The Highlight To a Busy Day

Yes, like most of you could agree, we are pretty busy these days. It's hard to believe in two weeks we are flying out! We have lots going on between now and then, including classes, rehersals, a combined school chapel, and the elementary musical!

Today was a busy day. I taught my two Bible classes, helped Nate with his Elementary classes, taught two other classes and then helped with a rehearsal after school. We're on our way to our Cebuano lesson now, and then we will have dinner before a much-needed rest! Whew! I bet your list is just as long. What was the highlight to your day? (Post comment below for fun!)

The great highlight of our day was when our friend, Dan, stopped down from Manila. He was one of the few people who watched our romance unfold at training in Florida, where Nate and I first met. Dan and his wife were there for us too in Texas when I was in school and Nate was visiting me. We all four have had some great laughs and talks over games and food.

This time was just a brief break for us, but what a blessing. We got to hear Dan's updates and catch up with each other. Hopefully sometime we can visit them up in Manila! What a fun break to our busy day. Thanks, Dan! It was worth it!

Surprise Invitation

On Thanksgiving Day we were busy teaching at school. That night we went to the mall and ate out at a restaurant, just the two of us. It was a fine first Thanksgiving as a married couple.

The next day, however, we got a surprise invitation from our principal and his wife to join their family for Thanksgiving dinner! Wow! We could not pass that up. So here we thought we were not having a traditional meal, but instead we had everything you could want!

We enjoyed fellowship with many people, plus we had the following traditional items:
Rolls, cranberry sauce, stuffing (incredible!), and a real turkey. The turkey had been given by some contacts at a local farm. I have actually seen the turkey, so I’m sure not many of you could say you once saw your dinner alive. It was a tough one but, our hostess said, probably more similar to the first turkeys served on the first Thanksgiving.

The fun part was when they said we were having pie for dessert. We do not have pumpkin, so this was more like squash pie. However, someone had just recently come from the U.S. and brought a packet of real dream whip! What a treat. I’m sure like all of you, we were stuffed. It was worth it.

Bonifacio Day

Today we are out of school because we are celebrating a Philippine holiday called Bonifacio Day. It is actually supposed to be on Wednesday, but the president said it would be Monday so we could have a three day weekend. Hey, I'm up for that!

Nate and I had a much needed rest. We just rested and relaxed and played two games of "Settlers of Catan". Nate won both games. He is very good at that game and hopes to face some family members when we get back for Christmas!

Following is what the internet said about Bonifacio Day for those who are interested. I didn't have time to read much about it, but here is a brief quote or two and a photo of a memorial statue.

"NOV. 30 in the church calendar is the feast of Saint Andrew the apostle. If you look at those old-fashioned calendars printed on newsprint with blue and red ink, the ones that even have the phases of the moon above the dates, you will find Spanish names of saints for every day.

On Nov. 30, 1896 the stork brought a baby boy to Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro, they looked at the saint of the day on their calendar and named him Andres. We celebrate Bonifacio Day every year on Nov. 30, a date that is sometimes confused with National Heroes Day."

"This is the day to remember our hero, Andres Bonifacio, who led the Filipinos to fight for their freedom from the Spaniards in the late 1800s."

Earthquake of Magnitude 5.6 Rocks Southern Philippine City

I was sitting in the teachers' lounge Friday before band class and suddenly I felt dizzy. My feet were resting on the bottom of the computer desk and I realized the desk was moving too.

"Joanna! Do you feel that?" I called to someone to see if it was just me feeling dizzy or if my dizziness was due to the fact that the whole earth was moving under me.

"Yeah, I see the flowers moving. We're having an earthquake," Joanna validated my hypothesis.

I am from Nebraska, so when something is happening like that I have not been trained to think "Hmm, maybe it is an earthquake." I've even lived in L.A., California, and even there I never experienced an earthquake.

Last February I had my first one when I also felt dizzy. That taught me that when I feel dizzy one possibility other than sickness is an earthquake.

Sure enough I found this report on the internet about the earthquake. Of course here where we live was not the epicenter. Don't worry, we are all okay. (P.S. The title to this entry is taken from the title to the following article)

MANILA, Nov. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- A magnitude 5.6 earthquake rocked General Santos City in southern Philippines around 1:30 p.m. (0536GMT) local time Friday but no damage was reported, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Ferdinand Taglucop, Phivolcs science analyst in Southern Mindanao, said the tremor's epicenter was traced at 115 kilometers southeast of General Santos City and had a depth of 15 kilometers.
It was tectonic in origin, he said. It was felt at intensity 2 in Davao City, the biggest city in Mindanao.
The Hong Kong Observatory reported earlier that an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit sea waters south of the Philippines at 13:36 p.m. (0536 GMT) on Friday.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the epicenter of the quake was initially determined to be 5.9 north latitude, 126.4 east longitude, about 160 kilometers south-southeast of Davao, Mindanao Island. Enditem

Happy American Thanksgiving!

Here in the Philippines it is just a normal school day. We had blue skies and hot weather; workers were mowing the grass outside. Students took a quiz, and practice went on as usual.

Over in America most people have the day off and will be watching some football on television. It will likely be chilly and cozy with people wearing sweaters and slippers. Most importantly Americans will be gathering with family to feast on turkey and pie!

We want to wish you a Happy American Thanksgiving! The things I will miss the most are: being with my family, games with cousins, singing with the fam "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow...", eating my mom's delicious traditional chocolate pie, and being cozy all day inside.

I am also thankful for many things!

--Salvation in Christ
--a wonderful husband and marriage
--a loving and supportive family
--a great partnership team
--being healed from sickness yesterday!
--getting to talk to Sarah, John and Peter on the phone today
--joy in ministry
--"for health and strength and daily food"
--serving with gifts in music and worship
--the Word in my own language (both OT and NT)
--the ability to read and write

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Amen

"Be Still and Know That I Am God."

Psalm 46.10 "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

If you are wondering where we get the energy to be involved in all of these exciting activities and ministries, it comes from God. He has given us great joy in our marriage and minisrty. We love our students and the people we work with.

It is great also to remember that the Lord is the One who will be exalted in this nation and every nation. It is He who goes forth in power and might. We can rest in His loving arms and be at peace. We can fall back on His shoulder and be renewed by Him.

Nate was home from school today sick, so I taught his classes and mine. Now I myself feel I need a rest, so I am heading home to be with my man. Pray that God will renew our strength and that He will give us health. Pray also that we will remember to take time to simply enjoy being still and knowing that He is God.

Miracle Unfolds Before My Eyes

Yesterday I saw the hand of God reach into the heart of one of my special needs students and draw out a hidden gift I had never expected to witness. I was surprised and blessed to the point of overflowing joy to see this miracle unfold right before my eyes.

One of my Korean 6th grade students is a special needs student. After she failed my test last week I asked my principal what to do. He explained how we have a difficult situation. Not only is she an ESL student (Korean is her first language), she has also been diagnosed as having a low IQ and learning disabilities.

I prayed for my student, named Bible, “Lord, how am I going to reach Bible? How am I going to help her grow?”

Then yesterday I led a worship team practice for middle school students in preparation for a chapel service we will lead in two weeks. We will be using sign language to worship the Lord along with the song “Shout to the Lord.” I met with two students at 3:00 to teach them the signs. They understood for the most part, but after some help they finally got it. I thought they did okay.

At 4:00 two other students and Bible came in to learn the signs after basketball practice. My heart filled with joy as I watched the beauty of worship in Bible’s hands and eyes. She followed along with me and signed the whole song beautifully with ease!

Wow, was I impressed! Not only was she very quick at learning this form of communication, she was also very naturally gifted at it. “Lord! You have given Bible a gift to use for you! A door to her heart is opened and I see her mind and heart coming alive!”

I cannot explain how thankful I am to see this girl come alive through sign language in worship. She came to me later that night at a recital we both attended to ask me to borrow that song so she can practice. See? She is excited to have found something to do that she is good at—and she’s using it for the Lord. I can only praise the Lord, for He is working miracles right before my eyes.

Judges Came Alive In 6th Grade

I explained to my 6th grade class that Judges shows Israel’s failure and God’s faithfulness. I drew the cycle diagram for them telling how they were bad, then bad things happened to them, then they cried to the Lord, and the Lord had compassion on them…and around and around they went.

Sit in on our class to hear how God pricked the students’ hearts:

Christy: “Why did God keep having compassion on them?”

Mrs. Becker: “Good question, Christy! That’s exactly it—they did not deserve it, but it is because of who God is…the same is true for us…”

Lindsey: “You’d think they’d learn!”

Mrs. Becker: “Why do you think they didn’t learn?”

Lindsey: “Because they didn’t tell the next generation” (Exactly what I’d taught during our Deuteronomy study! She’s catching on!)

Mrs. Becker: “Why else do you think Israel didn’t learn from their mistakes?”

David: “Because humans are imperfect but God is perfect”

Mrs. Becker: “Exactly! Okay, class, think of a time when your parents told you something but you disobeyed and were punished. Did you do that thing again?”

(The students all nodded). “Who can share an example?”

David: “One time my dad told me to only spend 20 Pesos but I spent 100 Pesos, so he took my allowance for 5 months…but the next time I did it again.”

Mrs. Becker: “O.K., so you had a consequence but you still did it again…that is what happened to Israel; they kept doing it over again.”

David: “OH, but one time…”, David loves to tell stories, “…I lied to my parents so I wasn’t allowed to have a birthday party so this year I remembered and I didn’t lie, so I get to have a birthday party.”

Mrs. Becker: “Great, David! So, unlike Israel, you learned from the consequences. David, that is very wise. You are learning!”

The Filipino Version of Christmas Trees

I have to laugh when I go to the mall. First of all it is hot outside and there are absolutely no pine trees to be seen. Then I come into the mall and see evergreen Christmas trees for sale. Why do Filipinos want evergreens? You can see how other cultures are being adopted.

However, I also laugh because in the middle of a huge display of red and white moving electric Santas, wreaths and evergreen Christmas trees stands the true tropical tree: The palm tree.

Yes, folks, these here are the photos I just took an hour ago of the lighted orange palm Filipino version of a Christmas tree. Amid the blaring holiday tunes and noisy chatter below stands the glorious gaudy palm in all its glory. Anyone? Going once? Going twice?

Only In China

Our speaker at the teachers' seminar lives in China. Along with telling us some amazing testimonies, he also showed us some pretty crazy pictures. Since I like photography, I thought I would share these wild ironic photos with you! (The comments are my addition)
Ever feel overloaded at work?
Would you want this job?
Cozy place to read!
Ever had "Pigs in a blanket"?
What to do if you forgot your frying pan
Why does he need the cushion on his head? Does that make it more comfortable?

Dancing the Night Away

If you're wondering where our daily posts are, we have been too busy dancing to write. Yes, Nate and I are dancing the night away.

Why? Well, we need to choreograph all the dances for the kids' Christmas musical that is only three weeks away, yes, three weeks!

Thankfully my mom mailed us a choreography video by FedEx (the one with the wedding DVD)...so every night Nate and I watch this lady act out all the dances. Then we put it on pause, write it down, and practice. The next day in class we teach the kids.

We have bamboo poles for "Lion of Judah", big full skirts for the girls on "Jesu Cristo", fans for the little "KIng of Kings" dance, and plastic globes for "It's Christmas all over the world." Oh, you won't want to miss it! So invite all the kids you know and come enjoy! Most of all, pray that God will use this outreach/production to teach all kids about Jesus--the Bread of Life!

Growing Girls In God

I just got back from leading the high school girls’ retreat for spiritual emphasis weekend. I was the worship leader and small group facilitator. The theme was about relationships, both with God and others.

The great part about the whole weekend was spending time with the girls outside the classroom setting. I really enjoyed playing the games with them, making cards with them and teaching them to sing my favorite rounds! I was able to enjoy some one-on-one conversations with girls and to find out more what is inside their hearts.

The part I liked the most was being roommates with my colleague from Ireland. She really encouraged me in the Lord and shared her zeal for God’s Word. She even prayed for me before we went to bed. She was able to share interesting views about how the Irish Christians think and what God is doing in Ireland.

Most of all I was inspired to continue my walk with the Lord, spending time with Him daily in His Word and in prayer. I also want to memorize scripture more (anyone agree?!) Pray that Nate and I will keep Christ in the center and that we will follow Him daily.

(Pictured are some of my girls, and also a dark photo someone else took of the dance that we learned together and performed Sunday morning for the moms!).

P.S. See post below; I posted these at the same time

We're So Proud of Them (I'm So Proud of Him!)

The concert Tuesday night went great! It was the first time the students had played in band or had sung in a middle school choir. We were so proud of them!

David in 6th grade, playing tenor sax, said “my knees were so locked…I was so nervous!”

One student was so excited, she came to school 40 minutes early and then to the program just as early to help set up. What a sweetheart!

I was so proud of Nate as he introduced everyone and acknowledged the accomplishments of the students and their supportive parents. It was fun to serve with him as the sound/tech person and accompanist.

This was definitely our busiest week of the semester so far, but the Lord is faithful. (Nate is recovering from his sickness, so pray he will get well soon!) Now we are gearing up for the big elementary musical in a few weeks. We’ll keep you posted!

(P.S. Here is a photo of Mr. Becker with the band warming up, the students bowing after the performance, and Mr. and Mrs. Becker right after the performance…the photos were slim pickings because I was too busy helping to take good photos).

FedEx Delivers Becker Wedding DVD!

The FedEx package Mom sent arrived!!! Thank you, Mums! Wow, not only did we receive the materials we ordered to help us in our musical production, we also received our WEDDING DVD!!!

Wow, we just watched the highlight video as a foretaste. Tomorrow is our four month anniversary (sounds so short, but has been so sweet!!). We plan to watch the DVD for the first time.

Dad, I jumped out of my seat when I saw you on video and when you walked me down the aisle. When you kissed me and gave me away, I just cried! “There’s my dad!” I saw everyone on the video!! Little Peter was there and my beautiful sister…my handsome brothers and wonderful parents! (I have not seen Clara yet on the highlight video so I hope she is in the ceremony portion). It makes me so happy to think of seeing you all soon! Thank you so much to our families and friends for making it happen (and of course to our Lord!). The best day ever!!! Just a foretaste of heaven when we join at the wedding feast of the LAMB!

My cousin, Kate (see her link to the left) stood for me in our wedding. She has prayed for me my whole life and has come up with a great idea to pray for us and our marriage on the 10th of every month (we were married July 10th). Will you remember to pray for our marriage also? Perhaps you would like to follow cousin Kate in praying on the 10th of every month (or every day for that matter!). Pray that we will remain faithful to God and to each other.

I love you, Nate! You are the best husband ever!

The First Concert Ever

Tonight, in just a few hours, is the first Middle School Music concert ever!

Nate is directing all the middle school students in vocal music, while I accompany on the piano. We will also have the band perform for the first time ever! This is exciting, especially because so many people we know have donated the very instruments they will be playing on. Nate has been working hard on this program and on teaching all the students. It has been wonderful to work alongside him and see his visions come true!

The students have been practicing hard and are very nervous. I hope they don’t run with their instruments or trip on the stage. I hope they do their best and aren’t nevous and….Yikes! I sound like the worried mother of them all! Truly I have come to love all the students, and I will be SO PROUD of them all as if they were my own (it’s amazing to think mothers love their children even more than this!)

We’ll let you know how it goes!

Language of the Heart

I finally had a breakthrough in language-learning! I think it all started when we went to the bukid (mountain) and were speaking with people who knew barley any English. In the city I have been intimidated to practice speaking Cebuano because almost everyone knows English. However, English is not the language of their heart, so Nate and I persevere in learning to speak Cebuano.

My tongue was loosed in the mountain, so that when we got back to Davao I had the courage to practice. I was amazed to realize I could actually speak at last!

In the mall I saw Liezel working at the juice stand. Ever since I arrived I have been hooked on buying their Mango-Banana smoothies, and I have realized that the same Filipino girl is always working at the booth. I have been regularly saying her name and greeting her in Cebuano, but that is about it. Finally, the key to her heart was opened as I started speaking Cebuano. We chatted about our husbands and our jobs and really progressed in our friendship. She had a huge smile on her face as I walked away saying, “Adto Nako!” (I go now).

Finally, I got in a taxi to take my groceries home. I had spoken barely any English in the mall so I kept that up. I directed and answered the driver in Cebuano, so he said:

“Are you from Turkey?” and I answered in Cebuano, no.

“Where are you from, then?” the driver inquired. I thought I would see how surprised he would be that an American was speaking his language, so I did not tell him where I was from.

He asked me about my job and my husband, and of course I answered in Cebuano.

“Wow,” he said, “your speaking is so good! You have no accent!” I am sure I did, but I still took it as a compliment.

Again he asked, “Where are you from?” I said, “Guess.”

“Are you from Turkey?” Why did he keep insisting on that country? “You must be from Belgium then…Germany?”

He was stumped. At last we reached the gate to our home when I paid the driver and gathered my groceries. “Do you want to know where I am from?”

“Yes! Where are you from?!” the driver was done with my guessing game.

“Sa Estados Unidos.” (The United States).

“No, really?! I am so surprised! You speak so well!”

I was happy that my language had opened the door to this driver’s heart as well. I felt proud that I fooled him about my nationality (even though the stigma against mono-lingual Americans doesn’t always go well with me, though partially you can see why they think it). I pray God will continue loosening my tongue so I can reach many more Filipino hearts with His love!

The Simple Life

Being on the mountain and hiking a canyon really soothed my soul. I was able to witness the simple life of the rural people. There is something about walking on foot and passing people who get around by horseback or people carrying fresh beans on their heads. The sound of the breeze and the rain on the trees is so musical in the canyon.

It’s also interesting how kids live in these places. Kids I know their same age are playing video games. These kids are sweeping and chopping wood with machetes. I saw a little girl carrying bananas on her head and she looked so cute! Another little boy was riding a horse alone down the dirt road. The pastor’s sons took us to the waterfall wearing only flip-flops. I’m sure these country things are nothing to them, but I was impressed!

Bridges, Cornfields and Waterfalls

Hiking through the canyon we had to traverse many types of terrain. We walked across muddy paths, down steep cliffs, across rushing rivers and up bamboo ladders.
This photo is of me crossing one of the bamboo bridges made by the locals. We could only cross one at a time and I soon learned why! Have you seen “Romancing the Stone?” It felt like that bridge…very shaky and loose, very adventurous and natural.

Once we actually came upon a corn field! For a minute I thought I was in Nebraska, but then I noticed the banana plants right next to the same field. Plus the rural dwellings kind of stood out as Filipino.

Finally, Nate and I got to take our team to the incredible waterfall near the village! We got a photo and then packed the camera away to keep it dry. The closer we got to the falls the more misty and moist it got. Nate just jumped in with the guys in the cold pool below the falls. I ventured on the rocks in bare feet to go behind the falls. I didn’t get all the way back there because it was too powerful! What a thrill to see the blast of the river gushing over the cliff in perfect natural beauty. Praise the Lord for his creation!

Sampling Sugar Cane

We enjoyed the hospitality of many of the village people. In the U.S. we go out and buy stuff for people coming over. Here in the village the people went outside and picked Lanzones off the trees for us to enjoy. They picked coffee beans right off the tree, ground them, brewed them and served fresh coffee. They also walked us right out to the sugar cane and offered us a try!

The host took his machete out to the yard, chopped down a stalk and hacked the shell off. He whacked it into little pieces while we watched. Nate said, “I think he’s done this a few times before.” If it were us we would have chopped our fingers off!

Nate and I tried a stick of it, but I could not even rip one bite off the tough plant. It was hard and sweet and it was a lot to take at once! We know the people also do different things to the cane to get the sugar out of it, but it sure was fun to try it right from the stalk!