Happy Birthday, Nate!

Happy Birthday, Nate!! My precious husband turns 27 today! I gave him a sunny yellow shirt, which he is wearing right now. There are balloons in his office and soon the kids will be coming in to sing him happy birthday!

Today will be a busy day, but tonight we will play, for the first time, the settlers of Catan expansion version. I will be making the classic birthday hats, so watch out folks!

Leave your birthday wishes for Nate by clicking "Comments" below. Praise the Lord for this wonderful man, Nathan Daniel!

God's Surprises

Today was a struggle getting out of bed. We stayed up late finishing a project for seminary, and when the alarm rang I was feeling it! I prayed, "Jesus, I really need you today because without you I can't do anything."

I was going through my day like normal, only feeling behind and tired. Then I came to my office to prepare for Bible class and suddenly I got inspired by God to write a song! Their memory verse is James 1.22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." I sat down to the piano and wrote a song straight from the Bible and I was so excited to share it with the students. Thank you, Lord, for surprising me with a song!

Right after that my vocal music class came in, so I said, "I just got a song from God like 15 minutes ago, so I want you to listen and tell me what you think." Of course they all clapped for me and encouraged me because they are great! But even more than that I asked them if they had any ideas. The ideas started flowing! There with my 10 students we were all arranging the song together. They gave me ideas for a descant, for a three-part round addition and they helped me edit some words to make it sound better. We put it all together and it was even better than the one I first wrote!

Surprises from God are so wonderful! On a day when I was exhausted and just asking God to bring me through, he gave me a song and gave me those students to join with me in loving God and His Word. The last reward came when I was walking around the school. Wherever I walked I could hear my students singing my song and singing God's Word. How wonderful! Jesus, you truly lifted me up today!

Christmas in January

We finally got all our Christmas packages and cards in the mail! We were checking our box and waiting in anticipation, but for weeks we saw nothing but flyers from the office.

Finally, last week the shipment came pouring in! We received three packages and countless Christmas cards. I picked them up at lunch, but Nate and I did not have time to open them together until after dinner. It was hard for me not to sneak a peek!

After dinner we opened all the presents from our family and read all the Christmas cards to each other. We were so thankful to have a small taste of "home" and to have something in our hands that our family and friends had in their hands (though it was sent back in December!).

We like to laugh at our new traditions: Thanksgiving in December and Christmas in January! I guess we are just a month behind in the holidays! We thank God for His many blessings especially for mail and for our families!

Prompt Students

I've been working on teaching my 7th grade students promptness. Since we got back from Christmas I have had to give out two detentions (which is not my favorite). However, it seems to be working. Either that or my students are really excited for class, as today was an example of.

I was in the classroom playing CD music 15 minutes before school even started. The usual early students were in the room helping me with the set-up and preparations. Then more of the non-usual students came and started working on homework. More of my students came in and started singing the songs along with my CD. Practically 5 minutes before class everyone was in their seats ready to learn! It was wonderful, I just had to smile.

Nate and I had to laugh together later in the day when he (Mr. Becker) was setting up for band class. Again, an unusual early bunch of eager students came to class early and said, "Can we come in?" Of course! They got their instruments and books out, and started warming up much before class. Then one natural leader started playing one of the band songs, some others joined in, and soon the whole room was filled with students playing band songs in unison before Mr. Becker even started class! Nate and I just laughed as we listened to them playing together as a band without direction. Certainly we have some prompt and eager learners! Praise the Lord!

What's Up

Hello out there! This has been one of our longest lulls in blogging! Sorry about that. We thought we would give you a chance to check out our seven posts on Indonesia, and then the events that followed seemed insignificant in comparison! It's time we get back on and just share with you the ins and outs of daily life here in the Philippines.

We brought in the new year by watching the book of Acts on VCR, sleeping and reading the book of John. It was a wonderful way to set a focus for the year.

The first week of 2007 we took an intensive one-week modular at the seminary on "Organizational Leadership and Development." It is part of our program requirements, so it was nice to get three credits done in one week. We worked hard and pretty much that is all we did for the week.

This week was our first week back to school. It was so great seeing the students again and being back inside the classroom. God is already at work in their lives giving them hunger for His Word and for prayer. We have witnessed God at work in many different situations and it is fun to be a part of that! It's really hard to summarize this week since so much happened really.

Well, there are no pictures for today. I got kind of worn out taking pictures over our vacation so nothing really stands out to me to capture. I just wanted to check in for all of you who are checking in with us! We'd love to hear from you!

P.S. Remember Nate's Birthday is coming up Feb. 2 so get those things in the mail soon so they will make it in time! =)

Day #7--Fields, Wood and Market

On our last day we had to get everything in that we had on our list. The day before Nate started his morning before 6 a.m. because the local guys invited him for a morning basketball game. Day #7 Nate got up again before 5 a.m. to go on a 19 kilometer bike ride with Lloyd. He was really getting in his exercise. Then we all went on a hike through the rice paddies and up the hill to spend some time with God in solitude.

It was so beautiful to be in God's creation and meditate on him. We even brought recorders up to the top and I was able to play a few songs of praise. I reflected on all God had done in us and through us during our time in Indonesia. What a blessing to be able to do so much in such a short time. Truly I was thankful and I prayed, "I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation" (Ps. 118.21).

We visited a local wood-carver's shop and saw all that he had made out of local ebony and coffee woods.

We stopped in the market and watched all the people selling fresh Durian. We walked home and then later caught a ride on a "Bendi" which is a horse-drawn cart. That is a normal way of getting around there!

Finally, we visited our "Kulingtang" friends again and this time they gave us a concert. Nate had a great time joining in the Indonesian men's Kulingtang band. He even measured all the wood so he could reproduce the idea for his music classes. After saying goodnight, we went to bed one last time in Indonesia.

When I woke up God gave me the gift I had been waiting for--I got to see the "Southern Cross" in the sky for the first time in my life just before 5 a.m.! I was amazed that the clouds cleared just before I got there and then it was the only constellation visible for just five minutes. God fulfilled all my dreams and sent us back to Davao refreshed and thankful. Praise You, Lord!

Day #6--More Indonesian Culture

The day after Christmas is also a holiday for visiting friends and relatives in Indonesia. We decided to visit a village that speaks another one of the languages in that region. First we stopped to climb several hundred stairs up a mountain to overlook the whole valley below. God cleared up the whole sky so we could see every mountain and village below. What a view! This is where we bought corn on the cob (for all my Nebraskans out there!). The crazy thing about this corn is that it was cooked over a burning sulfur vent!

I took this picture for my brother, Micah, especially. I thought it was cool how all the people used bamboo for scaffolding when they were building things. It is really strong and gives without breaking. I heard they even use it in Singapore for tall buildings and it is better than steel.

We got to the other village by car, and visited even more people. The hot item was the fresh Durian that everyone devoured for dessert. This is a famous fruit in the Philippines, but I had never tasted it because of the funny smell. Since everyone was eating it I decided to finally try it. It is a bit slimy and creamy but tastes much better than it smells. The outside is sharp and thorny because God made that natural protection from creatures that might try and eat the fruit. God also packaged it perfectly in this hard shell with sections.

I loved seeing the local housing and the local people. There was an announcer speaking the local language over an intercom. We found out that he was preaching and calling all the people to come help him dig a grave. His mother, an older woman, just died that day and he needed people to help him dig the grave but he was rebuking them for not coming out to help. We asked if we could help, but they said the best thing would be to go visit the mourners and shake all their hands.

We went in the drizzling rain to the home of the mourners. It was actually really sad and a huge culture shock for me the way it happened. Right when we got there they carried out the body and laid it on a bed in a room draped with white cloth. Of course I cannot show you a picture, but the woman had gloves on and was dressed in her best. The mourners were wearing black and stood around her bed while we came in to shake all their hands. I thought it was really strange and I felt really wierd shaking people's hands like I was happy to see them. It wasn't long before we left and said good-bye to the people of that village, but I am sure I will remember that experience for the rest of my life.

Day #5--Christmas "Selamat Hari Natal"

This is us on Christmas Day! What a tropical place. We went to church yet again. The place was even more packed out. The most interesting part about church here was the offering. Everyone got up and marched in rows to the front. There were big wooden boxes with three slots in them, and another miniature church with slots in it. You are expected to put bills in each of the slots while everyone watches. Then once you sit down they pass another offering basket! Wow, they make sure to get the offering. They also announced publically the offerings some rich people had given. That was a very different thing for me to observe.

Christmas day is very different in Indonesia. First of all they shoot of fireworks all day, which reminds me of 4th of July. Second, the little kids come to your house in shifts just like on Halloween in America. The kids want you to give them cookies like trick-or-treating, so the people have to be at their houses ready for the kids to come. Finally, the whole day is filled with visiting each others houses. We ate this pictured meal at a friend's house. People came to visit and we shook everyone's hand and said "Selamat Hari Natal" (Merry Christmas).

Since I got really worn out and my brain was fried from the culture immersion, I decided to go up on the balcony and sit alone reading and meditating. It was very peaceful up there (if I ignored the loud music blaring). I could see the volcano that we had hiked, I could feel a cool breeze, and I could rest and renew my spirit while I reflected on all the new experiences I was having. I praise God for His Word that never changes.

Day #4--Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a big day. For several hours before church we heard the loud bell ringing to call all the people. We walked to church at 8:20 a.m. for the service, which started at 9. The place was already packed! I had not been to a place where the people were so early! We worshiped in liturgical style for over an hour in the Indonesian language. We sang "Joy to the World", in the same language "Hai Dunia Gembiralah, dan sambut Rajamu!"

After church everyone flowed out of the service to mingle in the streets. It is culturally appropriate to shake hands and greet everyone. Can you spot Nate in the crowd? We learned the morning greeting, "Pagi!" and the greeting for Christmas, "Selamat Hari Natal".

We really got a taste of local culture when we were invited to a wedding feast. I tried to mingle with the Indonesian ladies using a few words I had learned, but mostly I just got them to laugh at me trying to speak. I noticed the houses we visited all had nice tile floors and many decorations on the walls. Here in the Philippines a lot of floors and walls are just cement and there are not as many decorations. Perhaps that is for a number of reasons, one being that there is gold and spices available for trade in Indonesia. Indonesia is where the spice islands are located, and we even picked some clove leaves and cinnamon leaves right off the trees.

The unusual specialty foods that were served to us while we were in Indonesia were DOG, RAT, and BAT. Also the food was VERY spicy and I almost exploded! Here is a picture of the dog before they cooked it for lunch.

Here is that same dog being barbequed for the feast. Oh, I tell you I was not brave enough to try eating any of these three items.

After a few tears were shed over the fact that it was my first Christmas in my life away from my family, I was finally able to praise God that we can celebrate Christ anywhere in the world. We had a very special celebration that night as a "family" in Christ. We had rice and chicken for dinner with ice cream and fudge for dessert. Then we sang carols just like my family does. We also included the Becker family tradition of reading the Christmas story and adding the pieces of the nativity as they are read. We exchanged gifts and ended with "Silent Night" in the dark and with prayer. With my eyes closed I could not notice a difference from being with my family and being on the other side of the world. Truly God blessed us with His wonderful presence and peace.

Day #3--Biking in the Rain

We woke up early again to try to beat the rain. Nate and I borrowed our friends' bikes and pedaled up the volcano again. Of course I had to walk part-way and it began to get hot, but we made it to one of the villages.

I will tell you more about the village in an e-mail, so we will be brief in this summary. The main thing that happened after our time in the village was that the heavy rains began to pour! We rode several kilometers down a windy road (at least it was paved) and tried to find our way back home. I felt like a whole lake dumped on our heads! We were so thankful to get home and get dry, and especially for lunch and naps!

Day #2--Hiking the Volcano

We woke up early on Day #2 to climb the near-by active volcano. It was my first time in a crater with actual sulfur steaming and bubbling!

We took the local transportation to the base of the mountain. Then we rented 4 motorcycles and sped up to the trail. We passed by beautiful farmland with lush vegetables--onions, carrots, cabbage, corn, and more!

My favorite was when we saw the old-fashioned oxen actually carrying a load down the hill. I saw them charging forward and posed for a photo, but we almost got ran over! These guys were determined to do their job.

We finally got up to the crater and then climbed in about 2/3 the way down. Lloyd taught us how to measure the depth by counting the seconds when you throw a rock to the bottom. He also taught us how to measure the width of the crater by using the sound waves and the echo and the time it takes for your echo to return. He was full of lessons! We had the most fun singing a chord and listening to it echo across to us.

We hiked back around the crater after spending some time getting as close to the steam as possible. What a funny smell the sulfur had. We got home and ate lunch with great thankfulness. We praised God that we made it out of the volcano before the daily rain storm hit. We also praised God for the naps and the quiet time reading we had that afternoon.

Day #1--First Impressions

We made it to Indonesia for Christmas! As we flew over the island, we noticed that it was more hilly and had lots of volcanos. The airport was really nice and even had stained glass! We got our visas upon arrival and were met by Nancy at the airport.

We immediately bought our first Indonesian food--yellow rice with fish wrapped in a corn leaf--Spicy! Since I get car-sick I was going to hop in the front seat, but the driver was in my seat! I was surprised the wheel was on the "other" side of the car, and I think the driver was surprised to see me on his side.

We drove an hour up the windy roads passing vehicles and motorcycles on the curve. I was glad when we finally made it to the cool mountain town where our friends live. They had a room for us all ready and gave us a tour and naps.

Unlike the Philippines, in Indonesia the people we met really did not speak a lot of English, so we quickly learned many words. "Trimagasi" means "Thank You", the most important first words in any country I have learned.

After dinner we ate a new fruit (I forgot the name!). It had a skin like a snake and we learned that a snake actually lives among this fruit and blends in. That is God's way of keeping the rats from eating the fruit!


That night we walked under the beautiful bright stars to meet our first Indonesians at their home. They had several "Kulingtang" instruments that were a hand-made xylophone. It was so fun to experience so much culture in one day!

Concert Photos and Update

Today was the last day of school. Grades are in, classes are over and our break has begun. Now at last I can post a few pictures from our concert and from my class field trip. This first one is of me directing my high school vocal ensemble. They are finally learning to blend together and are gaining confidence in performance. Nate was our wonderful accompanist.

In the middle of our ensemble pieces we enjoyed hearing the middle school choir perform three pieces. Nate directed and I accompanied on piano. There were also some special student musicians that Nate trained-percussionists, recorders, and three trumpets (Nate would like to mention that one trumpet was silent since his valve was backwards!). They performed great and I was proud of Nate!

After the show we were so relieved! We greeted everyone and gave glory to God. All our prayers were answered, including the special candle-light feature that wasn't working before. We praise God for all He did and know that He was the one to receive the glory. Nate and I went out on a lovely date after the performance and laughed and talked about all the students and funny things that happened. Oh, it was so fun and relaxing at last!

Monday morning I took my class on a field trip to an outdoor ampitheater. I know this place on the mountain that overlooks the city and the ocean below. It is gorgeous! I have always wanted to get some students to perform there, so we did! It was a great way to end the year and I think I needed the field trip more than anyone!

We praise God for giving us all the strength and health we had to finish the semester strong. We thank you for praying for our marriage and ministry. We have been really united in our teaching and ministry and in our marriage. We praise God for each other and for blessing us so abundantly.

Now we are preparing to fly tomorrow! You already know where we plan to go--so pray for us for our health and safety. We aren't sure what we will be able to mention on this blog, but we do wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Nate and Jessica

Exam Day AND Concert Day

Today was a big day (and still is!). We had chapel this morning, then a dress rehearsal with the middle school. After that I gave my New Testament final exam for 90 minutes. I walked around the room answering questions and making sure the needs of the students were met. I got nervous just watching them working so intensely, but I prayed that God's word would be sinking into their hearts as they used it to take the exam. I will be grading them all day tomorrow!

I remember when I was in 9th grade my math teacher, Mrs. Lund, gave us each a jolly rancher on our desk and told us to eat it when we get stuck on the test. Ever since then I have used that reward system for myself on tests. Now I am passing it on to my students. I gave them each three hershey kisses, and I told them when they get done a section or get stuck they can eat one and suddenly they have a burst of energy. They were encouraged! I liked watching Chris unwrap one right in the middle of the exam; he sat back and ate it in three separate nibbles just to make it last!

Tonight Nate and I will be co-directing the high school and middle-school choirs. We are so excited and nervous! I'm sure you are mostly all sleeping at the moment on the other side of the world, so I won't ask you to pray because it will be over once you read this! We'll post pictures once we can. We pray that it will glorify God!

Carnival Day

Just last week was carnival day at school. This is a fun day when each class creates a booth of games or activities. Our 7th grade students created the idea of a "Pumpkin Dump." This is because the theme was "Fairy Land", so we voted and "Cinderella" won.

After planning and working hard as a class, the day for the dump finally came. The class voted on 8 people that they wanted to dump their hommemade slime onto. Guess who one of the lucky winners was?! Yup, I was the one who gave them the recipe for this nasty goo. They all lined up to throw bean bags at the target in the hole, and if they hit the target then my student, Paul, would dump slime on my head.

It was nasty, I tell you. After about five minutes I actually started feeling like I was being persecuted. I mean, I was shivering, dirty, slimy, and I couldn't open my eyes. Don't worry, it wasn't all that bad. Paul's mom was the one who took these pictures. Then she emailed me and said, "I'm so sorry what happened to you...here's some pictures!"

It was all for love. This was a really rewarding project for me, because for the first time I led the students exactly how I wanted to. I related to them in a cooperative way, I enabled them to let their ideas come true, I coordinated things so they would take ownership, and I watched them all work together in unity. The most rewarding thing was after all the preparations, on the day of the carnival it was the STUDENTS who organized and set up, it was the STUDENTS who kept track of the schedule and worked together, it was the STUDENTS who were spending more time at their booth (because they felt the ownership) and said "I think ours is the best!". And who do you think was the one to clean it all up? Unbelievable---again the STUDENTS! As a teacher this was a very rewarding project. Does dumping goo on the teacher's head have anything to do with the Bible? YES! I know they learned more about working together and serving in this carnival activity than in any other lesson we have had this year. Praise the Lord for the Pumpkin Dump!

Thanksgiving in December

Since we had a normal schedule on American Thanksgiving (school, classes, busy day), we decided to celebrate Thanksgiving on December 1. That day is a national holiday in the Philippines called "Bonificio Day." We had no school, so it was a great day to make turkey and pie. Nate and I woke up early TOGETHER and BOTH made the turkey! We were going to buy a live one from the market, but we ended up breaking down to buy an imported one from America. Yummy!

We invited over one Canadian couple with their two kids, their sister (also Canadian), my Irish friend, Victoria, and a recently married American couple. What an international mix! We are all good friends, so we enjoyed a great time.

Because I wanted to keep up with our American traditions, I made pumpkin pie (from the canned pumpkin), apple pie (from canned apple pie mix), and the family-famous chocolate pie (using the only white marshmallows I could find and whipping cream imported from China!). Everyone was excited to enjoy such delightful treats.
We enjoyed the turkey (and all the leftovers). We enjoyed games and fellowship. Most of all we praised God for all his great blessings to us. Thank you, Lord!

Another Band Concert

Monday night was the second band concert. Nate trained the students well in raising their instruments and following him. Students arrived early to tune up. Boy did the band room seem jittery as students nervously warmed up their instruments.

First the beginning band performed. They sounded great! I wish I could show you the follow-up clip so you could compare the first note with this concert. What a difference. I was so proud of the students and of their conductor.

It was fun to hear several special ensembles play. One flute quartet was just lovely; another saxaphone trio and a trombone quartet added to the evening.

When it was all over they took a bow! Congratulations, students! We are proud of you. Praise the Lord for His provision for two bands and everything that comes with it. Now we get ready for the elementary Christmas program coming up soon!

Biblical Feast

We may not have had a thanksgiving feast, but this weekend we had a Biblical feast. A visiting professor from New Brunswick, Canada came to our seminary to give a one credit lecture on John 1-12. As a Bible teacher, constantly pouring out my knowledge, it was WONDERFUL to have this wise learned man pour out his knowledge to us.

I love theology and this man really gave it to us. I was praying for a month that God would give me thirst and hunger for His word. Now I have it and I want to keep feasting! We sat there soaking it in for 16 hours straight. I finally got to ask him my questions that I couldn't answer from my students. I was able to affirm that I am not teaching heresy, and I was filled to the brim with excitement to go to class and share with my students!

Today I got to class and I said, "Are you ready for this! I am going to give you a bite from every course I feasted on." They loved it and tracked with me in all my excitement. I most of all feel filled with love for Jesus and I feel like I have come to know Him more through this study of John than I have ever known Him, especially in his role in the Trinity.

Tonight is the Band concert; Nate is directing. Pray that we will be healthy and strong in this concert season and praise God for His grace in renewing us through His Word!

Brother Yun In the Philippines

After months of prayer what seemed impossible actually happened! "The Heavenly Man" Brother Yun of the church of China came and spoke to all our students at chapel this morning! He spoke in Chinese and was translated by a Northern European man.
I don't know why I was so nervous to see him, but it was fun that Nate and I were a part of coordinating his visit. Nate was even the one to introduce him. To have heard him speak Chinese and to see his body fully healed after being in prison four times, being persecuted and beaten, going without food and water for more than forty days, and having his face beat in and legs broken...wow, I was just amazed at the miracles God has done in his life.
He preached the gospel message and taught all the kids how to say "Jesus loves you" in Chinese. He told us his name is pronounced "Uh-n" with no Y sound. He told us he is named after Hebrews 12 and the cloud of witnesses of faith. He told us how his dad was healed and his whole family believed in Jesus. He told how Jesus appeared to him in his prison cell and told him to go out of the prison. He encouraged us to be faithful to God and to serve Him with our lives.

He tells the whole story in his book, "The Heavenly Man." You should read it! Nate and I read it while we were engaged and we never imagined we would meet him. We thought, "If he is ever near where we ever are we want to hear him speak!" Who knew that we could actually invite him to our school. Praise the Lord for his answers to prayer and for his encouragement through Brother Yun!