June 21, 2010 - Happy Bday to ME

I have been going through some rough times, just with my health and plain ole' discouragement, tired and exhaustion from ministry. Ferd knew I needed a break. For me, I do not like gifts or want anything material . For me, the best treat is time. I realize that time is something very precious. One of my favorite quotes is " The present is a gift".. I do not know what tomorrow holds but the Lord has blessed me with RIGHT now. So, I asked Ferd to take 2 days off and take me and Sean away for my birthday. I just wanted to be with them and clear my mind.

We had the nicest time..He took me to Makati for my birthday lunch, where it was divine! Then we went on to Clark and Subic to hit some of the import stores that I LOVE. Since rainy season is coming, I like to stock up on supplies in case we are stranded yet again. I found lots of canned and boxed goods and we got what we could. We also hiked through throughout Subic, watched a native show and explored a mini-zoo. Sean didnt want to come home...I didnt either

June 8, 2010- Back to Bible College

All the kids are going back to school, including the Bible College students. We have 3 this year and we are so proud of them. I have seen the Lord take and totally change their lives from when i first met them. Each has a unique story and how the Lord brought them into our lives and we shared the Gospel, the Lord watered the seed. We watched them grow in our church and surrender to full time ministry. Now, they are our biggest helpers in the church. I am blessed to be a part of their lives and thankful that the Lord has allowed me to be a channel of blessing for them.

June 7, 2010 - VBS Outing

Fun day for the VBS workers. For all our hard work, we decided to go and fellowship together and unwind at Mabilao Beach. Ferd grilled bangus and some other goodies and I made fruit salad, etc. It was a way to say Thank you for all hard work and dedication that went into VBS.

June 4, 2010 - New Shelter is Finished!

Praise the Lord, after weeks of work, the new village shelter is up! Ferd and the men have worked hard, all without pay to get this shelter up for the new Bible Study. The rains have already started, so we are thankful that the Lord provided it just in time!We had our first meeting in it and it rained some, but we were nice and dry! We hope to later pay a concrete floor to help prevent muds. The new study is getting closer to merging into a church!

June 1, 2010- Birthday Fun

Technically, Ferd's birthday isn't till Thursday, the 3rd. But, since that falls right in the middle of chaotic ministry time with the village work, prayer meetings, etc..we decided to take today and celebrate. We saw a commercial on TV about a place close by called Bolinao. It's about 3 hours from here and we had never ever been so , Ferd said that he would like to try something new and see what it's like. Well, it wasn't quite what we expected, pretty much in the middle of nowhere and nothing much to do, but they had a great ocean view restaurant where we had a nice meal and we were serenaded by a man that owns the restaurant while we ate. Sean had a nice time swimming and catching hermit crabs. We also drove up to the famous Bolinao lighthouse where it was abandoned. Yeah, it was a nice day...

May 26, 2010 - Sis. Berna

Last year, a massive flood came and it about did me in. It was definitely the straw that broke my back, after being through so many trials, I really didn't handle the flood very well. It was horrible. I just cried alot and whined and pouted. I guess most American girls would have, but I went over board. I questioned God, which I know is wrong. But, sometimes when you are here, alone ( it feels like) and no one can relate to you, and normalcy is a million miles away..your friends and family are not there to hold you..yeah, it's hard.

Well, the flood did have a purpose. I am seeing it now. Ferd preached the message of salvation to the flood victims. Out of all the hundreds of evacuees that were stranded here at the church, only one accepted the Lord. You might think that is a horrible success rate, but in the LOrd's eyes, Sister Berna was precious enough that He was willing to do what it took to reach her. I am seeing that now. Berna was saved during the flood and has become of the greatest soul winners of the church. She is so vibrant and excited in the Lord. She encourages me and I know the flood was worth it.

Tonight she even hosted a Bible study at her house where she invited all her neighbors and even her husband ( who is very judgmental of her) came. I am glad the flood happend...

May 24, 2010- New Shelter!

The men are hard at work, trying depserately to get the shelter up so we can continue to hold Bible studies in the new village.. The rains are already starting, which are nice after 6 months of desert. But, the daily showers are also a sign of things to come..storms, typhoons and possible floods again. The men worked so hard and raised the ground up a whole foot and then began erecting the posts. We were going to put wood or bamboo, but Ferd said it would be better to just go ahead and make the post cement so that it wouldn't just blow away in a storm and leave us in the same situation. It was a step of faith as the cement is alot more expensive, but the Lord has provided each and every peso so far and we know He will continue to provide!