Random Jottings... Oct 4, 2012

This past Monday as the kids sang our "Days of the Week" song and chanted the date together, I could hardly believe it is already the month of October! Thank you all of you who have been patient with blog entries. I’ll be honest. Besides the fact that it has been hard to keep a journal with each day’s happenings (and my lack of diligence), and trying to get used to a new way of life, I have been discouraged because of inconsistent Internet. However, a few days ago I was able to skype with my friend who teaches in the Middle East. She is very diligent at keeping a daily journal while in the midst of teaching numerous math and art classes! I was reminded that if she can do it, I most definitely can keep a journal while teaching 3 students! ☺ Some things the Lord has been reminding me in the few short weeks that I have been here: What a pure joy and great fit for me to be in a missional setting while teaching. I love both of those aspects – they are my calling and gifting! I have had a blast listening to and discussing not only spiritual topics with the Majors, but also their future life and ministry …in the tribe. Missions is very different in a third world country, although the goal is the same – to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples. Having been raised in a missionary family, being involved in missions as a teen and through college, and then going on to lead in a ministry setting after college, I know what missions is like – first hand. I know the amazing joys of sharing God’s truths with people – specifically kiddos, seeing Him change the lives of kids and families, raise up workers with a passion to serve, see Him provide in ways that are otherwise impossible, and experience the deep friendships that come from serving Jesus together. But I also know the difficult challenges of ministry – the challenges of getting things done that I have no desire to accomplish (feels more like forcing things to get accomplished - speaking in churches, or calling every church in town to set up pastoral appointments, all by myself), working with conflicting personalities, loneliness, … and the list goes on and on. However, seeing missions in a third-world country, I have already given these missionaries my extreme respect. Some of the extra challenges of specifically living and working in the Philippines involves delays, delays and more delays. Nothing happens on time, partly due to the fact that it is considered impolite to answer “no” when someone asks for something and they don’t have it. Other times people are randomly not available, other times it’s the weather. When flying out to our tribe, we fly by helicopter. Although there are different routes to travel to the tribe, one part of the journey involves flying through a mountain pass. With the weather constantly changing, especially during rainy season, it is important to have a clear day to fly! Just a few days ago, our pilot and another missionary flew out to the tribe for a few days to help Jared with the house. One of the projects they completed was putting a sink and toilet in my bathroom downstairs! We have had quite a bit of rain since they flew in and heard from the neighbor that 2 more small typhoons were moving in. Our pilot had to be in Manila for flight training in just a few days. The missionaries were praying! Thankfully they made it out, just as scheduled. I can’t help but know God answered out prayers! Another challenge of ministry in a different country is the time it takes to learn language and culture. Add kids to that mix and it takes even more time! While the parents are learning language and culture, kids are needing an education, Visa renewals, and medical care (shots, etc.). One of the fun pastime activities the LORD has brought my way is going to the gym a few nights a week with Christina and Katherine. I am SO thankful for this activity which lets me get out of the house, get some exercise (which promotes a happy attitude), enables me to get to know these ladies better, and meet some Filipino people! On Monday, I met 2 sweet girls that work at the airport, Anne and Shirley. I couldn’t help but think of Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables when they told me their names. I had to laugh when they asked me why I was coming to the gym when I’m already skinny. Haha! Then they asked if I could teach them to be skinny (Even though most Filipinos are tiny and thin, those coming to the gym aren’t!). Well, I told them it runs in the family! Please pray for more opportunities to get to know these girls and be a light to them, for Christ! I have been impressed with the missionaries fluency in speaking Tagalog. Many national Filipinos have commented on their fluency as well. The 2 years that NTM requires missionaries to learn Tagalog while living in Manila pays off! Me on the other hand: well, lets just say I have expanded my vocabulary from 1 word to 3. Actually I have been a bit discouraged about this topic: not knowing the language/limited communication. I am concerned while anticipating the difficulty of limited communication in the tribe especially. Please pray that I will be able to pick up some of the language while here, and have opportunities to interact with the locals. Jared and Bana will be focusing on learning the local tribal language: Illocano. They have already learned Tagalog, but in order to effectively communicate with the tribal people and eventually teach them the Word of God, they need to learn the main tribal language. Although there are a handful of languages spoken in their tribe, Illocano is known by most and will be most effective to learn (both time-wise and for effective communication). Some days I look around at this place the Lord has brought me to and think, “I can’t believe I’m in the Philippines.” And the truth is, I can’t! When I look at the mountains of Tug while on the rooftop, it looks strangly familiar. Only by looking down at brown men riding their caribou to work in the cornfields am I reminded that I am in the PH. Oh yes, and the neighbors blaring radio (It’s the same songs all day, every day), from 5am to 10+pm. I am slowly getting used to this life here. Yet at the same time, everything in new and different. As time goes on, I know I will miss more of those familiar things from home. Don't get me wrong, I do miss my family! That is part of the process of that thing I’ve heard called Culture Shock. Where am I at with this whole culture thing? Yesterday, I told Bana, “I like it here!” There is just something … is the word comforting?... About tricies, pony carriages, palankas (shopping markets), smiling brown faces, and drinking fun drinks at Bridgestone market (grocery store in the mall). I must close for now. I hope you have enjoyed my random jottings! Thank you for your continued prayers. Please continue to pray for: * Grace, discipline, patience, and humility - personally and while teaching * Ability to balance school preparation and develop curriculum/classes well * No stress Praise the Lord that over half of my support has been raised! Please pray with me that God will continually provide for all of my needs while here including the remaining amount left to raise (approx 40%).