for the way He has been leveling the mountains before us!

We have 7 more days and lots more miracles needed so please keep praying.

Blessings,
eric zane

Princess and the Bubbles

Mari was invited to a Princess Birthday Party last Saturday. She and two other girls got to dress up like princesses, dine in the princesses palace and of course, blow bubbles...







Thank you Jesus for our beautiful angel, Mari the Princess :)

Thank you Brian for the great pictures!

Church

The room was 16 feet by 25 feet. The air was only moving due to the fans gentle hum. The room was a patio area in-between two homes. The chairs were set up with a dividing aisle down the middle, three chairs on each side, and about 15 rows. The podium stood, accompanied by a table with the elements for communion. Delicately hung behind was a simple curtain and a banner stating Cainta Church of the Nazarene Anniversary Celebration.

The house could be found after making several jig's and jag's through the brightly colored neighborhood and fortunately for us the neighborhood guards knew the way and were happy to escort us (on their bicycles, and armed with their usual artillery).

The church gradually filled up with laughter and smiles and kisses. Very few seats remained empty, and several people chose to stand in the back. Occasionally the loud roar of a motorcycle would join in our worship, as they passed by on the street.

The music started with a guitar and tambourine, and then was joined by the humble voices of the people. As we stood singing, the words to the song invited a precious spirit that made me unaware of my own comfort level. I was able to forget about the chair in front of me pushing against the front of my thigh. I was able to forget about the chair behind me pushing on the back of my calve. My breathing was calm and peaceful, rather than the anxious pull of the heavily humidified air. My body was perspiring and sending droplets of water down the back of my legs, back, stomach and face at a rapid pace. And yet, God was there! He was speaking directly to me, reminding me that no matter the circumstance or comfort level I live in, He will ALWAYS be God. He is LORD! He refocussed my vision, turning my uncomfortable moment into a beautiful time with Him.

Here are the words to the song "Here I Am" written by Reuben Morgan...

In to Your hands I commit again
All I am For You Lord
You hold my world in the palm of Your Hands
And I am Yours, Forever

Jesus I believe in You
Jesus I belong to You
You're the reason that I live
You're the reason that I sing
With all I am
I'll walk with You
Wherever You go
Through tears and Joys
I'll trust in You
And I will live in all of Your ways
Your promises, Forever

Here is a link to hear it sung by Hillsong on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns

The church celebrated their 19 anniversary and it was an honor to be part of it. We feel somewhat attached to this church, simply because the meeting place of this particular church used to be in our back yard.

Three hours later, after worshiping together and feasting together, we piled in our car and turned the air-con on high :)

I pray that you are met by Our Savior today, in whatever circumstance you are in...comfortable or uncomfortable! Our God is capable of breaking through...I LOVE it!!!

How do I process?

How do you process the realization that you spent as much in one trip to the grocery store for your family of six as your friend makes in one month for a family of 5? Then, add to that the knowledge that your electricity bill is equally as much. How do you process feeling like you sacrifice so much financially, and then make that kind of discovery?

In my passport country I live at "poverty" level. Now, I am "wealthy" and don't even see it, and yet, I struggle regularly trying to stretch the money.

How do I rationalize spending approximately 30% less on a cup of coffee from Starbucks (here vs the States), and at the same time spend one half of the daily wage being made by the people serving me the cup of coffee? In California the Minimum Wage is $8.00/hour. I certainly wouldn't spend $32.00 on a Mocha.

In the old days (before we became missionaries) I didn't have this perspective. Sometimes I wish I still didn't have it. The past 5 years have been as though the Lord has had me on his potters wheel and made a whole new me.

All I know is that I am a work in process. I know that God is always working on me. I am easily consumed with my selfish desire for comfort...my coffee, the temperature, having my family at my side.

I don't know how to process some things. I would just rather turn my head and not have to process it. There is no where I can go to get away from this.

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

I am claiming that promise!!!

Some lessons are fun...others, not so.

Some lessons are fun.

Lesson 1: We got the opportunity to participate in two special occasions in one day. We started our morning at 9:00 am attending a Filipino Wedding. It was very similar to a Western, Christian wedding. However, there were a few additional elements that we really enjoyed. The couple kneeled on a bench together and there was a "veil" placed over and around them to signify the relationship that only they would share. Then there was a chord in the shape of an eight that was looped around each person, one loop of the figure 8 on the groom and one loop of the figure 8 on the bride. In the center where the chord crossed was a large emblem. This signified that they were tied together with a chord, with God in the center of them. All of the events that took place in the wedding, and the reception, were explained, with the significant symbolism. We enjoyed it. We ate a full Filipino buffet and it was delicious. Then as we left, we were given a souvenir in remembrance of their day.

Lesson 2: At 3:00 pm, we packed ourselves off, just a couple blocks away from our home to the 7th birthday party of our neighbor, A.M. (short for Aaron Michael). Here in the Philippines, there are certain birthdays that render a birthday party. Other birthdays are met with a "happy birthday" and possibly a gift from parents, grandparents and godparents. For the boys, their 1st birthday, their 7th birthday and their 21st birthday render these large celebrations. For the girls, their 1st, 7th, and 18th birthday's are celebrated. We have now been to both a 1st birthday and now to the 7th birthday party. They were both fully catered meals with hired clowns, cake, prizes and games. After much fun, the birthday party ended at 6:00. It was quite a fun day!

Lesson 3: Andy and Luke just went to summer camp. This is the same summer camp they went to last year. They participated in a "fear factor" type event. One of the tasks they had to do was to eat balut. Now, this is a delicacy here in the Philippines. It's typically the standing joke for foreigners..."have you eaten balut yet?" What is it? Well, it is a cooked duck embryo. Andy got to experience his first balut. He said it was actually good, once you got your brain to stop gagging about the idea of it :)

Some lessons are not so fun.

Lesson 4: Eric was driving to the Seminary last Thursday and slowed to turn right into the seminary. As he made his turn, a motorcycle tried to pass him on the right. These are the times we are acutely aware that you are praying for us. The motorcycle driver got up without a scratch. At exactly the right moment, God arranged for the perfect people to walk up to the seminary gate. Getting in an accident in a foreign country can be really scary. The security guard (who happens to be our helpers husband) was immediately there. Three pastors arrived (one who used to work in the government, and went to law school), Eric's co-worker Danny arrived, and two other co-workers in WMC, Jay and Calm. Our dear Filipino friends basically grabbed Eric and sent him off to the office, so that he would not get in the way of the negotiations. It was decided that there would be no contact with the police, and negotiations were made. We had the motorcycle repaired by the end of the day, and now it is a part of our educational history. We are so thankful that God prevented any bodily injury to the motorcycle driver. We pray that he was able to see Jesus through the wonderful people God orchestrated to help in the whole process.

Lesson 5: The regional team in Singapore and here all use a type of cell phone that is actually more of a computer than a cell phone. These phones have enabled the leaders to drastically cut down on their international calling bills. These phones are equipped to utilize the Internet (Voice Over Internet Phones) to make calls. Eric and his co-worker (being the regional computer people) have these phones, specifically, so that they can do proper technical support. Well, I guess I have to say Eric "had" one of these phones. Here in Manila, it is not a matter of "if" you get pick-pocketed, but "WHEN." This morning, Eric's phone went to a new home, to an owner with a skill of slipping things right out of their hiding places. There is a standard trick...a group of guys work together (named "lag lag baria gang"). Two of the guys cause some sort of drama. The third guy drops coins right by the targeted individual. The unsuspecting "nice guy" bends down to help pick up the coins, and whammo, you get pick-pocketed by the other two guys causing the commotion. So, Eric being the nice guy, bent over and there went his phone. The sad thing about it is that he carries his phone in his bag, about 95% of the time. Bummer, this day was one of those 5%.

Lesson for all of us.....

Lesson 6: Whatever you do, don't stop praying! We covet your prayers :) We truly believe that we have been bathed with your prayers and without them, there is no telling how different things could have turned out.

We love you!!!

The Eye

Typhoon, Cyclone, Hurricane...they are all the same thing, just in a different part of the world.

Typhoon Frank was noted to be heading towards the Philippines, but it appeared it would go North, before it got to the Phillipines. Somewhere along the line, it shifted and came right through the middle of the Philippines, and passing right over Manila.

The wind really started whipping around 4:00 am at about the same time, our power went out. There were treas swaying, windows rattly-banging, strange thumps and bumps. We weren't really sure what was trying to blow off the house, but couldn't find anything. Then about four hours later, power was restored, and the sky's were blue and all was calm. We were looking right into the eye of the storm! WOW! Then, the winds picked up again and the rains really started pelting the ground. Water was beginning to accumulate rather deep in the back yard. The front yard was still OK, but we knew that if it kept up, we would be looking at the creek overflowing it's banks and coming down our road.

At about 12:00 noon, the creek toppled over her edges and the brown water flowed into our driveway. As the level was quickly rising, Eric and Andy pulled in from church, just in time! Within about 15 minutes after they got home, we had about 8 inches of water in our driveway and the street we turn off of was looking somewhat like a fun river to go down with an inner tube. The rain stopped and as quickly as the water rose, the water receded.

There were many, many people effected by this typhoon (hurricane). We were safe and dry and very comfortable. However, hundreds of thousands of people here in the Philippines do not have that same story to tell. There are unknown numbers of people who weathered this storm very wet and very cold. Many of them don't have a home to return to. The waters rise so very fast that there is no way to escape in time.

Please be praying for our people in this country. Praise the Lord the numbers are no where near what has happened in Myanmar and in China, but every life is precious! There are families who are grieving today. There are people still waiting to hear if their loved one was recovered from the Ferry Boat that capsized carrying 700 people. There are people wondering how they will rebuild their homes and their lives. There are people who are wondering why they should rebuild their lives and their homes. There are people who have no hope. Yet, there are people who do have hope, who are reaching out to those around them.

Casting Crowns
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I know there is so many natural disasters happening all over the world. There are people all over the world trying to figure out how to face this new day. They are facing thoughts and emotions many of us have been blessed to not endure.

Oswald Chambers says, "Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life, and there is no use in saying it should not be. Sin, sorrow, and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them...Sorrow removes a great deal of a person’s shallowness, but it does not always make that person better. Suffering either gives me to myself or it destroys me." We need to be praying for people who are enduring any kind of "storm" in their life to be "saved not from the hour, but out of the hour." God has so much to teach us, and so much of the time we just won't listen. I wouldn't wish sorrow on anyone, but at the same time I wouldn't ever trade the personal sorrow I have experienced. It was through those times I have grown closer to my Savior.

The storm we just experienced on Sunday didn't have horribly high winds, but they were strong. I keep remembering how strange it was when the eye of the storm passed over us, and how peacefull and calm it was. I understand all of those analogies about storms much better today. I want to keep my eyes on Jesus, no matter what is happening around me. He is my peace!

Psalm 107:29

He stilled the storm to a whisper, the waves of the sea were hushed.

Thank you so much for your prayers and your inquiries to our safety. Please know that we are also praying for you all in the states being effected by the flooding. Keep your eyes on Jesus! He is in the storm!