October and November

December is just around the corner. I am amazed to think that I have been living in the Philippines for over 10 months now. As always, so much has happened. October and November were particularly exciting months for me. But before I talk about that, here is a short (4 minute) movie I made last month which gives a bit of an idea of the things I have been up to since arriving here in January. I have had some difficulty uploading videos onto my blog, so you can just follow the link to watch it on YouTube.

http://youtu.be/KwJOL_XwBwU

 

October saw the end of Semester One of the Academic Year 2012-2013. The students had accomplished many things and were looking forward to a well-earned break. However, days before semester’s end, we learned that CHED (the Commission for Higher Education) would be visiting the school in only one week’s time to assess PCL for accreditation. We have been working for more than a year towards accreditation, but there were still many things to prepare. In particular, our library needed to be completely reorganised. Thousands of books needed to be categorised, labelled and arranged. So instead of winding down, the students worked, sometimes through the night and into their vacation time in order to be prepared.

Our PCL Cafe. The boys provided refreshments for the students with enthusiasm and their own special style!

 

Their hard work was worthwhile, CHED were pleased with what they saw at PCL and they approved our school. Praise God!

We did it! Hooray!

 

While the students were busy in the library, I was enjoying my first visit back to Australia. I was so excited to step onto home soil for the first time in 9 months. Earlier in the year, I had prayed about visiting Darwin, as there were cheap flights (keep your eyes open because Jetstar often has $99 flights from Darwin to Manila) and May was school vacation. However, I had no peace about going home and I believe that God was telling me that it was not the right time. This time, however, I truly felt that it was right to pay a quick visit to Darwin. Even as I was trying to get onto my flight, I felt God’s blessing, as He provided perfect answers to unexpected problems as I was leaving immigration.

 When I stepped off the plane at Darwin airport, I cannot describe the feeling that hit me. I was home! I was not a foreigner! Everything was familiar, everyone spoke in English and I was not the odd one out! I immediately felt as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders. During my 10 days in Darwin, I was blessed by Viv Chellew, who provided me with a beautiful room in which to sleep, let me eat anything in the house (I did not choose to eat rice!) and allowed me to use her car. Of course, I was so excited to visit Darwin Baptist Church, and loved sharing briefly with my Darwin church family about my time in the Philippines in the morning service. On the Sunday evening, I had the opportunity to speak for a bit longer in the DBC café as well as answer questions. I was blessed to receive $540 in donations on this night, which I used upon returning to the Philippines to help some students pay for registration, to provide snacks for the opening of a small church and an overnight prayer meeting for another church, for 2 months’ sponsorship for some children on Pangapasan island and to buy resources for the new subjects our school is now required to offer.

During my stay in Darwin, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Marrara Christian College and the wonderful staff and students I have been blessed to have worked with. I even got to attend the staff dinner! I saw my students from my Palmerston Christian School days have their final Year 12 assembly. I thoroughly enjoyed being with my DBC connect group, who have continued to be so supportive of me.  I was able to attend the Global Leadership Summit, which was amazing and inspiring, and I spent time catching up with dear friends. My time in Darwin was perfect, and I am so thankful to God, as I felt that he was refreshing me spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Unfortunately, most of my photos from my time in Darwin were mysteriously wiped from my camera, but I found this one from the Staff Dinner on Facebook.

Staff Dinner: Our table was French

 

I was so blessed to have my dear sister, Bec, and my gorgeous nephew and niece, Connor and Abbey, visit me in the Philippines. They flew from Perth to Darwin and then we went to Manila together. It was so special to be able to share my Philippines adventure with my family; for them to see the places I stay, meet the people I am close to and see some of the things I do here. Bec, the kids, some friends and I visited a couple of tourist places, joined in with some of the ministries here, visited my Philippines church and spent time on the beautiful Prayer Mountain. They were particularly excited to meet EJ, Pastor Garlan’s nephew. They have been sponsoring this little boy for 18 months, so to spend a day with him at Avilon Zoo was a wonderful experience.

The kids in a tricycle

 

 

Trixie, the Orang-Utan loved to pose for the camera

Connor, Abbey and EJ are now friends :)

On the Prayer Mountain

Fresh Coconut, straight from the tree on the Prayer Mountain

  

But they weren't quite sure about the taste
 

Before coming to the Philippines, Beccy had held a fund-raiser dinner in Perth. The money raised bought a gas cooker and rice cooker, along with some food, for the people who live at the church I sleep in every weekend. We were able to buy some asthma puffers and spacers for some students who were really in need. We gave some money towards a feeding ministry in Caloocan and toward a small school. It was wonderful to be able to give to these causes.

Giving Ella an asthma puffer and spacer

At Pastor Jhun's feeding ministry in Caloocan

Cooking on the new gas cooker bought with Bec's fund-raising money.

Abbey-Lou and a very large bag of rice for the people here

Our first meal cooked on the new gas cooker

Some of the money went to King's Kids School

Now, Semester Two is underway! Students are busy with their studies and also practising for our upcoming concert, “Christ-must” on December 14. Only two weeks to go!

 

Til next time J

 

July, August and September

How time flies! I simply cannot believe that I have been in this beautiful country for 8 months now. While I wrote a quick blog in August about the flooding and relief goods we were distributing, it has been a few months since I did a general update. As usual, so much has happened!

July 21 was a terrifying day for me. I had to say goodbye to my 20s, as I turned 30 years old! I was hoping to celebrate this special day with the wonderful people on the mountain, but it seemed that it was not to be, as we had no electricity on the mountain that week. Someone had stolen the electric wire (again) that brings electricity to the top of the mountain. Classes were cancelled and all the boys were asked to help fix the electric wires in new positions which hopefully would not be so easily taken.

 

However, I was in for a surprise. Despite the unexpected events, an elaborate plan was being devised for Wednesday 18^th, 3 days before my actual birthday. It began with an emergency. I was needed, as one of the people at the school was very sick and wanted me to help her. I was horrified when I got there to see that she had vomited blood… Thankfully, I only had to worry for a short time, because soon many students burst out from behind closed doors and started to sing Happy Birthday to me. They took me to a room which had been beautifully decorated with candles in the shape of a heart. For my birthday celebrations I had to dance with all of the 1^st year boys, I had songs performed for me by 3 groups, there was a magic show, games, a message from the Bible and a video message from some of my beloved colleagues in Darwin. I was given giant cards which the students had signed with the most beautiful messages and a photo mosaic made from pictures of me and some of my friends. I was blown away. After recovering from the initial shock (I truly believed that the girl I went to see was very, very sick) I simply could not wipe the smile from my face. I felt so overwhelmed by the effort and the love that was shown to me. Truly, my 30^th was a birthday that I will NEVER forget.

 

However, my birthday celebrations were not over. When I went down from the mountain for the weekend, I was surprised with more celebrations at Christ Liveth in Me Fellowship, the church of my dear friends and the place where I sleep every weekend. On the Saturday night (my real birthday) they did a song and dance performance that was truly hilarious and made a scrapbook with many photos and beautiful messages from the church members. We ate adobo chicken (my favourite Filipino dish) and I was so happy because my dear friend Elvy, who visited me in Darwin last year, was able to join us. Finally, on Sunday I was blessed with another card filled with lovely messages from my church. Wow! I am so blessed here to be surrounded by people who show so much kindness, thought and love to me.

So happy to celebrate my birthday with Mommy Elvy!



I definitely did not know what these 2 girls were doing behind my back, but I really love this photo!

In August we had the floods! This was such a surreal experience and I am still reflecting on it. I wrote about the floods and included photos in my last post. If you don't know about that, you should read my August update.

August 18 was the wedding of my dear friends Pastor Garlan and Pastora Aiza. Many of you in Darwin will remember Garlan, as he also visited Darwin last year. This wedding was so joyful, such a wonderful celebration of their love and a testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God to His servants. I was asked to sing at the wedding, and while I was a bit nervous, I really enjoyed the experience. I was also honoured as a principal sponsor. Of course, this was my first Filipino wedding so I didn’t realise that I would make a special entrance and sit in a special place. I was even asked to share a very quick word of encouragement for the happy couple. I enjoyed the wedding so much. Garlan and Aiza are very close to my heart and it was wonderful to see their families again, as I have slept in the houses of both of their families at different times during the past 2 years. I am always so excited to see little EJ, Garlan’s nephew, who has a very special place in my heart and is financially supported by my sister. What a wonderful day. Apart from the fact that my shoes made my toes bleed, it was a perfect day!

Aiza, the beautiful bride



The happy couple with some of us who were involved in the wedding



EJ. I love this boy!
 

One of the highlights for PCL is the annual event ‘Sportsfest’. I was amazed at the preparation that went into this program. From Tuesday 11^th til Friday 14^th our days were filled with basketball, volleyball, chess, darts, table tennis and a unique activity called ‘PCL Survivor’. There were also cheering competitions (involving elaborate dance routines, props, costumes and all done with the typical Filipino sense of humour) and a talent night. My job was very enjoyable that week. I gave a very quick encouragement at the beginning of the proceedings (I was asked to do that about 5 minutes before it began) and I judged the cheering competition and talent night. Apart from that, I sat down and watched thoroughly entertaining games. I got a bit sunburnt during the week, and many of the students are a lot browner than they used to be, but it was a wonderful week and I can’t wait until next year!

That's me... Can you see me?



Talent Night!
 



This reminds me of something that 'PlaySchool' would make with materials from the 'Useful Box'. I love it!



Congratulations Yellow Ravens!

I am enjoying being involved in the music team at my church, Gethsemane Dweller Church Hillside. Also, there have been times when students from the school have asked me to visit their churches for special events such as concerts and anniversaries. While I am not always able to do this, I enjoy the times when I can. Last week I gave an encouraging testimony and sang a special number at Bro. Jonathan's church, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

One of the wonderful things about PCL is that the student stay there from Monday to Thursday. There are many opportunities for bonding. I love getting to know the students better. My prayer is always that I can be there fore them; that they know that they can talk to me if they need advice, encouragement or prayer. It is therefore necessary for me to spend time building relationships with them, so when they invite me to join in birthday celebrations, how can I say no??

 

Of course, we still have regular classes at the Bible School. I absolutely love my students and this semester, my subject of ‘English Communication’ has been so much fun. The students have had different opportunities to practise and demonstrate their English skills and I have especially enjoyed the different presentations they have given. To hear their testimonies and short encouraging messages from the Bible has been inspiring. They have also given dramatic performances which have had me in stitches!

Finally, I have to include some pictures of me and the cute animals here on the mountain.

 

Thank you all for your prayers! My next update will include my trip to… DARWIN!!!! I’m so excited that I will be visiting Darwin from October 19 to 29. After that, my sister will fly from Perth to Darwin with my niece and nephew and we will fly to Manila together, where she can see my school, church, friends and ministries. I’m so thankful to our great God. He is so faithful and good in my life and I am blown away by the way he continues to surprise me with so many great blessings.