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!

Wakes and Revival

There is a time for everything here on this earth. We were given the opportunity to celebrate the journey into Heaven for the father of one of Eric's co-workers. There was a week long opportunity to view the body and say farewell. This family also chose to have nightly revival/evangelistic services for loved ones. Then, after one week, the body was transferred to the cemetery via hearse, while all the family and friends followed along behind, walking. It was a wonderful time of reflection on this particular man's diligent journey, leaving for his children a wonderful legacy of faith in God. It was also a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with many, many people.

Please pray for Judy and her family while they mourn the passing of their beloved father.

Good Reading!

There is a great new magazine being published here. I really want you to read it. It is a "street" magazine. It is a magazine written to give those without a voice an opportunity to be heard. Some of the people who are natives to this country are being made aware of a lifestyle that they don't even know about. The magazine is called "The Jeepney." I have put a link to their web-site in the side margin of the blog. You can go look at the first edition of the magazine on-line. I do not know if they will put their other editions on-line.

Here is the link http://www.thejeepney.com

If you really want to know how to pray for our country and the things going on here, this is a perfect place to start.

Thanks for being on our team :)

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School! One neighborhood over from ours, there is a group of young Nazarenes who are doing the groundwork for starting a church. The neighborhood is called Sampalucan. They regularly have Sunday School in the afternoons on Sundays, for elementary and for youth. Then there is a small gathering in one of the leaders homes on Sunday evenings. This summer, they hosted a Vacation Bible School for the kids in the neighborhood (or barangay as we refer to them here). We got to attend the graduation/closing ceremony for the VBS. The ceremony was held on the basketball court in the middle of the barangay. They brought out a sound system and chairs and hung the VBS sign on the wall behind them.There were about 75 kids who came to VBS. They met in a very small area, one that you might decide was too small to conduct such an activity. These kind people are used to being in very close proximity to one another, and it didn't stop them when they realized that they would have about 40 kids inside the pastors home for their individual classes.

On Sunday, there was a graduation ceremony, where most of the kids recited scripture they put to memory during the week, both in English and Tagalog. Then they all performed some sort of song. It was delightful. We looked around the basketball court and took note that there were approximately 250 people listening to God's word emanating forth from the mouths of beautiful innocent children.

Eric was excited to see some of his "tri-cycle" driver relationships get closer. He discovered, during the VBS events, that two of the drivers live in this small neighborhood. Praise God the two men are some of the most open to Eric's relationship with them. They are Nok and Eddie. Pictured here is Nok washing his "tri-cycle". You can see the VBS assembly in the background. Please pray for them and for Eric as God leads him in discipling these men.

Please be praying for these children as they take the lead in finding friendship and relationship with Jesus Christ. Planting a new church from the children up is not usually the perfect strategy, but that is what God is doing here and we are striving to help in anyway we can. Our prayer is that the hearts of the parents and families will be softened as they watch the faith of their Children grow and strengthen. Pray with us that a complete, kids up to adults, Nazarene Church will grow and prosper in this neighborhood.

TWO Teenagers!

We have reached yet another milestone in our family :) Luke has reached those eagerly anticipated years...his teens. May 11 we celebrated Luke turning 13! We are so blessed to have the opportunity to love and be loved by Luke. He is such a joy in our lives. He took some of his buddies and played paint ball at a place called "Gotcha." They had a really great time. Imagine playing paint ball in the jungle! That's what they did. They only came home with a few welts too. I am fairly confident in saying that the highlight in the whole experience for Luke was getting his father in the mouth.

April Days

Hi friends,

I seem to be slowing down on my writing...could it possibly be because we have a busy toddler in the house? Or is that just an excuse :) Whatever the case, here I am, sitting at my computer.

April has brought yet another birthday for me (Linda). The fun thing about this time was that my neighbor Merly has her birthday a week after mine. We figured this out in the beginning of April, so we made plans to celebrate together. Merly and I had planned on having a Bible study on the afternoon of my birthday. I didn't know she had some plans up her sleeve. She showed up with a plate of "pancit" which I just love. It is a noodle dish with vegetables and meat. Also, along with her came another neighbor, Mia. We had a great time eating noodles and drinking soda together in our house. I had my helper, Celia, take a break and celebrate with us. After we finished with our feast, we sat down and looked in the Word together. Mia has been a mystery to me. Now I know that she really knows scripture. She told me that she grew up as a Catholic, and has been schooled in Catholicism. It was a real treat to get to know Mia a little better. Please add Mia to your prayers, along with Merly, as we share with Mia the love of Jesus. Please specifically pray that she will learn and understand that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (In the picture, left to right, Merly, Bitoy, Mia, Celia, AM, Jon and myself).

On Merly's birthday, I made her a big birthday chocolate chip cookie and went to her house. We ate spaghetti together and cookies. The fun about her house was that her family all trickled in and out. Unfortunately I didn't think to take all of their pictures in time. I could have gotten most of them, but was a bit slow on the draw. Merly is a joy to have as a friend. She has a whole household of people who need Jesus.

Luke and Eric and I have had the wonderful pleasure of getting scuba certified. One of the teachers at Faith offers training, and equipment for the people in the class to use. Andy was supposed to take the class, but because he ruptured his eardrum back in February, he cannot go diving until next February (provided it has all healed up fine). We went this weekend to the beach to finish up our training. It was beautiful! We are now in our second country where there are incredible coral reefs available to view, and we have been blessed with the opportunity to learn to scuba dive. Eric and Luke both seem to be part fish. It has been a bit more difficult for me to gain that fish mentality, but I think the more beautiful things we get to see, the more fish-like I might become.
We got to do this dive with a bunch of jelly fish. They were about 6 inches in diameter and a pretty pink in color. Eric found a large piece, about 18 inches square, of a squid on the ocean bottom. The whole squid must have been really big. We saw beautiful coral, beautiful starfish, and beautiful fish. We played with sea cucumbers and just had a great time...aside from having to purposely fill our masks with water and then clear them (fill them back with air) underwater everytime we went down :)

I had the opportunity of talking to two of the 7th grade Bible classes on the subject of Situational Ethics, specifically in regards to Down Syndrome and the argument that children with Down Syndrome should be aborted. It was a wonderful experience. The kids were all ears, and they even had lots of questions. It was a pleasure to help them understand that Down Syndrome and other disabilities are truly a gift to our world. I got rather specific with them in regards to dna and the way that chromosomes are formed. It was a great gift to me because, as usual, I am sure I learned more than I was able to teach to the kids. With all the detail the Lord puts into pairing up our base pairs, which make our dna, I think there was a definite plan for repeating the sequence (Down Syndrome) once in every 800 births. It was really a fun experience.

Eric had his first opportunity to preach since we've been here. He reminded us that God has called all of us to be strong and courageous and do the work that God has called us to. For some that is going overseas. For others that is staying where they are. However, we are all called to do one thing...that is to pray for souls to be won for Christ.

God did his part two days before Eric's sermon. One month ago Eric had asked our home prayer group to pray "that spiritually hungry people would seek him out." They had been praying. On Friday Eric was standing on the sidewalk waiting for a jeepney. All of a sudden a policeman strides right up to Eric and says, "Sir, are you a missionary." Eric said yes thinking he was in trouble. Then the man said, "Sir, will you help me get a Bible." Eric was awestruck, but managed to ask the man if he wanted an English or Tagalog language Bible. It was the perfect example for the sermon and for us to realize God wants us to pray and He wants to answer those prayers to increase worship of Himself. On the following Monday Eric found the policeman again and gave Him his Bible. Just today Eric and the Policeman, name Levy, stood on the sidewalk and talked about the Bible and how Levy is enjoying reading it. Levy is asking for wisdom so he will know what the Bible means. Please pray God will reveal Himself through His Word to Levy.

APRC has started burning the midnight oil again. For any of you who sponsor children through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, be anticipating a phone call from our crew. They are heading into the call center at 3:30am and using the internet to phone all 10,000 plus people in the USA who sponsor children. The call campaign is called "One to One". The goal is for each child sponsor to take the challenge of finding another sponsor. Two of the call-center agents were sponsored children. Now they are wonderfully strong young Christian disciples.

We thank God for the safety He provides for us all the time, and we don't even know it. There is a very busy intersection just outside the seminary gate, where 5 roads come together. Last Sunday while we were in church there was a horrible accident in that intersection. Two of the roads go up a very steep hill where there is cement factory (they go up different sides of the hill). There are a lot of big semi-trucks that go up and down that hill with loads of cement, and loads of large rocks. Unfortunately, sometimes they don't pay strict attention to the maintenance of the trucks, and the trucks end up going down the hill out of control. Since we came here last June, there have been three serious accidents in that intersection. This most recent has been the worst. Three people were killed, and 13 reported injured. One of the fatalities was the cousin of Eric's co-worker Danny. Please be praying for Danny and his family as they grieve the loss of this young life. One of the miracles of this story deals with four of the summer school Seminary students. Four of them had just stepped off their jeepney and as the jeepney pulled back into the road, the runaway truck passed between them and the jeepney. We are praising God for his protection on those four students, and for the continued protection he covers us with everytime we are in that intersection. Please know that we appreciate your prayers for safety, and are convinced that there are many times we just have no idea God has intervened for our safety.