The Bukid Adventure - Coming Home

I am without a doubt, 100% sure that the prayers for me ascending to the throne room made  heaven a little louder this week!  And, I am beyond grateful!  I have always wished I was one of those people that lived life with abandon - but fear has to often held a grip on me.  This week I faced fear - many times in many ways.  Most of it was the irrational, blown-out-of-proportion kind of fear - I think I've come out stronger.

I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 

Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

I will begin at the end.  The last day of our time in the bukid (boo-kid) - the mountainous, tribal region.  It is an area still relatively untouched by the modern world.  Electricity, indoor plumbing, vehicles (with the exception of an occasional motorcycle) are either unheard of or only exist in tales from the few villagers who have traveled to the city.

On Friday morning, after a long productive week, our group of about 20 people - including 15 of my new Filipino friends from a local church, a father and his sick son from the village, and three white girls (myself included) - intended to hike 1 1/2 - 2 hours from the village where we were staying to a village with a jeepney that could make the 3-5 hour drive to the city.  That jeepney would leave at 7 a.m.  We woke up at 3:30 a.m. when the kitchen team announced that the food was ready. I noticed that as we began our routine the roosters throughout the valley announced our early awakening.  Aided by the lights from our flashlights, we packed our remaining items in our backpacks, did a few necessary morning things, and went to the hut across the village courtyard to have breakfast.  Steaming rice with a side of ramen was waiting.  We ate and then washed our plate and spoon in water hauled from the well and packed them into our pack.

We hiked out at 5:20 a.m. just as the light began to come over the mountains.  A caribou (water buffalo) driven by a village boy followed us hauling some of our supplies.  The pastor of the church in the village offered to carry my pack as he accompanied us to the next village.  I felt embarrassed as my pack easily weighed twice what the locals' packs did.  He didn't seem to mind, and in broken English told me he carries many more kilograms often on that hike.  I'm determined to pack lighter next time.

Our hike to the next village was considerably easier than when we came as there had been only one rain all week and the muddy patches had dried out quite a bit.  The steeper parts were much easier to navigate as slipping off the edge of the side of the mountain wasn't quite as threatening.  And, maybe my fear of sudden death by rolling down the side of the mountain had been somewhat overcome by the many miles of hiking we did during the week.  (I'm tellin' ya - the irrational fears in my brain have kept me from so many things)

We arrived promptly at 6:50 a.m. only to find out that the jeepney driver had decided not to drive that day.  We were invited in for coffee at one of the village leader's homes while we decided how to get 20 people the 2-3 hour drive to the closest urban area where we could then catch a different jeepney to the city.  Motorcycles seemed to be our answer.

But there were two problems with this plan.
1. The motorcycle drivers were charging an outrageous rate for our stranded group.
2. Finding enough drivers who were (a) not drunk or hungover from a local festival that was happening in the next village or (b) willing to drive through the next village during the festival was proving to be a problem.

One motorcycle was hired and 5-6 people (including the driver and all of the packs) piled on.  Yes.  Things are done a little differently here.  While electricity and running water are rare in the bukid, 5-6 people on a motorcycle riding up and down steep, curvy, rutted, muddy mountain roads are not uncommon.  The rest of us decided to hike to the river - another hour or so to try and find more motorcycles.  During the hike our group separated into two groups as one group was going at a faster pace.

Miraculously I was in the faster group - this was the case throughout the week.  At first it was simply my survival instinct.  Stay as close to the leader as possible so if we run into any poisonous snakes (thanks to my inquisitive eldest son - we had recently learned that several of the top 10 most poisonous snakes in the world live in the Philippines) or radical rebels - who may have wondered away from their usual routes looking for random people hiking through the jungle to kidnap for ransom - I would be close to someone more experienced than myself in dealing with these unlikely events.  (You can see the theme in my life - FEAR - though based in some truth, grows to irrational proportions!)  Between your prayers and my prayers this week, we most definitely had God's attention (as if that is any different than normal.)

So anyway, I was in the faster group.  When we reached the river we waited but didn't see any motorcycles so we decided to continue to the next village.  After arriving and waiting for a while there, we again didn't see any motorcycles, so one of our group members who grew up in the bukid asked for directions to the next village.  And, soon we were taking a "short-cut" OVER the mountain.  We were no longer on the road that we had been following since before the river.  I'm sure I was quite a sight.  Though we passed several jungle homes, no one seemed to be home - I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that a white girl - turned lobster color from the heat/sun and dressed as a rodeo clown was wandering through their peaceful surroundings. (see picture below to see that I am not exaggerating!)

We made it to the next village, found some water - but had no money for food. (Ok, that is a lie - I had my emergency stash - but I figured we weren't starving and I didn't know when we might really need that money - you'll see I was right a little later.)  So we sat and waited for some of our group to arrive - as we assumed they were still behind us somewhere.  Sure enough about 15 minutes later the remainder of our group pulled up on a motorcycle.  They had been more successful at finding rides and two more motorcycles had found already gone on to the closest city (Panabo) to wait for the rest of us.  This was the last group and they were quite worried that we were lost.  So now, we have two motorcycles, 11 people and all our stuff to load up and ride 2 hours to the city.  We wait for a while for a third motorcycle that never shows up - so we load up.

Insert another fear:  I do not like motorcycles.  I have NO desire to ever ride one.  I think people that do are crazy.  I can kind of understand Harley-type riders as these bikes are bigger.  But the racing motorcycle crowd totally baffles me.  So here I am on a racing bike with four other people and our gear.  Riding up and down steep, curvy, muddy, rutted mountain roads.  You can pat me on the back - I did not vomit!  I just buried my face in the driver's back and prayed.  One good thing about those mountain roads - you really can't go very fast - so I felt like my escape plans were fairly realistic if the need arose for me to bail out.  One of our group members rode side-saddle on the gas tank, then came the driver, me, and then two more group members.  The two guys behind me - of small Filipino build - were using my shoulder as their life-line to keep from being bounced off the back.  Therefore, I got the best ab workout of my life.  I held a constant flex as we went up and they held on for dear life; I relaxed at the top; then I flexed as we went down to keep me and the two guys behind me from smashing the driver and the guy in front.

Besides the ride itself, the motorcycle adventures included having to stop and fix a flat tire, running out of gas (thankfully near a gas station near the city), and something happening to the bike that meant it could only carry the driver.  So 5 minutes from our destination, we switched to a tricycab (a motorcycle with a side car) and I used my emergency stash to pay for our ride to the transportation center where the rest of our group was waiting.  The hour drive back to our hometown was fairly uneventful.  Our 5 hour trip turned into 12 hours - but it was an adventure.

Something I thought about as my face was smashed against the back of some Filipino motorcycle driver named Tata (a normal name here) - I am on an adventure with Jesus.  I am safe with Him no matter the circumstances.  The best place I can be is in a place of completely trusting Him.  That is a great "thought" - but one that is hard to live out in our comfortable lives.  I've never had to rely on Him for my next meal or to heal my baby because there was no access to medical care.  To my knowledge, I was not in any real danger this week.  The fears in my mind were much bigger than any real danger.  But, God definitely used it to bring me another step closer to trusting Him.

So that is enough for now.  I will work hard to tell the rest of the story soon.  But being gone a week has put me behind on several of my responsibilities here - so, if you are interested in the amazing people I met this week, please be patient - I will tell their stories soon.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Comfort Zone, OR NOT! Prayers Desperately Needed

We have a BIG couple of weeks ahead of us.  Both Nolan and Salem have had recent opportunities to join teams preparing to do some great outreach here in the Philippines.  The teams are very different, so we are each going to take a few paragraphs and highlight what is about to happen.  However, there is a catch.  If you choose to continue reading this post, you are also agreeing to increase your prayer support for us through the end of April. (We say increase, as we hope you are already praying for the ministry here!)

By Salem:
I just got confirmation that I am on a team going on an outreach to the mountains next week.  We will leave Monday morning, April 16, (Sunday evening in the States).  We will travel by motorbike several hours and then hike three hours into the jungle to do a medical outreach in several villages there.  Another midwife and I will be doing prenatal care, health teachings, and baby check-ups.  We will travel and work with an all Filipino team from a local church.  We will stay in the homes of the villagers which will mean sleeping on mats on the bamboo floor under mosquito nets.  Restroom facilities will be rustic - IF they exist at all. 

To the best of my knowledge, the area we will be traveling will be safe - as this trip has been approved by the leadership at the clinic.  But, I am definitely traveling outside of my comfort zone!  I felt very clearly that God is asking me to be a part of this outreach - and He has confirmed that to me several times.  But I am in desperate need of strong prayer covering for this entire trip.  We will return Friday evening, April 20, (your Friday morning). 

• Prayers for the team's travel safety
• Prayers for safety and protection in the jungle from both man and beast (specifically snakes and poisonous insects - YIKES!)
• Prayers for the team's health and well-being for the entire trip.  
• Prayers for our communication efforts - I'm making huge strides in communicating in Visayan (the local language) - but an entire week with only one other native English speaker is going beyond my capabilities!  
• Prayers for my family as I am gone.  
• AND OF COURSE!!! - Prayers for the people we will minister to - for both their physical and spiritual health/well-being!  

Thank you so much - it is an amazing comfort to know that I can call out for prayer covering and know it will happen!  I look forward to updating you all when I return.
-Salem


By Nolan:
About a week ago I was given the opportunity and privilege to join a team preparing to lead a youth leadership camp involving more than 100 student leaders from the area.  At first, I was asked to teach an elective class - a 2 hour break-out session - but, after visiting further with the missionaries planning this event, I was asked to teach for 15 hours (over an 8 day time period) on youth ministry and other leadership topics. 

I don't have any of my old resources here in the Philippines, so I am starting all my sessions from scratch and with LOTS of prayer (this will actually be good in the end).  It is hard work on this short of notice - but a great opportunity.  I will be getting ready for the sessions this next week (while Salem is out-of-town), and I will be teaching starting the 23rd of April (your 22nd) through May 2 (stopping for the weekend). 

Please pray that

• I prepare exactly what God would like
• God would prepare their hearts to hear from Him
• and more importantly that God would move during the sessions and throughout the 4 weeks of camp

 Also, I will be challenging each student in the sessions I do to seek vision and to start some form of ministry after camp is over.  I will be walking them through this process.  Thank you for the prayers!!!
-Nolan

So there it is.  Our desperate cry for prayer covering through the rest of the month!  We are unbelievably blessed with amazing friends, family, and even a few strangers who read this blog - and we hope you will pray God's best over these opportunities! We are sure many stories and pictures will follow soon!

The Little-ist Midwife

One of my favorite things is having my family stop by the clinic ever-so-often when I am on duty - usually to bring merienda (snack) or supper.  The kids get a kick out of meeting the new babies, and the mamas and daddies seem to enjoy meeting my four, very pale, very blonde children.  (Although, I must mention that Caleb says no one will recognize him when we go back to the States cause he is so dark now.)

Recently Willow turned three and for her birthday she got a toy medical kit from her grandparents along with a mini-size set of scrubs.  There's only one way to celebrate that big event - our first "bring your daughter to work" day.  She told her daddy, "My gonna go to the clinic and deliver lots of babies, and then eat my supper."

She happened to pick a slow shift, but it all worked out.  These awesome midwives turned the birth room into a tag, hide-and-go-seek, chase wonderland.  She's sure she wants to be a midwife now!

This little midwife has her twirling skills perfected!

No Jesus On Friday

It's Holy Week.  I've read several very inspirational articles and blogs this week that have me both pondering and worshiping.  But what I learned from my language teacher today regarding cultural beliefs in this culture was both fascinating and terribly sad.  Born-again believers don't believe or practice most of these traditions, but for many Filipinos they operate in fear regarding this period of remembrance.

On Palm Sunday (the week before Resurrection Day / Easter), people take young palm leaves and weave them into crosses, and then take them to church to have them blessed by the priest.  Then they hang them on their doors or windows.  These symbols are supposed to protect them from the witches, ghosts, and demons that are out on the day that Jesus is dead.

Black Friday.  For many here, this day is bigger than Resurrection Day.  The entire nation shuts down.  No one wants to leave their house on Black Friday - because the belief is that Jesus is dead on this day.  If you die on Black Friday, your destination is hell.  If you are hurt or in an accident on Black Friday there is no Healer.

On Black Friday, the only acceptable place to go is on a walk to the stations of the cross.  At the shrine at the end, children dressed as angels throw flowers that have been blessed by the priest to the people.  These flowers are supposed to hold healing powers and are treasured in many homes.

On Sunday, Resurrection Day, Filipinos flock to the ocean to cleanse themselves from sin.

I can see how these traditions developed - but they make me want to shout "He's alive!  He doesn't die each year!"

Then I remember some of the traditions we hold dear back home.  Easter egg hunting, dropping big bucks on new Easter clothes, Easter bunny gifts.  I've enjoyed years of these types of traditions - but they can be as confusing - or more confusing - than the ones here.

Here is a link to a great blog that a friend of mine recommended recently.  I feel like this may be closer to what the LIVING JESUS would like for His people to do than either set of traditions mentioned above.  You can decide for yourself.