Big Birds

For the past three days, the military has had a couple of helicopters in the skies over Bontoc. Rumor has it there has been some rebel activity in the area on the other side of the mountain. Both graduation ceremonies of the past few days have had times where hearing the commencement speaker is difficult over the thumping of the helicopter rotors.

Today, we saw the helicopters land, exchange soldiers and take off again. We are reminded that there is unrest in this country. Please pray for peaceful resolution and the safety of all involved: whether by choice, profession, or home address.

Batch 2009 - Collegiate Version

Today we joined two of our Student Sponsorship Ministry students in their college graduation. Nora completed her degree in Secondary Education. Donna completed hers in Criminology. This is a significant accomplishment when you consider how many of these students are the first in their family to earn a college degree.

Rather than a lot of text, here are some pictures that summarize our day.

Nora waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Nora and her brother

Nora and her family

Annalise with SSM students, Fe and Donna

Donna with friends and family

Alexie and a friend from her Values Education class

SISTERS: Ruth graduated from high school yesterday, Nora from college today

Lunch with Donna and the other graduates from Talubin.
(They all gathered near the river after graduation before making the trip to the village.)

Celebrating at YWAM Mountain Province with Nora's family and other Student Sponsorship Ministry friends.

Batch 2009

Today we attended the graduation commencement exercises at Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School. Lorna, a friend from the YWAM Student Sponsorship Ministry, had asked us to come. We were glad to be able to share in this event for her and other friends with whom we have spent time at church and in our home.

It was a long ceremony, about 4 hours. But it had some interesting elements that I have not seen before. As the students filed into the outdoor auditorium, they walked with a parent or grandparent to the seating area.

Lorna and her father walk to in the procession to the seating area.

Prior to the diplomas, numerous awards were presented to various students for athletic, academic, artistic, and community achievements. As each award was called out, students were escorted to the stage by a family member. The school faculty member would present the award to the family member who would, in turn, present it to the student. I found this a meaningful way to identify the contributions of family members to the success of their children. I was especially touched when the students were accompanied by a lolo or lola (grandfather or grandmother). (Some of the lolos even wore the traditional g-string of the Igorot tradition.)

Instead of caps and gowns, the ladies wore white blouses with the traditional woven tapis. Lisa and Alexie enjoyed looking at the various hairstyles the girls wore. The young men wore black pants and white shirts. Some of them wore western style shirts, others a Barong Tagalog. (This is the formal shirt worn by men in the Philippines.)

Rhealyn receiving her diploma.

Of course, many things seem to be universal about high school graduation, such as...

Family...

Ruth with her family

Rhealyn and her family

Lorna with her family

Friends...

Rhealyn and Charmaine

Celebration...

Adriana celebrating Rhealyn's success with her brothers

Food...

We joined Lorna's family for lunch afterward.

and more Family and Friends
We pray that God will bless the graduates of "Batch 2009" as they pursue the paths God has for them.

Grace,
Tom

Beyond Words

The school year has just finished here in Bontoc and with it my time with my grade 6 Values Education class. Besides the many lessons I presented throughout the school year, they now have their very own Bible. I am so excited that they will be able to continue to learn as they read this love letter from God. Please pray for my 25 students that God will continue to reveal His great love for them. My desire is that it will not just be words and teachings, but that each student will discover life and hope through following Jesus.

Lisa

More Birthday Fun

Alexie's favorite gift was talking on Skype and hearing her grandparents and cousin, Jordan have plane tickets to come visit us in June!

This year was a quieter celebration spent with a few new friends. Together we enjoyed a movie, popcorn and pizza and...

birthday cake that Alexie made all by herself

Our favorite 12-year-old!

How old is she?

Today is a very special day for our family. Today we celebrate the birth of Alexie Christine. She is such a lovely young lady. She draws people's attention not just because she is a tall blonde living here in the Philippines but also for her heart. The love she has shines whether she is cuddling a young child, playing with friends, or caring for patients at our weekly health clinic. On the other hand, the attention she is getting from the young men makes us want to keep her under lock and key. Maybe she needs a tee saying "I'm just 12!"

Talking Over the Fence

After the internet technician left the house yesterday, there was still a fair amount of work I needed to do to reestablish our network. I am no computer guru and such things have me working at the edge of my knowledge level. So when the girls decided to play outside, I welcomed the opportunity to have it quiet.

After a while, Alayna came up and said that she and Alexie were talking to some young men over the back fence who had questions about salvation. She wanted me to come down and help answer their questions. My initial thought was doubt about the stated intention of the conversation. Alexie looks much older than 11 and her blonde hair and fair skin gather plenty of attention here. So I went downstairs with fatherly protection of my naive princess in mind. I did not really expect there would be much of a spiritual conversation with the young men when "the dad" showed up.

I was wrong! After a few minutes, I invited them in to sit and talk. For the next hour or so, we talked about sin and redemption. He really did have many questions and was eager to understand more about who God is and His great love for us. He had heard many of the names from the Bible stories and many of the words we often use to describe what God has done: saved, salvation, sin, redemption, gospel, etc. But he did not know what the stories or the words mean. Another missionary in town had talked with him and brought many questions to mind. It seems their discussion was an awakening for him. But it created many questions.

He seemed very hungry to learn more, so we gave him a Bible. He had never had nor read one before. We talked about where he could start reading so he could better understand who Jesus is. (It was an Ilocano/English parallel version. His friend who does not speak English and sat quietly nearby the whole time began reading the Bible right away as our discussion continued.) Before he left we prayed that God would reveal Himself to my new friend.

It was one of the most incredible conversations I have ever had! He had so many questions - sincere and honest questions. He was so interested in what salvation meant. He was so eager to read the Bible. I look forward to talking with him again soon. Please pray for David as the Holy Spirit works in his heart. Pray that he will pass along to the other young man, Rodel, the things we discussed.

Grace,
Tom