Project #3--God Provides House for Sister #12

Since the Adopt-A-Sister program in November, we have been waiting for the money to arrive from the sisters in Canada who adopted Ate Jean. Her prayer was for a house, since she had no house. Finally the money arrived and the work began the week before Easter!

I've never seen her so happy! Here she is on her new land (which I witnessed the transaction for to make sure no one would take her title!). The support is being laid with stones and beams.

Ate Jean practically camped out there watching all the progress to the building. Elijah and I biked there every day to share the joy and also photograph the project so the sisters and their husbands in Canada can see! (You too!). This was also a blessing for the carpenters pictured, since they are also Christians and live in the neighborhood--they were able to earn extra money to provide for their families.

The next day the frame was up and Ate Jean was still there watching with excitement. They have five people plus one relative in their family, and currently they all sleep in one room on a mattress!! That will not do (says the American). Wow, this will be a huge blessing with multiple rooms and two floors.

The other sisters came by to join the fun. Here we are praising GOd with Ate Jean, and here are all the kids who wanted to help build too. The sisters said "Completo na sa panalangin" (The blessings from God are now complete). It was great to have sister #12 finally receiving her answer to prayer.

Doesn't this look so Filipino? I love it. The sun is coming in, the banana leaves are shading, and the panday (builder) is measuring by hand and working hard in the sun.

The roof is up and some walls are up. There are stone blocks for the foundation. Make sure it is high enough so the rain does not flow through.

Elijah is always ready to see what is new. He looks up at the house as if to say, "Wow, good job guys, the work is coming along!"

This is the progress as of today! The cement floor is in, the stairs are up, the kitchen sink is in (no water yet), the amacan walls are up.....

The parents have their own private bedroom here on the first floor with walls and a C.R. just near (so they don't have to go outside).

Here is the C.R. (Comfort room)...right inside the house! The pipes are yet to be laid for the septic tank and they still need water installed.

Upstairs there is a lovely terrace with a beautiful view and nice breeze. I love balconys. This is now one of the nicest homes in the neighborhood. What a testimony to God's gracious provision.

Here we are in one of the three smaller rooms upstairs. NOw there is one for the two girls, one for the older boy and one for the relative. (I can hardly imagine before all of them sleeping on one mattress!)

Here we are outside the house, and Ate Jean is lovingly touching my pregnant belly. Here you can finally see the baby popping out a bit. (20 weeks now)

Ta-da!! Compare this to the picture on the top! Wow, what progress! Praise the Lord for the Canadian sisters and their husbands who shared their blessings with Ate Jean so she and her family can have a home of their own!

Project #2--The "Widow's" New House

Remember in October when Lin-Lin's husband died, leaving her with five kids (the same week her father died)? Well, God provided for her to get lots of house repairs, making her home more safe and livable for them. Before, there was just a hole in the wall; now there is a new window with slats so people cannot look in or climb in.

Before there was nothing in this corner; now there is a new sink with water! Before they had to get water outside in a bucket; now they have it piped to a faucet in this sink. Before they had few dishes; now they have some dishes and a table.

(Though I wish you could see it, I was not able to take before pictures because of the delicate situation and my relationship hadn't developed yet).

Before, the floor was sand from the beach and the house was ground level, making potential floods. Now there is enough cement for it to be raised and it is smooth and clean. (Now when we visit, Elijah does not have to eat the sand from the floor).

Before, there was a sheet for a curtain separating that corner for a room. Now there are walls for a closed-in room (no bed yet, but maybe someday, and no lights or fan yet, but praying God will soon provide).

Here we are in the doorway! Before there was no door (unsafe, scary...), now there is a door. Note also the steps going up now so that there are no floods or mud.

Also, there was cement available to smooth the interior walls, wood for a ceiling and support for the roof. Before there was a whimpy pole in the middle consisiting of two broken pieces of wood hammered together. Now it seems like a whole new house! Praise God! Thank God for the people in the U.S. who sent money to pay for this. Bless them!

There's always more to gain visions for, like this "shower". This is up a hill nearby the house where they hose down behind a curtain outdoors. They have to shower with their clothes on because people can stand on the hill and look in to see. Soon there will be a C.R. (comfort room), Aka, an outhouse, but right now, where do they use the C.R.? Their house is too low to make a proper hole in the ground so they have to build one up the hill.

Outside the front door they share this cooking area. They make a fire with charcoal and cook the rice in the pot.

This is my only "before" picture, taken in October just after the tragedy of the father/husband's death.

Since then Lin-Lin has received Christ into her life, has trusted God for his comfort, protection and provision, and now has a new house to live in. Praise the Lord! Also I like to see them smiling now! Praise the Lord for all the Christians who prayed for her and her kids and who sent money to help her in need.

Fun People in Elijah's Little Life

Here is Amor, one of Elijah's favorite (and only) baby-sitters. She is so good with him. Ah the love!

Here is Elijah's first babysitter ever, and the lady who got him to eat his first food when I was not there to nurse him. He can recognize her and spot her in any crowd giving a big smile!

Here are some of our international students on none other than international day! Two Koreans and one Japanese student--note Elijah is wearing his "I love the USA" outfit with red-white-and blue. What a contrast to the lovely dresses!

Here is one of the new students, Joel. He is SO good with Elijah. When his family came for dinner, Joel played with Elijah for an hour making him laugh and building towers of blocks for him to knock down. Look at this precious hand-in-hand shot!

And here is the big boy on Easter day. Sunday nights we love to go to the field and watch papa play ultimate frisbee. Elijah just wanders around and looks for bottle-caps, straws and rocks to chew on.

Project #1--Library

The vision I had since before we went to the U.S. a year ago was to build a library for the poor people near to our neighborhood. They have no access to any library and cannot afford books. Yet as a reader, learner and teacher I know the value of reading books and learning (and having something productive to do).

We started with nothing, but in the U.S. we collected many books from donors and shipped them in boxes. We organized them and created a card system--simple and usable. Then I was waiting for the money to build the shelves, and at last it is provided.

Here are the workers building the library shelves.

And here is the lovely librarian, Emi. The books are in the first room of her house so she can manage them. Soon mothers and children will be by to check out books. We're also planning a reading club on the floor here and hope to use it for Bible story time too!

Praise God for his provision for these books, for Emi and for the lovely couple from the midwest U.S. who donated the money for these shelves!

Walking Boy

I can't help it. I am a proud mama! Look at this little guy go! After one week he was cruising up and down the hallway, back and forth, practicing his new skill--walking! He loves to hold a rag or cloth while he walks. I don't know, maybe it is like the tightrope-walkers who need a pole for balance.
Helping Mama sweep!

Look at that smile...so proud of himself.

I'm walking!

Look at me, Mama! "Yes, son, I am proud of you!"

AND A VIDEO FOR THE PROUD GRANDPARENTS: