Hello from the Philippines!

After some time of having a Sabbatical REST/time with family/working on our house project in the USA--

We arrived in the Philippines late Thursday, last week, for a 3 1/2 week visit. We knew we were to come to be a blessing and encouragement. Spending time with friends and staff team -- reconnecting.

Duane is presently spending time with the people in Palanan and enjoying his nipa house at the edge of the jungle! I'm recovering from a "cold" or something that hit me about 48 hours after arriving. Just now starting to feel better. And enjoying staying with our friends Brian and Laura in another friend's house in Baguio near the YWAM base.

Kind of strange-- two cultures so very different and both so familiar that we can step from one to the other with little effort. The world is pretty small, huh?? Though it is easier for the body to adjust than the mind sometimes.

Soon, after the YWAM 50th celebration, we leave here to finish our sabbatical. Thank you, God, for the for this time and those that participated with you in providing for tickets and in-country expenses.

Praise God in all things!

Thank you to you that committed to pray with us about the water project. In less than a week God has provided all the funds we think we need for completion. Thank you for those responding to God about donating for this project.

Now we are praying about the timing as Duane and I leave for sabbatical/ furlough May 31. Please pray with us about the timing of this project and for those who will over see the construction. Thank you so much.

Blessings to you this day!

Prayer Request

WATER -- a precious commodity --

Please pray about our water situation. Each month the bill goes up -- this past one was up about 3,000 to 4,000 pesos. We don't know WHY, but have considered we need to do something about it. One main receiving tank is leaking--we didn't think that was amounting to that much though.

Our consideration is to build a new tank to replace the leaking one, but this one would be much bigger for storage with another tank beside to fill the main one with rain water collection from the roofs of the two main buildings. In rainy season we would most likely not need any city water and regular rain in the "dry season" would probably keep it quite full, too.

This project will cost about 55,000 pesos for the main tank and collection tank with filtering system using the floats and pumps we already have. A good friend (part time missionary here with welding business back in Minnesota) has drawn the plans, giving us his workers with a bid of materials and labor allowing the workers to bring his welding equipment to our site and do the work here.

Interesting "side note" here--Duane was thinking about the water, needing to replace the leaking tank and thought "I should try to contact Dan." Two minutes later as we entered the local ACE hardware store, there in front of us was Dan. Now realize we thought he was back in Minnesota and how would we contact him. . .

So. . .please pray with us for the money (about $1,150 at present exchange rate) and wisdom regarding this plan. We don't have the finances as a training center to do this now and pay our bills, but if we can build this we will be able to reduce our monthly bills by 15,000-20,000 pesos (about $300-400 per month).

We are asking God for His answer by way of provision within the next two weeks.

Please pray with us.

Outreach time!

Duane is going back to his "second home" in Palanan, Isabella. I won't be there with him so pretend he is just "thinking about me" is why you see me in the photo!

The Crossroads DTS team is on their outreach/field experience now in several locations--Baguio last week with DVBS for younger children and DTW for youth. Now the team will be in the jungle of Palanan for one month, then into another city for 2 weeks, then the ending back at Baguio for more ministry, debriefing and graduation. Please pray for them as their flights into Palanan have been on "hold" until the weather clears. But we know that God doesn't waste anything so this may be a "detour" in our schedule, but certainly not for His plan.

I'm busy at the Baguio Training Center now preparing for arrival of a youth Art camp group of 61 coming Sunday and Monday for the week. These kids are part of a ministry to the children of parents with AIDS. We provide the accommodation and their ministry staff are responsible for all the activities. It should be an exciting week for these kids. Please pray that these kids are open to what God has for them this week.

We appreciate your prayers for us. I had gallbladder surgery about 2 1/2 weeks ago, so am trying to take it easy even though I feel good. The procedure went well, and I have a small jar of little black stones as the "trophy" of the event.

Love to hear back from you. . .

Catching up to date!

Duane resting and reading in his favorite chair at the cabin!

After returning from Palanan DTC early December, we made a quick trip to the States for Christmas--thank you to our dear friends' surprise donation and air miles we had collected over the years. It was really a blessing to be with family and friends again. Though only 5 1/2 months since we had seen them it seemed like years to me. My heart was really missing our kids and grandkids--so this was a very special gift from our Father. All my heart holes got filled except one because I wasn't able to see Jon and Megan's family this trip.

CDTS Update. . .

This Crossroads Discipleship Training school is in the lecture phase with 13 students from Korea, USA, Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia. Unusual in that we have mostly singles with only one couple and no children! A great group.

A staff team couple have been leading this school as we continue mentoring and supporting them. So it is a "step back" for us which we hoped would give Duane a little more time to study and me time to relax a bit more! (That didn't happen quite the way we hoped.)

Our primary focus is to raise up more leaders--mentoring, encouraging and supporting them in their giftings. Working in a team effort has good training for all of them.

We ask your prayers as we continue seeking God for His directions day by day.

God is Amazing!

Where am I? Waking up in our apartment instead of seeing the nipa ceiling with bamboo and grass walls of our little house. . . And where is that quietness with only the two chickens clucking under our house?

We arrived back in Baguio just a few days ago--and have been adjusting. The transition from the village of Dibungko to the city of Baugio is a bigger "leap" than going to the USA from the Philippines! Really.

I was able to go to Palanan, participate in the graduation of the (47) Discipleship Training Course students as well as the Leadership seminar for the CMU missionary leaders. We were unable to leave the village on December 1 as planned due to rain and clouds blocking us in. Finally, on Wednesday we all flew out of Palanan to the SIL airstrip in Bagabag and then traveled 7 hours by bus back to Baguio. Even in that we saw that God provided a couple extra days without responsibility to just "unwind" and relax.

To be able to see the changes in the students' lives, their hearts so open to God and His work in their lives was a gift! And to see the transformation of their hearts and minds to BELIEVE "I am precious to God and He made me Agta and I am special" rather than believe the lie of the enemy "I am only Agta and not good" was worth it all.



It is amazing to communicate love to some of these dear women when all I can say is "mapia-dima-dima" (good morning) and give hugs.

The Baguio team--we can see God handpicked each one to be a part of this team. Each day they chose to press in to what God was doing and set aside personal comfort, preferences, and desires. What fun to take a "Thanksgiving meal" including a turkey and cranberry sauce up there for the team. Semi "baked" it Fijian style in the ground, wrapped in banana leaves, roasting on the hot rocks. I think it truly was the best turkey I've ever had! It was a special time of giving thanks for our "most special thing of 2008."

Thank you for praying with us during this past 3 months of discipleship training.

Flying back to Palanan

The team just left Baguio this morning to return to Palanan for the remaining four weeks of the DTC after a week long break. It was good to have Duane, and the team, back here for awhile. I remain here in Baguio doing logistic and administrative tasks, along with hospitality. I hope to go to the graduation end of November, and return with the team December 1.

From Duane--

The transformation of the Agta society and likewise, the spread of the gospel through out the valley is a story that could be written in a book. All without development projects--only the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ in people! Churches are planted in the valley and coastal regions because the people obey and go. Some churches are more than one day walk up the stream. The people are cut off and there is no bible school. Because of this we were asked by CMU to hold a Discipleship Training Course in Dibungko.

We set up the school in an Agta village on the edge of the jungle. God brought 45 students--25 CMU people and 20 youth. Many of the students have build their own grass huts and cook most of their meals over open wood fires. They are a mix of Agta and lowlanders--couples, singles, and families. I envision that nowhere else in the valley is there the joyous meeting together of these two distinct people groups who once were enemies. I believe this gathering is a prophetic statement. The teaching is powerful and simple. The Holy Spirit governs the teaching to their heart, transforming their mind and image of themselves.

The success of this school is a miracle--logistically, culturally, and with the language; and for some, even coping without electricity. Yet, because our team is a strong team, testing has only made us stronger.

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Please keep us in prayer over these next four weeks--

• that we may hear God clearly about what He wants the teachings to be
• that we have wisdom as we serve these people
• for health and strength
• for God's provision for the balance of funds for operational expenses

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To you who have been praying--THANK YOU.
To you who have given to support this ministry and expenses of the school--THANK YOU.

Your investment in these people's lives has eternal value.