December was so crazy as you can see I forgot to post the update I did write!
As said, the pageant went good. Travel to Negros was good as well. It was their annual conference, but this year was a special celebration of their 50th year. All the pastors and wives were recognized as well as the missionaries. I even received an official certificate of ordination as a missionary in their denomination. It was exciting and exhausting all at the same time.
The last two weeks have now been focused on two major things:
#1. Official 9G missionary visa application
#2. Planning the first classes
Neither of these tasks are without frustration or complication, but the Lord is in control.
The 9G application has been submitted, return trip for interview is done, and now I wait for my name to show on the approved list. In the mean time I just need to keep my tourist visa up to date.
Planning classes doesn't require the travel that visa does, but I'm still anxious. I ask that you be in prayer with me over this. I think I am almost ready which is good because they start in 24 hours! My big concerns are their high expectation of me and the potential mixed level of students within any one class. Both are expected and I can handle it, I'm just nervous about getting things started. I'm hopeful it is just that "first day of class" jitters. I'm sure come Monday I will be even more exhausted than normal, but it's what I'm here for 😀
Hopefully next month I will have photo updates from all these events and joys to share about these first days of teaching and learning. Be blessed and thank you for your support!
Friday, January 18, 2019
December Update
Hello Friends! This is an update I wrote in December, but failed to post. New one coming in the next week or so!
Life is always interestinteresting here. I find plans change quickly and without notice. Also they seem to usually run later than expected except on rare occasions when it is an early morning activity such as 6 am departures ;) The sun is already at full brightness by 6:00 so it's actually not that hard to be up and ready to go. I'm already naturally waking up before then most days since I'm usually so exhausted and heading to bed by 8 or 8:30pm. I have found that December is just as busy here as it is back in the US. Ate Jess (one of the other local missionaries) leads the Sunday school program and decided to try a Christmas Pagaent for the first time ever. It was a lot of work but so worth it!
I also had a visitor this month which was a blast experiencing some new sight with her. This is such a beautiful island and has so much to offer despite its small size. We saw white sand beaches, rocky beaches, the Chocolate Hills, and tarsiers. We held a python, a baby aligator, a bearcat, and a Philippine eagle. We rode ATVs and ferries. I think my highlight was warm showers as we don't I water heaters here in Juagdan. :)
Next week is yet a new adventure as we will be traveling all day on Christmas. The local church denomination is having their annual conference two islands over and it's their jubilee year. I've been to one of these conferences in the past, but I've been promised this will be more celebration than business! It will be an overwhelming experience for me due to many things: a new location, multiple addtional languages, large crowds, lots of people I've met before but don't necessarily remember, and it sounds like I will be introduced with all the pastors and the other missionary family.
I can honestly say that sometimes I pray for a boring day to come. It hasn't happened yet!
Thanks for your prayers, love, and financial support. Blessings,
Christine Davenport
Juagdan, Bohol, Philippines
Life is always interestinteresting here. I find plans change quickly and without notice. Also they seem to usually run later than expected except on rare occasions when it is an early morning activity such as 6 am departures ;) The sun is already at full brightness by 6:00 so it's actually not that hard to be up and ready to go. I'm already naturally waking up before then most days since I'm usually so exhausted and heading to bed by 8 or 8:30pm. I have found that December is just as busy here as it is back in the US. Ate Jess (one of the other local missionaries) leads the Sunday school program and decided to try a Christmas Pagaent for the first time ever. It was a lot of work but so worth it!
I also had a visitor this month which was a blast experiencing some new sight with her. This is such a beautiful island and has so much to offer despite its small size. We saw white sand beaches, rocky beaches, the Chocolate Hills, and tarsiers. We held a python, a baby aligator, a bearcat, and a Philippine eagle. We rode ATVs and ferries. I think my highlight was warm showers as we don't I water heaters here in Juagdan. :)
Next week is yet a new adventure as we will be traveling all day on Christmas. The local church denomination is having their annual conference two islands over and it's their jubilee year. I've been to one of these conferences in the past, but I've been promised this will be more celebration than business! It will be an overwhelming experience for me due to many things: a new location, multiple addtional languages, large crowds, lots of people I've met before but don't necessarily remember, and it sounds like I will be introduced with all the pastors and the other missionary family.
I can honestly say that sometimes I pray for a boring day to come. It hasn't happened yet!
Thanks for your prayers, love, and financial support. Blessings,
Christine Davenport
Juagdan, Bohol, Philippines
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