Friends at the RHU

Friday we resumed the YWAM Mountain Province Health Clinic at the Bontoc Regional Health Unit.  Even though it was only a few days since arrangements were made, many of our regular patients were eagerly waiting for us when we entered the room.

It was good to talk again with the patients who have become our friends.

Journey Home

We were off to a great start. When we moved to the Philippines back in 2008, we were still frantically packing until the very last moment. This time, we had all of our bags packed and were ready except for shutting down the utilities. The van showed up early and we were packed and on the road before he was even scheduled to arrive. The blue sky was perfectly clear and the temperature was pleasant as we drove through Bontoc to begin the journey to Baguio and, ultimately, our family and friends in the USA.

But within 2 kilometers of Bontoc we ran into a problem, a problem that did not exist 45 minutes earlier when the van passed that way going to our apartment. A landslide blocked the road, holding up traffic going both ways for nearly 5 hours. We could almost see our apartment looking across the river from where we waited with so many others. Due to the mountainous terrain, there are few roads so when a landslide occurs detours are rarely available. So we waited and watched the loader move bucket after bucket of rocks. We did need to move when they cleared the area so they could use dynamite to blast some of the rocks which were too large for the loader.

The hero of the day

Waiting for the slide to be cleared

While we waited we thought we would get a picture of the 4A's in front of some of the terraced rice fields that are iconic for this part of the world. Whenever you visit us in Bontoc, you will see these fields on your right and then you will know you are driving through the place where many landslides have taken place.

Back: Alayna, Alexie, Adriana  Front:  Annalise

We arrived at YWAM Baguio without any more problems, just in time for dinner. The next morning, we hit the road early. Along Kennon Road just outside of Baguio on our way to Manila, we stopped to snap a few photos at Lion's Head.

At 2 a.m. Wednesday, we awoke to go to the airport in Manila.

Entering the Manila airport for the beginning of a long journey

At the Manila airport we were caught off-guard by an unexpected fee by Immigration. We did not have enough cash on us, but I was able to get to an ATM and resolve the issue without making us miss our flight. Stressed and a bit irritated, but still on time.

Chillin' in Japan

Even though our flight from Japan to Detroit was delayed by an hour causing the next leg of the journey to need to be rescheduled by an hour, everything went smoothly and many were there to greet us when we arrived.

Yay! We're Home!

Alayna with a little, "That's right, we're here!"

April 11 will stand as one of the longest days in history; due to the many time zones we crossed, from midnight in the Philippines to midnight in Michigan, April 11 was a 36 hour day.

We are glad to be home and look forward to enjoying time with family and friends as well as the bountiful blessings of our homeland.

Kevin and Charity

Our friends, Kevin and Charity got married April 3. Lisa and I were asked to be sponsors and Alexie was asked to be a bridesmaid. The role of sponsor may not be familiar to most of those reading this blog.  It is an honorary position which serves as a mentor to the couple through the journey of life. 

Alexie was beautiful in her lovely dress

Several children were involved in the wedding as ring bearers, Bible bearers, coin bearers, and of course, flower girls. I have several pictures of them all dressed up, but I thought this one of Thea was especially cute as she converted the basket into a bonnet.

Alexie with Kevin and Charity

Instead of throwing the bouquet, it was given to the lucky young lady through a hot-potato/musical chairs type of elimination.  When it was all over, Alayna was the young lady with the bouquet. Perhaps because the tradition is different, the implications of catching the bouquet are as well, so we don't need to start making wedding plans any time soon - she is only 12 after all.

Alayna and Charity with the bride's bouquet.

Last Health Clinic for a While

March 30 was our last YWAM Mountain Province Health clinic before we return to the USA for a time. We look forward to resuming the clinic upon our return to the Philippines later this year. Many of the patients come regularly and have become our friends.

In fact, they honored us with gifts as we celebrated the good that has come from the ministry of the Health Clinic. We received a bag and backpacks made of the hand-woven fabrics this area is known for.  They also blessed us with a song and words of appreciation.

Receiving gifts from some of our patients

During this celebration we had a drawing for prizes. The grand prize drawing included an Ilocano Bible, a bottle of water, powdered milk, and all of the ingredients for a healthy meal of Taco Soup, complete with mangoes for dessert. This prize and the meal it represented were chosen to emphasize the healthy choices we have been teaching:  trust in God, low salt, low fat, low sugar, and more vegetables.  

Since we began offering free blood pressure and blood sugar testing, we have served 1,040 patients with a total attendance of 3,601.


Grace,
Tom

Rememberances

Recently I have been meeting with friends we made through our weekly Health Clinic.  Manong (big brother) Dunstan and Manang (big sister) Esther have been regular patients for about 3 years now. They have been helping me understand the language and culture here. Esther is a patient teacher and Dunstan has a lifetime of stories to share. We have a lot of fun together. When I record Esther's pronunciation of an Ilocano word or phrase, the recording usually ends with her giggling.

This week, I was surprised by gifts of Dunstan's handiwork. He does rattan weaving on bottles, knives, machetes, canes, and whatever else he can get his hands on. It is very interesting to watch him as we share stories and I learn Ilocano. As I was talking with Esther, he started bringing out bottles covered with his work. A couple of them even have woven geckos forming a handle.  On top of all of that, he presented me with a handmade knife and sheath. I was torn between encouraging him to sell his work at a local souvenir shop and being overwhelmed at his gifts. They would have nothing to do with any option but my taking them as "rememberances".

Manong Dunstan and Manang Esther, I would never forget you, gifts or no gifts!

Grace,

Thomas

Last MRP - Well, Almost

Monday was the last day I was scheduled to meet with the local police before we return to the US for a visit. I took the opportunity to pour my heart out for them. One of the scheduled topics for the Moral Recovery Program is Love of God - how convenient! I assure you it is no coincidence that the topic for the day matched the most important message on my heart for the officers of the Bontoc Philippine National Police.

Having coffee with some of the officers of the Philippine National Police and Pastor Steve 

The next scheduled MRP session is April 2, which is the same time as the Lang-ay Festival (think State Fair, Igorot style). Usually during such events, the MRP session is rescheduled because the police are very busy. In spite of that, the officers which serve as liasons assured me they would have time for our gathering and asked me to come again before I leave.

This will give me the opportunity to re-introduce Pastor Steve to the police force. He and I partnered in the MRP before, but for the past couple of years he has been focusing his efforts in Saclit. In my absence, he will resume meeting with the Bontoc PNP for the Moral Recovery Program.

Grace,
Tom

Method: Media - Message: Unchanged

I was blessed with an opportunity to minister to a couple of villages when our friend, Greg, offered to pass through Bontoc on his way north. He and a friend have a film showing ministry with churches north of us. He graciously offered to take a few days in Bontoc to show gospel films in our area before continuing on his way.

We started by showing a film about commitment to Christ to our Student Sponsorship Ministry students the evening Greg and Arnold arrived.

The freshly planted Maligcong rice terraces

Our first trip was to Maligcong. A wedding was taking place the same weekend, so we were not sure how many people would leave the wedding festivities and hike through the fields to watch a movie. We were thankful when the church was full during the showing and Pastor Frederick was able to share with the people afterwards.

Pastor Frederick, Arnold, Greg, Jordan, Jay-ar, and Pastora Cynthia in Maligcong

The next morning, we left Maligcong and headed straight to Saclit, our next destination.

We arrived in Saclit in mid-morning and had to wait for evening to show the film. In the meantime, I showed Jay-ar and Jordan how to make a rocket stove. They are both connected with our YWAM Student Sponsorship Ministry and wanted to join us in ministering in the villages for the weekend. At dinner, they were eager to use the rocket stoves to cook our meal - and did a great job.

Jay-ar and Jordan cooking dinner on the rocket stoves

Just before dark we set up the projection equipment in an open area in the middle of the village. We showed the Jesus film which tells the story of Jesus based on the book of Luke. There were people sitting on benches, stones, stairs, walls, and hanging out of windows as the movie played. Because there was no moon it was too dark to attempt counting how many people were there, but when flashlights and torches shone in different places you could see people gathered in every direction from which you could view the screen.

After the movie Pastor Steve talked with the people

I was excited about the opportunities these days provided.  First, it was great to share using media to help people in both villages understand the gospel. It also provided an opportunity to include Jay-ar and Jordan in ministry.

Grace,
Thomas