Philippine Update

For those interested in reading about the trip from start to finish...you will need to scroll down a few entries and read up. If that doesn't matter to you--then just have at it.

Much love too all who enter here whether it's your first time or you're a repeat customer!! :) Don't forget to leave me your thoughts and reflections.

Peace, out!

And so it ends...

So Saturday night was a great time of fellowship with people from the ministry in Philippines. We had a TON of great food, including a HUGE pig roast that was carried into the house wrapped in banana leaves and set on the kitchen table to be chopped up.


I was able to meet a few more individuals from the ministry. Every Sunday, Neena and Pipan go to Ilo Ilo to visit a women's jail there. The plan was for us to visit with them the next day. In the morning we were heading to a church where Marlon was going to preach, but since we didn't have to be there until 9am---we were able to sleep in until 6:30. This was a real treat because most other days we were up and out the door by 6am. Sunday morning came, we dressed for church and then got on our tricycle for the 30 minute drive to the church. They had a small luncheon for us afterwards. It was odd and humbling to have so many people during our entire time there just lavish love and gifts on us. We had gone to encourage and love on them...and we came away feeling so special and cared for.

The jail on Sunday was the another one of the 3 most God powered times. These women. I couldn't help but tear up to see their faces...hear their laughter...chat with them afterwards. They were very happy to have us there and even there-one of the women had made me a gift.


Monday was spent shopping in the market and mall. Tuesday we headed to our last prison and spent the evening packing. This prison was probably the least sanitary yet. We were actually able to go in and take a few pictures of the actual cells. You can see just how destitute things there are.



We spent the late evening packing and having great conversation with Brother Bob and Neen. It was hard to believe that our time was just about done. We headed to Ilo Ilo early on Wdnesday morning. When we got to Parola Wharf we waited only a short bit before our van came to take us to the airport. Our good bye to Brother Bob was bittersweet. He put us on the van and we began our 45 minute drive to the airport. Our flight to Manilla was right on time so we got to Manilla about 11:30. Ling's brother, Sam, who lives in Manilla was going to be our guide, however, he didn't get off of work until 2 so he couldn't come to get us until 3pm. These few hours though certainly passed quickly. After all of this airport waiting I really think I could be a professional people watcher! Sam finally came and we headed in a taxi to our hotel. The plan was to stay put for the remainder of the day (Manila is not necessarily the safest city in the world) and then head to the airport by 4:30 am (our flight was at 6:30am) Because we had to get up so early, we wanted to be as close as possible to the international airport so Sam took us to a Japanese hotel nearby.

Now I must tell you something about this hotel that may shock you. I know when I realized where we were...even I BLUSHED! First, the place just seemed...for lack of better word, sexy. Only women were behind the desk, the male staff were all overly friendly, basically everyone coming were couples...then as we registered for our room and saw the photos of the rooms and saw that there were HOURLY rates...we realized where we were!!! It was certainly a culture shock. The hotel rooms had plastic mattresses, doorbells, masseuses that would come to your room---$5 for an hour massage, and free porn on the TV. We didn't watch any mind you....the TV guide kindly had photos for us----yucky!! Marlon and I just sat in the room laughing. Once Sam came and brought us our dinner we settled in, watched Law and Order (Marlon was right---that show IS on everywhere and somewhere---and took short naps. Up and out by 4:00am and through security by 5. Thus began our trek home.

Blessings were so many to number. But initially off the top of my head:
--safe travel
--kids were healthy and behaved while we were gone
--we got to reconnect with Brother Bob and Neen
--we were able to share the gospel at several prisons, the orphanage and just on
the street
--Neen's sister, Angel, who was ill when we arrived got better and was almost
100% when we left
--travel while in the Philippines went very well
--we didn't get sick while there

Lastly, here's just a few more photos from our trip that I wanted to share. Please know we appreciate all of your prayers and love. It means so much to know that we have such positive people in our life helping us live out God's will for us.





Nite all!

The Orphanage...

The Saturday we spent at the orphanage was probably 1 of the 3 most God-powered day I spent in the Philippines. (now don't get it twisted..I know He powers all---so leave your hate mail to yourselves...lol)

A little background. I knew that Brother Bob lived on this orphanage compound and so I emailed quite a few months before our trip to see if I might be able to spend a day, or at least a few hours, with the children there. Due to their feelings about "foreigners" coming the response was difficult to read. It sounded more like I should come with basically nothing planned and nothing expected--but that I would be able to spend some time with the kids. We had a large bag of donated craft items that I planned to take anyway. I figured if nothing else I could leave them with the orphanage. I was told that the orphanage itself had just about 35 children living there, but a school was also on campus and with outreach efforts there was up to maybe 60 or so. Marlon agreed that it might be fun to spend some time with the kids there, but really made no promises either way, mostly because we weren't sure what he might have planned that day.

On the 2nd day there, I met with Bebing, a woman who helps to run the orphanage and activities. It was then that I realized she had let all of the children know that on Saturday there would be a "Children Fellowship" day from 8am to 4pm with special guest from America, Mindy! :) Basically a one day vacation bible school. I smiled, paused, took a deep breath and said--Let's get to work. That evening we impromptu planned a day full of crafts, worship, teaching, indoor and outdoor games, question and answer and food. She agreed to purchase all of the other items we would need and Brother Bob agreed to personally fund it all. She also said we should plan for about 80-90 children! Marlon agreed to come and help with games as well as a lesson for the kids since Brother Bob had no specific plans for him that day. What happened in between that meeting and Sat. was some intense prayer on my part. Our prayers were answered in ways that I never could have imagined.

When I arrived at 8am (they didn't want me to come early to help set up---hey I could handle ministry like that...lol) there were already about 50 children there. We had decided on some worship time first so that as the children trickled in they wouldn't miss out on intro/interview time. I taught them some songs I've used in Kid Zone here along with the movements and they loved them. Very quiet and shy at first I found a great way to connect. All week they had been giggling at me in the back of that tricycle as I went from Brother Bob's house to the main road past the school. I told them that I knew they had all laughed, waved and said hello to me all week so there was no reason to be shy now! By the end of worship they were chattering, laughing, being just silly kids. The age group was 7-16 so I had to appeal to a very broad group. We spent time in prayer, I talked a little about our life in the US, Marlon gave a teaching on David and Goliath (which worked sooooo well due to his size--guess who was Goliath...lol) The kids ate it up. Then I took the lesson and delved even deeper to make sure that the kids fully understood it and how to apply it to their lives. We had question and answer time and I tossed candy out for correct answers. We paused for snack and had grown to just under 100 kids!!



Next we had our craft time. We had decided on beading, paper airplanes, drawing a picture to go with the lesson, making a bookmark, making a card for someone you love and a cool hot iron bead melting thing. Every single child made at least one piece of jewelry. All of the boys...all of the older kids. They were so excited to choose their favorite colors...to see them proud to have something their own-it brought tears to my eyes. About 30 minutes into craft time, one little girl-Christian-brought me a card. She had made her card for me. Such a big hug. I will remember the feeling of that hug forever. What then progressed was a ton of the kids making cards for both Marlon and I. I think we have about 30 cards on our table right now. This time was laid back and relaxed. Of course the wild dogs and chickens came to join us as well...lol!! Bebing told us how great it was just to see the kids laughing and enjoying themselves.




We then broke for lunch. We had chicken, vegetables, rice, bread, fruit and juice. Marlon and I, as the special guests, were presented with a special lunch served on special plates and with our own desserts. We were told that for many of the outreach children this may have been their first real meal (other than rice) for the whole week. We were also told that due to some exams at school, many of the children would be leaving after lunch.


After lunch we had another time of worship. We recapped the songs from the morning, they taught me a few and we came together with a few songs we all knew to truly lift our voices in praise! It was amazing. Then came indoor and outdoor games. We did some fun relays with balloons, then a bunch of different games-some that we used in Biloxi and some we just made up as we went along. It was such a fun afternoon. I wish our 4 kids could have been there for that time. Even though our number did drop a little is sure didn't drop much! After games we had a small snack and then someone from the school took a group picture.


We ended the day with sharing time and letting the kids ask us questions about the US, our family, our lives. We also shared some pictures with them of our family. Many hugs and kisses and laughs later, we ended the day a little early at 3:30 so that we could be well prepared for a reception at Brother Bob's house that he was hosting for us with members of the ministry.

I pray for each of those shiny, smiley faces. For those whose names I remember...Margel, Denzy, Quinzey, Chrisian, April, Cemberlee, Lois, Jay, Jomar, May, Juliet, Femma, Cindy...to the many whose names I can't...may they feel our love, but more importantly God's love each day. May they draw close to Him and rely on Him to help them conquer any obstacle they meet. Keep them safe, provide for their needs. Allow them to live full, peaceful lives never taking their focus off of God.

Alright...one more break and then I'll finish up the last few days of the trip. Thanks to all who are continuing to read...it means a lot to be able to share it.

Continuing on...

Let's see where were we...

Oh yeah---sleeping all night...lol. There are sure some strange noises when you sleep in the middle of the jungle in a bamboo house. Many of the things I didn't even ask about because I really didn't want to know! There was a few wonderful roosters that crowed EVERY night from about 3-6 a.m. That is no exaggeration. I remember when Marlon went two years ago and told me about the roosters. I believed him of course, but there was a part of me that thought he might be exaggerating just a little. I found out this time that no, he certainly was not...lol. Brother Bob lives on a school compound. There is the orphanage, school, homes of people involved in the school some way and a few other homes as well. Aside of all of the prison ministry that Brother Bob does there...he helps out the school financially when able. Here is a picture of the room we slept in and Brother Bob's main living/kitchen room.



Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were spent visiting prisons with some of the full time missionaries that serve in BBO-Philippines. Bro. Bob's main focus and prayer for this trip was that Marlon and I would get to experience a real slice of ministry life in the Philippines. Thus, we were fully exposed to the rough travel and vigorous schedule that the 4 full time women there experience each week. The 45 prisons are located on 4 islands throughout the Philippines. The travel there of course always involves a boat ride (one taking overnight to get to) and then anywhere from one to three hours of travel to the actual prison.
There is the extreme weather to contend with (they go rain, shine or storm), substandard vehicles--the jeepneys and tricycle as well as a tricycab--which is a bicycle with a side car and of course the conditions in the prisons. Often there is 15-25 men/women in one 10x12 cell. No facilities, just a hole in the ground in the corner. There is usually only 5 or so beds and so they need to take turns. The prisons are not sanitary and occasionally they may go a day or even a few days with nothing to eat but a small portion of rice. Yet you see Jesus there. You hear Him in their worship, you see Him in their smiles, you feel His presence as you hug them afterwards. One nice thing is that time is not quite as strict there and so we can linger longer to chat and encourage. Here are a few pictures of some of the prisons.




Here is how the ministry works. There are four full time workers. Due to the travel and distance of the other islands, three of the four are assigned to one of the islands. They travel either Sunday evening or early Monday morning to their location and then stay the week. On Friday afternoon/evening they return home to their families. After three weeks of doing this they each have a week off. The fourth full time staff fills in for each of the three on their week off. The average worker in the Philippines makes $2 per day. $2. While things there are of course considerable cheaper to our standards, nothing is easily obtainable for a family when you make $2 per day. The ministry, however, pays these women a much higher wage and also covers there travel expenses as well as the boarding house they must stay in for the weeks they are gone. Two of the four have children at home still, but with the help of family and neighbors they are able to make it work. Esther, Neen, Arlene, Ling (as they are shown below...and actually we found out Ling resigned just since we've been back) I have the upmost respect and love for these ladies. It was an honor spending time with them and their love of the Lord was both refreshing and wonderful. I am honored to have them as friends and sisters in Christ.




Well, I got through Friday. Saturday was probably one of the most special days for me as I got to spend it at the orphanage with about 100 kids! That is another whole story...lol...so I will again take a break and be back later with more. Thanks for reading!!

Let's get started....

There's so much to share about the Philippines---that I hardly know where to start, but I guess the only way I'm going to get details shared is by starting---so here goes...

The flights there went very well. We flew out of Milw. to Det. and then onto Tokyo. 13 hours. Wow. If you've never flown that far, I must tell you that if you are claustrophobic---um, don't bother without medication...lol! I did end up sleeping around 5 hours and watched a movie, finished about 10 crossword puzzles and wrote in my journal. The crazy part was that because we were traveling up over the North Pole, the sun NEVER WENT DOWN. Bizarre or what? After a brief switch over in Tokyo and security we flew to Manila arriving late Monday evening about 11pm. The next step was a domestic flight on Cebu Pacific. Because domestic flights only fly out during the day our flight was not until 8am--so we sat in the airport the entire night. What's funny is that everyone coming in on international flights had to do the same-so there were about a 100 of us just chillin in the airport all night. Now this isn't a huge interesting airport like we have here....this picture shows the room (about the size of a large gym) where we were.


Brother Bob and his wife, Neen, picked us up from the Ilo Ilo airport. They had hired a tour bus company with a van to drive and had brought along 2 men that do odd and end jobs for them along to carry the luggage. We went to a mall to have lunch and the 2 men, Shadrach and Bruce, travelled on to Bro. Bob's house to drop off the luggage. We then went on in a jeepney (see picture below)

The back of the jeepney basically has a bench on either side that runs along side of the jeepney and the back is just an open area with no door. Very cramped and most certainly Philippino size :)
So the jeepney took us to the shore where we moved onto a pump boat. This 20-30 minute boat ride took us across the ocean to Guimaras where Bro. Bob and Neen live. Now the trick to these boats is that you walk down several cement steps to a long plank that leads to the boat. You must walk across the plank to reach the boat, often with your bags, etc. I must admit I was a little worried the first time, but once I realized that I could do it without falling, each time got easier. Here a picture of the steps and the plank we walked across.


After arriving at the Buena Vista wharf on Guimaras our last step was a 3 mile ride on a tricycle to their home. Now. Tricycle does not mean what you are thinking. Tricycles are basically a small motorcycle with a side car. The side car has a front and back seat. So Bro. Bob AND Neen jumped on the back of the motorcycle behind the driver, Marlon got in the front of the side car and I got to ride in the back. Um...the back was basically just a small seat--no seat belt, no door, no handles...just me facing all of the traffic behind us and holding onto whatever part of the back I could to make sure I stayed in. This is another place where after the first time or two when I realized that I wasn't falling off----I was able to get very comfortable and didn't need to hold on at all. In fact I even took pictures and video!


It was about 1 when we finally arrived at their home. The plan was to try and stay awake until 6 or 7 and then sleep through the night, but Marlon and I both decided to take a short nap around 2:30. Well, the next time I woke up was 10pm at night!! After a bathroom break, we ended up sleeping until the next morning!!

So that's a start. Off to have dinner and then I'll be back to share some more.

Back...

We're back! Still somewhat comatose from lack of sleep and barely functioning properly...lol...but we got back yesterday early evening safe and sound. I can't even begin to describe or share our trip yet. My mind is ALL over the place with the amazing things we saw and wonderful ways that God blessed us. We've got the pictures downloading already so by Sunday I should be able to share a justifiable update of our time in the Philippines.

Yay! Crossed off already.....

Can you believe I'm already able to check off a few things?? lol

Create "cheat sheets" for camp while I am gone
Laundry
Pack the 2 of us--I got the kids packed AND to my parents house!!
Elijah's birthday party is today
Go to the bank
Dye my hair

Yay!! There is light at the end of the tunnel-----and we're down to 2 days!!

Tomorrow is not promised....

Wow---we leave in 3 days! That's crazy!! Not even sure where to start.

My cousin passed away early Tuesday morning. My 2nd cousin---55 years and no definate word on happened. She went into the hospital last week and every test they ran was coming back negative. There just didn't seem to be a reason for what was happening...and then early Tues. she died. While mortality is something I've always been okay with accepting....I mean I know we are all going to die sometime---when it comes so unexpectedly, so suddenly it just floors you. The funeral is Friday and I'm thankful that we will be around to go before leaving. My heart is just aching for her kids and her mother. My dad and aunts and uncles who remember a funny, goofy girl they played with growing up and partied with as young adults...I knew her to be a riot---always laughing and cracking jokes but she had a lot of hard times in her life and many sad things happening...I think I'm a little numb really.

Leaving has me both excited and yet a little worried about how everything is going to run while we're gone. Believe me, I am certainly not prideful enough to think that life won't go on without us...lol...there's just so much with our kids and my job especially that makes wonder a little how it is all going to fall into place. I have off today and tomorrow---still some work to do to be prepared to leave, but nothing I have to be at church for. My head was swimming yesterday as I was trying to remember each little detail in hopes that there would be no big glitches while I am gone. I have to remember that life is short and no day is promised to us so to worry about that which I have no control is a total waste of energy.

What can I control other than my own actions and reactions? Everything else--I have no control over. If while I am gone a problem arises---I won't be there to handle, so why worry or stress over how others handle it? It's very nice to know that I'll be missed and that they need me, but there's also a lot of pressure in that because then a lot rides on me as well. As for the kids, there's just so much that I feel a little bad for my parents to have to swallow all of that, but again, they are happy to do it and haven't made us feel that it's a chore at all. So I go released.

Here's my to do list:

Finish lists for camp week 4 and 5
Change voicemail at work
Create "cheat sheets" for camp while I am gone
Laundry
Pack the 6 of us (I did start that today at least)
Clean (I hate coming home to a dirty house)
Give Chloe a good bath and grooming (my friend Roberta is taking her for us)
Elijah's birthday party is today
Funeral is tomorrow
Marlon's family is having dinner for us tomorrow before we go
Go to Walmart to buy a bunch of stuff Brother Bob needs
Try and stop by the Teen MOPS picnic on Sat.
Take Isaiah to Spano's on Sat.
Cry a little I'm sure...lol
Take Chloe to Roberta's on Sat. night
Double check the calendar and contact info. I gave my parents for the kids
Go to the bank
Dye my hair

um...ok, based on that list, of which I am sure I am missing something, I better get off this computer and get to work!!! Much love to each of you---I'll be back!

Yes I'm Still Alive!!

Yes I am still here....Michelle you are right, I am crazy busy...lol!! I'm not sure if I'll make it out to Mukwonago next week, but I really am going to try--it's exciting for this church plant because there's been a lot of people in that area praying about it for a while and it's finally coming to fruition.

My schedule is quite crazy actually until we leave for the Philippines. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. Here's what we've been up to since getting back.

Last week I was able to take a little time off from work which was wonderful. I actually still did a lot of what I needed to--I just did it from home on my laptop. The 4th we watched the parade and then cooked out at my Grandma's. Last 4th of July there. Then we went to swim at my parent's and watch the fireworks from their backyard. It's cool because we can see like 5 or 6 fireworks displays from their yard. Thursday I worked and the kids hung out at my parent's house. The weekend was spent getting the house back in order from being gone--swimming at my parents house and going to church. On Sunday I spoke at our church during 3rd service at "Iced Expresso" a special ministry starting between the 20 Something Ministry and Woman's Ministry. It's a really cool effort to combine young 20 something women with "older" (and that is totally relative because at 36 I am older!!) seasoned women as mentors or teachers. I spoke on our identity in Christ and it seemed to go well. I felt very comfortable and enjoy teaching/speaking so that was good.

This week was back in full swing at camp. Marlon is crazy busy this week with meetings, an interview, curriculum writing at school (he teaches one day a week at a school in Milw) Izzy had soccer practise on Monday, Jordyn went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter last night, I had a Teen MOPS meeting tonight, I have worship rehearsal tomorrow, Jordyn goes to her dad's on Friday until the 20th, Izzy has a game on Sat. morning, Marlon speaks at his grandfather's church on Sunday, I'm onstage all weekend...Sunday we may have to go to a prison...wow. Writing it all down it seems totally mental that our life would look like that. No wonder I don't have any laundry done!! lol

Next week continues to be full, but much of it is getting ready for our next mission trip. We will be gone from the 22nd until Aug. 2 doing prison ministry there. I am so excited, but I am a little nervous for the longggggggggg flight.

I am maintaining. I really don't like being in a maintaining place because I feel somewhat disengaged from life. I can only become surface involved in order to maintain my sanity, my focus and keeping on task. I've been praying basically non-stop all day, but have been neglecting my bible time. I've studied---for the talk I did, for speaking I may do in the Philippines...but I haven't just been in my own personal study. Marlon and I have been talking about starting a couple's small group. I think for many years we just had so much...issues, stresses, personal things to work on...that a couples small group just wasn't a good choice. We both feel like we are ready to be accountable as a couple---to have a group of couples that we confide in, share with, pray for...when we get back from the Philippines we are going to look into this. The main thing is that it will need to be people we know we can be open, honest and free with.

One exciting decision we've made is that for our tenth anniversary in Jan. we are going to go on a cruise. We've never been on one and we never had a honeymoon so it will be a great treat and blessing all around.

Anyway---it's getting late and I've finally let my mind unwind enough to lay down so I'd better get some sleep!

PEACE

Back home again...

Well, we're back home after quite an eventful trip. Our van started sounding odd about an hour or so after leaving Biloxi....to make a long story short, we were blessed to find a mechanic that was open on Saturdays AND Sundays-that was willing to fix out van (wheel bearing) AND blessed to have friends that chipped in and paid for the expense of fixing our van. Amazing.

Thought I'd share some more photos....


Here's the room we stayed in.



Here's some of my group during worship time.



Marlon teaches the kids how the game they played relates to the lesson of being a team player for Christ and always putting forth your full effort in life.





These are just a few of the pictures that show the intense state of destruction that Biloxi was left in after Katrina hit. The bottom is a FEMA trailor that someone is living in on their property. Many people have not yet begun the clean up of their property, much less the rebuilding. Slowly, one house at a time, Biloxi has begun to rebuild.

Getting late. More later. Happy 4th everyone!