Shaking things up

With all the attention that the Mayon volcano is getting I've gotten a few concerned emails. Fear not friends, Mayon is very far away. But that is not to say we don't have some fun things up north. Like last night, for instance.

Have you ever had one of those dreams where it seemed so real, then you realize that it is real? For instance, you dream the room is shaking and then you wake up to realize that, yes, the room is shaking. So disorienting!

The fun never stops around here, I guess. :)

shaking things up

AWOL

Dear Friends,

Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement. We are the Body of Christ and cannot function independently. I thank God for each and every one of you.

Lets lift one another up in prayer... daily.

3 year anniversary!

Can you believe that is has been 3 years already!! Granted 6 months of that was spent at home, but I think it still counts. :-)

To celebrate 3 years here in the Philippines, my partners and I are heading into the village for a week long visit. Okay, not really to celebrate but its kinda cool to look back. 3 years ago I was apartment hunting in Manila and couldn't speak a word of Tagalog. Now, I'm trying to build a house and can't speak a word of Ga'Dang! So much the same, yet so different!

I appreciate all your prayers, they are greatly needed!

Dinner Time!!

Here is a little video (no sound) for those of you who like the odd and unusual. If you don't like gross, don't watch.

Tribal house

Somehow the pictures got reversed. Either way, here is the latest progress on my little tribal house. 

If you think like me, the answer is "No" they did not leave gaps in the roof, those are skylights. 

Anyone ever try ordering construction material they aren't familiar with in a different language? I'm learning ALL SORTS of things I never knew before about construction and Tagalog.  

Hmmm, I'm not sure what the point of this picture is (I didn't take it) but I'm sure all the construction people do. 

Hard Hats? Steeltoe work boots? Gloves? Safety harness? Anyone??

Praise God that everyone working has been very safe and pray for continued safety. I think these 2 guys' names are Danny and Fernando, hopefully I'll be forgiven for not being sure.

My Rooftop Penthouse

After a couple of weeks we've finally gotten just about everything hooked up, hung up, stored, arranged and organized! We're now all moved up to our new "base of operations" :) From this little town we can get into the tribal village within just a few short hours. Hopefully, we can begin building more relationships with the Ga'Dang people as our houses are being built.

Life in small-town Philippines is quite different than Manila. Who knew that drilling holes in concrete is a must-have skill? Or that going to a hardware store is an adventure in guessing the "code-word" for objects. Asking for a caulking gun gets you nowhere but asking for a SEALANT gun gets instant recognition. Go figure. 

(Yes, Dad, you did teach me well, I drilled and hung everything myself....although I must say drilling into concrete looked WAY easier than reality)   ;-)

Somehow, the dog thought HE was the focus of everything.

Progress!

Erik and Chuck just got back from yet another trip up to the village. This time they were delivering supplies, checking on the progress and seeing how Peter was holding up. While they were in the village a typhoon went through the area! So the itty bitty stream that is usually calf deep when hiking out, was chest deep. But on the upside they got to see how well my house stood up to the typhoon. :) Granted, typhoons aren't really conducive to house building or helping wood to dry in nice straight planks!

Here's the latest pics

Everyone staying inside, hopefully nice and dry!