sad/joyful news

We just got word Monday evening that my dad passed away at the age of 91.  It is sad news for those of us here on earth that will miss him so much but what joyful news also because we know that he is in a better place.  We know that he is with his savior in glory and what a wonderful reunion must be happening with him and my mom.  I can see them up there praising there Lord together and talking about all the kids and grandkids and even the great grandkids.  My dad lived a very full wonderful life here on earth.  He was a many of many talents and much love to give.  He was very generous with his time and loved and prayed for his family often.  I thank God that He gave me Jake Lucas for a dad.  I have learned much from him and mom and cannot thank them enough for the life that they gave me.  He was a man of faults as well but we all are.  More important he was a man that loved God and taught his kids to do the same.  Dad we love you and will miss you so much but thank God that you are in a better place and that you get to spend eternity with mom now.

Kids

 

Many of you have asked about how the kids have been doing so I have decided to call and dedicate this blog to the kids.  Faith's picture is first so I will start with her.  This picture is a good representation of what she most often looks like here.  I often say that she was born to live in the Philippines.  She loves the food here and has adjusted well to the people around her.  She has a lot of "friends" that she enjoys playing and coloring with.  Most of her friends are a lot older but that is what makes her happy so we let her spend time with her friends often.  She is adjusting pretty well to the heat.  I have noticed that it seems to make her more irritable in the middle of the day when it is hottest, but if we can keep her occupied and happy then she is fine.  She loves to ride the motorcycle with her daddy if he goes to the shore to buy fish or to bring one of the workers home that lives about 3-4 kilometers from here.  She still will ask about Michigan and some of the people there.  If she misses someone to much she will bring my phone and ask if we can text them or call.  We most often will try and send a message.  Tonight she prayed that we might go visit Michigan soon.  She is also enjoying "school"  she likes to practice shapes and is learning her numbers.  She is counting to 12 and starting to recognize what some of the numbers are when they are written.  We love her joy and laughter and smiling face.

 

 

 

This picture I included to show you all the three smiling beautiful faces of the kids.

 

 Precious is next.  She has adjusted pretty well also.  It has been a bit harder for her as it is an all new way of life.  She has friends from years past that she has gotten reacquainted with first enjoys spending time with.  the food is a little harder for her, but she always has been my picky eater.  There are some things she just will not eat but other things that she really enjoys.  We have had to be a little more careful with her and food though, because she had a few days that she had a really bad stomach ache, took her to the doctor and found out she was having a lot of acid build up.  We have been trying since then to watch what she eats and how we cook the food and that has made a big difference.  The heat does not seem to bother her to much, she is smart to avoid going out to much in the heat of the day and if she has to go out she uses and umbrella for shade.  She is four days away from finishing the first grade.  We have been going a lot faster with school because she wants to try and get on the same schedule as her friends.  We have done well.  we are only about a week and a half behind them which considering we started our school year about two and a half months after them.  She is learning a lot.  She has made great strides in reading and math which where both subjects that we struggled with last year and at the start of this year.  She with talking to us has decided to continue with homeschool for now and so we will do second grade and us the Sonight curriculum again starting the school year in June here.  She is growing up to be such a great young girl and has such a tender heart.

 

Last but certainly not least is James.  He as many of you may know is the young boy here that we would like to adopt.  He is ten years old and has just finished the third grade.  I had the great honor of being at his closing program to watch him receive fourth honors in his class.  the honors are based on grades and he has the fourth highest grade in his class.  Classes hear are about 25 or so students.  He has learned a lot of English since we saw him last and I am trying hard to learn some Cebuano from him.  He is an active ten year old with a lot of energy like most boys his age.  He seems to be settling into our family well and takes great care with the girls.  He has his chores like most kids and has become very responsible to make sure they get done when they should.  It took some talking and discipline because he was not used to a set chore but has learned fast and does a great job now.  We love to hear his laughter and watch him with the girls, to see the love between all three of them is great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

prayers and ponderings

I am going to use this blog to reflect on some things I have seen, learned and been thinking about since I have arrived.  The first is the work ethic of the people here.  I have been amazed to watch the guys that have been working on the orphanage building here.  There scheduled work day is 7:30 to 11:30 break for lunch and then from 1:00 to 5:00.  This is the schedule that was agreed upon at the first meeting with all of the workers.  It has been great to watch these guys though because most of them are here before 7:00 every morning getting there tools ready and talking about who is doing what when and all the planning that goes into such a project.  Most days we have to tell the guys when it is lunch break because they would just work up till they get hungry.  We also have had to tell them when it is 5:00.  Most days they work till  or after and are not leaving till 5:30.  The first week we tried paying them for the overtime that they worked but would not let us and told us in the future to not even worry about it.  I thank God for there dedication and hard work.  I also thank God that most of the guys are willing to volunteer one day a week in exchange for a meal.  I wonder if we all had the same kind of drive for the ministry  and the work ethic of the guys working here what could be accomplished in this world.

The other big thing that I have learned and admired is the dedication and emphasize the
church puts on reaching out to the children and youth of there own church but also the community.  I think this is a great thing and something we should think more about.  If we really think about it the youth are the future.  Not only are they using the church but the government has also asked the church to implement a "Moral recovery program"in the schools.  The topics range from punctuality, to selfless service to respecting women along with a number of other topics.  The pastors in the local churches have been invited to be the ones to teach these topics so they are able to but a spiritual spin on it and has even led to some high school students turning there hearts over to Christ.  The church here just had a youth night that the kids and youth of the church were encouraged to invite non Christians that they know and there was praise and worship and a speaker that shared the importance of having Christ as a light that shines in our hearts.  Please pray for the youth that where there tonight that there hearts would be open and for those that received Christ as there savior that he would work in there hearts.  Pray also for the youth camp that is coming up in May 19-21.  Pray for those leading the event and for those that will attend that there hearts will be open to the gospel message and they would see the need for a savior in there lives.  Pray for sponsors that might be willing to help youth attend that may not be able to for financial reasons.  It cost 270 pesos per person and nine cups of rice and some fire wood per person.  so about 300 pesos per person.  That translates to about $7 per person for a three day youth camp.  We would love to see as many youth be able to attend as possible.  I know $7 does not sound like a lot but for most people here that may be a days salary or more. 

The orphanage is projected to be done by the end of March or the beginning of April for sure so we would ask you to pray with us for the kids that will be living there.  God knows who they are even if we do not.  We are starting the process of figuring out who those kids might be.  We are beginning to set up meetings with the department of social welfare and justice who are the ones that handle all of those details.  We have to figure out what paper work needs to be done if any.  Please also pray that it will not be difficult for me to become certified as a Social worker here.  I have my transcript and papers from school back state side so I am hoping it is just a test or something similar to become certified but I will have to meet with a supervisor in Cebu maybe sometime next week to find out for sure.  Will keep you all posted. 

I think I will sign off and say good night because it is getting late here and morning comes to soon most days.  God bless and keep each one of you and I pray he blesses you richly as you serve him.

Please feel free to share this post with your friends and family as well.

Construction has begun

On Monday January 16th Construction began on The orphanage.  The first day they tore down most of the walls that were in place, leaving the foundation because it was still very secure.  The rest of the week the guys have been working really hard and have the walls almost half up now.  We have three carpenters that are working for seven dollars a day and working a sixth day for food only.  We also have four helpers working for five dollars a day working a sixth day for food.  They are here early to prepare for the day and leave late most days.  I have been very impressed with there dedication to the job.  Please join me in thanking God for such a dedicated group of men to get the job done.  They and we are projecting that the building will be done in two months.  I will try to keep posting pictures of the project.  Please also join me in thanking God for all of the people that have made this whole dream possible for our family and for the kids that will be living in this new building.  Time for bed, will post more later.

 

 

                                           Before the demolition, front view and side view

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 Work has begun

 

 

 

 

                                            Hard at work

Moved in

We have moved in to our new home.  Well sort of.  Our bedroom is finished and we have been sleeping in there for since this past Saturday.  I will have to post some pictures later.  We ate our first meal in our new house this morning after Jonah got the stove hooked up.  The girls room should be most of the way finished by the end of today.  We still have to install the windows and screens but that will be done next week.  There is a temporary screen on our window to prevent mosquitos.  The kitchen walls are up and the floor poured.  Jonah and his dad are going to put in the counters and the it should be finished.  Hopefully in a week or two the house should be done to the point that we can be all moved in and not be living out a suitcases anymore.  I am learning that keeping things cleaned and organized and living out of a suitcase don't always go together very well. 

    On another note we are making plans for the Orphanage and the design for the remodel.  We are going to keep the main floor mostly the same there will be one side that will be the kitchen and dining room.  The other side will be divided into two rooms a play room and a living room.  A second story will be added and have two bedrooms one for girls and one for boys.  We are going to meet a family of seven kids sometime in March.  Other than that we have two kids that live in this area who are without a mom and who's dad is quite ill.  We have not done much in searching for kids yet because we have been focusing on adjusting and getting our house done. 

April and May start a pretty busy season here for us.  We have a Church anniversary party in April and the next day is the start of Jonah's family reunion.  all his Brothers and sisters are coming for a couple of days to celebrate and spend some time together.  We have been and will continue to plan some fun activities and games.  Right after the reunion we travel to Negros for a Church conference for three days.  Later in May we have a wedding for one of my best friends here in the Philippines.  We will share pictures and try to update more with all the goings on as time allows.

We thank  you for all your prayers and support.  Will try to share pictures later this weekend.