It's already half way through January, but I need to catch up on the last couple of months of 2014... So here we go :)
PCL, CHED, and a New Librarian
After a
wonderful 2 week break in October, we were excited about the beginning of
Semester Two, 2014/2015. We were in for a surprise in the first week back, when
we were informed that CHED, the Commission on Higher Education, would be paying
a visit the next day. While our school was approved by CHED for our 1st
and 2nd year program, we needed further approval for our 3rd
and 4th year program, with our first batch of CHED students due to
begin 3rd year in June 2015. Wanting to show the best PCL has to
offer, we began another ‘all-nighter’, beautifying our bulletin boards and
displays, updating our personnel photo charts, and even giving many of the
walls, columns, tables and benches a fresh lick of paint. The place looked
wonderful and the CHED representatives were certainly impressed with the
appearance of the school, stating that the environment at PCL is very conducive
to learning.
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| PCL students are so helpful! The all-nighter before the CHED visit |
However,
CHED had undergone some personnel changes and we soon found out about
requirements that we had been previously unaware of. With a deadline of 5
weeks, we had to make a separate computer room (rather than inside the library,
as it had been for the past few years), put in new benches and write up some
development plans. The hardest part of all was finding out that we needed a
full-time, qualified librarian. For the past few years, we had a part-time
librarian who would visit us from time to time with instructions and advice. He
was unavailable during week days, usually visiting us on public holidays. Now,
we had to find a qualified librarian, who in the words of the CHED
representative, is an ‘endangered species’ in the Philippines. For weeks we
prayed for a librarian. We put advertisements on social media and bulletin
boards. We visited colleges which offered library science degrees to look for
new graduates. We used all the connections we had. Finally, with only a few
days before our deadline, God brought Sis. Donna to us. He also provided the
finances for her salary, largely through a generous couple at DBC. We are so
blessed to have her in our school and she is already making improvements in our
library.
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| Sis Donna (left) and our faithful and hard-working library assistance, Sis. Mahalia
Semester Two, 2014
We are
already half-way through Semester Two, and it is busy and eventful. This
semester, I am teaching biology, indoor games, and an encouragement/support
type of class called growth enhancement. I am also teaching a Korean student called
Yun Ju, who has come to the Prayer Mountain to learn English. She wants to be a
missionary one day, so learning English is an important step for her. I’m
amazed at her progress as I consider how hard it can be to learn a second
language.
On December
19, PCL held its concert ‘Harana sa Hari 2’, which means ‘Serenade for the King
2’, as they had held a Harana sa Hari concert back in March 2012. Students
worked hard and spent many hours planning, practicing and preparing.
Unfortunately, the concert was moved from December 16 to December 19, which
meant that while Juls and I supported the students in the lead up to the event,
we were unable to be there on the night. However, the night was a wonderful
success.
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Our Home
We are still
enjoying living in San Mateo. We have two new members of the family, lovebirds
called Fifi and Freddie. Fifi came into our lives when she flew into a
classroom. A student caught her but we were unable to find her owner. She
bonded with Juls immediately and I knew that we had no choice but to keep her
and to get a partner for her as well. They are beautiful little birds!
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| Fifi (green) and Freddie (blue/purple)
We continue
to invite people to our house for meals. I personally love trying out dishes
that Filipinos have never eaten before. My philosophy is that if they don’t
know what beef stroganoff is supposed to taste like, then they won’t know if I
don’t make it quite right. I’ve experimented with different soups, casseroles
and dishes and done my best without an oven or most of the right ingredients.
We recently celebrated our god-daughter’s birthday in our house with a meal and
some close friends.
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Christmas in Perth
I must admit that the second half of 2014 was
quite a difficult time for me and I found myself struggling with my emotions.
Some difficult incidents, including a typhoon and especially the loss of our
nephew in traumatic circumstances, had taken their toll on us. I was also wrestling
with what I was constantly surrounded by - the day to day struggle for basics
such as food and medical care of the people around us, including people who are
very close to us. Juls and I realized that we really needed a time of rest and
refreshment. So, although it wasn’t in our original plan or budget, we went to
Perth, to spend Christmas with my family. We had a wonderful time in Australia,
not forcing ourselves to go to many places or see many things. We enjoyed the
simple things: a refreshing walk in a quiet park, watching birds by a lake, and
especially spending time with our wonderful family. During this time, I felt
the truth of those cherished words in Psalm 23. Truly, The Lord was leading me
into green pastures and by still waters and restoring my soul. When our 2&½
weeks in Perth was over, I felt refreshed and ready for the next chapter of our
Philippines adventure.
Ministry
We are excited about the progress in our area of San Mateo.
We have been informed by our Korean missionary pastor that construction of the
building will begin very soon, as the title of the lot has finally been
released. Juls and I have already made some connections with people in the
area, who know us a bit now as we have been regularly visiting the lot for the
past couple of months. On returning to the Philippines in early January, we
found out that our PCL 4th year students will be partnering with us
for a month, doing programs in the area as part of their final internship. We
also now have the ability to finance a small feeding program and buy some items
to be used before and after the construction of the church, such as chairs and
a very basic sound system, due to the generous contribution of DBC. We are
pulling back from our commitments in Gethsemane Dweller Church Hillside, as our
focus increases in San Mateo. We really appreciate your continued prayer.
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| Our cute neighbours in San Mateo |
Finally, I will include some pictures of a golden retriever riding on top of a tricycle in heavy traffic because that is something I have never seen in Australia!
Thank you to everyone who supports us in prayers, friendship, encouragement and finances. We appreciate you all so much!
