Semester Break Celebration

In order to celebrate the semester break for the SSM students, the students and YWAM families traveled to Mainit to enjoy a day at the hot springs. The weather was beautiful, the pools were full (a first for us), and the food was delicious.

In keeping with our adage that life is school and school is life, the girls had an anatomy lesson provided by the young boys that are family of the pool owners.
Adriana and Thomas enjoyed the views provided from the top of the jeepney on the ride home.

It was a great day!

Robuan

Today I received a text message stating that my friend, Robuan, went to be with Jesus yesterday. Robuan holds a special place in my heart because the Lord allowed me to be part of Robuan's salvation and baptism during our time here last year.

He lived with his family in the village of Kakabay, near Naic. I am so glad I was able to visit with him once again when we were in the Manila area taking care of visas.

This was posted outside of his house. He and his family moved into a much smaller place when he donated his house to be the school for the children of Kakabay last year.
Robuan's baptism 09-2007
Visiting in 09-2008

Robuan only spoke Tagalog and I only speak English, so our friend, Jerry, would always interpret for us. I always joked with Robuan that one day, we would be able to share stories without an interpreter. I guess he wanted to get to that place first.

While I am confident that Robuan is in a better place and once again able to use his whole body, please pray for his wife, Teresita, and their family as they deal with the loss of a husband and father.

Grace,

Tom

I am thankful for...

Probably not what you were expecting! Seriously, last week Thomas was able to fix our toilet so it now flushes. Earlier this week when I was able to push a button rather than dump in a bucket of water to flush, I was very thankful. Maybe you don't believe it, but I really did pause and say a prayer. A Western-style flushing toilet is something I used to take for granted, a convenience that I didn't think much about (with the exception of the many years I have spent potty-training my four precious daughters where it is important that you know the location of every available toilet.) While traveling in the Philippines, the common variety is a squattie-pottie. Back home we didn't pack our own toilet paper when we were going to be out and about. I never paid to use the bathroom and there was soap and running water at the sinks. Sometimes the sinks even had sensors so I didn't even have to turn the water on. Not so much here.

Running water...I am excited when I turn on the faucet and water appears. Another thing I never thought about, it was just something I expected to be there every time I wanted it.
A nice hot shower...soon after we moved we were able to install heaters on our shower heads. But even with those, running water, and electricity, you are not assured of a hot or even warm shower. Most nights I spend several minutes trying to adjust the water flow so that it is able to heat. Sometimes nothing I do seems to be quite right so whenever I feel hot water showering down I say a little prayer of thanksgiving.
Electricity...sure there were a few times back home when we would lose power but usually only if we had experienced a severe storm and even then the power was most times quickly restored. Today we had another scheduled brown-out from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This time we were told on Monday to expect it. There have been other times we were totally unaware. After a few such experiences, we learned that if you hear a Filipino language coming from a loud speaker, it is best to ask for a interpretation. We also have a supply of candles at the ready. The good news is our stove top is fueled with gas so we are still able to prepare meals whenever a brown-out occurs.

Before I was thankful for many blessings and took the time to say "Thank you" to my Heavenly Father for them. Now my words of thanks come more often for a much longer list.

Lisa

A Box of Encouragement

Today Annalise walked with Thomas and I to the post office. Usually we find mail for other staff members to deliver, but not today. Imagine our surprise when there was a package with our name on it. The whole family was so excited to open the box, some jumping up and down in anticipation.

A big thank you to Norm, Criselda, Nick and Tanya! It is such an encouragement to know that there are people thinking of us.

Chicken and Dumplings

...because sometimes it's nice to have something other than rice.

Trike Proverbs

Here in Bontoc motorcycle trikes are the main form of public transportation. As you can see, they line the main street and it is easy to catch a ride to anywhere in town. We don't often use them preferring to take advantage of the nice weather and exercise.

Just because they are small, do not underestimate their usefulness. We have fit our entire family in one. We have seen large hogs loaded on them. I have seen boxes strapped from just above the ground in the back and going all the way over the top, ending just above the windshield.

You don't see trikes much in Baguio because of the steep grade of so many of the roads there. Around Manila, many of the trikes are bicycles instead of motorcycles. But here in Bontoc, the 125cc motorcycle reigns.

Most show the wear and tear they have seen over the years, but some are kept in very good condition. One thing that we have noticed however, is that regardless of the condition, most of the trikes share a bit of wisdom. Usually it is a bumper sticker on the back, but it may be painted on the frame or letters sewn onto the vinyl roof. Here is a sampling of some of the wisdom offered by the Trike Operators Association.

Discipleship in Relationship

Friday morning we returned to the Municipal Health Office to provide glucose testing. This time Alexie joined Lisa and me. She is interested in nursing and has always enjoyed caring for people. She helped as a scribe as we tested people's blood sugar. This week we took a blood pressure cuff and stethescope and I took blood pressure readings on a number of people as well. (Alexie is learning how to do this as well.) None of the sugar levels were as high this week, but we had several with very high blood pressure. Just like with the diabetes, some have been prescribed medicine but cannot afford it.

Despite the fact that we had more people this week (about 30), we were disappointed that the people who had high glucose readings last week did not show up. It is our desire to use this ministry to help people physically while building relationships to walk with them spritually as well.

Friday night at our YWAM family potluck and SSM Fun Night, we played a number of games. At different tables there was a game of Jenga, UNO, Skip-Bo, and Toss-Up. At 10-15 minute intervals, the winning and losing person from each table would rotate to different tables and pick-up where another winner/loser left off. The Toss-Up and Jenga tables seemed to be the loudest and most enjoyed.

Today, Lisa had several games in store for Kids Club. We revisited Duster Hockey (see September 6 post) as an ice breaker. Then she had a 10 Commandments word relay. She had even come up with a version Wheel of Fortune (complete with wheel) to review the 10 Commandments.

After Kids Club, we went to the base to visit with the SSM students. We played a game of UNO with several of the students. In case you wonder, when you play the UNO Splash version of the game with so many people it can take a long time for someone to run out of cards. There were also a few hands of Wig-Out!

One of our daughters talked about how playing games is not ministry. We talked with her that every interaction with others is ministry, if we allow it to be. Our experience is that evangelism and discipleship are often most effective within the context of relationship. We are connecting with people because God loves them, just like He loves us. Naturally, as we spend time together, we will share the relationship that is most important to us - our relationship with the Maker of the universe. Whether our friendship starts because we pray with someone as we help them care for their body or laugh with them as we play a game, we become closer to them. As God provides opportunities within those friendships we pray that we will be faithful witnesses of His great salvation.