New Year's Resolutions

Does anyone do New Year's Resolutions every year? I'm thinking about some but would love some input. Not "I will lose 20 pounds by Easter" or "I will witness to a hundred people a week, every week." Something in between, more realistic but a definite goal to work on throughout the year. What goals/resolutions have you made in the past that you would recommend? Could be spiritual, physical, organizational, whatever. Send me your thoughts and we'll see what ideas people have.

Merry Christmas

We had a small, quiet Christmas here but it was really nice. We even managed a family group picture! Which is nothing short of amazing since someone is always missing.

Looking back over this year, its amazing to see all that God has brought together. At the beginning of the year, I didn't know where I'd go after Language school, or who I'd work with. Now I have a team, God has brought us to the Ga'Dang people, and we are all enjoying a short time to visit friends and family before returning and getting into the tribe. Not only has God brought this team together but He has allowed us to be home for some very special events. It has been a very good year and an especially special time here at home.

Road trip

Last week I headed for the Deep South, home of many good friends and good eating! :-) It was really nice for my mom to be able to come with me. We had a great time hanging out during our 2,300 mile trip.

Tuesday we drove down to Georgia and spent until Saturday with our good friends Ross and Tammy Bradley. While we were there we had a chance to meet up with a missionary couple that my church has supported for years. They have spent 45 years among the Indians of Suriname! They are very close to completing the translation of the Old Testament.

Saturday and Sunday were spent in Mississippi, visiting Grace Fellowship church. Mom and I were very blessed to be able to get there in time for a birthday party! Happy Birthday Molly!

Monday saw us finally making our way back to cold Maryland by way of our cousins in Virginia. We got to visit an old-time general store and just spend time together re-connecting again. All in all a great time with no car troubles and no accidents.

Check it out

I don't remember how I got this site but I have really enjoyed listening to the different speakers.


So check it out! Its free!
SermonAudio

Team Meetings

The week before Thanksgiving the Talbots drove from Ontario to Virginia so that we could all meet at the Peterson's home. We had a great time catching up, planning, praying and of course eating.

The Sunday before last we all got to meet the people of the Peterson's home church. The following Sunday we all trekked back to my place to put on a presentation here at Grace Bible. We had a great time sharing our testimonies, presenting the work that we feel God is leading us to and topped it off with a potluck. Of course, Shannon, Dana and I brought some Filipino food and drink for people to sample. :-)

That evening we all traveled up to Penn. to share a bit with the folks of Community Bible Church. Afterwords, the Talbots hit the road for an all-night trip home and the Petersons started on their way to NY for Thanksgiving.

We are so thankful for the time to encourage one another, to pray and to plan. Many thanks to all those who have prayed, given and encouraged us.

Church meetings

After all the busyness of the wedding I've had the great privilege of sharing with the missions class at Baltimore school of the Bible. Then I was invited to speak at a church in Pennsylvania and to finally meet face to face with some friends there.

Following that, I took a trip up to Michigan to see my roommate from Bible school and was able to share at her church. While I was there I was able to hook up with my partners, the Talbots, and to do a tag-team sharing at Chapel time in the Bible school we had attended.

Just this last Sunday, there was an opportunity to speak at Peninsula Baptist Church. Not only did I finally meet some people who I had only met through email but my sister was able to come with me.

Looking back at all these opportunities and new friends, I am really thankful for all the God has done. Many thanks to those who hosted me and allowed me to share what God has been doing.

Steph's Wedding

Last Saturday we had beautiful weather for Stephanie and Jamieson's wedding. Of course the bride was gorgeous and we all had a blast.

Busy Weekends

Grandmom and her three children, their kids and their kids' kids.

The last two weekends have been jam-packed with parties and speaking in churches!

The Saturday before last we had a surprise party for Grandmom's 90th birthday. The next day I had a wonderful opportunity to speak at First Baptist Church of Pimlico.


Then...


The following Saturday we had Steph's bridal shower here at home. Of course she loved all her presents but I think this hat is her favorite.

Steph with her official "Bride to be" hat.

The next day I was given the chance to share at the Arabic Baptist Church in Va. It was a neat time to share, meet new people and to experience Middle Eastern hospitality and food! I may never have to eat again!

First 5k

Jodi and I after running in my first 5k. We did it in 35 minutes....no world record for sure but not too bad considering I only starting training a month ago.

More fun pics

Dad and I at Bug Lake...we left before the bugs came

Jodi enjoying gentle mountain bike trail

Coming back was so much easier! :-)

Dad and Jodi working hard while I do nothing

Mom and I cruising in for the landing :-)

Pics from vacation

Mom and Dad at the beginning of a long hike

We are almost to the top of Black Bear Mountain!

That little tract of water snakes for miles!!

Mom, Dad and I doing some portage the easy way. Last time Dad and I had to carry the canoe for a mile!!

Yup, we got to see a bear. There were cubs with this mom but all I got a picture of was her as she ran away after her cubs. She was closer at the edge of the trees but who wants to get that close to a mama bear?

Home na

Wow! Who would have thought its been so long since I've been able to update here? I flew out of Manila and made a long but nicely uneventful trip back home to Maryland. A couple days after getting home my parents took me up to the Adirondacks of New York for 2 weeks of R&R. I guess it is implied that camping and Internet access are exclusive of one another.

As soon as I download my camera I'll have some great vacation pictures for everyone to see and enjoy!

Many thanks for your prayers as I packed, moved and flew home and all the details that worked out.

All moved in and relaxing

On Monday I attempted the near impossible; to get completely moved out of my place and into the guest house in one day. It was a great success! Everyone showed up and 9 and by noon I was at the guest house relaxing. Pretty amazing. Of course it couldn't have happened without the help of some great friends.

So I've been spending my last few days relaxing, getting final meetings, paperwork and gift buying done. Only 5 days to go before I get on the plane and head for the States for 6 months!

Love

For those who know me, they know that I'm not a real feelings type person. I'm much more comfortable with facts and the less emotion muddling things the better. But through different things happening God has been teaching me more about love. Not the "I get warm fuzzy feelings in my toes for you" but godly love.

From Miles Stanford:

"Think for a moment of someone who observes a loved one sinning against him. Wounded but ever loving , he forgives and says nothing. Meanwhile the loved one, although knowing there is forgiveness, does not confess his sin. Forgiveness is there, love is waiting. But now where is the fellowship and integrity of this relationship?"

I Corinthians 13: 4-8a (of course)
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Is packing so terrible?

I know there are people in this world who love packing but I am not one of them. But before I can complain (or after, as the case may be) I realized...I actually have stuff that needs to be packed! Everyday I see people whose lives are terribly difficult and have no hope of ever seeing a change in their situation. Its so easy for me to grumble about things and difficulties but when I look around I realize how much God has truly blessed me.

I heard this quote so I thought I would share it with you all:

"If God really is the center of one's life and being then joy is inevitable"

Bruce Larson

Everyday sights

Just a few pictures of some everyday scenes here.

Great thoughts

Just a quote from a favorite author of mine...


"The Spirit of Christ is extremely practical in His operations. He uses everyday means in bringing our positional sanctification into our experience. As we reckon upon the fact of self's crucifixion, He conveys the effect of that finished work into our lives through daily circumstances. Due to our weakness and sinfulness, He is able to utilize situations and human relationships to show us what we are in ourselves. We are thereby faced with the choice: self or Christ. If we count ourselves to have died to sin and self, the emancipation of the cross is experienced within. And as we abide in the Lord Jesus, knowing ourselves to be alive to God in Him, He is free to manifest Himself more fully in our condition. This is spiritual growth. The "works" of the flesh are curtailed, the "fruit" of the Spirit is revealed. "For me to live is Christ..." Philippians 1:21" "

--Miles Stanford, The Complete Green Letters

Graduation

Last Friday we had a nice little graduation ceremony for those of us who passed our last evaluation. Good times had by all, and it was really nice to finally be officially done one part of our job here. One language down, one more to go!! Yippee.

But, seriously, many thanks to all the teachers for their perseverance and patience. Many thanks to fellow students for encouragement and especially, Salamat sa Dios na tapos na kami! Akala ko'y na hindi ako makatapos pero ayos na ang lahat. :-)




From the top left to right its, Chuck Talbot, me, Ginny and George Olson, Nate and Megan Ingvoldstadt, and Leilani Apacible. Bottom row, Linda Hall, Lourdes Melo, Beth Dela Cruz, Wendal Moralda, and Emil Riveria.

Quick trip

Last week we we traveled up to Mountain province and were able to visit the Ga'Dang people. It was quite the trip, we figured out that we traveled 960 kilometers in 27 hours over 5 days for literally 2 hours in the tribe. Crazy people that we are we considered it a fair trade. :-)

This is our fun ride in and out of the tribe. As you can see it was a bit bumpy and muddy.



While we were there we were able to look at the house plots given to us and (for me) to look at the house I'll rent from the people. It will take a bit of fixing up before I move in, minor things like installing a bathroom!
It was incredibly exciting to meet the people and see for ourselves the place and potential believers that we pray we will see one day.

Ga'Dang

Chuck and Erik just got back from their second trip into the Ga'Dang. While they were there they were super busy. They looked at possible airstrip locations, house plots, the water system and at the spring that was about 2-3 km up hill. All said and done, they got the official invite from the Ga'Dang people and we have been formally been accepted to come and live there!!

So.... this coming Tuesday we, the whole team, will go in and meet everyone there just so that they can see who we are and give them further assurance that we will be coming back in the new year to live with them. What could be a potential problem is that it is the beginning of the rainy season up there and if it is raining we can't get in. So we are headed up hoping and praying that the rain holds off a bit so that we can at least get in. Since its only been the guys so far it would be really nice if I could get in to meet the people.

Levels, meetings and burns

Well, Chuck has now made it to level, so now the whole team is up to their level except Shannon and she is super close. At our final in May we'll find out for sure, but we are confident that all will be well.

On Sunday we have a team meeting with our Field Committee about what people group we will work with. We are praying that we will be shown where clearly by God and that we will have unity in the decision.

Yesterday, there was an itty bitty 3 year old boy at the clinic. He had gotten burned, from the left side of his neck all down his front to his belly button, and was there for his follow up. The old dressings had to be removed, the burns scraped and new medicine applied. Even though he was given codeine it was quite painful for him and his mother who had to hold him. The drs said the burn looked to be healing pretty well so that is encouraging.

Tickets booked!

I booked my flight today. I fly home on August 5th! Due to funny time zone stuff I leave at 6 in the morning on Tuesday but arrive in Baltimore Tuesday in the afternoon. I'll be home for about 6 months, catching up with family and friends, going to my Grandmother's 90th Birthday party and speaking in some churches. I plan to return to the Philippines about mid-January 2009. See you all soon!

TB

Going to the clinic every week Dana and I see some rather sad cases. Last week a mother brought in her two sons. The younger had an ugly burn on his thigh and the older looked sickly. Well, skinny, lifeless and coughing would be a better description. Since Dana and I are in the process of learning we examine the patients after the Dr does. So the older boy had his belly rubbed, ears examined and chest listened to three times. Did he object? Cry or fidget? Nope. His chart showed that he had lost 2 kilos in 2 months (5 pounds). As you know a growing child should never be losing weight. A chest x-ray was ordered just to confirm the dr's diagnosis. On the way out the mom mentioned that the younger had the same cough, so he got a chest x-ray too. One week later the x-rays were brought back, and it confirmed that they did indeed have TB. The mom then said that their uncle who lives with them and cares for the children has TB. In the one weeks time the older boy had gained 2 kilos and the ribs of his chest weren't as pronounced. Its one thing to see stuff on TV and another to sit in front of this child and listen to his chest.
But praise the Lord he and his brother are on medicine and should make a full recovery. Its not all sad stuff, we will get to know these guys as they come in for follow ups and see how they progress. Maybe one day they will know who Jesus is and what He did for them.

I finally made it!

I had my big language evaluation on Monday. The interview was pretty challenging but I guess thats the point of it...to stretch your language ability to see where it stops. For example, one question was, "When teaching about the Bible what would you teach differently here than you would in the States?" But it was good and now I've reached the required language proficiency level needed to go into a tribe. Salamat sa Dios! Capable Low na ako! In May I'll have a 'stamp of approval' final. That one doesn't really matter since its more of a formality. So that just leaves Chuck and Shannon to reach their level. They have their evaluations in the next week or so.
Anyway, now we can focus on the next step, where will we go? We are praying and meeting together that God would show us clearly which place He would have us go.

Recap

The end of the road and the beginning of the hike.
This is the vehicle that took the guys to the end of the road.
This is on the way to Payao...the way back was the same just upstream and it was raining.
On the way to Payao. That was the path the whole way, either over rocks or through the river (with rocks in it)
This is the view of the airstrip on the approach. Its the itty bitty strip of normal green by the tip of the wing, in the center.

I seem to have gotten the pics loaded backwards. Bottom pic is the beginning and scroll up.
Sorry, I don't seem to be too techno-savvy.

Here is a quick timeline our survey. We flew into Maragat on a Friday, Saturday we hiked to Payao, Sunday through Thursday we got rained in and flew out on Friday. That same Friday I went straight to Manila by bus so that the girl who was taking care of my dog could come up for her niece's funeral. Monday the guys went to Ga'Dang and returned to Manila on Thursday.

Hiking to Payao was quite the adventure, 17 river crossings one way! But we got there and met the people and saw lots of potential. We also saw a possible airstrip area and an area to build houses.

The guys trip to Ga'Dang was a bit more rugged. They were driven to the end of the road and then hiked through pyscho sticky mud for 3 hours. They had to haul all their food and drink with them. Needless to say they came back beat and skinnier.

Survey

Friday we (as a team) are supposed to go into a tribe to see if maybe this is the place we will work. At the moment the weather does not look like it will be conducive to flying. Unlike real airstrips a jungle airstrip does not allow landings in the rain. Something to do with wet grass, cliffs and mudslides. So we are praying that the weather would clear so that we can go in and visit these villages and see what God has for us there.

A light at the end of the tunnel

Yesterday there was a big seminar for the teachers about accurately assessing students' language levels. Erik and Dana got to be the guinea pigs. But, praise the Lord, now they know what level they are and that gives the rest of us huge encouragement. Dana is progressing high-when she only needs to be progressing mid and Erik is right at the level he needs to be; capable low. The fact that Erik and I were at the same level at the last evaluation gives me a lot of encouragement that I am very close to being at level. To finally reach that goal would be phenomenal!

Technologically Challenged

The problem with several email accounts is that you tend to forget which password or email goes with which. But thank goodness I managed to remember, although it did take me a couple of weeks. :-)
All I can say is thank goodness January is done and over with. What a crazy month, after conference we all were trying to pump all the tribal missionaries for info and helps on language and such. One poor victim was in Manila for several weeks cuz he was getting sonic blasting on his kidney stone. So between treatments we would pester him with questions on language learning, levels, tribal ministry, etc. Poor man.
Right now it seems the beginning of lots of stuff. The next 5 months will hold so much. The completion of Tagalog study, deciding on a tribal location, prep for moving in, a 3 month nursing course specifically for tribal settings and getting packed up to go home for a short furlough. Craziness, but so exciting!

New Years, Conference and lots of kids

After celebrating New Year's in the Philippines all other firework shows seem very tame in comparison. I had a great New Years with an up close and personal view of the show. I could sit on my sofa or go up to my roof, so nice!
The day after New Years all of the missionaries here pack up and travel about 2 hours south for a 6 day conference. A bit chaotic, stressful and less than cushy...think summer camp. :-) But on the upside, we all met together met new friends, caught up with old friends and heard what everyone was doing in their respective areas. It was really encouraging to hear people telling of their tribal language learning, or teaching, translation or those who were almost done. Some missionaries shared that they moved into a tribe the same year I was born and now there is a church, pastors, ongoing outreach all led by the tribal believers, and how they are almost done translating the Bible. Wow! In thirty years I pray that that is me.