Year in Review

Hard to believe that the year of 2012 is drawing to a close. Another chapter ending, a new one to begin. And what a year it was. A year of change (aren't they always, though). A year of growth (Christ calls us ever upward and outward). A year of adventure, of discovery, and realization.

I have learned many things over the course of this year. Christ has been pulling me further outside of my comfort zone, showing me that He has so much more for me than anything I could aspire to on my own. Another important lesson: relationships are so stinkin' mutual - and to clarify, this includes all relationships. I am married to a wunnerful saint, and I am perfectly and incandescently happy. Our love continues to deepen, and in loving him, by being transparent in my trust, I am realizing the depth of Christ's great love for us. How wondrously marvelous.

We are both learning that Christ's timing is always impeccable. It is comforting to rest in the security of Jesus, knowing that He will not fail us. He has proven Himself faithful, and we give Him all of the glory. Our Lord is a gracious savior, the redeemer of our souls.

Memories flood over me, washing up on my mind like the ocean's tide. How strange it was to leave behind our one room hut on the lush green mountainside, to bid our dear friends farewell, to hold back the welling tears that threatened to betray my swimming emotions. I can still see Jay and Theresa's retreating figures as they walked away down a crowded Manila street. It must have been crowded, for those streets always are, yet in my mind's eye, it was just those two. So many fond memories of Olongapo.

Spent our first month in the States living with family. Strong bonds, gracious ties. We had so much to share, nearly a years worth of stories. And how our siblings grew during our absence. They drank us in, those eyes that had been starved of our presence. We had many reunions over the course of 2012.

Two weddings, the first held in high summer. The second occurred in the lovely month of October. Gorgeous, glowing brides, stunning in their ivory and white. Resplendent. Dapper grooms, beholding their prospective brides with beaming faces, unabashed joy. There is something wondrous about outdoor weddings, with God's creation providing a glorious backdrop and the heavens providing the clearest of blue skies. Both were occasions of great rejoicing, celebrating the union of two hearts becoming one.

A quiet anniversary, celebrating our two years of married bliss. Thanksgiving spent with both of our families - so many blessings to be grateful for. And a meaningful Christmas, remembering the birth of Jesus, His humble beginnings. Fellowshipped with family and dear friends, gathered together, recalling memories and creating new ones. We watched Victor Hugo's Les Miserables brought to screen with a group of old friends.

Steady work for John, and a full semester of school for me. Back to the books... Finished up the year strong, making the Dean's list. I am set to graduate in 2015. And it is here that you find us, at home in our cozy Xenia, with a good roof over our heads and a warm shelter from winter's cold. As I write, soft snowflakes are floating gently down and covering the landscape, clinging to the branches and transforming the view from drabness to brilliant whiteness. It looks so pure. All around me, as far as my eyes can see, the world appears to be clothed in a delicate lace. A wood of breathtaking wonder.

Christmas Thoughts

We spent a lovely time in Brown County with my family, staying nice and cozy within the confines of our favorite log cabin, Babe Kite. It was a restful, relaxing respite, and oh so wonderful to enjoy quality time with everyone there. On the day of our departure, we woke to see that a soft blanket of whiteness had covered the surrounding area - winter's first snow.

I celebrated my 23rd birthday with my babe and my family, surrounded by those who love me, and was wished well by many. And now Christmas is just around the corner, the time of year when we remember the advent of Christ's humble entrance to our broken world. Our most wondrous gift. How incomprehensible it was, the way in which our mighty God chose to come into our lives. As we remember that day, it is my prayer that we would contemplate how the sacred took on our flesh. 

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."    {Hebrews 2:14-18}

Let us not lose sight of the meaning of Christmas. We wish you all joy as you celebrate the birth of Jesus, with friends and loved ones near. In His great love, Kelsey for both

Dropping A Line

In a world of deadlines, in the midst of my scheduled and somewhat regimented semester at school, there is something strangely comforting in a hot cup of steeped tea. Perhaps the British tradition of tea stems from a desire to have something normal in the middle of all the uncertainties that life brings. They know that at four or so in the afternoon, they will be comforted by a bit of tea. Good for what ails you.

I have been caught up in the whirlwind of school assignments, classes, quizzes, tests, exams, and what-have-yous. I am anticipating a much needed break from my studies, which occupy a great deal of my time as of late. Through it all, John has been my great encourager, and I am often overwhelmed by his steadfast support. My love for him grows deeper with time; it is indescribable. We are filled with joy because of our relationship we have with each other and with Christ Jesus.

I tried explaining the reason for my joy to a friend, someone who told me that she wished she could be happy, but only felt heaviness. My joy is not a feeling. My joy does not bubble up inside of me like an overflowing fountain. Rather, I choose to be joyful. It is a choice that I make every day. My joy is a choosing to be thankful, to be grateful for the gifts that God blesses me with, regardless of the situation. I will choose to say, with Job, ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord.’

The month of November causes me to reflect on the manifold blessings that Christ has given us. I am so grateful for His goodness. With the up-coming elections, the economic turmoil, and the uncertainties that many Americans are facing, I know that Christ is working all things for good, not evil. As Christians, our lives are in His hands, and I know of no place on earth that is more secure than that.

I am thankful for my husband, who I love moore than words could ever say. We spent our second anniversary at the Cornerstone Inn, a quiet Bed & Breakfast located in the heart of Nashville, Indiana. The inn was quaint, and we strolled down the streets of Brown County’s shoppes, hand-in-hand, breathing in the crisp autumn air as the bronzed leaves swirled by in the wind, crunching under toe. It was a marvelous getaway.

I am thankful for our families, who love us so dearly. We missed them last year, and I look forward to spending our Thanksgiving holiday with both sets of parents. I am grateful for our friends, spanning across continents and joined together by the bonds of Christ. To all of our friends in the Philippines, we love you and miss you all. You are very near and dear to our hearts.

My thankfulness could go on and on, and I may yet expand on my entry here, but for the time being, there are other things I must attend to. May the love of Christ dwell richly with you all. In Him, Kelsey

originally published on November 4, 2012

Life & Times

We have not dropped off of the face of the earth. I realize that things have been rather quiet on our blog as of late. For those of you who choose to follow our happenings after our stay in Olongapo, we will continue to post updates here from time to time.

We have moved back into our home, Xenia, once more. Due to sewage backup, our first month was spent at my parent’s place until the plumbing issues were resolved, and then our house had to be aired out and deep-cleaned before we took up residence there. For the month of March, as we adjusted to American culture, we were able to spend wonderful quality time with my family.

When April rolled around, we began the process of moving back into our house. As I unpacked familiar belongings and hung pictures on the walls, I felt a sense of pleasure, a joy of home-making. Bit by bit, we are finishing out the details left undone. Xenia is a quaint, cozy home to us.

I have been accepted back into IUPUI and will be returning as a full-time student this Fall, majoring in English Literacy and Writing. I hope to complete my Bachelor’s in three years’ time. John and I have both been in prayer about this decision to return to school, and we have a sense of excitement at the prospect. While I am currently employed at a locally owned Christian bookstore just South of Indy, I will not continue to work there after I start school in August.

John is keeping busy as a Contractor, renovating houses in the Indianapolis area. He has not lacked employment since our return home, something for which we are very grateful. He dabbles in mechanics on the side, both as a hobby and a source of income. Just this past weekend, his brother Josh became a father, as his wife Kari delivered their sweet little daughter into this world. John is an uncle once moore.

We are investing in our community, friendships, and ministering to those whom Christ puts in our path. The two of us are loving life, each other, and Jesus. We are ever thankful for all the gifts that He so freely bestows upon us. We truly live in a wonder-filled world.

originally posted on June 25, 2012

Homecoming

Our latest development in the life has been our acquisition of a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse. It wasn’t the car that we had thought that we would wind up with, but after several days of searching, it was the right deal, and will turn out to be a good investment car that we can sell come summertime. In the meanwhile, we’ll be careful to drive the speed limit on our journey home across the west.

The plane flight, though long, was smooth, and John had plenty of legroom to stretch out. After our arrival at the airport, we breezed through customs, grabbed our bags off the carousal, and met John’s Grandparents, who are hosting us during our stay in California.

They have spoiled us immensely, cooking us three hearty meals a day, encouraging us to sleep in every morning – even though I woke up at 5am the day after we arrived – and Grandma insists on washing our laundry for us as well. John and I are beginning to adjust to the American way of life. Today was the first time John drove on American soil in 9 months. He said it felt strange.

The air is much drier here, and after having lived in a humid country, my body is not used to even the mild California climate. I am thankful that our transition to the US began in Los Angelos, as it is easing me into the climate changes ahead. There is order to the traffic, and the behavior of the driver’s is somewhat predictable as compared to the Pinoy style of driving. We are surrounded by so much open space. People look at me strangely when I inadvertently raise my eyebrows in greeting. Everywhere I look, I see so many well fed people whose skin tone matches mine. I blend in, rather than stand out.

As stated above, we are both adjusting to the changes. We will drive back home, and plan on stopping by the Grand Canyon on the way home. Once home, we have some issues with our house that we’ll have to set in order. All in all, we are so grateful for Jesus’s provision. As always, He is faithful. It is wonderful to serve Him.

originally posted on February 19, 2012

Memories In a Bottle

Memories in a bottle
Come floating over me
Trying to catch them all
Is like chasing butterflies
I can hold but a few at a time
Each one is precious
But some float away
From my grasp
And I am left clutching air
Nothing there.

But the memory of you
Is clear
I can see in vivid detail
If memories are butterflies
Than you are more beautiful
And you soar the highest
And you are the one that I treasure
But I would rather have you
Than a memory.

……………………………………………………………………….

We will not forget you.

originally posted on February 13, 2012

Winding Down

A tarnished antique clock that has been wound up, tick — tock — tick — tock – sounding out every second faithfully, until …. it is silent. No sound. It’s heart needs to be turned once more.

I am like that clock. My gears are turning, and I am sounding out every second, but I know my time is running short. In a matter of weeks, it will stop tick-tocking. When my inner workings are rewound, I will tick-tock once more, but I will be in a different time zone.

Each morning pulls us closer to our return flight, and it would seem as though there are not enough hours in the day. Though the measurement of hours is the same, I sometimes get the impression that time is speeding faster that it should be. John says that our return date – though quickly approaching – is hard to conceive, as in his mind it is both far ahead in the future and also just around the corner. I think that just about sums up how both of us perceive it.

There now remains but one solitary cubo frame to be welded, and it is already begun. John, John, Jason, Alex and I have welded the other cubo frame, leaving one last cubo to complete the set of five. The power is more consistent now that John and the Purok electrician have replaced a particularly bad section of wire with one of a proper gauge. I have some photos of the old, burnt out wads of wire that had been our power line prior to the replacement. I hope to post those tonight.

We are currently planning on striking out to Manila in three days. Several ministries in Antipolo have contacted us with some pressing needs, specifically regarding mechanical problems, and so John and John are going to offer their assistance. This means saying goodbye to our dear friends in Olongapo a littler earlier than we had originally intended.

Thank you all for the prayers and support from the home front! It has been such a blessing to know that you have been lifting us up in prayer before the throne of God. That the Lord of the Heavens and Earth whom we are serving here in Olongapo is the same Jesus that you are serving in your communities. We are looking forward to our reunion with you all, and the ensuing fellowship. We have missed you all greatly. This will probably be our last update until California. Sending our love, Kels for both

originally posted on February 2, 2012

Bittersweetness

The past few weeks have been filled to the brim with activity for the two of us. After I took the Disaster Preparedness class in the beginning of January, a week long course, John and I took off for a week in Manila, staying with Dr. Scott Nelson in Antipolo. When John had fixed all of the Nelson’s mechanical problems, we left them with fully functioning equipment and returned to Olongapo to help the Penwell families move out from their apartments in New Cabalan to their newly rented duplex in Subic Bay Freeport. While all of their belongings were moved out and into their new abode in a day, it took roughly a week to help them get settled into their homes.

As to the latest project, while there are still some interior details to finish up, the newest house on Mercyland is now occupied by Joks and Jen. They moved in on Monday night, and are our new neighbors once again. If you recall, Joks and Jen had lived on the Mercyland until they outgrew their tiny neepa hut, when they rented a home located nearer to the Bennett clinic. They are much happier with their new home, with its larger living space, multiple windows, which overlook the lush mountain and the river running below. The land gives their two boys an expansive playground. Everything that is left in the house, such as plumbing water to their kitchen sink, and rolling out the vinyl flooring, and any other little finishing touches, will be done by Joks. As they walked around their new house, they kept saying, it’s so beautiful! it’s so big! With a storage loft above, it can later be finished out to add more space as needed.

In light of all the hustle and bustle, John and I were rarely home at the Mercyland in January. Now that we are back, it feels as though I can breathe once more, or at least catch a breath. We have been able to spend some more time visiting with the Ehelers. Recently, we have taken to eating evening meals together, ‘celebrating’ us, as Theresa likes to say. Celebrating the time they still have with us.
Our leaving will be bittersweet. Having lived here for close to a year now, we have formed relationships and ‘put down roots.’ Our time here is running out. In only a matter of weeks, we will return home. And yet, even the word ‘home’ is strange to me. The longer I live, and the more I travel, and the more I learn about Christ, the more I come to the realization that this place, it isn’t my home. I was made for another world. This world we live in is temporary and will fade, is fading. So if I seem unsettled when I return, it isn’t just a feeling of displacement or readjustment to the American culture. My spirit yearns within me for a perfect world, a place of wholeness. Unbroken.

Where I will not say goodbye. My heart weighs heavy as I think about our pending farewell. I have never looked forward to goodbye. There are so many people that I will miss. And the culture. The brightly coloured jeepnies with their packed out benches, crammed to the bursting with people on their way to market in a vehicle sputtering out foul black exhaust in it’s wake. Riding on our moterbike, getting 80 miles to the gallon, raising my eyebrows in greeting to all the passerby. Bargaining for fair prices in the open market, throwing out ‘best price?’ at the very last; watching their eyes narrow, knowing that you know that they are overcharging you. They scurry off, and come back moments later with a lowered price, and a deal is made. This and so much more.

It is overwhelming and wonderful and sad and exciting all at once, a tumble of thoughts all jumbled in my mind. We are wrapping up our projects, whittling down the list. Two cubos are in the process of being welded together, and when they are complete, all five of the huts funded by One Day’s Wage will have been built. John and the Purok electrician replaced a weak spot in our wiring today, and this enabled us to weld without crashing the power. We are scheduled to meet with DNR – a major step towards getting our permits – and a representative from the power company will give us an estimate on running a private line to the Mercyland. We have received funding which will be put toward installing a private line, giving the land consistent power. All of this is laying the groundwork for the clinic. Please continue to pray for government favor for permits.

All is well here. We have so much to be thankful for on so many levels. We are truly blessed. All praise to Jesus Christ, He who came to serve. Looking forward to the day when He returns to restore this broken world.

originally posted on January 25, 2012

Seeing A Difference

I haven’t been negligent in posting. We have been so busy this month, and hit the ground running. I attended Mercy In Action’s Disaster Preparedness class from the 2nd – 6th, while John, John, and Jason were hard at work with the guys on the new house. As you can see here, the house is nearing completion. The cement is now painted yellow, and the kugon roof is almost up. The kitchen is tiled, countertop and floor, and those images are coming soon. I just uploaded a new album of photographs, so please look through Who We Are Instead for the latest additions.

After the end of the week-long class, we met together with our fellowship for Sunday worship. On Monday morning, John and I headed to Antipolo in Manila, to help Dr. Scott Nelson with some mechanical projects. John had met Dr. Scott through a mutual friend during his previous trip to the Philippines, four years ago. John had fixed his Honda generators when they had been out of commission. When Dr. Scott heard that John was back in country, he contacted him and asked if we could come spend a few days at his place and work on some projects.

The Nelsons, Dr. Scott and his wife Cindy, welcomed us warmly when we arrived. During our five day stay, they treated us like royalty. I honestly don’t know who was happier, them to have us, or us to be had. They were extremely hospitable, a gift that is rarely practiced today. John was wonderful, and knocked out all of Dr. Scott’s projects in record time.

I was able to work alongside Cindy. Her ministry involved tutoring the neighborhood children who were falling behind in their studies. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am-10:30am, she tutors a handful of students in a room located on the second floor of the clinic. It was a pleasure to take part in the sessions, and I enjoyed investing my time there.

And now we are back in Olongapo once more. This week, we will be helping the Penwell families move out of their current housing at the apartments and into their new duplex. It is in closer proximity to the Bennett Clinic, and suits them better in many areas. Most importantly is the location, but the bottom house has no stairs, a huge benefit for Scott. So we are in the process of moving them out of the apartments, and will then help set them and their office spaces up in the new location.
There is much more that I could write, but time is of the essence and there is so much to be done. John and I are well, and refreshed. It is wonderful to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

originally posted on January 14, 2012

International Island Christmas

We spent a lovely Christmas at the Eheler’s house, with a great international gathering. There were families from America, Canada, the UK, and of course, the Philippines. So, along with a Christmas turkey, a smoked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, candied carrots, dinner rolls, stuffing, cranberry sauce, bean and pasta salads and the rest, we had freshly sliced pineapples, cantaloupe, a tomato cucumber salad, and English gravy. Dessert consisted of a Filipino coconut salad, holiday and shortbread cookies, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and British custard, imported from the UK, served with tea and coffee.

It was a wonderful way to spend Christmas, united by the Spirit of Christ. We ate, fellowshipped, ate some more, took pictures, nibbled a bit, played some games, sipped on our hot drinks, conversed, and watched ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Laughter and good conversation were the order of the day, and of course, delicious food abounded. It is hard to feel lonely when you are surrounded by such a wunnerful group of individuals.

We love you all, and wish you all a very special New Year! Grace and peace, Kels for both

originally published on December 28, 2011

Our Annual Christmas Letter

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14  For with God, nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

This Christmas season, I have been pondering the Christmas story. A young virgin, betrothed to a carpenter, in a small town of no consequence, is visited by an angel. The Holy Spirit of God overshadowed her, and she conceived the Son of God Almighty, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, that a virgin shall conceive and bear a son. To all appearances, young Mary was carrying an illegitimate child, fatherless, a bastard son. Wishing to save her honor and her life, Joseph desired to put her away quietly. While it was yet a thought in his mind, an angel of the Lord visited him in a dream. And Joseph took Mary as his wife. They traveled to Bethlehem, the City of David, and Mary gave birth to the Son of God in a stable, placing him in a manger, for there was no room for them in the inn.
And thus, Jesus, Son of God, filled His tiny lungs with air, was held by human hands, inhaled straw and manure, and was wrapped in swaddling cloths to protect his body from the cold. What a lowly entrance. Such a humble beginning. Yet this is how Christ came to earth.

In my goings and comings to and from the Bennett Clinic here in Olongapo, I see many pregnant women, young and old. I have heard their babies cry out as they breathe in their first bits of air, and it is a beautiful sound. I was filled with deep sadness on the day when a blue baby girl was born. She did not cry. But we did. It was the first death in our six months of operation.

I am discovering that joy and sorrow, laughter and pain, are intermingled in our lives. As humans, we have our share of the ugly and the beautiful. We rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who weep. We have cause for rejoicing, because the clinic has just celebrated their 100^th birth. One hundred precious little lives have been welcomed into the world.

Our time here in Olongapo has been a wonderful season in our lives. We have established meaningful relationships, and feel as though we are part of the Eheler’s family – as much time as we spend with them. Their girls remind me of my sisters, and they all call me ‘Aunty Kelsey.’ I love all of the midwives, and have enjoyed getting to know them during our time here. Our Aeta friends and their families greet us with warm smiles, and their shyness has worn off. They used to be intimidated by John’s towering size, but now they can joke around with him on the job. When they learned of our departure date, they all cried out in unison, ‘we will miss you!’ Part of our hearts will stay here, in Olongapo.

We can look back over our seven months of time spent in country and marvel at what we have accomplished, but all glory goes to Christ. It is in Him and through Him that we have been equipped to help the team at Mercy In Action. We have seen how He has orchestrated our lives, events, circumstances, all to further His kingdom. It has been such an honor to serve Him here in the Philippines.

During our time here, I have seen John grow, being shaped by Christ. Initially uncomfortable in his role of leadership, John stepped up to the challenges and made crucial decisions. He has taken on more responsibilities, yet he does not let the weight of it overwhelm him. In tense situations, he is the peace-maker, smoothing out the difficulties and working through the issues. He is patient, and humble, and much more than I deserve in a husband. I could not be more thankful for him.

Our lives as a married couple have been filled with joy. I feel so alive when I am with John. He is a gift from God, and I love being by his side. We have been knit even closer this year, and we are looking forward to the years ahead. While I do not know what all lies before us, I can say with confidence that we will follow Christ down whatever path He leads us down. To whatever end. With Mary, I say, My soul doth magnify the Lord. Luke 1:46  

originally published on December 20, 2011

Taking Shape

Just wanted to post some pictures here of the progress on the latest project. The house on the second level is coming right along. The framing is almost completely welded – we are currently finishing up the A-frames for the peaked roof. Once the frames are up, then the siwali siding will be added -  siwali is tightly woven bamboo. The tool shed below is nearly completed, and only needs to have the cement flooring poured. The final step will be adding the kugon roof, a time-consuming process, but well worth the effort. The Eheler’s roof is made out of kugon, and it is very durable, lasting up to 15 years. The kugon grass has to be gathered, raked, and bunched together in bundles. It will then be lashed together to form a sort of shingle, and then be attached to the roofing frame. We are hoping to have the roof completely finished by January 20th.

John has been teaching me to weld, and I have been playing around with the arcs for the past couple of days. It is fascinating to see the solid steel melt into a liquid lake and pool in a burning bead, fusing two pieces of steel together… The intermittent power makes it challenging, but I am learning to be flexible.

  

originally posted on December 19, 2011

Impromptu'ness

We recently had several huge donation packages from Japan arrive at the Ehelers, and amongst the contents were a variety of dresses, all shapes, sizes, styles, and colors. The girls held an impromtu fashion shoot, and modeled several outfits. Just another day in the life…

originally published on December 19, 2011

Christmas Holiday

As a special bonus to our hard-working Aetas and Filipino friends, we took a holiday to a lovely, peaceful island with our families. We headed out early in the morning, cooked a lunch of rice, fish, and veggies on the beach, and crashed in the foamy waves. It was wonderful to see the joy in their faces, and to see them play, inhibitions aside. A perfect Christmas holiday on the island, spent with friends.

originally published on December 19, 2011

Of Christmas Carolers and Welding Rods

‘Tis the season … for Christmas Carolers to serenade us every night. This was new for me and John, but here in the Philippines, kids and young people go door to door, caroling and banging on tin cans and other scrappy instruments, singing slightly off tune, a mixture of English and Tagalog songs, and they keep singing until you give them pesos for their efforts.

We are going to spend our Christmas on an island this year, so no White Christmas for us. It would be a miracle to have snow. I appreciate the warmth, and though it is humorous to hear festive songs of Christmas Cheer peppered with phrases such as ‘dashing through the snow,’ when all around me is green and the temperature is a balmy 80 degrees, I smile. I’ve got my love to keep me warm.

The Ehelers baked up a storm, making holiday cookies, gingerbread men, and walnut tassies, all of which were decorated and wrapped in pretty swathes of cellophane, complete with Christmas ribbon and a greeting card. We gave out batches of the festive bounty to our local Purok leader, Eddie, and his family, the Barungai Captian Paulo, the midwives and interns at the Bennett Clinic, and then drove through SBMA – Subic Freeport – and gave plates to the gate guards and the traffic directors, caroling loudly as we passed and wishing them a Merry Christmas. We even gave a package to our baristas at the Subic Starbucks, where they know us by name.

John, John, and Jason have been welding whenever the power is up high enough to do so. The surges are intermittent, so it is touch and go, but they are steadily progressing. I have added a few new photos to our gallery, A Day in the Life, so please give them a glance if you have a chance. They are currently constructing a very multi-purposed structure on top of the CR on the second level – generously funded by some of our readers back home. Thank you – you know who you are. The unique building will be a home for Joks and Jen, MIA’s tricey driver and his spouse, a Filipina midwife at the Bennett Clinic. They have two boys, Jasper and Kenken, and are currently renting a small home on Bennett Road. This new home will give them a larger living space. It will be a one-bedroom apartment on top of the CR (bathroom), complete with a kitchen and living area. The square footage is roughly 400 square feet, with a loft above. The house they are renting is smaller and has a tiny bathroom, which cuts in their living area, and is windowless and dank. This new home will open up more room for their little family, and the bathroom is just a walk downstairs.

There is also a toolshed being built that is attached to the CR and extends along the base of the house, doubling as a retaining wall on the second level. Formed out of hollow block, cement, and rebar, it adds a new dimension to the multifaceted building. Once this structure is completed, the guys will start work on two more cubos to be used as waiting homes for Aeta families who are near their due-date, as our land is a half-way point from their village and the Bennett Clinic.

 
They are welding the frames of the houses because steel is cheaper than wood here, and tiny wood-boring beetles, called bok-bok, eat the wood. The steel, when it has been coated with primer, is just as durable, if not more so, and the frames are lighter. John says he is going to teach me to weld … we’ll see how that goes.

Our schedule is full, and January has already filled up for us. We are, as usual, keeping busy. It seems there is no end to the amount of projects that come our way. I will be taking a disaster preparedness class in January, from the 2-6th, taught by the Penwells. John and I are both in good health and are looking forward to celebrating my 22nd birthday in just a few days, and Christmas, as you are well aware, is just around the corner. We will be celebrating with the Ehelers and the midwives here at the Mercyland. May you keep Christ at the center as you gather together for the Christmas season. Love to you all, and blessings of Christ be yours!

originally published on December 15, 2011

Wonder of Wonders

O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.   -  Psalm 31:23, 24

We are blessed beyond measure. November was a month of thankfulness, not only because of Thanksgiving, but because God was so faithful. On so many levels, we have seen His provision, even in the smallest of details. We truly serve an awesome God.

Thanksgiving Day at the Eheler’s was bittersweet, as we bid Jessica Saiz and her daughter Mia farewell. They returned home to El Paso, Texas, immediately following the feast. And what a spread it was! Roast chicken with a hint of lemongrass, homemade dinner rolls fresh out of the oven, stuffing, cranberry sauce, creamed corn, garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots, green beans, pumpkin pie served with whipped cream, and cherry torte to top it all off.

At the conclusion of the meal, we all gathered around Jessica and Mia and prayed over them and their journey home. They had arrived in Olongapo shortly after we did, and had been in country for nearly six months. It was as though they were a part of the team, and goodbyes were tough, especially since Mia burst into tears. Jessica was strong, saving her own tears for later, but she was reluctant to leave. The clinic isn’t the same without them.

As I sit here, writing, I reflect on everything that Christ has done for us. Just in this past month, He healed me of my infection. The illness drew John and me even closer, tested his faith, and ultimately, we both put our trust in the Lord – to whatever end. Christ drew us closer to Himself. Blessed be His holy name.

The great wall of mercy is completed, and stands as a testimony to His goodness. That we obtained the proper permits from DNR, and the backing of the local Barungai captain alone are reason enough to be grateful. Spanning 170 feet, it is a massive accomplishment, and the first of many terraces to come. In time of typhoons and floods, it will serve as a bulwark of protection, and provide a safe path for our neighbors and the Aetas through the storms when the road washes out. And it was truly a group effort, a great community project, putting us on good terms with our fellow neighbors.

The month of November was also the time when God revealed to us our return date.  We had told Mercy In Action that we would stay for one year, and our purpose in coming was to build their clinic. Yet the permissions have not yet been obtained. While there has been plenty of work and ongoing projects to keep us busy, they run dry in January. John and I had been giving the matter much thought and prayer. It was not a decision that we took lightly. And so we put out a fleece before the Lord. It was just between us and God – we told no one else of it. We asked Him to show us three specific signs, and in this way we would know that it was His timing in calling us home. If they were not answered, we would stay the full year.

One morning, John woke up with firm impression that mid-February was the time to return home. Whether from God or of his own mind, he did not know. I was reluctant to return so early, as our home was still rented out to his brother Josh until June. Josh and his wife Kari are expecting their first child in June – so we would of course honor the contract; yet this left us with a housing predicament. Other than that, I was not opposed to the date, if it was God’s will.

John was unable to shake the persisting feeling that mid-February was the right time. I urged him to talk with Jason and Theresa Eheler, wanting their blessing and council. Our leaving would directly affect them, especially since we had initially committed to staying for a year, rather than 9 months. Not only did they give their blessing, they also informed us that a large group of Canadian volunteers were coming over in mid-February, and it would be an ideal time for us to switch out.

With their blessing, we headed up to our house to check the ticket prices for airfare from Manila to Los Angelos.  And it was during that time that God revealed to us all three of the signs. Our fleece was shown to us, leaving no room for doubt. We would fly into LAX, stay with John’s grandparents for about a week, and purchase a Cali car, then drive back home on Route 66. This would put us in Indy around the first week of March.

Just when I thought that it couldn’t get any more amazing, Christ showed me that He cares about the details. When John called his brother Josh, he was informed that Josh and Kari had been thinking about returning to Kentucky for her birth. They had been thinking about going back around the first week of March or so. He said that they would continue to pay rent on the house, even though they wouldn’t be living there, to honor the contract. A wave of relief washed over Josh’s voice when John informed him that we were returning home and would not require the rent. It was agreed that Josh and Kari would move out at the end of February, ending their contract. And we would get our home back.
I could not have planned it. Without a doubt, Jesus showed us our return date and gave us our house back as an unexpected blessing – the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. Lord, Your wonders never cease.

originally posted on December 3, 2011

MIA Project List

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I have been encouraged by family back home to compile a list of projects that are in need of funding. So I’m asking for support from all of you back home. I have been put into the position of being the eyes of the body of Christ, so I will tell you what I see (=

But first I want to remind you about what Mercy In Action is doing here in Olongapo. Christ started MIA when He directed Scott and Vicki to move from their beloved state of Alaska to start a birth center in Mexico. After a few years Christ moved Mercy In Action to the southern parts of the Philippines where a birth center was started and run for many years. This past year, MIA moved to the Olongapo area and in May 2011, they rented a temporary building to get started.

The Bennett clinic, (as we call it) is now averaging twenty births a month. As the ambulance driver, I often have the privilege of visiting the homes we return the families to, after their birth. In transporting the patients back to their houses, I can honestly say that the families served by MIA are in great need. The Midwives take time to pray with each of the mothers and share the love of Christ with them.

MIA has purchased the land where they plan to build the clinic, in the next few years. They are going to be here for the long term. MIA has been established for over 20 years, and I have personally spent over twelve months with them. I have seen the inner workings of the financial side of things as a building manager here. I have also seen Vicki (Founder/Director) give generously to so many people in need. If you trust me, John Moore, then know I trust MIA to do what they say they will do.
I will now list some of the projects that are in need of support:

• PROJECT FUNDED (Priority Project) The development of the road is an essential project needed before the opening of the clinic. In the rare case that a transport is necessary, time will be of the essence. Originally we thought building a wall along the river and pouring cement was the only way, which would have cost around 20K! But after much research it was decided to cut a new road and gravel it, located near the base of the mountain and far removed from the damaging floodwaters of the river. There is a small bridge that will also need cement and rebar poured on top for extra support. The cost is approximately  $2,200.00.

• (Priority Project) The power lines to the land are far too small for the amount of housing on the line, the current line is spliced in many places and at one point it has a 12-gauge piece of Romex as part of the power line! There are about 50 some odd houses beyond the Mercyland property, and when the wire to all their houses was cut for a couple weeks there was great power on to Mercyland, a consistent 220. As it is, the power ranges from 220 in the day to 110 at night. An electrician confirmed that the cause for the fluctuation is due to inadequate power lines – they are too small to keep up with the demand.  We would need to replace the wire. We need a 3000 ft roll of wire, (two 1500 ft lengths) this would be a dedicated line to the land from the last transformer. We will also replace one of the rotten power poles (we have already purchased the pole we just need to install it). The total cost of the electrician and the wire are estimated to be $5,000.00

(The wire in Olongapo is $4,875 but I think if we drive to Manila we may find it cheaper)

• PROJECT FUNDED There is a major drainage ditch at the base of the land that we would like to develop in order to control the yearly flooding. Also, the end of the canal needs a culvert because the water currently runs over the road. Estimated cost for cement, culvert, and labor is $700.00; the project can be completed in two weeks time.

• I know this is a high cost but it is my personal desire to have a driveway cut and cemented up to the second level of the Mecryland. This would enable the Ehelers to park near their house, cutting their long, steep walk to a mere 35 steps.  Also, the harvesting of the fruit trees and hauling of supplies would be MUCH easier.  There is still a lot of rock and cement work that needs to be done and now that we have the trailer they could drive all those supplies up the hill with the 4X4. This project can be done in parts, as the driveway can poured one section at a time. We would need thirty 8’X10’ (27 cubic feet) sections averaging $150 dollars per section. Rebar and cement are estimated to be $4500 total. This project may have to wait until a work team from the US arrives, as the estimate does not include the cost of labor. Several work teams are planning to come over summer of 2012.

• Landscaping and terracing of the mountain, as well as the planting of fruit trees, are needed to prevent landslides and produce nutritious foods for the pregnant mothers. Also, because of the many natural disasters that occur in the Philippines, we would like to have extra food on hand to offer to the poor. Cement and about two month’s labor are needed and are estimated to be $1,800.00

• (Priority Project) Another dream of mine would be to get Scott and Vicki a new car. They have given all their time and money for the last 20 years and have never had a good vehicle here in the Philippines. They currently share a car with Ian and Rose Penwell, an older (93?) manual Nissan Vannette. It has been rebuilt many times and will need a paint job soon. Also, Scott has a lot of hip pain and his doctor advised him not to drive a stick shift. Because the Philippines do not manufacture any cars, they only import vehicles here; the costs of cars are higher. I would like to find them a 2003 or newer Toyota or Honda.  It would be around $7,000.00 for a 2003.

• Drainage on sides of land is another important project. These are long ditches on each side of the Mercyland, which drain down the hill and empty into the large canal at the bottom. The ditches are already dug, and all that remains is to cement them. (Mostly labor) cement and labor $600.00, and the time frame for completion is 2 weeks. 

• PROJECT FUNDED (Priority project) We would like to build a small house for family teams on the land. The cement footings are poured and we are ready to start building. We would like to have this building finished by the end of December. The building will be approximately 15’X20’ with a kitchenette and front porch.  Estimated cost is $1,200.00 and the time frame is one month.  Thank you for your donation and support of this project! This home will house Jokes, the Tricey driver, and his wife Jen, a Filipina Midwife at the clinic.  They have two boys, Jasper and Kenken. The bottom left side will be a storage area for tools, critical for the ongoing projects at the land, and the top is a 15′x20′ house built over the CR on the 2nd level. Pictures of the progress coming soon! Will also post pictures of the finished project. 

 

• Labor cost to hire five workers for five days are 7,500 pesos, equivalent to  $185.00 USD (this is based on a 43-1 transfer rate). We are taking the time to teach the Aeta men how to do the skilled labor. Our guys are all from the mountains (except for one) and are sadly despised and rejected by most of Filipinos being called the simple people. We Americans and Canadians eat, work and joke around with them, which was a big surprise to them.

• And last but not least I would like to see some support raised for the Eheler family. They are operating on a very small budget and I would really like to see about $500 a month raised, with a one-year commitment. Many people can do this in small amounts. As you can imagine, having four children really increases their costs: hiring a teacher, the extra food, clothing, and Visas.

I know there are a lot of expensive projects here, but we are not planning to do all these at once, we will just keep picking a project at a time for the next couple of years. The best way to donate is through the Mercy In Action’s website (mercyinaction.com) you will get a tax receipt at the end of the year. Please specify on the website which project you want the money to go to.
Please remember that this is one of the few non-profit organizations that will put 100% of what you give to the project.

If you are interested in helping the Ehelers in any way you will have to give through their church. I can get that information if you are interested. I would like to know if anyone is interested in helping them before I ask for that information. Please e-mail me if you decide to give for one of these projects so that I can edit our web site. I know you are not telling me to receive glory – all glory to Jesus – It will just help to stay organized on my end (= Much love to you all! To God be the glory, praise and honor.

John Moore

originally posted on November 25, 2011

Catching A Sunset

We enjoyed a little ‘west and wee-laxation’ this past Sunday. Our group gathered for a worship service, commencing the meeting with freshly baked scones and French pressed coffee. The air smelled like a bakery, with an aroma of cinnamon, baked goods, and coffee beans. And we gave thanks to God for His favor shown to us. The rock wall required a special permit, and through the grace of God it was obtained, and very quickly. Not only did we get a permit from the DNR, we also have the backing of the local Barungai captain.

‘Barungai’ is like the community leader, the man in charge of local projects and general keeping of the peace. Barungai are highly respected, and having our local Barungai support came as a huge and unexpected blessing. Captain Pallo has adopted our rock wall as his own project, which gives the rock wall a double security, and even went so far as to send two of his ‘police’ men to stand guard and act as a visual representation of our Barungai Captain’s approval.

On many levels, we have seen the favor of Jesus Christ during the past week. John thanked Him for protecting me during my illness, and for my speedy recovery. I have felt the strength returning to my limbs, and I am so grateful for the gift of restored health.

John Langham thanked Him for the gift of his father’s recent conviction from Christ, and that he sought reconciliation with his estranged son, Daniel. Yes, Jesus has been moving all over the world. I am thankful that we can see glimpses of His transformation as He changes the hearts of His children.
In the midst of our gathering, there was a timid knock on the front door. Standing there were two tiny Aeta women, one with a small baby boy on her hip, and the other toting a backpack. They had come to deliver the ‘goods.’ Jason had informed us that one of his hired Aeta workers, Boyett, had captured two ‘mountain bunnies,’ and Jason had agreed to pay him in exchange for the critters. His hope had been to crossbreed the wild rabbits with his domestic male bunny.

No one knew quite what to expect Boyett’s conception of a mountain bunny to be, but I don’t believe that any of us could have been prepared for the sight that met our eyes. As the young Aeta woman began to unpack the contents of her bag, she withdrew a gunnysack with a knotted end. The sack was hardly moving, and we wondered if the creatures were even alive. The unfurling of the sack gave us onlookers the first glimpse of the wild bunnies. Only they weren’t bunnies at all. In appearance, they resembled a rat, and an opossum, and a guinea pig, with a long, furry tail like a monkey. Hands like a monkey’s, but with claws. Short, rounded ears like a mouse. A pink, heart-shaped nose and long black whiskers. For all their fierce appearance, the two wild things were quite docile.

They were not bunnies. This we were all agreed upon. How anyone could mistake them for a rabbit was beyond comprehension, and Jason didn’t know what Boyett was thinking. Boyett had even seen real bunnies here at the land. True to his word, though, Jason paid the women in exchange for the creatures. The lady with the baby was Boyett’s wife, and she carried their son, whom they called Larry boy.

Such an oddity. None of us had ever seen the like of those strange creatures, not even in books. What in the world were they? After finishing out our worship and prayer service, we decided to satisfy our curiosity and began to search the Internet for an answer to our query. And find it we did. Those odd little critters that were sitting out in Jason’s bunny cage were in fact Giant Cloud Rats, native to Luzon, and only found in this part of the Philippines. Reading on, we discovered why they were acting so calmly. They are nocturnal. Allaying Theresa’s fears, the article informed us that they did not carry any harmful diseases. Cloud Rats are herbivores, and are somewhat of an endangered species, as they are hunted for their meat. In the whole world, they are only in captivity in three zoos: Prague, Bronx, and the London Zoo. We were beholding a rare species, native to Luzon.

After all of the excitement, John and John decided that our lazy afternoon would be the perfect day for fishing. I tagged along, bringing my book with me. We drove into Subic and parked near the bayside, and the two guys set about baiting hooks, attaching bobbers, and casting out to sea. I sought a shady spot and commenced in reading One Thousand Gifts. As the afternoon wore on, John strung me up a hammock between two trees, and I moved  into the comfortable swing. I fancied my new vantage point. Across the bay lay a mountainous island, and the peak seemed to touch a low-lying cloud. The sun was beginning to set. John relaxed in a hammock next to mine, and I could see his contented expression. We sat there, suspended in the air, watching the sun go down.

And what a gorgeous scene it was. Just like shakinah glory, spilling out brilliant hues of light across the canvas of the skies, and painted in such gorgeous tones. As the orb of fire descended behind the mountains, the cloud above took on a grey-violet shade, the very edges of which were tinged in radiant gold. The sky, which had been a baby blue all afternoon, was transfigured in stages. The bottom of the horizon was swathed in a dusky orchid pink. Gradually, another layer was added, blending burnt amber into the azure and blush. Then the sun disappeared, and the heavens were awash with more color than before. A stroke of salmon pink that wove a ribbon color against the clear blue up above, crescendoed into warm golden yellow, leading down to the amber brushed with dusky orchid, and ended in a deep violet. But the cloud! The cloud above the mountain had edges of fire, an orange so intense that it hurt the eyes to gaze steadily at its beauty. And it was beautiful, as a whole, to see all of that wonder light reflected in the shimmering waters of the bay.

They did not catch any fish, but we all caught the sunset. Sitting there, in my hammock, I was so thankful for life. To witness that splendor, to feel the strength returning to my limbs once more, to see John outlined against the fading colors of the sky, strong and handsome and mine. I was overflowing with joy at the gift of it all.

We ate dinner at Rali’s, the outdoor bar and grille by the bay. As dusk fell, I saw the first evening star appear on the horizon, and it sparkled like a brilliant diamond. I relished my dinner of onion rings, rolls with pats of butter, garden salad, veggie medley, mashed taters and gravy, the blue marlin dripping with buttery lemon sauce, and the fresh mango shake to top it off. Superb. Peering across the bay, I watched as the giant fruit bats, some with a wingspan up to 6 feet, made their way home from the island.

It was a day in the life. Just an ordinary day. But I love finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, and to me, it was a wonderfilled day. Another day to praise God for the blessings and the beautiful, and to thank Him for the gifts. Thanksgiving is just around the corner… What are you thankful for in your life?

On a side note, those Giant Cloud Rats are no longer in Jason’s possession. They found their pluck that night, and the two wild things devised an elaborate escape. Come next morning, all that remained of the mountain bunnies was a gaping hole in the thatched roof of the rabbit hutch. We have not seen hide nor tail of them since.

originally posted on November 16, 2011

A Day In the Life

I have set a personal goal to carry my camera with me more often. I feel as though I have been slack as regards the photographs, and so in the up-coming months it is my hope to capture more through the eye of my lens. The culture here is so rich! I have uploaded a new album to our photo gallery entitled ‘A Day In the Life,’ and there is a small smattering of images for you to flip through. Hopefully there will be more to see in the collection at the end of November.

originally posted on November 8, 2011

Blessed Be

We can make plans, but it is God who directs our steps. This past weekend, our plans altered drastically from the course that we had intended. A vacation to Puerto Galera had been in the works for months, and John was eager to show me the beautiful white shores where he had worked on his previous trip to the Philippines. We had reserved a suite at Tamarah, a hotel resort by the beachfront, and planned to rendezvous with John’s friends Sam and Meg. Our bags were packed, our spirits high. The night before our journey, I came down with a fever.

As the next morning dawned, I felt no better. My stomach was churning, my head burning. If it was just me and John, we may have stayed back and delayed the trip, but John Langham was meeting his girlfriend, Nykki, at the Manila airport that night. She was due to fly in at 11pm, and the four of us were going to share the suite. From Manila, there was still a bus to be taken to Batangas, and then a ferry to Mindoro, and yet another tricey ride to reach Tamarah. Of all of us, only John knew how to get to Puerto. And so I took Ibuprofen and half a glass of wine to calm my stomach and the three of us hopped a Victory Liner bus to Pasay, Manila. It was roughly a two-hour drive.

At the halfway stop, I was feeling nauseous, and so John helped escort me to a bathroom. I didn’t make it in time. I lost the wine. When we arrived in Pasay, we hailed a taxi and drove to our hotel. Once in our room, I collapsed on the bed. My fever was steadily rising, and my body was weary. It peaked at 104 F. Alternately chilled and roasting, I bounced between the two extremes. John was at a loss. He was my constant caretaker, supplying me with fluids and cold cloths for my forehead, switching me from Ibuprofen to Paracetamol. My state was such that it was clear I could not travel all the way to Puerto Galera. John gave specific instructions to Langham, and the next morning, he and Nykki headed off to Puerto. John paid for another night at the hotel in Manila.

I couldn’t keep anything down, and was now in my third night of fever, showing no signs of improvement. John feared that I had contracted Malaria, as my symptoms pointed toward it. He never stopped praying for me, even as he prepared our things and arranged for a taxi to drive us back to Subic Bay. The driver brought us to George Dewey, a newly renovated hospital built by the US army during their occupation in Subic Bay. We arrived at 3am. After hearing my symptoms and taking my temperature and blood pressure, I was put on an IV and had blood samples drawn from my arm. I was admitted and wheeled into my room.

Looking over at John, I could see the relief wash over his face. It was as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He felt as though he had placed my care in capable hands. He had not caught much sleep over the past few days, and I was glad that he felt at ease.

We got a name for it the next morning. The blood tests were negative for Malaria, Dengue, and Typhoid, but my urinalysis showed that I had ‘Acute Pylonenephritis,’ a urine infection. And they began treatment right away. And slowly, the fever began to dissipate. With the aid of Paracetamol, ice packs applied to my head, and sponging my body with icy water, the fever began to release its hold over me, while the antibiotics targeted the infection. And slowly, I started to regain my appetite.

We are home now. I am on a bed rest of sorts, and finishing out my antibiotics. My health is restoring. I find I am ever so much more grateful for health when it is stripped from me. It is so glorious to sleep soundly through the night! And to wake with a clear head and be welcomed by the bright sunshine as it spills in through the curtains, making the room glow with the light.

George Dewey Hospital was by no means the Tamarah vacation resort that we had envisioned. It wasn’t what we had planned. Having my body racked and ravaged with fever was not something that either of us desired. Even in the midst of it all, though, we never stopped giving God thanks. Thanks for protecting me. That I never once – though I reached 104 three times – was delusional. Thanks that I wasn’t pregnant during that ordeal.

I have been reading a book called ‘One Thousand Gifts.’ It challenges us to be grateful and in everything to give thanks. It brings to our attention how many times in Scripture that prayer is accompanied by and they gave thanks. Too often, we tend to think of God as blame-worthy rather than praise-worthy. He is truly worthy of all praise. In everything. Blessed Be the name of the Lord.

originally posted on November 8, 2011

Open Doors

I figured it was about time I posted another Moore update, since I have been slacking off a bit. Now that it is the weekend, I have an open schedule and a quiet afternoon to devote to writing. Where to begin?

Now that Scott and Vicki are back from Boise, there have been a great deal of projects for me and the guys. The Mercy In Action tricey that Joks drives required a complete rebuild, and so both John and John were hard at work rewiring, repainting, tightening the brakes, the turn signals, replacing foot pegs, cleaning, polishing, and practically giving the old Suzuki bike a face-lift. There was still the matter of the engine, which had some issues and required intense tinkering and creativity. It is now up and running, a much more reliable means of transportation for the midwives to make their post-pardum visits.

Prior to the bike, John and John took apart the old generator and tried to restore it to a functioning asset here at the land in the event of a power outage. They searched all over town for tiny parts, visiting all the little parts shops, finding bits here and there that could work if they modified the parts to fit their needs. In the end, they piecing together a generator that runs, though not very reliably. It is more difficult to start than the Honda at the clinic, and not nearly as good a quality, but in a tight spot, they can use power tools and plug in a fridge.

The two of them also fixed both the washer and the dryer at the clinic. It is necessary for the clinic to have a functioning washer, so it is a great benefit to have it up and running once again. If John and John had not been there to fix it, they would have had to purchase a new washer to replace the broken one. It was much more economical to have the part replaced than to buy a brand new machine, and they are very grateful to have the guys come and do maintenance work around the clinic. In many ways, our being here to work on seemingly small, behind-the-scenes projects, such as broken washers and dryers, enables to clinic to operate smoothly.

One of the Aeta ladies gave birth at the clinic, and traveled a great distance to do so. She came from Mangpuieng, across the river and up a mountain trail. After her birth, she and her husband stayed at the land in one of the maternity waiting homes for a time before going back home. Our land is a halfway point from Mangpuieng and the clinic. I was able to help in a small way by preparing the cubo for them. In the future, we will have more waiting huts located closer to the base of the mountain as halfway point for more Aeta women and their families. A recent development: I may be learning to become a birth assistant to Theresa in the case that there is ever a birth that takes place here on the land.

Last night, John and I were getting ready for bed when we received a call from Jessica. They needed John to transport one of their patients. John had been on call all day, as the patient had hemorrhaged after the birth, and her vitals had gone up and down throughout the day. Now stable, now unstable… At 9:30pm we carried the woman out on her mattress and lifted her into the back of the ambulance. Imelda carried their newborn daughter, a healthy baby girl, Jen held up the IV, while Jessica and the woman’s husband climbed into the back as we  made our way to the James Gordon Hospital. Once there, she was loaded onto a stretcher and taken into the ER. Imelda, Jen, and the woman’s husband followed, carrying the baby, and Jessica waited with us in the ambulance. We waited for her test results, which were to be available at 2am. And so we waited, driving out once to grab blankets and water for the patient. If the results were good, then the patient was free to go home, and we would take her back to the clinic. If not, then she would be admitted to the hospital for the night. And so we waited some more. By two in the morning, the lab results came in, and showed that the patient needed to be admitted. With this news, John drove the midwives back to the clinic, and we went home. It made for a late night, but all in a days work. She wound up having four blood transfusions, so please pray for her.

Today, the guys completed welding the trailer. It will hitch onto the back of the Eheler’s Pajero and will be used to haul rocks out of the river and onto the land, where we will be constructing a series of rock walls, starting at the bottom and building our way upward. It will be tiered, and the bottom layer will be 270 feet long – quite a stretch.

Then the waiting cubos will be constructed. There are still 3 more huts that are covered by the grant from One Day’s Wage. We are waiting to commence on building those until the end of typhoon season – though rainy season is officially over, we are now in typhoon season, which does not end until December. So we are looking at January.

Another project we will be undertaking is the construction of a large rock wall at the back of the clinic, as well as down the side, to help prevent another major flood. A group of volunteers is coming in February, so we will most likely begin then. There is also talk of adding a gathering area at the back of the clinic, so it would be possible to meet there on Sundays.

As you can see, there are a lot of projects out on the table now, and there is plenty to keep us busy. I will post more and elaborate later, but my time is running out and I must draw this to a close. Much love to you all, and thank you for the prayers! Grace and peace be with you all.

originally posted on October 22, 2011