Another Opportunity

Children eating at the Chocolate Hills Christian Church

I've always enjoyed Vacation Bible School.  It is one of those events that children look forward to -- the games, the activities, singing and much more.  Just recently, the Chocolate Hills Christian Church held its VBS, with over 85 kids in attendance and 4 baptisms at the conclusion. Surely many seeds were planted!

The Sierra Bullones Christian Church will hold its first VBS in May of this year.  I haven't heard any estimate on how many children they are expecting . . . I will let you know as soon as I hear a number.  Someone has already stepped-up and purchased the materials needed for the lessons.  Pastor Jose and his VBS staff are also hoping that someone will provide some financial support for meals for the children.  If the event is as successful as the VBS at the Chocolate Hills church, the need will be around $150US.  If there is anyone who be interested in being a part of this exciting opportunity to reach out to kids in this community, send me an email or give me a call:  sandz_enterprises@yahoo.com  or 505-321-8328.

Some of the children of the Sierra Bullones Christian Church

A Special Child

I just received an email from one of the pastors I worked with when I was in the Philippines.  Florante is a committed Filipino pastor, working very hard to reach out to the unchurched in his community.

I remember one day when Florante came to me to ask my opinion about his youngest son.  Jasper is an early elementary-aged child who displays some atypical behaviors for a child his age.  My thoughts, and those of one of my American co-workers (who happens to have a degree in Psychology), is that the young boy might by autistic.  I won't go into all of the details, but I felt his actions were similar to several of the students whom I worked with as a special education teacher.  Just this week they had Jasper examined by a professional child development specialist -- as we suspected, the diagnosis is for autism.

This is where I start having a real problem.  I've explained this before, but I will explain this again for those who have just recently started following my blog.  It is very common in the Philippines for teachers who elect certification in special education to be "sucked up" by other English-speaking countries where special education teachers are in shortage: Australia, England, and the US being the largest "suckers".  I can see the appeal for the teachers -- they will surely make more money in these other countries then they could ever expect to earn in the Philippines.  But the downside of this is that there is a substantial shortage of these special teachers throughout the country.  On the island province of Bohol, the number of special education teachers can probably be counted on one hand.

Children of the Sierra Bullones church

I remember as I toured the Icthus Christian Academy how I tried to just introduce myself as a teacher . . . but my "guides" continually emphasized that I was a licensed special education teacher.  At the time I found it peculiar, but now that I understand the situation there, it does make more sense.

So . . . here I am -- a special education teacher who has developed a significant affection for the Filipino people (and specifically for those who live on Bohol), and I can't go there and do anything to help.

Don't misunderstand . . . I am so very grateful to live here in the US and to have a decent job, especially in a time when many can't find any work at all.  But . . . my heart is just breaking for Florante and his wife, as they are faced with trying to raise a child who requires a special "school" . . . something they will never be able to afford.  Between Jasper, the squatter children whom I have worked with in Panaytayon, and the staff and students of Icthus Christian Academy, I am really distressed.  I would go back to the Philippines in a  heartbeat if there was some way to deal with my financial requirements . . . even if only for short periods of time . . . I'm flexible . . . but my job is not.

All I can do is put it in God's hands.

Where's My Rooster?

It's amazing.  I spent only two weeks in the Philippines, but I quickly became accustomed to waking up at the crowing of the local rooster.  I really miss it.  I told my wife, either she lets me go back to the Philippines or I'm gonna by a rooster!  Well . . . neither has happened.  I'm still holding out for the return trip to the Philippines -- I think my neighbors might having something to say about the rooster.

Children in front of the Sierra Bullones church

On the bright side . . . I have received several photos from my friends at the Sierra Bullones and the Chocolate Hills Christian Churches.  I enjoyed spending time with some of the children in these photos.  To the right is my friend, Novelinda, whom I have been communicating with to help support church programs for these children.  They just finished a Vacation Bible School at the Chocolate Hills church, resulting in four baptisms!  I will be interested in seeing if  they have a few other decisions in the coming weeks, as some times it takes a while for it to sink in what it means to accept Christ as their Lord.

I got to help some of these kids by sending a little money to cover the cost of meals.  My friends are so excited about getting even the smallest gift to help their ministry -- I really want to do more for them because I know how appreciative they really are.

I was supposed to get a delivery of balikbayan boxes today, but they haven't shown up yet.  I will give them a call on Monday -- I'm not in a rush, but I do want to get these boxes out in front of potential donors.

I'm also looking into the price of a rooster . . . perhaps I can find something on Craigslist?

Keeping The Faith

One of the challenges I've faced with my projects in the Philippines is to not give up . . . to "keep the faith".  It's easy for me to be excited about what I'm involved in there, but unfortunately, not everyone else shares my enthusiasm - even though I think they should!  I understand that not everyone shares the same passions in life.  I can't help it if the Lord has put the Philippines on my heart.  That there is good news coming from my friends in Bohol and other places in the Philippines is encouraging.  That I am starting to sense there are some opportunities for receiving assistance with my projects is incredibly exciting.

My dear friend Novelinda from the Chocolate Hills Christian Church in Carmen, Bohol, just announced that they have 85 children signed up for their Vacation Bible School program this coming week.  The school schedule in the Philippines is a few months ahead of ours in the US, so they are already several weeks into their summer break.  I was pleased to hear that they had received some funding for the VBS materials they had needed, and I was able to scratch together some money to send to them for providing meals for the children.  This is a real opportunity for the church in Carmen to reach out to the community and to witness to them about God's plan of salvation.  Nove promised many photos, which I will share as soon as they are made available!

Standing on the site of a new church building in Bohol

My book drive for the Icthus Christian Academy has gotten off to a slower start than I hoped for . . . but I had a very positive conversation with my pastor last week and he indicated that he thinks he can help mobilize the effort.  I will be patient for that.

I wanted to share a photo with you.  The purpose for the picture is to show the location of where the next World Mission Builder's project on Bohol will take place.  For the moment, it is an empty field, with coconut and banana growing along its edges.  The other thing it shows (more for me than anything else) is how big I am compared to the typical Filipino . . . and also how much weight I need to lose!  Oh well . . . that too will happen in due time.  The two women standing with me are mother and daughter, and both are members of this very rural church outside of Ubay, Bohol.  When we arrived at the location, the daughter was playing her guitar, practicing songs for the coming week's worship service.  They are pleased that the church will be located right next to their home.

So this is how things stand for the moment.  I've been asked several times by my Filipino friends if I will be returning there soon.  My answer . . . I just don't know.  I want to . . . but the doors need to open.  In fact, there are a very large number of doors that need to open before I can go back.  And once again, I'm faced with "keeping the faith".  Pastor Tom's message was encouraging today -- he has started a new series entitle "We can do this!"   Sounds like some of my prayers are being answered already.  Praise God!

Some New Pics

You don't realize while you're there, but I don't think one can ever take enough photographs while visiting new and exciting places . . . like the Philippines.  I thought that between the pictures I had taken, along with those by two other people, that I would never run out of interesting pictures . . . well, it seems that we all took pictures of the same things!  Go figure.  Anyway, I received an email today from my brother in Ubay, Bohol . . . Brother Nemesio Carbonilla, the founder of the Icthus Christian Academy.  Attached to the email were many many new pictures from my visit there.  I had managed to leave my camera in Sierra Bullones and so was not able to take pics of my  side trip to Ubay and the school there.  Fortunately, Nemesio and his daughters had cameras rolling the whole time, so I now have additional pictures and stories to tell.  Yah!

Me, addressing the students of the Icthus Christian Academy

This first picture I'd like to share with you is during my visit to the Icthus Christian Academy.  I was honored by being asked to speak to the students there.  Of course, I didn't know that I was going to speak to them, and so didn't dress the way I would have if I had known in advance . . . oh well.  (the shirt I am wearing is a Filipino 3X . . . skin tight for me!)  The students were really attentive.  My experience with most kids is that they don't always act like they are listening or "getting" the message, but this group really attended to my words.  I just hope that I made sense, given the difference in cultures.   Regardless, it was a wonderful and rewarding experience for me, and I am grateful to have more photos of my visit there.

Proud To Be Involved!

I've been back from the Philippines for nearly six weeks -- seems  like just a few days ago.  I am really pleased to hear the good news coming out of the Philippines -- Pastor Jul from Panaytayon just reported to me that they had twenty baptisms this past week!  Pastor David and his team in Carmen are preparing to hold a vacation Bible school in another week, and they have received funds for that project.  I was hoping to support them in that effort, but the money has not made itself available.  Novelinda from Carmen mentioned to me just last night that they need some support for a program to feed the children who will be attending the VBS program . . . so I am going to send some support from my own pocket to do that -- it's just $150, and it will feed a whole lot of kids -- but since I've just gone back to work myself, the money is still a little tight.   I hope I can get some additional help with all of these little projects.

Pastor Jul baptizing new believers!

I am really pleased when I find out what wonderful things the Filipino pastors are doing in their homeland.  I know they are working hard and are living on the edge of existence.  Wish I could do more.  Wish I could be there with them.  There is so much to do.

I will keep trying.  I will keep praying.  Somehow I know this will work out.  Please join me in praying for these dedicated workers for our Lord.

Slowly But Surely

I've never liked lessons in patience . . .  they always take so long to learn!  If I had things my way, I would have already completed my first round of fund-raising for the Philippines and would be planning the second round.  Although some of the funds have become available, I've much more to do.  The lesson for me to learn here (and it's one I've gone through before) is that God will do things in His time, not mine.  He will use me and others to make things happen, but it will always be according to His schedule and not ours.

I don't want to speak too soon, but I do have a former high school classmate who is trying to raise some support for a project that I asked her to consider.  I'm hoping that she will have some success.  It's really  nice to have people from your past who are willing to join you in your passion.

Pastor David with some children and leaders of
Chocolate Hills Christian Church - one of the churches
I want to support.  

I'm not a fund raiser, so it's a challenge for me to approach people to ask for support.  But I am slowly getting better at it -- I just need to let my passion for the children of the Philippines "ooze" out whenever possible.  I have a few more people on my list to approach.  Then comes the harder part . . . finding people whom I don't know to add to my contact list.  Pray that people will find their way into my path, that I will have the ability to recognize them for their potential to support my projects, and that I will have the wisdom to approach them with credibility and sincerity and whatever else it is that I need that will convince them to offer assistance.