there and back again

While Mark was away in another S.E. Asian country,

this (below) was his home away from home:

The open-air deck (upstairs) is where Mark and his roommate slept, 

for the sake of a little bit of air flow on those hot, stuffy nights.  

 E, a little girl who helped out around the house, 

poses by the only running water source at the house - an outdoor tap. 

 Mark does his laundry -  each cycle required a manual fill and drain, 

and the clothes had to be moved into the spinner after washing.

(Great time to pause and give thanks for my washing machine...)

 The upstairs of the house where the 14 staff members slept.  

Through the 'Hobbit Hole' at the back of the photo is the balcony that was Mark's room.

(Notice his mosquito net-covered mattress on the floor?)

Mark poses with F, his room mate for 3 weeks.

F's servant's heart was so evident as he voluntarily swept and mopped 

the dusty upstairs floor every morning before work,

singing as he cleaned.

Above: a few shots from around the city.  Its claim to fame is that it's at the equator.  This friendly man on a scooter not only showed Mark the way to the equatorial monument, but also gave him a ride there!

Mark ran almost every morning he was there. 
He took this cool shot of one of his running companions on a hazy morning.

Mark had a few opportunities to explore the city - usually with his fellow-workers (top).

The little guy on the bottom left was a little wary of this strange man, but with some prompting from his mom gave Mark a thumbs-up.  And the friendly "bus" driver on the bottom right talked excitedly to Mark until he figured out that Mark didn't understand his language.

The world is a book, 

and those who do not travel read only a page.

- Augustine

We're so thankful you're back home, Mark,

but grateful too that you could make this journey...

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

Saint Augustine

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_travel.html#pR217bVq82LIsTTG.99

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

Saint Augustine

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_travel.html#pR217bVq82LIsTTG.99

Michael climbs a volcano

Last Monday morning, Michael got up at 3 AM, 

packed last-minute essentials in his bag, 

and headed to the airport.

There he met up with his classmates, and boarded a plane for the island of Luzon

to participate in his second Outdoor Education experience.

Photo by Michael

 They traveled by bus to "Base Camp" where they joined with students from Manila to make a group of over 200 middle schoolers.  From there they split into three travel groups, 

rotating to visit three different locations during the week.

Michael's first day's trip was to Taal Volcano, about 30 miles south of Manila.

(Okay, Michael didn't take this one!) photo credits: Wikipedia

 Taal is the second most active volcano in the Philippines, with 33 recorded eruptions.

It's been pretty quiet since 1977; long enough to make it an interesting but safe place to explore!

 His group boarded a barge (above) pushed by one boat and pulled by another (see below) 

toward the island volcano (which you can also see in the photo below)

 Here they set up camp, and then hiked across the island 

of volcanic rock to the volcanic lake in the center.

Michael and a friend at the overlook

They swam in Lake Taal

Michael poses by a steaming hot fumarole

and explored the beach around it, carefully avoiding hot spots in the rock,

and these burning fumaroles; cracks in the earth's crust emitting steam and gasses.

Michael said that this one (above) was a little frightening, with no bottom in view

He had other adventures last week too, including learning to dive,

killing and cooking a chicken for dinner, 

ministering to kids from a local school,

snorkeling, competing in games,

and sleeping out under the stars, on a bed of coral rock.

He was happy to get back to a mattress, a hot shower and flushing toilet, and something other than PB 'n Js for lunch, but he loved the experience, and has some fabulous memories as a result.

Thanks to all of the adults who led these kids on such an adventure!  

We're thankful for each one of you!

from basketball starters to night of stars

The International School Athletic Conference gathered

from January 22nd- 25th at the British School of Manila.

There our high school girls' basketball team (including Elise and Amy) and the boys' soccer team competed with several other schools in the league.

 Top: all of the delegates from our school in Davao

Bottom Left: Sister-work - Elise picks an opponent to make room for Amy to get through

Bottom Middle: our girls' team won 3rd place - not bad for a school 1/4 the size of most of the others!

Bottom Right: Amy is named one of the All-ISAC team

 **********

Then last weekend Amy and Elise joined together musically on stage 

at the school's Night of Stars performing "Concerning Hobbits" in a beautiful piano/flute duet.

(Yes, I'm a little bit biased.)

How thankful we are for opportunities like this

in a community of believers unlike anything we could have imagined.

It's been a wonderful thing in the lives of our children.

 "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, 
for the sake of the kingdom of God,  

who will not receive many times as much at this time 

and in the age to come, eternal life."

Luke 18:29-30

And we give thanks to God for His faithfulness...

fair trade

These beautiful ladies from church, 

and several more who aren't pictured,

Saturday crafting at our home

have been crafting and creating 

and enjoying time together since August.

 

a few of the crafts we've made

Our goal was to host a Christmas Craft Fair where we would raise some money 

for ministries of the Women of the Church.

And then Typhoon Haiyan struck, and the goal changed

to help those in greater need.

Last Saturday morning we opened the gates of our driveway, 

and held the first ever neighborhood craft fair.

We invited other local women to join us - 

women who cook and craft and create 

to supplement their families' incomes.

Above and below: vendors at the fair

It was such a fun morning!

An exciting chance to share talent and hard work with others in the community, 

and to raise funds to bless others who have so little.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people 

but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

2 Cor. 9:12 NIV 

May our thanksgiving to God overflow in all we do!

 

grateful

You'll remember that we asked you to join us in praying for Mark 

as he took on a job requiring lots of time, energy and grace.

Thank you so very much for your prayers!  Mark is done with the assignment,

and we are delighted to have him back home again safely 

after his time in a remote village in another SE Asian country for the past 3 weeks!

Thank you for your prayers for the rest of us here at home, too.

God has faithfully answered your prayers, and we are grateful.

 I can't tell you much about Mark's work,

but during those three weeks, he ate rice and fish

for pretty much every single meal,

he took lots of cold bucket showers and 

hand-washed his clothes in a tub,

yes, this is the sort of bathroom Mark used for 3 weeks...

 he had lots of time to practice a little of the local language,

 and time to work and fellowship together with fellow-believers, 
all laboring together for the glory of God!

 We give thanks for the opportunity he had to go,

and we give thanks to be all together again!

Where thou art,

 that is Home.  

~Emily Dickinson

interceding

I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. 

I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. 

It doesn’t change God- it changes me.

- C.S. Lewis

For the next few weeks, Mark is taking on a job 
that will require lots of time, lots of energy, lots of grace.

As you think of him, please join us in praying for Mark.

We also appreciate your prayers for the rest of us, 

as I'm pretty sure we'll need extra grace, too!

Thank you so very much for praying.

We are convinced that God hears,

and that God answers.

O You who hear prayer, 

To You all men come.

Psalm 65:2

down by the seashore

Amy and Elise (far right) with friends

One of the high school privileges at our local

international school is to attend the annual beach retreat.

The human knot (Amy on right)

It's a time of crazy games,

information about the new school year,

cooking up a pot of stone soup,

praising God together,

enjoying the water,

hearing special speakers,

and

bonding new and old friendships.

What a great way to begin your Senior year!

*Many thanks to all the teachers and other adults who made this trip possible!

when sinners say 'i do'

This weekend we participated in a marriage retreat through our local church.

The emphasis was on demonstrating mercy to one another in marriage, 

as God has so lavishly demonstrated mercy to each one of us.

What a great reminder to model our relationship after the marriage of

Christ and His bride, the Church;
a model that transcends any earthly cultural model for marriage.

 These two beautiful single ladies, Lil and Annie, 

lovingly served, prepared food, and decorated for a very special closing dinner,

where we celebrated God's good gift of marriage.

A very dear couple, Allan and Nora

 The retreat ended with a renewal of vows to one another,

and though it was a little different than an American marriage retreat,

with a puppy running under the tables,

and all of the couple's children in attendance, too,

it was very sweet; an event we'll never forget.

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship,
communion or company than a good marriage.
-Martin Luther

once upon a time it all came true...

Once upon a time...

there was a little six-year old girl

in a loving Filipino family who wanted to go to school.

Far away, on the other side of the world, 

there was a young American family 

of a daddy, a mommy, and two 3-year old girls.

They wanted to share God's love.

Through Compassion International,

that little Filipino girl's dream

and that little family's love

came together,

and Abegail started school.

One day, ten years later,

God sent that very same family,

now with two 13-year old girls

and a 9-year old boy,

across the world to work

at the opposite end of the very same country 

where 16-year old Abegail still went to school.

After many years of hard work,

dedicated study, and God's goodness,

Abegail graduated this month from college, 

with a 2-year degree in Information and Communication Technology.

And today we met for the very first time,
 this very same family, and this very same Abegail,

to celebrate God's love

that made all of this

come true.

at the airport with Abegail, her father, and the Compassion program director

We headed to the beach, a quiet spot to get to know one another.

Three beautiful young ladies

The trip was a series of firsts for Abegail;
her first time to fly in an airplane,
 first time to take a boat ride,
first time to hold a starfish,
and first time to meet Americans.

Abegail's first time to snorkel

Abegail is beautiful, inside and out.
When she expressed thanks to us for partnering with her
to get an education, she gave the credit to God -
right where it all belongs.

Compassion International has not only worked to minister to Abegail's material needs,
but more importantly to her spirit,
guiding her toward a knowledge of God and His Word,
and she's quick to acknowledge His goodness in her life.

lunch together on the beach

What a fun and wonderful day it was! Thanks be to God for such an incredible privilege.

 God bless and keep you, Abegail,
all the days of your life.

at dinner together at the end of our day, when Abegail presented us with a box of photos of her and her family

Would you like to have an amazing true story of your own?
Consider partnering with Compassion to sponsor
a little child who has the potential to become a young woman or man of God...
you never know how God might work!