Parable of the Persistent Philippino

Nate and I were both sick sleeping upstairs in our bedroom. Nate just got a wisdom tooth out and it was not easy. I wasn't feeling well either and was resting.

I heard the doorbell ring once, then a pause...then again. I thought, "We're not expecting anyone, so it must be a stranger" (sometimes we get random solicitors at our door as I'm sure you probably do too). Then the doorbell rang again and again. I thought, "If it was someone we knew, they would text us..." so I stayed sick in bed.

Ding-Dong! Nate woke up, "Did you hear that?" I told him my thoughts and added, "plus I don't want to go down there with no clothes on!" We both layed back on the pillow.

After a long pause the doorbell rang at intervals persistently for at least five more minutes. This was out of hand! Couldn't they see we were not coming! This could not be an emergency or the person would text us. I didn't want to reward the person for their constant ringing, but I couldn't take it anymore.

I threw a sarong around myself and marched down the stairs. When I opened the door the head of a young boy about 9 or 10 was peeking under the gate of the carport. I thought it was one of the neighbor kids just ringing and ringing for fun and then running away like may day. I told him in Cebuano not to ring so many times and he should come back if he found no one answering.

He pointed to a bag that we had full of plastic bottles. He wanted the bag. "You want this?" I asked pointing? He nodded.

I opened the gate trying to keep my wrap on and gave the bag to the boy. He wanted to recycle my bottles and get the money in return. I felt kind of bad. Actually I didn't feel very Christ-like.

I really remembered the parable of the persistent widow just then. I went upstairs and read Luke 18 and thought how much I was acting like the callous judge, and how similiar this boy's persistence was to that of the widow who wanted justice. Truly Jesus was teaching me a lesson...but he was also reminding me about the power of persistent prayer.

I looked in Luke 11 also and read the story of the friend at midnight. I could truly relate to that one also. I am still reflecting on the lessons learned, but one of them that can encourage you is that we should really pray and not give up.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11.9-10

Special Music

Today in church the message was about worship that results in generous giving. We were asked to "render a song" for special music. Well, the first song that popped into my head was one that I wrote (God gave to me) based on Mark 12 and the widow's offering. It would fit perfectly with the sermon (and later we found out the pastor was actually going to preach on that passage, but chose Luke 12 instead).

I was really nervous to share my song with the congregation because I have never really shared one of "my songs" with an audience before, other than my students. I was really thankful that God has provided this church that I can share my songs with. I truly have the desire to teach people God's truth through music! My prayer is that God will give me eve more songs to bless the church and my students with as I teach the Bible through music.

After the service I played the song on my violin for a postlude while Nate accompanied me. A little boy ran up to the stage and stood right in front of me watching my every bowing and every note. Then another little girl came running from the playground to watch and listen to me worship God with the violin. I am still learning to worship God with the violin, but it was precious to know that I am planting the seeds of worship in those little hearts that are so eager to listen. Praise the Lord with music, praise the Lord with singing, praise Him with the strings!

What God Is Doing

I'm really hungry to hear more about what God is doing in the world. I spent some time here looking for missions websites, but really some of the best stories are from actual people that we know who are serving God in many countries. Do you know any great update websites or do you have any contacts? I am curious...what is God doing in India? What is He doing in the Middle East? What is He doing in China? What is He doing in your life?!

"Let us encourage one another and build each other up in love..."

"This Is Our Procedure"

TODAY 10:35 a.m. I arrive at the Post Office with tape, scissors, packing materials and items to mail.

10:36 a.m. I get everything out of my bag, spread it out on a counter, and begin carefully wrapping and packing everything.

10:45 a.m. I carefully seal 3 packages closed with packing tape, leaving no corners open

10:55 a.m. I carefully write the addresses on the 3 packages and write neatly "fragile," "careful," and "do not bend" front and back

11:00 a.m. I approach window #5 and wait behind 4 people holding my 3 packages

11:03 a.m. I ask the lady at #5 how much it costs to mail my 3 packages to the U.S. Lady: "Do you want express mail?"
Me: "What is the difference in price?"
Lady: "You'll have to go to window #22"

11:05 a.m. I walk past all the windows until #22. Lady at # 22 points me to window #19

11:07 a.m. Lady at window #19 weighs my packages and gives me the price comparison for express mail, air mail, or surface mail.
Express and air mail cost about the same.
Lady at #19 says: "It's better you send it express mail"
Me: "Is that window #5?"
Lady: "Yes, down there..." points

11:13 a.m. I proceed to window #5...again. I wait in line behind 2 people.

11:17 a.m. I reach the front of line #5.
Me: "Can I send this express to the U.S.?"
Lady at #5: "I will have to inspect first."
Me: "You mean I have to open the packages?"
Lady: "This is our procedure."
Me: "I can't just tell you what the contents are? I spent a long time packing them."
Lady: "This is our procedure to inspect."

11:20 a.m. I withdraw my position in line and get out my scissors. I carefully re-open the 3 packages and unwrap everything inside

11:30 a.m. I wait in line behind one person at window #5

11:32 a.m. I display the contents of my 3 packages to the inspection lady. She nods and gives permission to re-wrap my packages. She fills out an inspection form.

11:35 a.m. I step out of line #5 again. I get the packing tape and carefully re-pack and re-tape my 3 packages, thinking all the while about the procedures.

11:43 a.m. I get in line #5....again.

11:45 a.m. Lady #5 "I'm going on my break now--he will help you."

11:46 a.m. I move to window #4 and the man hands me 6 forms to fill out.

11:47 a.m. I step to the side and fill out the 6 forms.

11:52 a.m. I approach window #4 to send my 3 packages.
Man at #4: "You need to pay first."
Me: "Do I pay here?"
Man: No, you pay at window #11"
Me: "So you'll keep my packages here?"
Man: "Yes, you will pay at window #11"

11:54 a.m I walk to window #11. Lady at #11 directs me to window #10.

11:55 a.m. Lady at window #10 reads my forms and creates stamps with a machine. She types the amount into a calculator and shows me my bill. I pay the bill.

12:00 p.m. Holding my official express stamps and forms I approach window #4 and submit all of them to the man.

12:01 p.m. Man #4 takes my packages one by one, places an express sticker on the front, places my stamps on front, stamps 3 carbon copies of my 6 forms and puts them in the proper piles, tapes one copy of form on to the back of my package #1 covering my "careful" labels. Repeats all steps for packages 2 and 3.

12:09 p.m. Man #4 hands me 3 carbon copies of my forms and puts my 3 packages in a pile in the office to be delivered.

12:10 p.m. I walk down the stairs of the post office....reflecting on the post office procedures.

First Annual Badminton Tournament

We are having fun being substitute parents. It is a lot different for me always needing to be responsible for two other people. Thankfully Nate and I can share that responsibility. We are learning our views on parenting as the girls ask us questions like, "If I eat this asparagus, then can I have ice cream?"

Karen, the older girl, asked if we could have a badminton tournament. I have never really played a game before, but I was proud of her for coming up with a fun and productive idea. So yesterday we spent the whole day making double-elimination tournament brackets for the 12 players, borrowing the rackets from the school, reserving the 5 courts at the local badminton facility, and we even made an official certificate for the Badminton Champion Award!

Finally at 3pm we all met at the badminton courts and organized the tournament, using the official rule book as our guide. Everyone seemed to have a great time playing, especially Karen and Mr. Becker. I got out early of course, but in the end it was down to 5 or 6 players. Karen and Mr. Becker faced each other in a very intense match. Neither of them wanted to lose, but Mr. Becker won the match! Someone else won the tournament, and we gave the official ceremonies. I think the best part of it all was seeing Karen come out of her shell and really get into something she enjoys. Oh, I think I am becoming a proud mother!

Why Do Roosters Crow?

Who needs an alarm clock when you have a rooster sitting on the fence outside your window? Normal alarm clocks have a snooze feature that usually waits 9 minutes before sounding again. Well, this rooster really wants me up, because the time between his call is only 23 seconds. Why does he keep crowing!?

Since Sunday and for the next two weeks, Nate and I are "Substitute parents" for two girls whose parents are out of town working on a Bible Translation project. I will tell you those other stories later, but the main reason I say that is because our new neighbors have a rooster that seems like he is sitting right by my pillow! I don't think 4:40 is THAT early normally, since our alarm is often set for 5:15 on a school night. However, this is summer, and I went to bed after 11:30p.m. last night. I need my sleep as a new parent of two!

I looked up my question on google and wikipedia, and if you can trust those sources it seems that roosters crow to mark their territory similar to what dogs do in their own way. One site said that normally there is about one hour in between each crow, and sometimes people hear it more often than that. But don't you guys think that 23 seconds is a little too often? What is the deal? If anyone cares to comment or enlighten us on this early persistent alarm clock, please do so. Look at the bright side, if the rooster hadn't woken me up, I wouldn't be able to blog for you.

ENDNOTES: Cockfights are common in the Philippines.
It's common to see cows sitting on the road, little chickens wandering through the neighborhood and other "Farm animal activities" right in the city limits.
Most roosters I've heard call out "KOO KOO KOOOOOO KOOO" (4 & 1 2 [3 4]--rhythm for you musicians---mid mid high low).
The rooster outside our window calls out "KOO KOO KOO KOO KOO" (1 & 2 & 3 [4]--slide down at end--Sounds like the major arpeggio trumpet call usually followed by "CHARGE!")
You know the rooster crows too much when you have time to analyze the rhythms.

Vacation Pictures

We always got rooms with two twin beds! Don't worry, folks, we're not brother and sister...we're husband and wife!
"Where to, Captain Becker? I will follow your commands---right, left, right, left"
When hot and hungry we stop at fruit stands for fried bananas or fresh pineapple
Hot and thirsty--biking 135 kilometers in one day!
Us Boating--We rented boats and got to borrow the fishermen hats too!
The island where we went...beautiful volcanos and coastal views
Us at the cross at the sunken cemetery

Our Vacation Adventures

We’re back from our 6 day adventurous vacation, so here’s a couple pictures and a few stories for you.

Sunday: We took a bus north for six hours to a city neither of us had been to, packing our bikes below the bus. This bus ride was like a crazy rocket ship barreling around the curves so fast, I got so bus sick! I don’t really want to describe this crazy ride further, but I hope we never have to do that again!

When we finally got to the costal city, we rode our bikes to a mission housing unit, where we slept on two twin beds pushed together. This was the way all our beds would be for the rest of the vacation, but it was much better than hammocks outside!

Monday: We biked 95 kilometers (or 55 miles?)!!! This was my longest bike ride ever in one day, and we praise God that the beautiful coastal road was paved and flat. We also praised God that we weren’t allowed to go on the other trip we planned, because that was actually a HUGE mountain that I never would have made it up!

We really stood out as we biked since we are foreigners, but usually the dialogue between us and the locals we passed was like this:

“Hello! Hi, Joe!” (they always call Americans “Joe”).
“Maayong Hapon!” we would reply.
“Oh! Ha ha! Maayong Hapon Pud!” they laughed in joyful response because we surprised them with words from their own language.
The only other part of the monologue with the locals was when the males would call out to me how beautiful I was and how “guapa” I was. I finally found out what it felt like to be a movie star (not that fun), but the reason for this attention was because women are never found riding bikes here and white women are not seen often in those parts. So put a white woman on a bike and you can see where we got all the attention from (I was sweaty and sunburnt, so I am sure I was not as gorgeous as they all told me I was).

Monday Afternoon: We took a ferry boat to a little island off the north coast. We biked around the coast looking for a place to stay for a couple nights. My prayer was that it would have air-con, would be between x & y amount, and would be by the beach. All prayers were answered! Of course our room was like a dorm room with five single beds in it, but we had the place to ourselves and the air con and beach! Praise the Lord!

Tuesday: THE REAL VACATION! This was one of the best days we have ever shared. It was like a second honeymoon. We woke up at our leisure, ate breakfast for two, then rode our bikes to a waterfall. The island is made up of seven (?) volcanoes, so any biking from the coast will basically be UP. Nothing could compare to the falls I told you about before in the mountain, but these were lovely nonetheless. They were thin, but tall; graceful and serene. There was a cool pool below with inner tubes to float in, and this was free. We compared it to our honeymoon in Hawaii where we had to pay $$ to get in, and when we got there it was so commercialized and with little kids swimming around. Here we had the falls basically to ourselves, and we appreciated the realization that we were in the middle of many people’s dream!

After enjoying a swim at the falls we coasted down the volcano at record speeds to take a nap at our beach house. Then we prayed again for a place to have lunch: my requests were that it would have mango shakes, be by the sea and be a place we both liked. God was so gracious in giving us such wonderful gifts! Nate’s back tire blew right by this little sign that said “Jasmin’s by the sea”. We rode down to the lovely private open restaurant right by the sea! They had mango shakes, mashed potatoes, cordon bleu (very rare menu item for us here), and healthy water to drink. We enjoyed every minute, then went down to relax in the hammock they had swinging between the trees. While Nate later got his tire fixed, I just stayed in the hammock and read from John.

After enjoying the sunset on the ocean, we biked 2.5 kilometers up the volcano to a natural hot springs, where we soaked our weary bodies and relaxed our muscles. What a great day that we will not soon forget!

Wednesday: Another wonderful day of resting, relaxing and exploring! We decided to find some local fishermen to rent a boat from so we could experience the ocean by ourselves. The neighbors by the place we were staying rented us their boat for only $1/hr!!! This is a wonderful place! They even let us use their fisher hats. I was having such thrills out on the ocean with my Captain Becker!

Later we biked around the volcano that erupted in 1951 to see a sunken cemetery with a huge cross in the ocean. We again asked some guys to row us in their boat across to the cross, where we climbed up the rusty interior to get a view from the top. We ended the day at another hot springs, this one very natural running right into the ocean. We sat on the rocks at sunset as Nate read to me from a missionary biography. Thank you, Lord!

Thursday: We woke up at 4:15 a.m., biked quickly at sunrise around the island back to the ferry port with not a minute to spare! We biked about 135 kilometers that day (80 miles?), even more than on Monday! This time it was not as flat, but the coastal scenery was just as beautiful. We passed rice fields, coconut groves, all lined with the beautiful green mountains and peaceful ocean. We stopped along the way to buy fried bananas, fresh pineapple, and plenty of cold beverages. When we had about 40 kilometers to go before our goal city, my knees basically started totally fading out (not to mention my gluteus maximus!). I didn’t think I would ever make it, but I kept singing “You are my strength when I am weak…Lord, to give up, I’d be a fool…”. I ended up biking the last 30 kilometers by standing up and keeping my legs straight. We were so relieved to finally reach our twin beds in the “Luxury hotel”. Nate arranged for dinner to be brought to me while I took a shower and rested my weary legs. What adventures together! I’m so thankful that Nate was patient as my leader, waiting for me even when he could have raced ahead. I’m thankful God protected us the whole way!

Friday: We went to a museum with our language tutor’s brother in another northern city. Then we had the most crazy bus experience again as we regretfully boarded the unlimited stop bus. That means that what is about the distance from my home town of Omaha to Grand Island, Nebraska took us NINE HOURS on this unlimited stop bus! I could have gone to Europe on a plane in nine hours or less. I have very few complaints about our vacation, except this one thing. I really wanted to get home! Finally, we made it home in the dark safe and sound.

We praise the Lord for giving us these adventures together with him and with each other. We praise the Lord that today is our 11 month anniversary!! We praise the Lord for these wonderful experiences getting to know the local culture and being able to experience God’s beautiful creation. Thank you, Lord!

Trouble Posting Photos

Sorry, Folks, only a few of the photos I wanted to post in those last four entries would post, so I will try to add them later. Maybe in the morning. Hope you enjoy the stories, even without the photos. Oh, and we will likely be away from the internet the next 5 or 6 days so if you don't hear from us that is why.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6.18

Island Biking--Day Two Adventures

We said goodbye to Joel and thanked him again for his hospitality. He would not accept any payment from us, and we realized that he truly treated us like family.

The view we saw that morning was gorgeous! I felt like we were truly at the ends of the earth, on the opposite side of the island where not many travelers journey. The path was right on the edge of the ocean, and the locals made me laugh when we greeted them. They always laugh because they are surprised we speak their language. We made several conversations in the villages when we stopped for water and enjoyed the very interesting places we never knew existed.

Things I saw: unique houses, a 3.5 foot snake (dead in the road, thankfully), a little boy riding a water buffalo through a ravine, breathtaking views from the summit overlooking the ocean, our city and the mountain behind. Thank you, Lord! All of this was shared with my wonderful husband, Nate, who journeys with me on bike!

The last adventure of the day was when Nate's tire blew. We had brought with us a tire patching kit, but the Lord provided again another local Filipino man who stopped immediately on his motercycle to help us. The place we stopped was conveniently located beside someone's balay (house), and the person who stopped to help us was so willing to give us the time I never seem to have. Again I learned to love others as myself.

While the men worked on the tire, I sat in the shade with the neighbors. They offered me fresh buko juice (coconut juice). A guy climbed a tree, cut down a coconut and carved a hole for me to drink the juice from. I was thankful because I was almost out of water, and I was so thirsty! I was also thankful because I had been needing a break really badly from the heat and the riding (just before that I took a dip in a pool of water with the water buffalos--I was desparate to cool down!). God provided everything, from neighbors, to shade, to men that helped repair the tire. We finally made it together back across the island and to the ferry. When I got to the shower at home and layed in my clean clothes in my soft bed I had more thanksgiving in my heart than I had in a long time. We really did make it home! The whole bike trip almost seemed like a dream, but it will stick with us for a long time! Thank you, Lord!

Island Biking--Filipino Hospitality A Blessing

We saw a place on the map called "Jim's Beach Place", so we kept asking the locals where it was. When we finally got there, we saw a guy named Joel, who was working on construction of this little hut. He said if we wanted we could put our hammocks up on the posts in his hut, and we could even use the C.R. He was so inviting and hospitable, I was really struck by the generosity he taught us.

Joel not only let us sleep for free on the property right by the ocean, he also slept near us in the hut to "bantay" for us (keep watch). Then when he saw us eating chips for panihapon (dinner) he was surprised that we had no better food to eat. His wife came out from the house and invited us to their front porch for homemade dinner!

It was so peaceful listening to the waves on the shore, eating dinner by kerosene lamp. They brought us a huge plate of rice, the staple food here in the Philippines. They also showed their incredible generosity when they offered us this fish soup. I tell you, I looked at the soup with the two little fish staring at me from under the water and I knew I had to ask Nate once more to be my fish-eating hero. When Joel kept telling us that this "isda" (fish) was fresh we knew that he had gone out to sea just to catch it for us. What sweet hospitality, offering us everything they had. I learned that I don't have to wait for everything to be perfect before I have someone over for dinner or for the night; I just need to offer what I do have with a generous heart of love.

Island Biking--God Provides Guides For Falls #2

Next we rode BACK UP the huge hill, or rather walked our bikes up. We cut across the island on bumpy roads and got to see the really rural areas of the Philippines. Everything seemed so simple. It seemed we had stepped back in time again to a place with no electricity, farmers, simple living and cooking over fires. We were so happy to buy some fried bananas from the local people.

We saw on the map that there were three caves and another waterfall on the East side of the island. That was our destination for stop #2, but it was very vacant over there, and we were not sure where to cut across from the road. God provided for us again!

After locking our bikes to each others and stashing them in the bushes, we began to trek on a small pathway. I was startled to hear someone coming and then saw two Filipino men appear from the forest carrying huge knives. We were not afraid, though, because we know that those knives are the useful tools the local people use to do practical things. We spoke to them in the local language, and they decided to become our guides to the caves. I was so glad and knew God provided for us!

The first cave was REALLY dark and small--a hole at the bottom of the cliff. Our impromptu guides told us it is very dangerous in there because there are *****. I didn't know that word, but I tried to act out the motion for bats. I'm pretty sure he meant there were bats in there.

Then they took us to waterfall #2, which was WAY off the place that the map marked it. Good thing we had our guides, or else we would have been searching for hours. I saw a HUGE worm thing on the path, glad it was not a snake. Then the guys jumped in the falls for a swim, and I opted not to get wet again since it was almost dark. These falls were pretty, but they were not as tall or mighty as the ones in the mountain we recently visited. There were also lots of misquitoes and red ants, so I told Nate, "I don't think we should sleep here tonight; it will be so scary!" We did return to our bikes in search for a place to sleep for the night.

Island Biking--Up To The Non-Existant Waterfall

Thursday morning we began a "Plan B" two-day biking trip on a local island. We biked across the city and loaded our bikes on the ferry just as it began to pour rain. God is gracious in holding off the rain for us!

When we landed on shore we began our adventures in conquering the small island by bike. The roads were basically empty and rough, made of clay and volcanic rock? It was so peaceful and beautiful to explore the coastal paths that have been waiting for us this whole time while we lived across the bay in the city.

Our first planned stop was to waterfall #1 (I don't even remember the name of it). No one we knew had ever been there, so we were going to really scope out new territory. We had great fun using the local language to ask for directions and to greet people. We later learned that our map was not exactly accurate.

We biked up this HUGE hill that kept going up-up-up. After every curve I thought, "Surely we are almost there!" but it kept going up. When we got to the top, Nate stopped to ask where the waterfall #1 was while I guzzled the water and swept my dripping forehead with part of my shirt. I could not believe my ears when he found out that the trail we were supposed to take was at the bottom of that hill.

"So we just biked that whole hill for nothing?" I realized this was not only an adventure but a character-building experience.

Nate's answer was: "It was good for our bodies." He is so positive and courageous. We did get to feel the breeze blow our hot faces as we coasted back down the hill we just hiked. Then we bumped over the rough trail to the creek that supposedly trickled from the waterfall we were looking for.

When we got to the waterfall we had to laugh! All we saw was a little stream and then a huge rock wall with absolutely no water flowing down. No wonder no one we knew had ever been there before!

The huge blessing was that there was a clear cool pool of water waiting for us to jump in. I guess it was worth it after all just to feel my body cool down in that pool!

Great-Grandma Ingga

This is my new adopted Great-Grandma Ingga. The first time I went to the village a year ago January, I took a picture of this lady sitting by the tree on a bamboo bench. I remember trying to greet her, but she did not know any English at all, and I did not know her language at all. It was so frustrating not to be able to speak to her!

This time when we went, she became the one I spent the most time with. The reason is that I finally am learning to speak a language she knows! It was so wonderful to hear her laugh when I said something funny, or to be able to translate the stories she expressed. On Sunday morning I had quite a lengthy conversation with her which drew us both to love each other even more. I was trying to teach her how to say "Laugh" because she wanted to try to say some words in my language. The problem was she only had two teeth, so she could not make the "F" sound. She was so cute when she said "Laps" instead of "Laugh"!

It was also really special to sing with Great-Grandma Ingga. I taught her "Ho-ho-ho-ho-sanna! Ha-ha-ha-lelujah! He-he-he-he saved me! I've got the joy of the Lord." She really sang great and learned to clap along with me while we praised God together. Later we heard people singing that same song in the kitchen, so I guess word travels fast! She told me she has 10 children (2 died), 80 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. Wow! Now that's leaving a legacy!

God's Masterpiece--Sometimes Missed By Locals

This is one of the most beautiful, if not THE MOST beautiful, waterfalls I have ever seen. The majesty of this wonder cannot be captured on film or with words. I took this picture on Saturday, if you can believe I was just there! One of the reasons I love this place is that no one is ever there except us. It is so peaceful and natural. The birds sing a beautiful song that should be written into a movement. The thunderous sound of the blast at the base of this fall takes our breath away.

Nate loves to cheer and "Wooh!" when he swims at the base. It is so cold and exhilarating! We have even climbed the rocks to sit at the back of the falls. It is impossible to describe the thrill of knowing the powerful Creator of the falls.

I could not believe my ears when someone told us, "There are people in the local village who have never even seen the falls." What! How could someone miss that when it is just around the corner? (Okay, so it is another rocky hike down to see them). I was so sad when I found out the reason some locals have never seen it. They believe there are evil spirits down there, and they are afraid to go because of the spirits. One time two kids accompanied us there, and the locals were upset that we let kids go there. How sad to think that the fear of evil spirits is preventing people from seeing a masterpiece in creation that points to the Powerful Living God--our Creator! Pray that God will break through their fears and draw people to trust Him completely, even at the waterfall.

What We Saw On The Way To The Village

Getting to the village is lots of fun. It is one of the only places I've been on earth where it feels 100% natural. There are no powerlines (no electricity), people get food off the trees or plant it themselves, and the main highway is a footpath that goes down the canyon.

One of the animals I love to see is the Caribou, or water buffalo. They usually get covered in mud for some reason, and they are hard to get a photo of! On the way to the canyon we saw this guy plowing his field the old fashioned way using a metal piece connected to the water buffalo. I tried to get up-close and personal but the beast kept going and going! He was not going to stop for a pose!

Another part of the hike I love is crossing the fresh river on a handmade bridge. Right after taking a dip in the river to cool off, we cross this bridge, then climb up a steep ladder made from bamboo poles. Hopefully we don't meet someone coming from the other way while we are on these traffic-ways!

Last Day Of School

Yesterday was the last day of school. We could not believe the year was over! It was so sad to say goodbye to our students, especially the ones who graduated or are returning to their home countries. We really have come to love them even as though they were our own. We are so proud of them!

We had a final chapel in the high school where students prayed for those going out and we worshiped God together one last time. Then in the evening Nate and I played music for the high school graduation. Nate played such beautiful prelude music from Bach to Beethoven (and even some of his own improvisations!). We played trumpet and piano for the recessional, but the processional was played by another teacher on bagpipes. It was really regal!

Wow, there were only five seniors, so they all got to have their own powerpoint presentation with pictures and music. They each got their picture in the program and got prayed for individually. Their parents were front and center and even got to be involved through singing or prayer. In my high school graduating class of 500 I was happy just to turn the many pages of our booklet and find my name in small print. Then as my family watched me through binoculars from the huge arena they cheered "Wooh!" when my name was called out loud for one second. That's the blessing of going to a small Christian school! These students are priviliged! Praise the Lord for a great year!

Born Again!!

I am SO excited!!! One of my students just prayed with me to receive Christ! Oh, I am so thankful and I am praising our Great God for giving her new life. She is now born again!

The last two weeks in my 6th grade Bible class I have been teaching the students about the plan of salvation. I used the story about Ronald to ask them what they would say if someone asked them "Are you born again?" Then I taught them the plan of salvation.

On this site I cannot tell all the details, but what I can say is that God has been at work! Every day I speak one-on-one with a student to talk about their relationship with God. Much fruit has been harvested in their spiritual lives this week! I can't wait to tell you more, but for now I must go teach some more! Join me in praising the Lord for His great salvation and mercy in our lives and in the lives of my students, especially the one who just received new life in Christ!

(Why we have had a lull in posting: It is the last week of school! Grading, Final Exams, Last programs, Talking to students about accepting Christ!)

Taking Stanley Training

Saturday Nate and I went on a little training bike ride, up a VERY steep hill (on which I was down to the first and lowest gear!). That was just hill #1. Then from the plateau we biked up yet another hill, but this time we were rewarded with a gorgeous view of the mountain, valley and sea below. From each side of the narrow road we could see the whole city and valley below. Beautiful, God! Your creation is marvelous!

Then we went up even more until we hit gravel and dirt roads. It was a bit hotter up in the village, so we stopped to buy some (safe?) water at the little sari-sari (small store). We KEPT going until the road narrowed into a motercycle path. We thought it was funny how on the map we were using it was marked with a solid line representing a secondary road. "I'd hate to see what the tertiary road looks like!" I thought as we mucked our way through the mud with great effort. We had fun asking for directions along the way and practicing using the local language we have been learning.

We made lots of friends by using the people's language and by introducing them to Stanley. I thought my little 2nd grade buddy who mailed Stanley to me would like to experience the rural life through our adventure Saturday. I can't wait to write all the stories for him about all the Filipino experiences he had! I also want to tell you how happy we were when we just coasted back down a paved road to the city again. More adventures to come...My Nate =)

Two Banquets In One Night

As I told you in the last post, we had a busy weekend. It was wonderful being with the students and sharing fellowship outside the classroom with them. We got all dressed up, but our middle school students got even MORE dressed up! We walked in the room and FLASH! We felt like we had just walked in to the night at the Oscars.

My 6th graders even had made Flat Stanley a suit for the occasion and Carol chose him as her date. After a while you can imagine that stanley found himself lying alone on a table, but I think he was the only one left out the whole night. We had some great skits and improv dramas put on by students and staff. Mr. and Mrs. Becker even got voted to be in the "Party Quirks" game.

The crazy thing was, that after two banquets I still don't think I even ate that much because so much excitement was happening. It was such a blessing to enjoy a memorable evening with each other and with our wonderful students that we love like our own!
The rainbow photo! Beautiful!