September and October

New Additions to the PCL Worship Team

Life at PCL continues to be busy, challenging, fun and exciting. One of my roles here at PCL is to oversee the music ministry for our weekly Chapel service and 5:00 a.m. Dawn Watch service every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. As we have been getting to know our first year students, we have discovered that we have many singers and musicians keen to be part of our worship team. In September we had a special opportunity for our new students to worship together, while demonstrating their musical ability. With more than 30 students keen to be involved, and a few false starts due to black-outs (or brown-outs as they are known here) it took two afternoons. We had a wonderful time worshipping together and we are excited that many of the students will be joining this ministry.

We had two visits from Korean guests this October, including a visit from Pastor Pal-Yeon Wan, chairman of the board of trustees. The PCL students are very happy every time a group from Korea comes to the Prayer Mountain, as they are usually treated a special lunch. We enjoyed the special numbers of our Korean guests as well our lunch fellowships. 

Gethsemane Prayer Mountain Anniversary

October 18^th was the 18^th Anniversary of Gethsemane Prayer Mountain. To celebrate, all the Gethsemane churches were invited for a special service, lunch, and intercessory prayer. I was surprised but honored to be the song-leader, as our church was asked to lead the praise and worship. I really love the Prayer Mountain, not just as the home of PCL, but also as a place where people can come for extended prayer. I know that in this place hope is restored, dreams are birthed, broken lives are healed and much more, as people seek God and He touches lives. I am thankful for this place.

Song Leading

With some of the Gethsemane Pastors

 Typhoon Mario

In the very early hours of September 19^th, Typhoon Mario hit the Metro Manila area. Typhoons are a frustrating reality here in the Philippines, with about 20 hitting this country every year. Juls and I had stayed on the mountain on Thursday 18^th, but when we tried to go home the next day, we found the roads impassable. Our neighbor informed us (by text) that there was waist-high water at the gate of our subdivision. It’s hard to describe my feelings on that day. I really wanted to go home. I was so tired, stressed (it wasn’t the best day for our car battery to die; we were push-starting our car in the rain) and cold. We tried to wait a few hours to see if the water would go down, but eventually we gave up and went back to the mountain, which was not a particularly easy drive, especially as we had to dodge a fallen power line on the mountain road. By the next day, September 20^th, the water was low enough for us to go home.  Our electricity came back on within a day. Thankfully, our house was fine, with water coming up to our front step but not inside. We had been concerned that our things would be ruined, as we were not expecting a flood, and we had things on the floor.  

While I felt so frustrated, I realized how blessed we were that we could go to a safe place and our home was not damaged.  Thousands of people were displaced and had to stay in schools and churches. My dear friend, who I call my ‘lil bro’ and is truly like a brother to me, had his tiny, poorly constructed house flooded to the second floor for the second time in one week! I also remembered last year’s Typhoon Yolanda, which killed thousands of people, caused so much destruction, and touched our family as my parents-in-law had a hole in their roof and no electricity for more than a month. Life is really hard for so many here. This world is really hurting. I confess that I struggle with my emotions as I consider the suffering I see. At the same time, I am so thankful for the love of Jesus, demonstrated on the cross. I do not doubt the love of God, because of the incomparably costly gift He gave us. I have hope as I see Him moving in our lives and in the lives of the people around me. I ask Him, “God, what should I do?” He answers me in Micah 6:8. “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.” I am so weak, but I pray that God will give me strength to obey His Word. 

There was so much water flowing down the mountain

Typhoon Mario left our church with three large holes in the ceiling

Anniversary Vacation in Subic

As I have really wrestled with emotions after the death of our nephew in August, a typhoon which kept us away from our home, and the daily struggle I see in the people around me, Juls and I felt that we needed a vacation. October 25^th was our first wedding anniversary. It was also semester break. We decided to go to Subic, a popular tourist destination only 3-5 hours away. It is also the home of our dear friend, Bro. Philip. We had four nights in a small and simple resort room that had… wait for it… a flushing toilet complete with toilet seat! It also had a hot shower! How I enjoyed these luxuries! Subic is really beautiful with stunning beaches and wonderful attractions. While we were there, Juls preached at Philip’s church and I gave a special number. Juls and I were really able to relax and leave behind our stress and anxieties. It was the perfect way to celebrate one wonderful year of marriage. I am truly thankful to God for the husband He gave me and the opportunity we had to rest and enjoy a lovely experience.

Juls found a turtle's nest. Sadly, some people had dug up the eggs.
He found one unbroken egg and reburied it in the hope that it might survive. 

San Mateo

Our lot in Divine Mercy, San Mateo, has now been purchased with all papers officially completed. For the past month, Juls has been working hard to clear the ‘jungle’. I know that I would be a danger to myself if I attempted to do any cutting or clearing, so I am doing prayer walks and just saying hello to as many people as I can. As the weather has been improving, we have more opportunities for this. I pray that we can slowly start to build relationships in this sub-division. 

We Welcome Visitors

At the beginning of this year, we thoroughly enjoyed the small team from DBC visiting PCL and two church communities. We would love more mission trips from Australia, which could be arranged to fit with the gifts and interests of the people involved. We also welcome anyone who just wants to visit. Please, let me know if anyone feels a trip to the Philippines might be a good idea. 

August

Buwan ng Wika

August is ‘Buwan ng Wika’, which means ‘Month of Language. It is a time to celebrate the language, culture, history and traditions of The Philippines. As part of their P.E. and Filipino subjects, students prepared dances, dramas, songs and pieces of art for a special service on August 20^th. The first year students had been separated into five groups during their PE, and had to practice and perform dances incorporating different elements. The first dance was with ‘ipit-ipit’, small hand-held pieces of wood which were clicked together with the fingers. The next group performed ‘maglalatik’ with coconut shells strapped to their knees, hips and shoulders, which they hit with hand-held coconut shells. The next group had flowers along a bent piece of bamboo, called bulaklakan. The fourth group performed ‘tinikling’, using long pieces of bamboo, which were clapped together on the floor. The dancers had to jump in between them and avoid getting hit (in a graceful manner, of course). The final group ‘pandango sa ilaw’ used candles, dancing while balancing the candles on their heads.

After the traditional dances, a larger group performed an interpretive dance while students sang a solemn Filipino song. Following this performance, the third year students performed a drama, incorporating their unique comic talents, which had the whole audience in fits of laughter. With my limited  understanding of Tagalog, especially when it is spoken quickly, I had a hard time following the storyline, but I was thoroughly entertained by their crazy antics.

The final part of the program was a display of artwork produced by the students, incorporating the theme of unity. We have some talented artists at PCL!

It was such a wonderful day, especially because for that 1 day, students were allowed to break the golden rule of PCL, which is ‘always speak English’. For that day, I even tried to speak in Tagalog, much to the amusement of the students.

Alumni Homecoming

On August 25^th, PCL held its first official alumni homecoming. Since 2011, we have had 4 groups graduate – Batches Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. PCL invited all graduates to return to the Prayer Mountain for a special celebration, an update on their lives and ministries, and the election of the Alumni Council.  It was so wonderful to see the students again. I was a guest at the first graduation, as the honorary ‘parent’ of Elvy, who just happened to be about 20 years older than me. For the following three graduations, I have been involved as a staff member and the MC at each ceremony. Of course, not all graduates were able to come, especially as some live in the provinces, but for those who came, it was such a joyful experience.

We were encouraged as students shared about their growing ministries and teaching opportunities. We also met the first PCL baby, as two 2012 graduates, Ptr. Ryan and Ptra. Divine, got married last year and had a baby earlier this year. I’m some kind of ‘grand-godparent’ to her, as I was ‘Ninang’ or godparent in the wedding of Ptr. Ryan and Ptra. Divine. (Since coming to the Philippines I have gained many god-children, or ‘inaanak’, as it is customary to have many godparents for baby dedications and weddings.) During our delicious lunch, one member from each batch was asked to give a special number. We look forward to having more alumni activities in order to encourage one another and reflect upon the great things God is doing in the lives of our PCL graduates.

Library

One of my tasks here at PCL is to oversee the library. August has been a very busy month for the PCL library. It seems like the work is never-ending! While our dedicated library assistant, Sis. Mahalia, has been encoding book after book into the new electronic system, we decided that we really needed some extra help in physically rearranging the books, many of which had been incorrectly labelled during the schools earliest years, and completing some other requirements. For three weeks in August, we asked for 15 volunteers to stay at the school for an extra day. They created book-pockets and book cards for the books and searched through the 10,000+ books to check that they were in the right section. We created a single reference section, rather than having different reference books in separate sections. We transformed the ‘halo-halo’ or ‘mix-mix’ section of books into a proper fiction section. I got so excited to see many classic books that I would love to read if I ever find more time. I am pleased with the progress we made, and while there is still work to do, we can work during regular school hours again. I’m so pleased with the arrangement of the books that I will sometimes go to the library, look at our beautiful reference or fiction section, put my hands on my hips, and give a contented sigh and smile. 

Some Sad News   

August was a very challenging and sad month for Juls and I, and his family, as our 4 month old nephew, Aquilles, passed away. With Juls’ family in the province, we were the ones who helped his sister, Erica, looked after the 3 other children, did the hospital visits and organized the funeral and burial. It was such a sad and stressful time, but through it all, we felt God’s love and support. We were so grateful to family and friends who helped us financially, taking away the financial strain of hospital and funeral costs. After little Aqui was buried, Erica and the children went to the province to stay with Juls’ parents. God has been our comfort and strength and we know that Aqui, who was very sick for his whole life, is now in the arms of Jesus, where he will endure no more suffering.

Aqui's family - Even though it was a sad time, we will miss having them with us

San Mateo

Now that the lot where our new ministry will be has officially been purchased by a Korean sponsor, Juls and I do weekly visits and prayer walks and Juls and his friends will soon start clearing the area.

More August Photos

Another Rainy Day at PCL

Playing in the Rain

Sweet Nadine, my goddaughter (inaanak)

Pi-Jo, our godson (inaanak)

June and July

The Beginning of 2014-2015 School Year

At the beginning of June, the new academic year at PCL began. With more than 50 new students we now have about 130 students in all. Our new first years have made a great start to the semester. They had a bit of a shock, however, as it is a PCL tradition to throw a very dramatic welcome party for the new batch. It began when the student council called a meeting, which all students were required to attend. Some matters were discussed in a heated manner and a few students began to feel a bit tense. When the school chaplain and secretary became involved in an ‘argument’, the students really started to wonder about the school. Then some students from our senior levels came in, raised their hands and shouted, ‘Welcome First Year Students!’ With great relief, they realized that everything had been staged and it was actually a party in their honor. We had worship, prayer, an encouraging message, a crazy dance performance by the funniest students in the school and an activity where ‘old’ students write encouraging messages on papers taped to the backs of our new students. The students recovered quickly from their shock and thoroughly enjoyed their special welcome.

This year, I am only teaching two subjects, and have taught them before. I therefore have more time to focus on some of my other roles. The library is still undergoing a lot of change as we are in the process of going electronic and fixing the layout of the books, as advised by our visiting librarian. We are also monitoring the students’ library study hours more closely, and have seen a great improvement in this area. I am now in charge of the worship team, and am enjoying putting some ideas into practice to help make our rehearsals run more smoothly, develop our less-experienced singers and musicians, and foster a greater sense of unity within the team. I will also be setting up a web-page for the school, which is slightly daunting, but with the help of a simple ‘drag-and-drop’ website builder, I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do. I have two sessions per week with a Chinese student, Joseph, who is learning English, with the hope of enrolling in PCL next semester. 

My English Grammar class

Students using the data projector donated by DBC

Joseph, my Chinese student

Gethsemane Dweller Church – Hillside: New Building Dedication

If you have been following my updates for a while, you may remember that in 2012 we had a dedication at my church, as a new, two-level building was completed. Well, thanks to our generous Korean sponsors, Hillside added a third story and on June 17 we had another building dedication. The Korean sponsors came again, our church members were there, and all of our 3^rd and 4^th year students were invited. I have been so blessed to be part of a church that is growing in physical size and number, as well as in the way the Holy Spirit is moving through the services and activities.

Can you find me in this picture? I'm wearing black.

Typhoon Glenda

Typhoon season seemed to come a little earlier than usual this year, with Typhoon Glenda hitting in the early hours of July 16. Classes in Metro Manila were suspended for two days and most places lost electricity. Juls and I discovered that we weren’t really prepared for living without electricity, as our charcoal cooking stove we use as an alternative to our electric stove can only be used outside – not such a good idea in heavy rain and strong wind. We bought a little gas camping cooker and a bunch of candles. By the Saturday (19^th) evening, the electricity came back on.  This typhoon caused less flooding than some others I have experienced here, but the strong winds caused a lot of damage and affected many of our friends. We were very thankful that our house was not damaged, as it is a lot stronger than many other houses. 

Dinner by candlelight... because there was no electricity

Now we can cook without electricity

Answered Prayer

The month of July has been an unforgettable month in our prayer life. We have had some circumstances that have really tested us. However, we knew that God was giving us an opportunity to completely trust in Him, no matter what. We have already seen amazing answers to prayer and believe that He will continue provide for us and give us wisdom. We are so thankful for the way it has drawn us closer to each other and to God. 

Birthdays

June 14 was Juls’ birthday, and in an attempt to fit in with the Filipino tradition of dramatic surprises (well, that is the excuse I will use) some friends and I concocted quite a plan. Juls and I came home that night to find our gate open, the door unlocked, the television, DVD player and laptop gone, and some chairs knocked over. Juls checked our bedroom and started to go outside to ask the neighbours if they had seen anything suspicious. I stopped him and directed him to the kitchen, where his friends jumped out with a cake and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. It took him a few moments to work out that it was all just a plan to surprise him. We had a lovely night after that, together with his friends. 

My birthday seemed to go by on a much more subdued level. My wonderful husband bought me my favourite doughnuts and lovely flowers, I received a lovely card from the 3^rd year students, I shared a cake with another staff member at the school and I was greeted with cake and cards at church. Then, a week and a half after my birthday, the 1^st years surprised me in my class with a beautiful, huge card, lovely cake, enthusiastic singing and prayer. I felt so blessed!

The best doughnuts ever... do you like our beautiful candle holders? 

My class praying for me

San Mateo Progress

We are very excited (and a bit nervous) to say that a lot has been chosen for our future ministry. It is in a subdivision in San Mateo called Divine Mercy. How’s that for a name! This subdivision is in the very early stages of development – the road is very rough and there are many vacant lots. There are people living there, however, and there is no church in the area. It is our intention to visit the lot regularly for a prayer walk and to slowly get to know the people in the community. In time, we hope to open Bible-studies and other ministries while we wait for our building to be constructed. Due to bad weather this month, we have only had a few short visits. We honestly feel a bit overwhelmed, but we strongly believe that this is God’s plan for us and that He will give us wisdom and strength. Papers for the lot should be signed within the next month. We also pray for the Korean sponsors who are financing this new church.  

March, April and May

Farewell Class of 2014

This March was a very busy month as we prepared to say farewell to our 4^th Year students. On March 21 the graduating students had their Baccalaureate Service, a special opportunity to celebrate their 4 years of study, remember the special times, and reflect upon the way in which God has changed them. It is also the time for them to pass on the leadership to the next group of students. The 4^th Year Student Council passed on ‘The Book of Wisdom’ to our new P.R.O. , ‘The Candle representing the Light of Love’ to the new Treasurer, ‘The Pen of Knowledge’ to the new Secretary, ‘The Sword of Discipline’ to the new Vice President,  and ‘The Key of Responsibility’ to the new President.

The graduating student council (left) and the new batch

March 31 was the graduation of the 4^th Batch from PCL. As with the last two graduation ceremonies, I was privileged to be the MC for the event. The Thanksgiving Speech made by our High Honors student was particularly emotional. As an Australian from a supportive home who had access to government financial assistance in the form of Higher Education Contributions Scheme, my experience of completing university seemed so simple. My heart filled with pride for these amazing students, so many of whom had persevered amidst financial hardship (meeting basic needs such as rice) and family pressures to achieve their goal.

Some of the staff and faculty

I had the privilege of being the MC (unfortunately I couldn't find a better photo of this!)

 Pastor Jhone with his mother

A week after the graduation, Juls and I, along with many staff and professors, had the opportunity to join the new graduates on their mission trip to Pagudpud, a 10-12 hour bus ride north. In cooperation with the local church, we did 2 crusades. It included the students singing songs of praise, performing powerful dramas, showing moving video clips, and sharing an evangelistic message, followed by sharing food and juice. At first, the crowd was very small, but as we prayed, the people came. We also did a prayer walk and thanksgiving service. We ended the trip with a lovely day of sightseeing. It was wonderful for Juls and I to be involved in the trip.

Praying for the church and community on the mission trip

Our Aussie Adventure

On May 1, the day we (particularly I) had been waiting for finally arrived. Juls and I began our Aussie holiday. We spent 3 weeks in Perth and 1&½ weeks in Darwin.

It was so precious for us to spend lots of time with family, with Juls again seeing my parents, my sister and her family, and finally meeting my brother, his wife and their four children, who were unable to make it to our wedding. He met extended family and friends, who were so excited to see him. While some of my nieces and nephews were a little bit shy at first, they very quickly warmed up to him, watching him make an octopus out of a honkey nut and sticks, finding that he could be a wonderful mechanical bull on the trampoline (his back hurt after that), and laughing at his antics when he was using a banana as a phone. They loved teaching him all things ‘Aussie’, especially kicking a footy and toasting marshmallows on a campfire. I enjoyed feeding him meat pies, lamingtons, tim tams and roast lamb, and introducing him to Australian experiences such as camping, as well as the beautiful wildlife and landscapes.

A Medling Camping Trip

The kids loved teaching Juls how to toast marshmallows

Collecting Firewood

Fun at Nan-Nan's Park (For some reason, it's not called that on the maps)

Juls' new best mate

 After our 3 weeks in Perth, we went to Darwin. We were so excited to visit Darwin Baptist Church and see some people who have been to the Prayer Mountain. We loved having an opportunity to share some of our PCL and Philippines experiences at church, and thank DBC for the support extended towards us. We were so thankful for the kindness shown to us during our stay there, especially by Viv, who we stayed with.

It was so special for him to see my country, my life before, and to spend time with family. I know that it was overwhelming at times - culture shock is to be expected and he was also speaking his third language to people with a much stronger accent and more abbreviations and slang words than I usually use. However, we had an amazing time in Australia, and we pray that we can go back next year. 

Other Happenings

April was supposed to be the quiet, restful month in between the busyness of graduation and the excitement of Australia. Of course, it ended up being busy too. One of the wonderful yearly events here is Holy Week Camp, where all 18 Gethsemane churches gather on the Prayer Mountain from the Thursday til the Saturday of the Easter weekend. There were so many people that they had to sleep everywhere – in classrooms, meeting rooms, dorms and even outside. A focus of the camp is the ‘Seven Last Words’ of Jesus. Juls and I enjoyed the camp very much, and we pray that by the next Holy Week Camp, there will be a new church there: Gethsemane Dweller Church – San Mateo, with Juls and I hoping and praying for our ministry.

Another activity during April was being the guest speaker at the graduation from Pre-School and Kindergarten at the Bright Learners Christian Academy. We also took a bunch of friends in our car (11 of us, plus a guitar and all of our baggage) for an overnight trip to the province of Pangasinan, where our dear friends were getting married. We attended church anniversaries and before we knew it, April had gone.

The Birthday of Althea, a very sweet member of my Faith House Family (the church where I used to sleep)

Congratulations Henry and Maribel! 

Our Progress

We have just arrived back in the Philippines, in our little home in San Mateo. We are still praying for the right lot, with a new area being considered by Pastor Lee. While we have a way to go, we are starting to feel more connected in the community here, especially for the 1 & ½ weeks we stayed here without having to leave for the prayer mountain, province, or some other place. One sweet cultural practice is to share food with our neighbour – we do a swap. She brings over a bowl of soup she cooked, and we bring her a dish of what we have made. It’s a small and simple gesture, but I like the way it builds relationships. Juls and I continue to pray for wisdom and open doors, that The Lord may guide us in San Mateo.

We love our new home!