Yesterday I attempted to call the legal department of Immigration. When a message stated they were not receiving calls, I went to have a face-to-face conversation. Everyone at Immigration greeted me warmly except for the head of the legal department. She clearly communicated she was annoyed to see me again. (While we were talking, I noticed that the office assistant was looking through our application and entering our names in a log book. At least we know it has made it to the right department.) She was not influenced when I told her we were doing mercy ministry next Friday morning. "You missionaries are all here for the same reason." My Filipino companion then had a conversation with her. Not sure what they said but I asked if we could come Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and she agreed. We can have our hearing then IF a lawyer is available. Not exactly an official appointment for a hearing but we are trusting God to make a way so a lawyer will be available and we will successfully finish this game of Calvinball victoriously as we need to catch the bus.
Today, a friend sent an email encouraging us to read Psalm 46. Thomas felt it was good to be reminded to, "Be still, and know that I am God," and that God will be exalted among the nations.
Please pray that our meeting will take place on Tuesday.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
...cabs and jeepneys too! Many months and time waiting, papers and more papers, and pesos and some more pesos but today we were finally able to submit our applications for our missionary visas.
Here are the latest details of this long, character-building game of Calvinball:
After the whole ordeal with getting our documents authenticated, yesterday we were told we needed an original document that only one person could provide and her office was located in Quezon City but she would not be in until today. But by God's grace we were able to contact her by cell phone and she promised to have the needed document ready for pick-up at 10 a.m. this morning. So Thomas, along with a Filipino from the YWAM Balut base, left early this morning and took two different jeepneys and a train to travel about an hour or so to the office and then took two different trains and a jeepney to return to the base. Knowing the government offices close for lunch, we got ready so we would be first in line at 1 p.m. (This was after having Adriana quickly change her clothes since we previously learned no one wearing shorts is admitted into immigration.) Rather than needing to walk the kilometer we usually do to catch a cab, one was ready right outside the base. This was just another blessing as walking in hot, humid Manila in pants is not too fun (but without pants, we might get arrested). We arrived at Immigration and within moments were at the front of the line. We presented our thick file of gathered documents to the official. Ironically, he handed us some back saying they were not needed. Imagine that...much better than what we heard four months ago. But he said we needed a different type of folder to submit our papers. We were thinking, "Great, we have done all this and now we have to leave to try to locate the requested type of folder." Once again, our prayers for favor were answered as he reached into his desk and gave us just what we needed. We did not even need to pay for it. This is quite amazing when it seems the government offices get money for everything possible. We had to fill in a few more places on our application and assemble the inch of papers and get back in line. Just when the gentleman that had previously helped us was about to sign saying we had submitted all that was required someone new came along and he handed our file to her. She pulled out a new checklist and started looking through all our papers. We patiently directed her to our marriage license that had traveled five times between home and the Philippines to be authenticated when asked. But our hearts beat a little faster when she asked, "Where are your missionary credentials?" thinking what we had submitted was not sufficient. We breathed a sigh of relief when she had just overlooked it. There were nine items and all but one was checked off and I was afraid to ask. No need to be concerned just stand in line at a different window and let them scan each of our passports into the computer and then go stand in line at another window and pay the list of fees one being 500p each so we can have that last needed item checked off. (The second official kindly pointed out that with four children we would pay many fees.) We were in the process of counting out the many needed pesos (totalling much more than the 500p listed above) when without a word the lady closed up her window and walked out of her booth. After a bit she returned and requested we supply exact change. We managed to come up with just the right combination of bills. Then we were told to go make copies of the official receipts and return to the second window we had visited. For this we needed to go to a different building and pay a little more pesos. Less than two hours from entering Immigration, we were able to successfully submit ALL of our applications.
We thank all of those who prayed for us. It went well. We are now waiting in Manila to see if we can be granted an expedited interview so that we do not need to make the 13 hour trip from Bontoc to Manila in a month or so. We ask your prayers for this. We did make our request at the legal department of Immigration today but were told that was impossible many times. We know that nothing is impossible for God. We left with the department's phone number in hand and a weakening of their claims of "impossible" with "call next week."
Here are the latest details of this long, character-building game of Calvinball:
After the whole ordeal with getting our documents authenticated, yesterday we were told we needed an original document that only one person could provide and her office was located in Quezon City but she would not be in until today. But by God's grace we were able to contact her by cell phone and she promised to have the needed document ready for pick-up at 10 a.m. this morning. So Thomas, along with a Filipino from the YWAM Balut base, left early this morning and took two different jeepneys and a train to travel about an hour or so to the office and then took two different trains and a jeepney to return to the base. Knowing the government offices close for lunch, we got ready so we would be first in line at 1 p.m. (This was after having Adriana quickly change her clothes since we previously learned no one wearing shorts is admitted into immigration.) Rather than needing to walk the kilometer we usually do to catch a cab, one was ready right outside the base. This was just another blessing as walking in hot, humid Manila in pants is not too fun (but without pants, we might get arrested). We arrived at Immigration and within moments were at the front of the line. We presented our thick file of gathered documents to the official. Ironically, he handed us some back saying they were not needed. Imagine that...much better than what we heard four months ago. But he said we needed a different type of folder to submit our papers. We were thinking, "Great, we have done all this and now we have to leave to try to locate the requested type of folder." Once again, our prayers for favor were answered as he reached into his desk and gave us just what we needed. We did not even need to pay for it. This is quite amazing when it seems the government offices get money for everything possible. We had to fill in a few more places on our application and assemble the inch of papers and get back in line. Just when the gentleman that had previously helped us was about to sign saying we had submitted all that was required someone new came along and he handed our file to her. She pulled out a new checklist and started looking through all our papers. We patiently directed her to our marriage license that had traveled five times between home and the Philippines to be authenticated when asked. But our hearts beat a little faster when she asked, "Where are your missionary credentials?" thinking what we had submitted was not sufficient. We breathed a sigh of relief when she had just overlooked it. There were nine items and all but one was checked off and I was afraid to ask. No need to be concerned just stand in line at a different window and let them scan each of our passports into the computer and then go stand in line at another window and pay the list of fees one being 500p each so we can have that last needed item checked off. (The second official kindly pointed out that with four children we would pay many fees.) We were in the process of counting out the many needed pesos (totalling much more than the 500p listed above) when without a word the lady closed up her window and walked out of her booth. After a bit she returned and requested we supply exact change. We managed to come up with just the right combination of bills. Then we were told to go make copies of the official receipts and return to the second window we had visited. For this we needed to go to a different building and pay a little more pesos. Less than two hours from entering Immigration, we were able to successfully submit ALL of our applications.
We thank all of those who prayed for us. It went well. We are now waiting in Manila to see if we can be granted an expedited interview so that we do not need to make the 13 hour trip from Bontoc to Manila in a month or so. We ask your prayers for this. We did make our request at the legal department of Immigration today but were told that was impossible many times. We know that nothing is impossible for God. We left with the department's phone number in hand and a weakening of their claims of "impossible" with "call next week."
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Quick Update - More to Follow
We spent the weekend visiting our friends at Valley Cathedral Children's Home. It was fantastic seeing the people who we first met a year ago when we first came to the Philippines.
This is just a quick update to let you know what we did this weekend. There will be more details and pictures to follow.
Tomorrow morning we will begin the next round of Visa Calvinball. Please keep us in your prayers so that we will be able to submit our applications and perhaps even have our interview before we return to Bontoc.
Now to get everyone to bed. We just got back after the 2.5 hour trip from Valley Cathedral.
Grace,
Tom
This is just a quick update to let you know what we did this weekend. There will be more details and pictures to follow.
Tomorrow morning we will begin the next round of Visa Calvinball. Please keep us in your prayers so that we will be able to submit our applications and perhaps even have our interview before we return to Bontoc.
Now to get everyone to bed. We just got back after the 2.5 hour trip from Valley Cathedral.
Grace,
Tom
Friday, September 19, 2008
Calvinball Sideshow
Not everything related to Calvinball happens on the field of play. As we already talked about, the documents which held up our first attempt at applying for our long-term vise were mailed back to the USA by FedEx with no notification. Lisa's mom sent them to Baguio again. We were not sure which day they would arrive but we were hoping on Wednesday - nope. Thursday - nope.
Friday - well, that depends upon how insistent you are. We were able to pick up the documents this morning - but not without a little hassle. We had to do a little searching to find out where the FedEx office was. We had expected them to be at the mall, but instead they were shipped to another location. So after finding out where it was, we took a cab to the office. When we got there, the man said that the package had not yet arrived. Before leaving, I had looked at the tracking number and saw that it was awaiting pickup. We had a few frustrating minutes of him telling me that it had not yet arrived and me asking him to explain why the tracking clearly showed that it was. I was just asking him to go to their own website and explain my misunderstanding when the lady in the office found it. When I returned to the cab, Lisa said she could tell by my body language that I was being somewhat direct.
We then ran a few more errands before catching the bus to Manila at 1 pm. We arrived at the base about an hour ago, safe and sound.
Tomorrow we will travel to Valley Cathedral Children's Home (where we spent the first weeks of September last year) and visit with our friends there. We will return Sunday afternoon so we can be ready to complete our applications (depending on the way the Calvinball bounces) here in Manila on Monday.
For now, all the girls are resting upstairs in our rooms here at YWAM Balut.
Grace,
Tom
p.s. I had forgotten how hot and humid Manila is - and it is hours after sunset.
Friday - well, that depends upon how insistent you are. We were able to pick up the documents this morning - but not without a little hassle. We had to do a little searching to find out where the FedEx office was. We had expected them to be at the mall, but instead they were shipped to another location. So after finding out where it was, we took a cab to the office. When we got there, the man said that the package had not yet arrived. Before leaving, I had looked at the tracking number and saw that it was awaiting pickup. We had a few frustrating minutes of him telling me that it had not yet arrived and me asking him to explain why the tracking clearly showed that it was. I was just asking him to go to their own website and explain my misunderstanding when the lady in the office found it. When I returned to the cab, Lisa said she could tell by my body language that I was being somewhat direct.
We then ran a few more errands before catching the bus to Manila at 1 pm. We arrived at the base about an hour ago, safe and sound.
Tomorrow we will travel to Valley Cathedral Children's Home (where we spent the first weeks of September last year) and visit with our friends there. We will return Sunday afternoon so we can be ready to complete our applications (depending on the way the Calvinball bounces) here in Manila on Monday.
For now, all the girls are resting upstairs in our rooms here at YWAM Balut.
Grace,
Tom
p.s. I had forgotten how hot and humid Manila is - and it is hours after sunset.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Visa Adventure or Calvinball, Next Round
The Visa adventure continues. We sent my mom the documents that needed authenticated by the Philippine consulant in the U.S. She traveled to Chicago and in a matter of hours had the necessary paperwork with the fancy seals in hand. The only problem was that it took several people looking at Annalise's birth certificate before approval was given. My mom shipped the documents back to Baguio and they arrived safely. My parents went on vacation and when they came home there were the documents back. FedEx had returned them. Evidently they will only hold them so long but failed to let either of us know this important detail. So earlier this week she reshipped them.
Yesterday, we boarded the bus to travel to Baguio. Alexie stood up with Thomas for part of our journey to allow two ladies to have seats on the bus. Five and a half hours later the bus broke down. We travel as light as possible with only MP3 players to entertain and a few snacks. Since most of them had used up their battery life by this point in the journey, fun times were had! We sat there for 1 1/2 hours before transferring to another bus to continue to our destination. One of our girls was quite stressed when the replacement bus was headed the wrong direction and the destination sign said, "Bontoc". But it turned around and made good time in the right direction. So after 8 hours we finally made it to Baguio.
We were tired and hungry so we trudged in the rain dragging our luggage to McDonald's counting on some good ol' French fries to brighten the mood. One thing that it doesn't take long to learn is just because the Filipino speaks English doesn't mean we will have clear communication. Not wanting to add further distress to my girls, I remembered to request their cheeseburgers with only ketchup. When they arrived they had every topping except ketchup! I expected loud protests by the girls, but they ate them without one word of complaint. Our girls really bless us over and over again with how well they handle the realities of our life here. One day we are served rice and chicken feet and heads and two days later hamburgers with mustard, pickles and onions (with the unfortunate absence of ketchup).
Today our plans are to renew our tourist visas and, if our documents arrive, get on another bus to Manila. There the goal is to submit all the necessary paperwork for our missionary visas.
In the continuing game of Visa Calvinball, it appears we are losing, but the game is not over!
Yesterday, we boarded the bus to travel to Baguio. Alexie stood up with Thomas for part of our journey to allow two ladies to have seats on the bus. Five and a half hours later the bus broke down. We travel as light as possible with only MP3 players to entertain and a few snacks. Since most of them had used up their battery life by this point in the journey, fun times were had! We sat there for 1 1/2 hours before transferring to another bus to continue to our destination. One of our girls was quite stressed when the replacement bus was headed the wrong direction and the destination sign said, "Bontoc". But it turned around and made good time in the right direction. So after 8 hours we finally made it to Baguio.
We were tired and hungry so we trudged in the rain dragging our luggage to McDonald's counting on some good ol' French fries to brighten the mood. One thing that it doesn't take long to learn is just because the Filipino speaks English doesn't mean we will have clear communication. Not wanting to add further distress to my girls, I remembered to request their cheeseburgers with only ketchup. When they arrived they had every topping except ketchup! I expected loud protests by the girls, but they ate them without one word of complaint. Our girls really bless us over and over again with how well they handle the realities of our life here. One day we are served rice and chicken feet and heads and two days later hamburgers with mustard, pickles and onions (with the unfortunate absence of ketchup).
Today our plans are to renew our tourist visas and, if our documents arrive, get on another bus to Manila. There the goal is to submit all the necessary paperwork for our missionary visas.
In the continuing game of Visa Calvinball, it appears we are losing, but the game is not over!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Language and Culture
Culture
Today after watching street dancing, we learned more about the rituals and traditions through the many cultural presentations. (We did not get to see all of them however as Alexie once again suddenly became ill and I needed to quickly get a trike and get her home. I am not a doctor but my guess is the heat and long periods of time without food caused her to suddenly get pale and sink to the ground. But she is fine now.) In the many presentations we did see, we witnessed the offering of many sacrificial chickens. The people here have rituals surrounding the rice planting and harvest, a new home, matrimony, and sickness. During the one demonstration regarding sickness, they called out to the spirits and the spirits of dead ancestors to release the spirit of the sick person.
Although we were not standing near each other, as we talked later, we found that Thomas and I spent this time praying for the people to come to know God. He is the one who brings true blessing, hope, and healing.
While the dancing and presentations were going on, we distributed the water bottles we had prepared. God's love and salvation is free and does not require the sacrifice of chickens, goats, pigs, or water buffalo. Yet as we tried to give out the water bottles, many were hesitant to accept them. A few even refused. The idea of a free gift is new to them.
Language
This afternoon we were so blessed to spend a few hours with Dr. Lawrence Reid (Laurie from yesterday). This was definitely an appointment from God. He has lived in the Philippines for many years studying the languages, although he does not currently live here. He lectures all over the world on Philippine languages and was only here for a few days. Yet he offered to spend his time teaching us. The few hours spent with this author of a dictionary of the Bontoc language were so helpful. We still have much studying to do but now we have a basic understanding of some of the grammar and syntax of the language which gives us encouragement in our quest to learn to communicate in the heart language of the people we now live among. God added an extra bonus. We read a story of a missionary, Joanne Shetler, The Word Came With Power, years ago in our homeschooling. She lived in a village near here in the 60's, learning their language and translating the Bible. Many of us have reread the story since having some time in the Philippines. Today we were all surprised that the man in our living room was who took this woman to the village and introduced her to the people, assisting her in many ways! We enjoyed hearing a few stories along with our language lessons.
Today after watching street dancing, we learned more about the rituals and traditions through the many cultural presentations. (We did not get to see all of them however as Alexie once again suddenly became ill and I needed to quickly get a trike and get her home. I am not a doctor but my guess is the heat and long periods of time without food caused her to suddenly get pale and sink to the ground. But she is fine now.) In the many presentations we did see, we witnessed the offering of many sacrificial chickens. The people here have rituals surrounding the rice planting and harvest, a new home, matrimony, and sickness. During the one demonstration regarding sickness, they called out to the spirits and the spirits of dead ancestors to release the spirit of the sick person.
Although we were not standing near each other, as we talked later, we found that Thomas and I spent this time praying for the people to come to know God. He is the one who brings true blessing, hope, and healing.
While the dancing and presentations were going on, we distributed the water bottles we had prepared. God's love and salvation is free and does not require the sacrifice of chickens, goats, pigs, or water buffalo. Yet as we tried to give out the water bottles, many were hesitant to accept them. A few even refused. The idea of a free gift is new to them.
Language
This afternoon we were so blessed to spend a few hours with Dr. Lawrence Reid (Laurie from yesterday). This was definitely an appointment from God. He has lived in the Philippines for many years studying the languages, although he does not currently live here. He lectures all over the world on Philippine languages and was only here for a few days. Yet he offered to spend his time teaching us. The few hours spent with this author of a dictionary of the Bontoc language were so helpful. We still have much studying to do but now we have a basic understanding of some of the grammar and syntax of the language which gives us encouragement in our quest to learn to communicate in the heart language of the people we now live among. God added an extra bonus. We read a story of a missionary, Joanne Shetler, The Word Came With Power, years ago in our homeschooling. She lived in a village near here in the 60's, learning their language and translating the Bible. Many of us have reread the story since having some time in the Philippines. Today we were all surprised that the man in our living room was who took this woman to the village and introduced her to the people, assisting her in many ways! We enjoyed hearing a few stories along with our language lessons.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Lunch in the Captains Quarters
The Am-Among Festival continues here in Bontoc. Today there was more dancing at the municipal plaza performed by area schools. It was an interesting presentation.
At the conclusion of the program, a westerner came up to me and introduced himself, Laurie. (Lawrence, when he was in trouble with his mom or when called by a telemarketer.) He had spent a number of years in the area beginning in 1959. He is a linguist who has published several dictionaries for the Philippine dialects. Originally from New Zealand, he spent some time in Hawaii (where his daughter was connected with YWAM), and now lives in Japan.
While talking with him, we were introduced to Julia. Julia (pronounced Hulia) invited us to join them for lunch at the Bontoc barangay offices. (The term barangay is similar to town or village.) There we were introduced to the Barangay Captain, Saturnino Fana-Ang, Jr. He is part way through his first 3-year term as Barangay Captain.
Over lunch we talked about some of his responsibilities. He hears cases and settles disputes between residents. One of his goals is to resolve the issues that arise before they escalate to litigation and need to be resolved in the courts. (This is even scriptural - something the western church could learn from.) We also talked about a few of the political issues facing the barangay. It was interesting to learn more about this aspect of life here.
Moreover, we enjoyed making new friends. It is amazing how hospitable the people are in this country. There we were, on the street, and were invited to join someone for lunch whom we had not met until about 90 seconds earlier. I look forward to getting to know Laurie, Julia, Rose, Tomasa, and the others we met as we spend more time here. (Tomorrow, Laurie will be giving us some tips that will help us with language learning.)
Before leaving the barangay offices I was able to pray that God would bless Captain Fana-Ang with wisdom as he serves the people of Bontoc.
Afterwards, Julia took us to her home and introduced us to her family and neighbors before we were on our way home. Again, the hospitality of the people here is incredible.
We are glad to be building relationships in our new home.
Grace,
Tom
At the conclusion of the program, a westerner came up to me and introduced himself, Laurie. (Lawrence, when he was in trouble with his mom or when called by a telemarketer.) He had spent a number of years in the area beginning in 1959. He is a linguist who has published several dictionaries for the Philippine dialects. Originally from New Zealand, he spent some time in Hawaii (where his daughter was connected with YWAM), and now lives in Japan.
While talking with him, we were introduced to Julia. Julia (pronounced Hulia) invited us to join them for lunch at the Bontoc barangay offices. (The term barangay is similar to town or village.) There we were introduced to the Barangay Captain, Saturnino Fana-Ang, Jr. He is part way through his first 3-year term as Barangay Captain.
Over lunch we talked about some of his responsibilities. He hears cases and settles disputes between residents. One of his goals is to resolve the issues that arise before they escalate to litigation and need to be resolved in the courts. (This is even scriptural - something the western church could learn from.) We also talked about a few of the political issues facing the barangay. It was interesting to learn more about this aspect of life here.Moreover, we enjoyed making new friends. It is amazing how hospitable the people are in this country. There we were, on the street, and were invited to join someone for lunch whom we had not met until about 90 seconds earlier. I look forward to getting to know Laurie, Julia, Rose, Tomasa, and the others we met as we spend more time here. (Tomorrow, Laurie will be giving us some tips that will help us with language learning.)
Before leaving the barangay offices I was able to pray that God would bless Captain Fana-Ang with wisdom as he serves the people of Bontoc.
Afterwards, Julia took us to her home and introduced us to her family and neighbors before we were on our way home. Again, the hospitality of the people here is incredible.
We are glad to be building relationships in our new home.
Grace,
Tom
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