Christmas 2009

Just a few snapshots of our work and crazy busy-ness during Christmas. It was fun though and the Gospel was presented many times through our efforts!

The Whole Month of November in a nutshell

I’ve been sick. Sean is too and Ferd is coming down with something. The flood recovery has drained us. Satan knows when we are at our weakest and I'm sure he strategicly picks that time to attack.
We have had a rough weekend. One of our members who is only 30 something like me just lost her husband suddenly 2 months ago. She has 2 kids and was expecting her 3rd. She called me Thursday to come when she was heavily bleeding at 5 months pregnant. She miscarried the baby and the baby came out with no legs, just a torso. It was very strange. So, I am dealing with this horrible incident with her...
But, Ferd is the one Im worried about. He had to take a stand on somethings and I fear for his safety. He says I worry too much, but would you just pray for him specifically. There is a withdoctor here and he has convinced some of our new attendees in the new villages to stop coming to the Bible Study. The whole superstition thing that he has them believing is soooo wild, you would have to see it to believe it. but, these demonic superstitions are very dangerous.
Especially today, it is Undas which is the Day of the Dead. Looking out my window right now I see thousands of candles lit up to keep the dead spirits from entering the house. I spent the whole morning after church counseling with a lady who is struggling with these strong beliefs..it takes A LONG TIME to work with these people. Sure, they get saved, but you have to reprogram them. They have to re-learn everything..
Anyway, Ferd had to take a stand against this witchdoctor...and he has power around here. He does weird things and has demonic power. I know his black magic can't harm us..Greater is HE that is within me!!! but, he can influence people to possibly attack Ferd. I do have a wild imagination, ...but it stems from MANY horrible things that I have seen here and I know what these people are capable of...

Nov. 1- 3, 2010 - Family Getaway

We took a few days and headed south to Subic Bay and it was so nice to breathe a bit before getting back to more flood clean up and ministry work.

October 31, 2009 - Caroling

Ok, so when you hear the word "caroling" you automatically think December. Well, Christmas season starts here in September, so our kids wanted to go out caroling, and though it didnt feel like Christmas to us, we decided to go out and have some fun.

Here in the Philippines, when children carol, their audience gives them candies or money. So, our kids were thrilled to fill their bags with lots of goodies from all our members' homes.

We started off the night with me teaching them and lots of singing..then we caroled till late! It was really fun!

October 13-15 - Relief at Last

After a whole week of trying to find enough food for everyone...funds have arrived from the states!! The waters are down enough to travel on the roads, and we were able to buy ALOT of food and personal items. We spent the last 2 days diving and packaging up rice and groceries. We were able to buy and distribute enough food for ONE WHOLE WEEK to every single Believer here in our ministry..That is nearly 200 people! There was sooo much food..it filled 3 rooms in the church. We also bought over 1,000 pounds of rice. The people were overwhelmed with thanksgiving when we delivered it today!!!

October 8-13, 2009 - TOTAL Disaster Here

Parma, the typhoon that exited last week...whipped around and came back and nailed us..
The past 5 days have been rough...for lack of better words. I can not even explain the events that have unfolded and the suffering we have seen and been through. This one about broke me and I am still emotionally trying to deal with it...we were hit with 3 back to back typhoons, the latest one on Thursday did us in. I just can't even put it into words yet.. I'm trying to heal from all the tramatic things that we have just went through, and are still dealing with..
6 feet of water submerged our whole village within 2 hours after the main dam broke here. Everyone that does not have an upstairs was swept away. We live up on stilts ( the equililent of a 2nd story building..) so people began to swim here. We had 150 evacuees stranded in our home and church. We have had no running water or power for FIVE days. No way to go to the bathroom other than in cups and throw it outside.. ( that is nearly 200 people all doing this right here)... the smells, the sounds. I am just still coping through this. I am usually a strong person, but this one has broken me.
Everything is ruined in the church, the mess and filth is undescribable. this is my 2nd MAJOR natural disaster in one year's time...Im tired and sick and distraught. Please pray for me.
I'm posting some pictures now and will talk more about this when I am emotionally ready.
Just pray right now for this... 1. many church members have lost everything, 2. there is no food, no gas and no roads open for supplies to get in 3. the mess that we have to deal with now is unreal
ok, well...I'm gonna try to post some pictures.

October 16, 2009 - All Roads Open

It feels good to get out to the city!

The water is down enough to travel out and get supplies in from Manila..YAY! We went out and loaded up, though everything is picked over and people are in a state of panic. Also prices have tripled. We paid nearly 4 dollars for a head of cabbage!! It is crazy! It feels like the end times!