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.