Busy But Happy

This has been a hectic week, but a good week.  I have finished with the orientation process for my new employment, and I will be working at several locations over the next few weeks for some hands-on training.  While none of this does anything towards getting me back to the Philippines, it does take care of my own family's needs . . . which is important unto itself.

The good news is that I've received some donations towards funding school supplies for the church in Sierra Bullones, I have made a personal donation to the church in Panaytayon, and I have some friends who are trying to get together some funds to support a vacation Bible school at the church in Carmen.  While there is certainly a lot more fund raising that needs to happen, all of these are a good start towards the goals of increasing school attendance and completion, and reducing the likelihood of continuing poverty for the children of the churches involved.

I took an opportunity in the midst of my final day of orientation to talk about the needs there in the Philippines -- a couple of my coworkers are also Christians, so that makes for a receptive audience.  I don't know what might come from it, but I do hope I have additional chances to speak with some of these people and maybe . . . maybe . . . generate some additional support for Filipino school children.

I'm also looking forward to seeing some photos of Easter Sunday celebrations at the churches there on Bohol, as well as other locations throughout the Philippines.  One thing that does happen in the Philippines which I am not so excited about are the extreme re-enactments of the crucifixion story . . . including people actually being nailed to a cross.  While our Lord's death on the cross, and his dying for our sins, is important, His resurrection is of the greatest significance.  I would rather see a some empty tombs symbolizing his raising from the grave then seeing real people suffering with nails through their hands and feet.  Now I doubt that I will see anything like that from our Christian churches there in the Philippines.  I am just hoping to see some wonderful celebrations and perhaps a few more decisions for Christ, followed by some baptisms and joyous singing.

Books, Books, Books

When I visited the Icthus Christian Academy in Bohol, the staff showed me their library . . . if I recall correctly, it consisted of one book case that was 70 percent full.  That's not a library, at least not for a school.  So I made a mental note of the situation with the idea that I might be able to do something about it for them.  I had considered  asking my pastor if I could put a collection box in the church foyer . . . but then I found another solution.

I began a new job this week.  I will become the  manager of a Goodwill store here in the Albuquerque area.  Among the many donations they receive each day is an amazingly large quantity of books.  Although they sell many of the books, many more are sent to a clearance center for quick sale.  While many of the books would not be appropriate for a Christian school, there are many that would be of great value in their library.

All it will take is a few volunteers to visit the clearance center each week to sort through the many titles that are processed each day.  (As a manager, I am not allowed to shop in the clearance center, so someone else must do it for me.)  Anyway . . . the books can then be placed in a balakbayan box and then shipped to the Philippines.  The cost for a jumbo (six cubic feet) box is $105 . . . rather inexpensive for a hundred pounds of books or more.

hint:  If anyone is interested in paying for a shipment of books, please let me know.

Communities That Care

I'm not sure about the title of this article - maybe it should read "Communities Who Care" . . . the reality is that communities are not things, they are people.  I had a wonderful day yesterday, talking with some people in the community here who are excited to do what they can to help the children in the Philippines.

In particular, I'd like to tell you about Phyllis and Marc, owners of the Idalia Road Marketplace.  The "market" is a small but growing group of wonderful, creative and caring people who make and sell a variety of quality products.  One of the desires of the market is to be supportive of people within the community, as well as throughout the world.  I spent many of my Saturdays last summer there at the market, selling some of the things I make in my wood shop -- board games, small scale looms, drop spindles and so on.  Anyway, I also play around with screen printing, and offered to make some canvas bags with the Idalia Road Market logo.  I met with Phyllis yesterday to discuss the project -- bag style, colors, sizes and such.

Marc and Phyllis of Idalia Road Marketplace

During our discussion, I told her about my experiences in the Philippines and my desire to help the school children with supplies and books for the Icthus Christian Academy library.  She immediately volunteered to allow me to have a collection point there at the market for books, supplies and donations.  She said that the market is truly about community . . . not only the local community, but the global community.  She was even more pleased to be involved since it was some one from the local area (me) who was involved.   I have to admit, I am very excited about the prospect of having multiple collection points within the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho  communities.  All I need to do is create a display for each collection point, with pictures and some explanations.

So what started out as an opportunity for me to sell a couple hundred market bags turned into a wonderful opportunity to continue my efforts to support the children of Bohol with educational supplies and books.   I am so very grateful for the giving nature of people here in the Albuquerque area.

Thoughts on Fund Raising

I have always had the idea in my head that the topic of "money" should never be preached from the pulpit.  Yet, there are times when it is necessary to do so.  When there are periods of significant need, true emergencies, and so on, I think that it is appropriate to stand in front of the congregation and talk about financial realities.  As a "part-time" missionary (that's how I'm defining myself at the moment), I have realized that I too must start discussing the reality that I need some financial backing in order to accomplish the things that the Lord has laid before me.  Now I have to tell you . . . I'm not comfortable doing this.  It isn't something that comes naturally -- I'm not a salesman nor a persuasive speaker.  But I've started nonetheless.

I have finished reading Quitter by Jon Acuff (yes, he is related to the country music singer of the same last name) but refer back to it frequently.  One of the comments he makes about being passionate about something is the need to be assertive about the object of your passion.  You have to talk about it  -- go out and "shake the bushes".  I guess that's where I am now.

Novelinda leading the kids in singing at Sierra Bullones church

I've approached a few people already, asking for some simple support for some easy projects.  The immediate feedback was generally supportive, although I haven't received any definite "yes, we will support this" type of comments.  I did receive some "let me see what I can do" responses, which is encouraging.  And I had a couple of people who didn't respond at all.  That's okay -- I don't expect that everyone will jump on board with my interest and conviction to help needy people in the Philippines.

As I said, I'm keeping the projects small for now.  I have some "big" ideas waiting in the wings for the right opportunity, but I think I should test the waters and practice my "pitch" with the smaller projects.  Two of the churches are in need of financial support for their vacation Bible school programs.  I wish they had said something sooner, as their summer schedule starts long before ours does here in the US.  With the amount of time it takes to send a check through the mail, it will be cutting it really close.  But if the Lord wants it to happen, it will happen . . .  something about "just-in-time" answers to prayer.  Be patient.  Have faith.

Balikbayan Box 

I'm going to approach my pastor this week (probably today, as a matter of fact) about getting a book box set up in the foyer of the church.  The Icthus Christian Academy is really in need of books for a library.  I'd like to have five minutes in front of the congregation this Sunday to ask for book donations -- anything that would be appropriate for a Christian school that has kindergarten through high school.  Now if you've ever sent books across country, you'll know that it can be expensive.  One of the nice things about working with the Philippines is the availability of a "balikbayan" box.  Essentially, there is some arrangement with the Philippines that allows large boxes to be sent via container to anywhere in the Philippines for a very reasonable price.  Weight of the items doesn't matter, just so long as the contents are legal and so on.  For $105, I can send a 6 cubic-foot box, with pick-up at the church office and delivery to the school's doorstep.  Hopefully, I can fill a couple of these.  A few boxes of books will not a library make, but each little bit will help.

Anyway, that's the plan for now.  I was going to write today about the difference between American "stuff" and Filipino "stuff", but I think that will wait until tomorrow.  Until then, your assignment is to define "minimalist" . . . then we'll talk about it and "stuff".

P.S.
If anyone has some ideas on employers who would allow me to take off from work a couple of months at a time to go minister in the Philippines, let me know.  There's got to be some business out there who can accommodate my schedule.

Seeking Wisdom

I went to breakfast at the church this morning.  There were about 20 men there.  Some arrived as early as 5:30 in the morning to start preparing our meal.  Others wandered in a little after 7:00.  The food was good.  The fellowship was enjoyable.  The prayer time was significant.

Widsom: understanding what to do with knowledge

I've realized something over the past few weeks.  I have the wisdom for some things, but not for others.  For instance, I feel very confident to work with the Icthus Christian Academy helping them to modify their instruction for special needs children.  I also am very comfortable with working the teachers and administration in developing basic screening procedures to identify students with learning disabilities and so on.  I feel confident to work with the teachers about examining different learning styles, spiritual gifts and more.  There may be other things they would like to work on that I don't know about yet.  Still, I think I can do this all within a four to five month period, with two of those months working directly with the school there in Ubay.

What I don't have the wisdom for is determining how to get the funds together to take care of my family's needs while I am preparing to go and while I am gone, for the travel to and from, and to cover expenses while I am there.  Some where in the midst of all of this, I'm supposed to be finding a job.  Trust me . . . it's difficult enough to find work with the economy as it is.  It is even more difficult to find an employer who will allow me to take off for 8 to 10 weeks so that I can do my "missionary thing".

Icthus Christian Academy - ongoing construction

So as the men this morning were sharing prayer needs, I offered mine much like I've written it above.  There was some serious prayers for health issues and for jobs, for raising children, and to be strong men of God.  I need to gather some of these men around me . . . I think they may have the wisdom I am lacking.  By working together, I am hoping that my prayers will be answered, so that I can return to the Philippines to provide for the needs of students and teachers alike.  Please keep me in your prayers.

One Reason To Go Back To The Philippines - Seaweed!

Yes . . . this is seaweed

I know this may sound strange to my American readers, but one of the foods I enjoyed most when in the Philippines was seaweed.  I don't know what kind of seaweed it is, but it is absolutely amazing.  It looks rather strange when compared to any other American dishes I can think of, but it really is a tasty dish.  I borrowed a couple of photos from the Facebook album of Rachel C. from Icthus Christian Academy, which is where I first tasted this delightful  "salad".

Preparing seaweed in a simple Filipino kitchen

The interesting thing about this particular seaweed . . . it can also be used to make a "plastic" like product that is used to make sandals (Filipino slippers/shoes).  Now I know what you're thinking.  How can something that is used as a source for plastic be edible?  I don't know.  But I've seen the shoes that Pastor Jul wears and they seem very sturdy . . . and inexpensive.  And I've eaten the seaweed at least three times, and its de-lish (a phrase used by a different Rachel).

This is one of those cultural things that I think many Filipinos might take for granted . . . it's just something they have always had and enjoyed.  And of course, it's relatively easy to harvest.  I don't know the recipe for preparing it, but I think it's just heated to a boil . . . kinda like pasta?  It's texture makes me think that it could have been pickled, but I don't think that's really the case. I will have to get Rachel to send me the recipe.  I will post it here once I have it.

Anyway . . . just one of many "culture" articles to come.  Hope you enjoy.

So If You Could Help . . .

I know in my last article I talked about trying to understand the culture of the Philippines.  It's really a challenge having only spent two weeks there -- two weeks does not an expert make.  I've only scratched the surface.  We take for granted so many things here in the US: having transportation to and from work, having a job in the first place, having a choice of food for the dinner table . . . the list goes on.  Now, I know there are some who will say, "but we have poor and needy people right here in America who need help."  And they would be right.  But there are also many organizations already in existence here to help those people.  If the Filipino community only had even half of the social services we have here!  But they don't.

I'd like to throw out a challenge to those who read this:  If you could do something to help a needy person in the Philippines, what would you  be willing to do?  I know my focus has been on helping school-aged children with supplies for school.  But the schools need help also.  The principal of Jose Boja Elementary showed me his five year plan.  On the list are some pieces of equipment that he would dearly love to have . . . a couple of microscopes.  Perhaps someone would like to offer to help with that?  There is the young lady confined to a wheelchair . . . she could benefit from having some vocational training.  Would you be willing to support her financially?  There is the Christian school in Ubay.  They need all sorts of help.  Some financial support would be nice . . . books for the library . . . some good old fashion prayer would be nice also.  I have a friend who is working with a campus ministry program . .  perhaps you could help a college student with some books or materials?  There are churches who need Bibles and Sunday school material.

When you're at the grocery store today, take a look at the purchases that you make.  Realize that every five dollars you spend would support a Filipino elementary student for several months.  The frustrating part about the school situation there is that the cost of fixing the problem is relatively small.  We take for granted that our tax system will provide for our community's educational needs.  We can even afford to go out and spend 2 million dollars on a new high school football stadium.  The Icthus Christian Academy could do miracles with only a tenth of that -- including changing the lives of hundreds of students.

So what are you willing to do to help?  Give it some thought.  Give it some prayer.  I know times are rough, but times here in the US are still amazingly  wonderful compared to life in the Philippines.