There Is Still Time

 A few posts below I shared about some of the people we met who lost their homes in the fire.  Last Saturday 69 of them, not including children, attended our church for an outreach we helped with.  We were so thankful that so many of the 84 families were present to hear the good news about Jesus.

 Our pastor's wife, Ate Gina, welcomed the visitors and encouraged them in the Lord.  You can see behind her the many donations we collected.

 Blankets, rice, soap, clothing and New Testaments!  They lost everything in the fire except their lives.  Many were still smiling because they were glad to have escaped with their lives.

 I preached my 2nd Cebuano sermon, though it was much shorter this time.  I shared from 2 Peter 3 and from Romans 5 about how there is coming a day when everything will be destroyed by fire, but that the Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  I gave an example of Kuya Jun, who saved his girl from the fire.  I said he is like a hero, and Jesus is our hero, saving us from the fire by giving His life for our salvation. 

 People prayed with Pastor Brian, and I hope many put their faith in Jesus for the first time.  I'm so glad that our pastor also has such a heart for discipleship, because he knows that we can still build the relationships with them long-term and continue to teach them about the Lord Jesus.

 They signed their names on this sheet so that we can follow-up and also so we could share the gifts with them.

 Here is one lady receiving her gifts.  Thank you to those who contributed to this outreach!

 After our time together, Emi and I walked to the site to see what is happening.  Some wood lays quiet since the people are not allowed to build for a time.  Pray that the people will be able to re-build soon and that they will find a place to live in the mean-time and daily food to eat.

 "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40.8

This is a part of the Psalms that was found in the fire rubble. 

Here's the family that my heart is praying for the most--it is Kuya Jun's family.  You can see they were the first ones to re-build, and I'm praying they can become leaders and a light for Christ in this community.  Thanks for continuing to pray for them all!

Cousin Tara Visits From Austria

 This week during Nate's quarter break, we had the blessing of a visitor from Austria!  My cousin, Tara, came to the Philippines for the first time.  For her first cultural experience, we took her to visit my new friend, Ate Emilita.  This sister in Christ is now 7 months pregnant with her 7th child!  (Mom, you've been to this lady's house before--the one with my curtains down by the river--she remembers you).  We brought her 5 kilos of rice, and later Emi told me that she had run out of rice and was praying for God to provide!  Just then we came in answer to that prayer--praise the Lord!

 Then, for family bonding experiences, we took Tara to a fun pool with waterslides.  I thought Aunt Martha would like this picture, of her daughter with my 2 sons! 

My cousin and I with my 3 sons!  (Nate taking the picture).

 Tuesday we took her on the adventure that is usually a favorite among our visitors: the Samal trip to Tagbobo Falls.  Here we are--the lovely cousins ready to board a local ferry passenger boat. 

 After hiring some random guys to take us there, we stopped for gas and a picture.  (Stephen, do you think it is the same driver that you and Joy had?  Look at your pictures and see this guy is wearing the same shirt AND wearing it the same way!  Funny!)

After a scenic drive through the rural island roads, we hiked down to this isolated waterfall...we had it to ourselves.  It was pretty strong due to recent rains, but it was still fun to swim in!  Memories are being made!

 Nate was on the other motorcycle with our 2 boys (Luke missed out on this adventure).

 The third day we had some other cultural immersion experiences like riding jeepneys and trikes, but also some cultural escapes, like going to Starbucks!  At the end of the afternoon I took Tara to visit Emi and her mom.  What a special family (Mom, notice your glass hanging there).

Tara got to see first-hand some of my favorite Filipina ladies in the community where we are building relationships.  This is Ruen showing us her hanging garden--so resourceful!  (Beckie, I posted this one for you and the Canadian sisters too!)

The last of four packed days, we took Tara to the beach!  She got a little burnt, but that was okay since it is winter in Austria!  This morning we said good-bye to her, but we are so thankful for all the special time we had together!  See you later, Tara, and thanks for coming!

Fire!! 84 Families Lost Their Homes

 2 Weeks ago, we heard sirens and saw billowing black smoke.  I have seen smoke like that before, and I knew people were losing their homes. 

 The next day we went to the site and saw everything had burned (this picture is one week after the fire).  What a devestating loss for the 84 families.  One 80-year-old woman did die in the flames...

 But thankfully, everyone else escaped with their lives.  This woman asked for more clothes since everything burned in the fire.  That's why she has to wash every day, because there's only one thing to wear (they borrowed some things too I think).

 Both of these survivors are still smiling, because they are thankful to have kept their lives.  This guy, Kuya Jun, was the same guy I met the day after the fire.  He is a hero, as you can see by his burns.  I asked where he got the burns, and he answered, "I went into the fire to save my 3-year-old daughter". 

 Here are his burns, but the interesting thing is how I met this same guy three times.  That woman, amazingly, turns out to be his wife!  I think the Lord is at work in this particular family.  Please pray for their salvation, that they will know the Lord Jesus as Savior, and praise God that they were able to join us at church on Sunday (they have 5 kids)!

 Here are 4 guys working to rebuild what was ruined.  It is amazing to see people rebuilding stores out of the burnt wood and tin roofing.  They still find uses for everything, even the scrap metal.

 And here is what was cooking for the lunch of these workers...some fish.  Wow, they must be hungry.  Praise the Lord that many people have come along to donate items for the outreach our church is doing this Saturday.  Please pray that eternal fruit will come from the love that these people experience and the message they hear about the good news in Jesus.

Here is the first house that is being rebuilt.  Thankfully the government did give some cash to help with the materials, though it is mostly just for wood and tin roofing.  This is Kuya Jun's house.  It used to flood here, so now he has a chance to build his house higher so the water doesn't go inside the house.  Maybe  God will raise this family up to be new leaders in the community.  Pray that this family along with others, will come to know the saving grace of God.

On A Walk.....& Oatmeal Chapel

 I decided to take some pictures for you of typical sights I see on a walk with the boys.  Here are all 3 in one stroller!  Easy!  Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for the Phil and Ted's!  A winner!

 Here is a creative use of recycled cup of noodles.  There are some creative ways to find pots for planting around here. 

 This is the most resourceful person of them all.  A family has built a house next to the trash bins, using items that were discarded.  This is very inventive!  I'm inspired. 

 My favorite part is on the side there, they actually have blinds in a window.  It is amazing how Filipinos can find a use for almost everything.

 Here is another typical sight, on many of the homes where you would normally find a door-bell, there is instead "Jesus and Mary" with "halos" around them.  The Catholic influence is seen in many ways.

 We find cows, goats and water buffalo in just a short walk from our house.  Malachi thinks the baby goat is so cute!

 My view from the back...three boys' heads--a trio!  Oh, did I mention there's no sidewalks?  We just walk in the streets.

The mountains and clouds in the background with the coconut trees in the foreground.  It is pretty at this view coming around the curve.  Our old townhouse is just two blocks that direction.

Some bonus pictures from chapel last week:

 The students had an oatmeal-eating contest as an intro to the message I shared about Malachi.

 The Word of God is like our daily bread.  Mr. Becker and I worked together in this chapel.

 I shared from Jeremiah 13: "Hear and pay attention, for the Lord has spoken." 

One last random picture from our week: the high school vocal students performed 5 songs at intermission during the play on Friday.  Lovely voices blending!

Luke is 9 Months

 February 27, 2012: Luke is 9 months!  What a cute little guy.  He is finally sitting alone, with pillows for when he falls.  At this stage Elijah was already cruising around the furniture, but this guy was being held back since his brothers like to jump on him when I try to let him practice.

 Oh, he'll be crawling soon, but my friends say "Enjoy it now, since he will be a busy guy as soon as he is mobile."  Good point.  One more guy to find where he has gone.

 What a cutie!  This guy has always been so joyful and peaceful even from birth.  9 months of pregnancy, 9 months of his life.  Now he is really growing up.  Finally, he is sleeping more at night.  I moved him to his own room!  Nate was happy =)

 Cute toes! 

 "Take a picture of me!"  It is sometimes hard to get Luke's pictures, since the boys keep wanting to jump in the camera.  Those previous ones were taken by me when the other 2 were still sleeping.  Elijah has a nice smile too =)

 I always like a pic with my 3 boys!  You can see them all growing and laughing together.  Thank you, Lord!  I'm blessed beyond my belief!

 Mom, you can see the chair here--now it is Luke's!  Elijah likes to feed him bananas.

 Here is a random pic of Elijah, so you can see our street after a hard rain.  Thankfully, our house doesn't flood, like many other houses do.  We just make it into a pond for Elijah to boat in.

Elijah is such a fun boy.  This is what we do during church: find a pair of boots in the back to play with!