Transformation--Grace's Gulay

Here is Sister Grace posing "before" she was adopted by some sisters from the U.S. As you can see from the picture, she sells vegetables (gulay) outside her front door. The roof was simply a tarp with holes, and the vegetables were laying on a make-shift table. Often the vegetables would go bad if no one bought them because she had no ref (refridgerator).

Even though she was making do with what she had, Grace was still happy serving the Lord for her family.

However, God answered her prayers and more when she was adopted by generous sisters in the U.S. Now this is the front of her house and the store, where she sells gulay. You can see the transformation! The neighbors wondered how she got the money for this and she was able to testify about God's provision and the scripture she had memorized.

Business is great! God also provided a brand new ref for her to keep the vegetables fresh. It came with a freezer, so she is also able to sell ice candy.

Grace has not stopped praising God and shouting from the rooftops how thankful she is. The day she received the certificate that she was adopted, her in-laws were staying at her house. They were doubtful, "I don't think you'll really get the money for that." But the very next day when they saw a new ref come through her door they believed. Then they started telling others too, "Walay imposible sa Ginoo" (Nothing is impossible with God!).

Adopt-A-Sister

Here are some of our ladies from Bible Study. After they spent 12 weeks memorizing scripture they "performed" all of the verses aloud in a recital for their husbands. God provided for some of their prayer requests through sisters from the U.S. and Canada. The neighbors saw and heard about the blessings and many started telling others too, "Nothing is impossible with God!"

Here is Emi's kitchen and floor before she was adopted. She was several months pregnant when she fell through this hole in her floor.

God provided for this wonderful sister so she could not only repair her floor but repair the entire house. Here is the place in progress. (You don't even know where she used to live a year ago! God even miraculously provided this lot for her too through a generous believer in the U.S.)

Now here is Emi's house! She made use of space by raising the house up. I love the balcony with the breeze. Now everyone doesn't have to sleep in the same room. They also have a kitchen below and a place for her mom to have her own room. (This picture still shows the lower level in progress). Praise God for His provisions through the generosity of His people!

God also provided for Ate Inday so she could begin a little store outside her house, called a "sari-sari" (Small store). Now she has a way to bring more income to her family without having to leave the home. She prayed for this many years, and now here it is!

Now I Have A CR

Sister Inday lives near the river. She used to have to walk several "blocks" to her relative's house whenever she needed to shower or use the restroom (called a CR here for "comfort room"). This is her yard before she was adopted by a sister from the U.S.

Now sister Inday can walk out her door to the CR here, newly built (I took the picture before the roof was built, but you can see the progress and the smiles!).

God also provided for her to have running water. See the water flowing now? What a blessing!

This is Emi's mom explaining how her bones hurt when she sleeps. She piles up clothes on the floor like a mattress to sleep.

God provided for her a new bed! (and even new clothes!). She is sleeping so much better at night now--look at that smile!

God also provided for Che-Che a new sala set (couch and chairs) for her Bible study ladies to sit on. Her sisters from abroad also shared with her to have a new stand fan so she is not so hot at night.

The Many Things God Provides

Mengay used to wash clothes by hand and carry her own water. God provided for her through a sister in the U.S. for a water connection and a new washing machine.

Also with Ate Dula...her hands are worn from scrubbing clothes by hand. Now--no problem! God also provided for her a bike for her son so he can ride to school and not pay money for the fare.

The pastor's wife can now assist her husband from home. God provided for her a computer, printer, monitor and everything! This came just in time for her work with Compassion International. Just when the kids are being processed, she is able to manage the project through her new computer. Gina also got a new living room set so when they have Bible study and meetings, people don't have to sit on the floor.

Sister Alma also has Bible studies in her home. Now the ladies don't have to sit on the floor. Praise God!

God also provided for her a new foam mattress. Now this pregnant sister doesn't have to sleep on the floor!

Baby's First Christmas--The Beach

This year we did something new for Christmas. Since we were away from family and since the Philipinos celebrate more on the 24th like our New Year's, we decided to spend the night at the beach. We took a boat at sunset. Elijah was looking all around, as you can see--so curious!

Elijah had fun watching the water moving as we took the boat across to the next island. What a fun guy!

We made it--the Becker fam on Christmas Eve. It was not crowded and the food was great! Elijah tried fish for the first time. He loves it.

Christmas morning Elijah explored the water and swam in the sea for the first time. We brought his little fishies from his bath tub, so he really focused on getting them. He always had to hold BOTH of the fish at the same time.

Child at play. Toes in the sand. Warm water. Loving it!

Manly bonding. What a precious sight for a momma--father and son together.

"I must have both fishies. Don't swim away, buddy!"

What a great morning we had enjoying God's creation together. It was the first year ever that we did not open presents on Christmas at all. It was kind of nice--just enjoying God's presence, singing His praises and being together as a family. We enjoyed opening our mail from the U.S. and also eating the amazing food prepared fresh from the sea. Mango shakes, grilled bangus and barbecue pork. Yum!

You would not think this was a family Christmas picture if you are where I am from, but indeed this is Christmas day in the Philippines!

"Would anyone like to buy a buko? I think this is bigger than my head!"

Merry Christmas!

Here is the red and green Becker family wishing you a Merry Christmas! Every year is different for us as foreigners in a different land, but we can always celebrate Jesus no matter where we are.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
He created man and woman and gave them a command.
They disobeyed God's instructions and sin entered the human race.
Their relationship with God was broken.

God gave many promises for a Messiah...someone to bring peace and hope, someone to restore the broken relationship with God and to pay the price for sin.
God sent his son, Jesus, to fulfill those promises, through the virgin Mary by the power of His Spirit.
Jesus is the mediator between God and man--through Jesus we can be reconciled to God.
Jesus is fully God and fully man--he was without sin.
Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice to pay for sin and make a way for us to get close to God.
Jesus rose again and conquered death--the penalty for sin.

If you place your faith in Jesus, trusing Him to cleanse you of your sin and bring you close to God, you will be saved from death and will have eternal life.
You will get to dwell with God forever.

"For God so loved the world
that he gave his One and Only Son,
that whoever believes in Him
will not perish
but have eternal life."
John 3.16

God loves us and is patient with us not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Jesus is coming again soon, but we don't know when.
Are we ready for His coming?

2 Corinthians 5.20-21
"We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Balik Bayan Boxes

A very generous Christian friend in the U.S. along with her kind neighbors got together to collect toys, books and clothes for the Filipino children. Even though the boxes usually arrive at an unknown time anywhere between 1-3 months, we prayed that the boxes would arrive before Christmas. Praise the Lord!! They arrived last week just in time!

A few rich people's extra toys became Christmas gifts for over 100 poor children. This will be their only gift for Christmas.

The ladies came to help wrap each toy for each child. Look at those smiles! They are so excited about how God provided and answered prayers! What a blessing! Thank you, Lord!

The presents are all wrapped and ready for the kids. They will be surprised--we kept it a secret! Maybe next year we can collect even more toys and give to more than 1000 kids! There is no end to the amount of kids I can find within just a short walk from my house. May the kids come to know Jesus' love more and more this Christmas!

Yesterday

Homemade Hoop

You have to love the resourcefulness! I have a vision perhaps to one day build a covered court with a real basketball court. We could use it to have more outreach to the men, who many times have nothing to do together.

Band Outreach

Mr. Becker organized another great band outreach this year. I love the parallel saxaphones in this picture. The students dressed up in red and green and went around in Jeepneys to the local villages to play Christmas carols for the people. It is very easy to draw a crowd randomly at night. The people love to see the foreigners--Koreans, Americans, Other... They also love to hear different instruments: Trombone, Trumpet, Saxaphone, Clarinet, Flute and a Drum set in the back of a flat-bed truck.

It's dark and dusty, so hard to get a good picture, but this gives you the feel to the atmosphere. Students handed out candy with a gospel tract inside to share the love of God with the people. This is a place where long-term ministry is taking place, so there is follow-up in the people's lives.Elijah loves papa! Papa loves his son--"Elijah can come with me everywhere!" Well, Elijah did fade out that night, but he had fun being part of the group.

Ready to go!

Photo Shoot--We Love Our Boy!

Elijah is like a little king on his bike seat--his own little throne. When we pass people they wave and smile and turn their heads like he is a king (all a novelty for them--baby helmet, baby bike seat, baby on bike, white woman on bike, white baby boy with bald head).

All of my running back and forth to the tripod, setting the timer and everything drew a crowd. Elijah made some new friends! We had fun showing them the pictures of themselves after we timed them. Look at Elijah holding his little friend's hand.

The street where we live. Lots of kids!

Lots of pictures of Elijah, but we have to have a way to share pics with our family and friends! He's growing fast! Enjoy!

Sneaky Video

Elijah heard the Christmas music playing and got in the Christmas mood. It's my first time posting a video, but I hope you can watch. I caught him in the act!