On the Phone

Here are a few pictures of our phone tree. There are guava's and cell phones. It is one of the few spots we get reception. Also, for those who we've talked to on the phone, now you can see why you hear roosters all of the time in the background.

Finding Strength in Weakness

Mosquito's to me, are like little demons. They like the dark, their persistent, and their whole goal is to get our blood. They are especially annoying when they whisper their buzzing in our ear. The bible says, “Life is in the blood” (Lev 17:11), having malaria gives me a new appreciation of this.

I am feeling weak, I don't know if its malaria again but my strength feels like it has been zapped away. I tried working out to see if it was just a mind thing...but the attempt left me defeated and on my back. Its hard for me to feel so weak so often. I am accustomed to being healthy and feeling strong. At home I went for years with little more than a cold but here its like I can't even make it a month without being immobilized by malaria. Right now its not so bad and I am not sure if I have malaria, but my lack of strength is discouraging.

James 5:16 says, “Confess your weaknesses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed.” We recently heard a story that illustrates this point. A missionary couple and their children were dropped off in the jungle of the vast land of Paupa New Guinea. The pilot who dropped them off later told his wife that he didn't think they would make it three weeks. The pilot had radio contact with the missionaries and for months he would ask, “How are you doing” and the reply would always be, “fine.” But the truth was they weren't fine and were actually really struggling. Because the pilot did not know this, he assumed he had just misjudged them, therefore he stopped praying for them with the intensity that they actually needed.

It has always been difficult for me to admit when I am struggling . Like the missionaries in this story, my natural inclination is to always say, “I am fine.” But the truth is we need continued prayer. We have been hit physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Physically with malaria and the accompanying exhaustion. Emotionally with depression and feelings of inadequacy. And spiritually with lack of desire to persevere through these struggles.

However we know that we are in a battle. And as in any true war, soldiers can expect to take some hits. Our struggle, “Is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12) Spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Cor 2:14), in like manner spiritual battles must be fought out and won spiritually.

We can take heart because, “This is what the lord says to us: Do not be afraid or discouraged...For the battle is not your, but God's.” (2 Chr 20:15) It is a privilege to be a soldier in the lord's army, but I am thankful that the outcome of the war is not dependent on my ability as a soldier. It is not by our might, nor by our power, but by God's spirit that we are successful. (Zec 4:6). And God says to us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Because of this I can say with the apostle Paul, “For Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:9-10)

If it takes my weaknesses to make me humble, and more reliant on God then I accept that. Soldiers must go through training to prepare for war. And the more elite the army the more intense the boot camp. In the same way God trains us through a humbling and chastening process. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterworlds it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb 12:11)

Its not that God creates the hardships to humble us. On the contrary God's plans are to “prosper and not to harm, and to give us a hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11) Its only because of sin, the antonym of the very essence of God, that hardships exist in this world. The purpose of training is to incorporate the reality of hardships in a controlled setting. This enables the soldier to be confident that they are prepared and have been equipped to handle the attacks of the enemy. Jesus says, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)

Our fight is for restoration, redemption, and rest. Humanity has been compromised with disease and death. Satan, like a malarious mosquito, has infected us with weakness. In our own strength we have no hope. But as a soldier under the banner of the Christian flag we have the distinct advantage of knowing who wins. God says in that day, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:4) That day is worth fighting for!

For those who like me, are feeling tired and weak Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Matt 11:28) (Jer 31:25) I am weak but I know the One who is strong and I am thankful that His power is made perfect in weakness. Because of this I can say when I have fallen, “Rejoice not over me my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the lord will be a light to me.” (Mic 7:8)

Not cured

Wasn't I supposed to get over my fear of spiders etc?

The other day after prayer at the rock, we were still pretty sleepy and were planning on lounging in bed for a little while longer. As I staggered up our porch, I was very surprised to see a HUGE ugly, crazy looking spider. It was right beside me happily sitting in it's web. It was still kind of dawn, so the lighting wasn't the best for pictures, but we spent some time photographing this guy until a school boy came by and I asked him to dispose of the spider. I'm still not really used to these kinds of things. Maybe it's because I have a husband who will do all the killing for me, so I haven't needed to step up and be brave, although, I still really like my can of bug poison. Recently we've been battling with cockroaches. I don't know if it's the time of year or what, but let me tell you, we have a ton of them right now.

Kevin and I did a super clean the other day. We took out everything from our kitchen and scrubbed everything with bleach water and doused all the shelves and floor with water. Then we poisoned like crazy and left for awhile. It really has helped so far. Guess that might be a regular type of cleaning to battle those nasty little guys.

Then, the day I knew would come sometime this year, came the other day. It was a Sunday so there were lots of people around. I had to run get something in my house for a second, and while I was there, I heard a noise, a rustling in the roof. I looked up and behold. A snake. Kevin was teaching at the time, so he couldn't come rescue me, but luckily there were lots of boys around who love to kill snakes. So I quickly yelled, "Boys! come here! I have a snake in my house!!!!" Several boys and women and children came to see the action. I handed my tukew (machetti) to a boy and a blow gun to the other and they went searching. Unfortunately, they couldn't find this slithery stealthy creature. So after a little while, they said sorry. Well, sigilang (it's alright). It either got scared away or we'll find it later. While I was finishing up, I had my eyes peeled. And sure enough, it's head poked up above one of the beams. "BOYS!" They came running again and this time they saw it, and chased this snake all over my house until they finally were able to kill it. Mission accomplished. I have a picture, but I forgot it. It's on Kevin's camera. I'll post it later. Gross. It wasn't a poisonous one thankfully. Just really gross.


Revised a few weeks later: Yet another snake was found in my house. The same spot, there was a tree branch there that rested on the roof. We cut it down. But before that, I briefly caught a glimps of this bright leafy green face looking at me. I barely even noticed it because right outside there were also green leafy leaves. Then I thought, “Hey, did I just see a snake?” And sure enough. Kevin was home this time so I quickly yelled for him. He went outside to get a better “shot” at it. 2 other school boys were around too. This time thankfully, it went back up the tree instead of further in my house. One of the boys had a sling shot. They had fun having a live target to shoot at. Amazingly, after a few rocks they hit it. It fell to the ground and they all crushed it with rocks. Even a machetti is a little scary when you go to chop it's head off and it get's in a striking position. The rocks were much better. Then, the next night, we were having a bible study at our house when one of the girls went home to grab a book, she saw a little snake in the ground and said rather calmly actually, “Hey guys, there's a snake out here that's heading toward your house.” Well, everyone went outside to look at it, and Kevin was able to chop this one with the tukew. I guess we always have to have our eyes open for them. So gross.

God Time

Today I caught myself looking at a calendar and counting the days until we will be home. To be honest I have been doing that a lot lately. Today is the 20th of March, so we only have about 4 and half more months to go. Sometimes the days fly by, but other times it as if we get caught in God time where “A day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (1 Peter 3:8).

Being here has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be tongue tied. I have things I would love to say, and sometimes I try to say them but the language barrier always seems to leave me stammering and feeling inadequate. The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. It is this inadequacy that makes me think I have more value at home,and sometimes takes my focus from off of today and places it on the coming tomorrows.

However in reflection upon this I have come to some realizations that have helped me reevaluate this thought process. Coming to Palawan I had some preconceived ideas of what being a missionary here would be like. I was prepared for the malaria, the living conditions, and even to some degree, the creepy crawlies that infiltrate our home.What I was not prepared for was the complete feeling of inadequacy. I have been humbled here,I have come to realize that I rely a lot on my words, and if words are as cheap as they are said to be,I wouldn't mind buying a few more right now.However the good thing about being tongue tied,is it makes me even more sensitive to my actions. I can't excuse away my impatience, anger,or frustration, but I can choose to consistently show my love through a smile even if I am truly feeling impatient, angry, or tired. I was encouraged this week, when one of my students at prayer meeting publicly stated that he appreciated me because I am always patient with them even when they don't understand their math. This may seem like a small thing, but it really did a lot to encourage me to continue in the small things.

Another realization that has helped me appreciate my time here is the lessons we have learned through the trials. We have had trials, but I can honestly look back on these and be thankful, because the “testing of faith develops perseverance.” We have had tears, we have been broken, but we have by no means been destroyed. My mission here is to teach math...but I feel the success of the mission depends not so much on what I have taught, but on what I have been able to learn.

This week I came across a text in Psalms 90:12 written by Moses that I have never read before. I didn't even know that Moses wrote in the Psalms, but Psalms 90 is credited to him and this particular text really struck me. Moses says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” I have been numbering my days but not in the manner that Moses implies. Life is to short to constantly be thinking about tomorrow. This thought is exemplified in a poem ,written by the most prolific and humble of all poets, Anonymous, that reinstates the significance of today:

He was going to be all that mortal could be,tomorrow.
No one should be kinder or braver than he,tomorrow.
A friend who was troubled and weary he knew,
Who'd be glad for a lift and needed it too,
On him he would call and see what he could do,tomorrow
Each morning he stacked the letters he'd write,tomorrow
And thought of the folks he'd fill with delight,tomorrow
It was to bad indeed he was busy today
He hadn't a minute to spare on the way,
More time he would have to give to others he'd say,tomorrow
The greatest of workers this man would have been,tomorrow
The world would have known him! Had he ever seen tomorrow.
But the fact is he died and faded from view
And all that was left when living was through
Was a mountain of things he intended to do,tomorrow.

The Beatles famously sung about Yesterday, but it is gone, no matter how hard we long for it we can't bring it back. And Mr, Anonymous warns of the danger of relying on Tomorrow, but the hope that is given the reader is that we still have this day. Jesus expands on this when He says in essence, live for today, “do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself” (Matt 6:34). Ironically however, the best way to live for today is to think about the implications of the future by “fixing our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:18). So Lord I pray, “teach me to number my days,that I may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Today we have the opportunity to impact lives for eternity. I have come to understand that even if we don't see the impact of our actions, if we live each day with intentionality, “God will make all things beautiful in His time” (Ecc 3:11). So being caught up in God time isn't necessarily a bad thing even if a day, does sometimes feel like a thousand years.

It Only Takes a Spark

For language learning I have been working with the school kids in making a field to plant rice. Today, as I write this the Palawono's are planting the rice fields for the coming year. The process leading to this point is a lot more involved than it may sound.

For months the Palawono's have been cutting through the jungle to clear a space for the numerous rice fields. This is complicated by the fact that the only tool used for this is a tukew (a large blade similar to a machete). We have literally cut down a number of forests with the equivalent of nothing more than a machete, this includes many very large trees! What amazes me most is that boys ages 6-9 work like men, climbing way up to the top of trees and hack the whole thing down until nothing remains. I am really impressed at how skilled and hardworking these little guys are! Once the field has been cleared and the tree's are all dead they complete the clearing by setting it all on fire. These fire's really blaze and I am amazed that more of them don't get out of control. The reason they don't, is all of the dead wood burns first, and the fire at least in theory... stops were the living growth remains. I say in theory because these fires can get out of control. In the past and even this year houses have burned down from these fires. And when the houses burn down they literally are left with only the clothes that they happen to have been wearing that day. Even today we went running to put out a fire that got close to a house, so the science of only the dead tree's burning is by no means full-proof. And its not just houses that burn...

My favorite little Palawano, 10 year old Marson was the victim of the burning. Last week he got some 3rd degree burns on his arms and legs, and Danelle has been working with him in the painful process of removing the old dead skin. He tries not to cry, but the pain is pretty intense, so despite his brave smiles and his best efforts to hold them in, some tears and sniffles escape beyond his control.

This year has been especially dry, it rained a tiny bit last night for the first time in about a month or more. This unusual dryness may be contributing to the increased number of rouge fires. As we were looking at the stars last night we saw the glow of various fires dotting the surrounding mountains. These fires were controlled and unintentional and it created a really great visual effect...but then we saw one that seemed to be growing exceptionally large. It made Danelle and I talk about what we would do if a fire were to get out of control near our house. And the conclusion was there really isn't much we could do in way of prevention, all we could really do is take some clothes and get out of the way.

I have enjoyed working with the students in clearing these fields, and the vast majority of the fires go just as planned. In the past I am told, the workers who cleared the fields would yell and yelp when the fire started to blaze to summon the wind to help the fire burn. This use to have spiritualistic implications, not knowing this I would yell and yelp right along with the Palawon's when we would burn the fields...I don't think there is the intended spiritualism today that there maybe once was, but knowing what I know now I probably still would have been more reluctant to participate in this aspect of the burnings.

Fire can destroy but when harnessed it can also purify, bring warmth, and a light that exposes the darkness. We are told that, “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29) to be consumed is not necessarily a bad thing. It is only if we are overcome by evil and cling to sin that this is negative. Our sinful nature is like the dead trees, they are intended to be consumed, but the living trees,like humanity,were never intended to be caught up in the fire. “Therefore do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (Rom12:21). “In the same way, let your light so shine before men, that they may see you good deeds, and praise your father in Heaven” (Matt 5:16). Good deeds themselves are a consuming fire capable of igniting peace instead of hostility. Such deeds are like “heaping burning coals” of all consuming love on an enemy's head. (Rom 12:20). Martin Luther King Jr says, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that”. Love is a consuming fire that engulfs hatred, enemy's cannot survive, yet from out of its ashes friendships thrive. It only takes a spark to get a fire going, but how we use and respond to the fire is up to us.

Quick Update

Hello prayer team!

Kevin and I just want to invite you to pray extra for this project these next 2 weeks. The George's just left on a 2 week mission trip with a team of Palawanos to deep into the mountains to a different tribe called the Taaw Derem. These people have a history a long time ago to be cannibalistic. But they have been asking for medical help and for the George's to send them a missionary for quite some time. They are planning on leaving a Palawano missionary there. We've heard countless stories of people praying for missionaries and then there being accounts for armed guards, or angels surrounding them. So pray for the George's and their team. They are entering even more of the Devil's territory. How exciting that they get the opportunity again to expand God's territory. Also keep the rest of us in your prayers as well. As we "hold down the fort" during this exciting time.

Fly High

Kids are so creative here. They make really awesome kites out of garbage bags and sticks and they fly SOOO high. Sometimes it will just look like a TINY spec in the air that you didn't know was a kite unless you knew. I was in a meloncoly mood the other day and decided to go down to the landingan (air strip) to just chill. There was some kids flying there kites and it was super fun to watch. This is a picture of Marsun, before he was burned and the kite he was flying.

A Few Thoughts

Swimming!

I love swimming. I can't believe I haven't gone yet since I've been here. This last Sabbath after potluck, a ton of people went down to the Tamlang (river) and swam. It's kind of akward swimming in a long skirt, but hey, it's better than nothing. It was so fun to just be with everyone and get to watch them. So many times we are the ones being watched. But we got to swim with them and then just sit back and watch them. So fun to watch them play. They are such a playful youthful people.


The Spirit of Children light up life

I love these kids. Well, for the most part. You know, those ones that have malaria and feel awful so they are super fussy and fight medication administration, that gets old pretty quick, but oh man. The ones that are happy and smiley. They just get the heart in a heartbeat. These people are really beautiful here and the kids are especially expressive sometimes. I love them. I don't love all of there pee and spit. The people here have very different views on cleanliness. At the clinic babies will just pee all over, the mom just holds them and then they ring out the tadyungs with there hands, or rub it in the floor with their feet, then wipe there hands dry on themselves. So different. I never hold a baby for too long unless I know it just peed and now is at least dried. The risk is just too great. But kids light up my life and give so much joy to me here.

Cookbook 101 for Missionaries in Palawan

So, I've had opportunity to learn to cook some things. Some things are not that special, but they've been our staple foods. So, here's a little list of some of the things we really like, and a few things that don't really make the cut.

Kumbahang (known as Casava in the States) is a root. It peels very easily and is white. People here mostly just boil it or they put it in the fire and cook it that way. It's not so bad, but it's pretty bland the way they eat it. I rate it a 5/10.


Kumbahang is also what they use to make Linidgid. This stuff is awesome. It's Kumbahang ground really fine, and then they add some water to it and make a big clump. This is kind of like a dough ball. Again, I don't love the way they make linidgid, they usually spread it thickly over their woks, and it cooks into a crumbly texture. It's actually kind of gelatinous when it is not cooked fully, or steamed. But the way we eat it is we'll add even more water to it, and spread it really thin on a pan. Then it kind of browns the bottom and you get a kind of crisp pita bread type texture. It kind of tastes a tiny bit like sour dough, but not really, because it's really good with peaunut butter and fruit. Or, it's good to use as a wrap for beans and rice like a burrito. This stuff rates pretty high. I used to hate it because I couldn't cook it right, my pan was too old and sticky. But then I got a new non-stick pan, and its now one of our favorites.


Mongo beans. Yum. Beans are just always good. These ones we really like especially, because they almost are more like lentils because of their size. And they cook faster and we save on fuel. Beans and rice. It really is a complete, timeless meal.

Seyuti is a vegetable that is kind of like squash. It grows on a vine, and is really slimy and leaves this residue on your fingers and hands when you peel it, but it doesn't stay that way, and it is really good when it is steamed or sauteed. It's especially good steamed in coconut milk. Yum.

Lebanus! Also known as Soursop. Wow. This is probably my new favorite fruit ever. They are SOOO juicy and kind of taste like a fresh starburst. They are not very sour, just refreshing! Oh, I could just eat these things all day. They get really huge sometimes. Michelle just recently made a really good crisp one time. Yum. It is just so good.

Punti (bananas). Who doesn't appreciate good bananas? Especially with peaunut butter. Speaking of peanut butter. You know how a lot of different countries don't like peanut butter? Well, luckily the Philippines is not like that. However, their local brand is more like Reeses peanut butter, too sweet. But we've gotten ahold of Jif and Susan Baker. Good ole' American brands. BUT, there is a missionary named Michelle (different than the one that I work with) who is down in the lowlands and she makes peanut butter. She buys fresh peanuts from the market and roasts them and takes them to the grinder, and then cooks them again and we send her our containers and wa la. Super good natural peanut butter. You know, Adams style. Yum.


Pulug. It's a root as well. It's just ok. People peel and boil it here. That's about it. It's kind of like a potato but slimier and well... just not as good. I tried making pulug fries, you know, like potato wedge style, but it's just not as good. The texture is just not the same as good old potatoes. We kind of miss potatoes. We can get them from the low lands, but Palawan doesn't grow them for some reason. They ship them in so they are expensive. Every once in awhile we splurge and order some. Kevin is a potato man, so it's a nice treat now and then.

There are actually a ton of different roots here. That is their staple food really. Sarawak is another root. It looks gross. Its like a big hairy potato, but again, lacking the texture. It's ok too. But you have to be really careful to scrub it good with water before you peel and handle them or else watch out! You'll be itchy! (Kevin found out) Then they have Sanglay (Sweet Potatoe). Yum. I like this a lot. It's good cooked in the fire, or just peeled and boiled. And it actually is a sweet potato so the texture is right on!

There's also a variety of tulnu (greens) that they eat here. A lot of it is just good when it is young. Like Sanglay leaves etc. Some of it is good, some not so great.

And let's see, my new favorite things to make that I didn't really make that much at home are things like rice and oatmeal patties. Yum. talk about a really good discovery! I don't know why I didn't make these at home much. One day I had some rice (rice is good for 24 hours) that I wasn't going to beable to eat in time, so I kind of remembered that it would be good to make patties out of. So with some quick oats, rice, seseme seads, onion flakes, and sauteed garlic, along with some powedered milk, a tiny bit of flour and seasonings, wow. It's one of our favorite meals now. It's like eating a hamburger at home. Just recently we got a hold of some tomatoes too. We got them from the low lands. We're trying to grow some right now. They are just little seedlings. And that with some Petchay (I don't know if there is an english word for Petchay, or even if there's a Tagolag word, or if that is the Tagolag word, but it's kind of like lettuce. It's rare, but every once in awhile we get some... And that all wrapped in a linidgid with the yummy ketchup my mom sent from home (thanks mom!) wow. What a treat.

And good old popcorn! Who knew! I remember making popcorn as a kid, but then when we got older we just kind of got used to buying the microwave bags. But I've re-learned how to make it the good old way in a pot on the stove. Yum. That hits the spot sometimes. No butter, but a little olive oil works just fine. And throw a tiny bit of tumerick in with the salt and you'd trick someone into thinking that it was buttery!

Gravy. Mmmmm. Gravy just makes everything taste better. Especially some of the roots. And I've discovered that I can even make more of a cheesy gravy with powdered milk and some chicken seasoning and salt. It makes a great cheese sauce for macarroni. Or to put on the patties.

TALANGOON berries. Yum. Well, kind of yum. They have some crunchy little seeds in them that are kind of annoying and hard to spit out. They kind of taste like crab apples fresh. I don't love them fresh. But man, we experimented with these things and they can be pretty amazing. First you have to boil them and get them all soft and mushy. Save the water. Wow. Talk about a good cider. It's got a natural spicy taste like apple cider. No sugar added. But then you have to strain the seeds out. This is quite a process becaue it takes forever to squish them through a fine strainer. But the end result is pretty good. It's like an apple sauce texture and kind of tastes like that too. You have to add a little sugar to it. You can keep it as a sauce, or you can can it and make like a jam, or you can make a really yummy crisp out of it as well. Good, but takes a ton of work.

It is almost pineapple season here. I'm so excited for it. Mango season turned out to be quite a flop. There are tons of mango trees, but they didn't really produce that many mangos, maybe it's an every other type of thing. I don't know. But also, up here they don't have pesticides or anything so they all get nasty little black bugs in them. People here eat a lot of fruit green. They like guavas green and they like mangos green. They also use papayas green like squash. I actually really like it like this. But pineapples, we've had a few so far, and they are all popping out, and we are going to be in abundance soon.

So, we really are pretty well off food wise. It would be a lot harder if we didn't have support foods from the store. We are just so blessed.