Happy Fall and Beginning of the Holiday Season!

This time of year can be crazy normally, but many things we would normally do might be hindered by Covid and the rules in place to keep it to a minimum.  Here in the Philippines we are continuing to do what we can to fill the needs around us.  Some of those things include:

1. First Aid supplies 
2. School supplies 
3. Clothing and Shoes
4. Educational Support

If you, your family, small group, or church are looking for a way to give back, share the wealth, or “pay it forward” we can use help in these areas.  Ordinarily we have two ways to help... a. Financial Donations so we can buy what is needed OR b. Sending boxes of supplies via balikbayan box.  If you are interested in either please let me know because there are even options within each of those two!  

We are really hoping to get our first aid supplies refilled this coming year.  That may sound strange, but it can take up to six months to get supplies normally so possibly even longer with the current world situation.  I’m going to try to add a link to a simple flier created to share with groups who might be interested in helping collect items.  What complicates this process is how to send it.  We have shipped through a couple companies but timing and regulations for Covid might delay shipments.  I’m in the process of determining “if and when” shipments are being accepted.  HOWEVER, don’t let that hinder you in collecting items.  It can take some time to get enough supplies to fill a box (approximately 24x27x20 inch cube) and even if it cannot be sent now these types of things are always useful!

If you are interested in filling a box but are nervous about the process I can connect you with those who have done it in the past to hear how simple it really is... Just know that it’s not cost effective for you or us to send packages via regular post and addresses are different here than the US.   We can also give you specific “wish list” items besides the medical items.

Thank you for considering our ministry in your giving back to God! Link to Google Doc Wish List Flier:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/113bdqdirHTiljtj9TEjXYwB99c_mTGER6o4TNakEI-4/edit

Delicious-ness!

Sorry for the long delay, but these are the sample recipes my students made.  Also a few of the ones they wrote for me.

 

Why my husband is a better person than I am...

 

When I was young I often heard people refer to their spouse as their “better half.”  It was more often spoken by husbands of their wives and I guess I assumed it was something to do with the “helpmate” concept.  Now, as I am completing only 8 months of marriage I have a different understanding of Jun being my “better half.”

I have found that I am brought to tears and anger when I see our water source is quite literally dirty.  The same can happen when my kitchen counter or living room floor is invaded with ants.  Or even when I see people building grand houses when we are needing to loan them money or giving them rice so they can eat, but I’m sitting in a house that is leaking and ill equipped for the modern conveniences of life.  Jun on the other hand can just let it roll off his back like water off a duck.

I’m frustrated when I can’t do the “work” of teaching English like I came here to do.  Even though it’s because of Covid and all that implies, I still feel like I’m letting down my financial supporters and God but not having those regular classes and ministry opportunities.  Jun on the other hand says things like, “I don’t want to rush it just to have it our way and end up hurting people.”

I think of being a missionary as hosting Bible studies, preaching, and showing people the path to God.  When I asked Jun what it means to him that we are missionaries he said it was even about doing the things that sustain life like growing crops.

Now, I know Jun is not perfect.  I didn’t need 8 months of engagement and 8 months of marriage to know that.  He is a human being not God so it is a given that he is not perfect.  But in the last year and a half I have learned that he is a much better person than I am.  Jun is slow to get involved because he is afraid of hurting people.  I’m slow to get involved because I’m afraid there won’t be enough resources to support us and them.

In case you haven’t figured out why he is a better person than I am let me spell it out...

1. I have more concern for us and he has more concern for others.
2. I am afraid of failing my fellow man and he is afraid of failing God.
3. I am focused on making sure the resources are there for the future and he is focused on making use of what we already have to help others now.
4. My main emotion seems to be fear and his seems to be love.

Right now I am struggling with feeling like I’m a horrible human being.  I know it’s not true and Satan is just trying to get me down, but the struggle exists.  It is not something that will be easily overcome, but with our God and the man he has provided as my husband I will survive and even one day thrive again.  I need to refocus on the FACT that my worth is not in what I do, but who I am in Christ.

Need some encouragement yourself?  Be reminded of God’s mercy, grace and love in Romans 12.

A Message fro Jun

Somebody said there are only two English words Filipino farmers know.  1) Short 2) Failure

The experience of this can change some farmers to quit farming, specially when there’s no seeds to sow due to the shortage and failure.  But real farmers would always find a way to plant again.  If our works fail, God is always faithful to give seed for the sower and bread for the eater.  So, go on and cultivate your farm until you experience (your 3rd and 4th English words) BENEFIT and SUCCESS.

Isaiah 55: ““Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.” Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”” 

NIV

Well, let's try.

 I am going to attempt a new way of posting to possibly get more in.  I'm sorry if pictures don't line up with the description.  Well, so here goes nothing....

August has been filled with hard work and fun.

Jun is doing lots of maintenance at the farm in Palayan which is about 30 minutes away from home.  Twice this month I've been able to join him to see the work and progress.  This day Jun was using the weed whacker to cut back the grass.  It's a lot more work than just a lawn mower, but it's what they do here.

It hard to see the second bunch because everything is so green around here, but these are two of Jun's banana trees yielding good bunches!

Close up of one of the currently 6 bunches growing well right now.

Last fall after visiting some of Jun's friends in Leyte we were able to bring back a bunch of pineapple tops to attempt growing.  Of about 100 only about 20 have survived.  They also keep getting overgrown by the vines and weeds!

We have saved hundreds of papaya seeds and Jun is hopping at least 20 will survive.

There is cassava both close to harvest and still very young.. It takes about 3 months and grows to about 6 feet tall.

Jun is master of mixing crops to make the most of the land.  Here you can see the corn growing up around the banana trees.  There are also some coconut trees, guava trees, and even some mung beans somewhere.

We have also been able to go swimming a few times but no pictures because salt water and electronic devices don't mix well.  We tend to drive there, swim for about 30-45 minutes and then drive back all wet because there is no public restroom to store stuff or change in.  It is a good and free way to relax our muscles from the physical work and stress build up.

It has also been about a month that we have been going to Restored Heritage on Friday for a class.  To end the unit on food we made our own deviled eggs and tuna salad.  This unit did a lot with compare and contrast so we followed two recipes of each and I even made an additional one that mixed tuna and eggs!  They were also required to write out a recipe for me that included an ingredient list and the procedure.  It was quite enjoyable and now I have some additional Filipino dishes to try.

(If this posts well I will add photos from their presentations...and maybe a couple recipes they shared!)

July was here, but then it left.

(This is one of the communication pieces that I haven’t figure s out well on the iPhone, plus the program updated and has some flaws,  like I cannot preview the page or adjust photos.  Sorry for errors!)

It has been nearly six month and often I still find it hard to believe I’m married.  Sometimes I think no one has ever lived a life like mine.  Then I remember Ecclesiastes and “there is nothing new under the sun.”  It’s my own translation from memory, but that’s the idea.  That and there is a time for everything.  I’m doing a lot of adjusting but so is everyone else in this world.  We aren’t the first cross-cultural couple.  We aren’t the only missionaries to get married after living in the field.  We aren’t the only ones not able to do what we want because of COVID restrictions.  We aren’t the first to understand just how hard relationships are to keep alive.  We aren’t the first to have failed expectations.

Just like everything else there is also the list of positive aspects in our lives as well.  We aren’t the only ones who God has provided for both physically and financially.  We aren’t the only ones who have the opportunity to stretch new ministry muscles.  We aren’t the first to enjoy simple pleasures like running water and free drinking water.  We aren’t the first to have regular access to fresh fruits and vegetables.  We aren’t the only ones to have people coming to ask to participate in our ministry programs.

Some days I feel like I’m failing at everything.  I begin thinking things like... I’m a bad missionary.  I hate that I’ve given up so many comforts.  I’m failing as a wife.  I’m lazy.  Nothing works right.  Internet sucks!  People just don’t understand me.  I’m just stuck here.  Those days are rough, very rough.  But I get over it.  I remember I’m doing what God has called me to do.  While I’ve given up things they are just things.  No one is a perfect spouse but I’m trying to learn to do better.  It’s just some things that don’t work the same as they did in the US and I am still adjusting.  The internet really does suck, but again it’s just a thing.  The language and culture barriers exist, but both sides are working at understanding.  I’m not really stuck here.  I’m choosing to stay where God has placed me.

Financial Update:

We have 16 regular partners (including 2 churches) who donate every month or quarter.

We have set a goal of adding enough to be receiving $1500 monthly from our current and new partners by 2021.

We are approximately 85% of the way to this goal!

We are still looking for another 4 or 5 regular partners so let us know if you are interested.

Communication update:

We still have a stack of about 45 letters to go out but international mail to the US is still not being accepted.  Once they are sent I apologise for how long it has been in coming!

We will be trying to get a newsletter out this month via CTEN’s printing.

I usually can get email at least once a week sometimes more often (try Juagdanenglish@gmail.com)

My Samsung phone died and we haven’t replaced it yet so some tasks are taking a lot longer because the iPhone doesn’t work as well with the internet or my computer.

Is this the new norm?

Another month has passed.  What’s new?  The well is finished or at least it is functional and supplementing the need so we don’t need to “store” water any more, but we do occasionally have to haul in a few buckets when the flow is lacking or wait an extra day to do laundry.  Not so bad, but still very different.  Oh and the rains have started to fall a little.

We were able to visit a fair number of my students at their homes to share their semester end certificates and folders.  I was able to invite them to come on the permitted days to read and color in the Mission House.

We are also getting ready to pass out a few small portions of rice to some families we know are in need of help with essential items.  Some friends in another ministry on the other side of the island received a donation of flip flops that they shared so we are also in the process of determining who to distribute 60 pairs of the new footwear for kids!

It’s a different feel for me right now.  2020 is definitely a transitional year.  My family came for the first time, I got married, ministry is fluctuating away from use of my educational skills toward relational and mentoring.  There is still hopes to return to regular classroom teaching, but we may be turning more toward the mentoring side sooner than expected.

Right now we are still required to use social distancing, face masks, and youth are only allowed out on Friday and Saturday.  The regular school system will be done either by weekly modules or online.  When we visited homes earlier this month Jun talked with parents to see if their kids were enrolled yet.  Only about half of them were which makes me nervous for their future.  Jun and I will likely put something together as a way of accountability and support to the students we know are most at risk of not completing the next school year.  We are not sure yet what that will look like but we shared with families that they are welcome to come see us anytime if they need help with the modules.  I also let students know they are welcome to come visit when they are allowed out to read and color.  I’ve been having some easy educational worksheets out as well and a few of the kids have come and seem to enjoy it.  I’m also hoping to start back with the two classes that were smaller.  They were my more advanced students and generally more comfortable with me anyway so I talked to some of them and they seemed excited.

One thing I sent to myself during my US visit last December was a series of workbooks from Family Entertainment Network Inc.  It has activities and colouring pages based on many Old Testament characters and Parables of the New Testament.  They were originally part of a video series, but all I sent was the workbooks.  I’m so blessed that my mom bought and kept those books from back in the 1990’s because the copyright allows photocopies as long as they aren’t sold!  I’m going to start using these for some of the kids too.  I’m going to do a test run this weekend and visit an area that I know has a couple of the families close by and I’ll read the story of Abraham and Sarah while they color and do the activities.  I might even surprise them and read parts in Visayan!  No promises.  If nothing else I will just slowly share the pages with them as I can distribute them.

As always thanks for your support!

Praises!

We are continuing to be blessed in the ability to reach out even if it’s not the way I expected.

Prayers:

Continued directing from God as to what comes next.

I (Christine) have actually gotten sick twice in the last month.  Not respiratory so no COVID, but it seems to indicate a weak immune system right now and I t concerns me a little bit.

Drinking Water versus Living Water

‘Storing’ water in the CR.

COVID-19 and Lent

    This year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs and we haven’t even made it halfway through!  January and February were super busy maintaining a class schedule, planning a wedding, and hosting guests from across the Philippines and USA.  March was full of more classes, putting regular life back in order, and figuring out married life. Amidst all of this COVID-19 arose. One day in Sunday service the pastor asked us, “Kinsay ang ‘korona’?” (Who has ‘corona’?)  The people looked at each other nervously. He then proclaimed loudly that he had hoped everyone did because of having the ‘korona’ of life in their hearts. Everyone had a good laugh and “Amen!”

    Last night I read Nehemiah 8 and verse 11 says: “So the Levites quieted all the people saying, ‘Be still, for the day is holy.  And do not be grieved and sad’.” Now this is in light of Ezra reading the Book of the Law of Moses but over the last few weeks I have often thought, “Is God telling the world ‘Be Still!’?”  I’m not sure about the rest of the world, but here in the Philippines most things are closed until April 14th.  That is 2 days following Resurrection Sunday.  Is God making us remember to give up thing things of this world and remember what he said, “Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

    Believe me I understand this is a depressing time.  I cannot see, much less teach my precious students in this time, but I am doing what I can to still be the light to the world.  When reading last night I was using the Amplified Bible. Psalm 37 begins: “Fret not yourself … Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.  Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart … Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself … (1a, 3, 4, and 7a)

    The inner teacher in me brings out one of my many dictionaries…

rely = to depend confidently; put trust in. (trust = reliance on the integrity, justice, etc., of a person)

truly = 1. in a true manner; faithfully 2. legitimately.

fret = 1. to give oneself up to feelings of irritation, resentful discontent, regret, worry, or the like 2. to cause corrosion; gnaw.

delight = a high degree of please or enjoyment; joy; rapture (= ecstatic joy or delight; joyful ecstacy)

also = in addition; too; further

Rely on and be confident in the Lord AND do good.  These are hard things to remember to do all the time, but if we remember to then we truly shall be fed.  I am trying to fret not as the world changes around me.  I DO NOT want my life to be full of corrosion.  It is easy to know God will provide for us, but it is another to depend confidently and trust that he will do so faithfully and legitimately!  And then we have delight yourself ALSO in the Lord.  Why ALSO and what exactly does it mean to delight yourself?  We cannot just rely on God, WE MUST FIND PLEASURE IN DOING SO!  I’ll be honest, I am not there yet. Oh I put my trust in God alright and depend on Him.  However, I’m certainly not confident about it because I’m pretty sure it won’t turn out how I would like.  I am most certainly not in ecstasy over what God is doing in my life.  I have a lot to work on if I want not just to be fed, but achieve the desires and secret petitions of my heart…

I am going to make the effort to remember to “Be Still” and rest this Holy Week.  Often we cause our own stresses, but the next 10 days I want to forget everything else and REMEMBER who God is and what he did for ME (and YOU!) through his son.  I leave you with Zechariah 2:13 “Be still, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused and risen from His holy habitation.”

Reflections fro Visitors

As most of you know this February my family was here for our wedding.  I asked my sister-in-law if she and or her girls would lile to write a reflection of their visit for our March blog.  She and Evelyn wrote the following....

To reflect on our special February trip to Juagdan now, in this time of global crisis, feels surreal. How much more thankful we have grown that we were able to safely travel and be present for Christine and Jun’s wedding. Our time in Juagdan and on Bohol was incredibly sweet and we pray our many new friends will stay healthy during this time of uncertainty. Of course, our world has always been uncertain, and now that some of the illusion of control has dissipated for us we can see a bit more clearly how the hope we have in Christ is a good gift to us today and has been every day.

While we were with Christine and Jun we enjoyed so many things: the incredible hospitality from every member of the community-young to old, the beautiful creation, the satisfying food prepared by Kuya Jun’s sister and other friends, the pure water from the Cajigas family business, the delight of basketball games, the happy squeals of children, the wonder of discovered critters, the joy of shared interests and faith, the splashing waves and bouncy roads we traveled over, and I could go on and on. We were so very blessed by everyone we met, the love and care were incredibly humbling. We are already dreaming and planning of when we will go again.

But as the days and weeks have gone past since we arrived home, one impression has resonated deeply in me: the value of my sister-in-law and brother-in-law’s good work for the Lord.

In the Philippines the national language is Tagalog but in the southern part of the Philippines, where Bohol is, Visayan (also called Cebuano) is spoken. However, in order to conduct business, apply for a job, and do many other things you must have functional English. My impression is that in order to truly be free, in order to not be beholden to someone else or dependent on another’s trustworthy interpretation, you must know English. As many of us in America know acquiring a language solely in school is difficult, it must be practiced and used somewhere else for it to be useful, but these opportunities can be hard to find and in remote areas, such as Juagdan, the barriers to continuing with one’s education are layered and many.

Christine and Jun have a vision for empowering the next generation through education, life-skills, and a life-informing faith that excites me and I want it to excite you too! This is because it is a worthwhile cause and their vision is able to be realized through our support. Christine was always able to stretch a dollar and in the Philippines that is even more true with the current exchange rate! Her sensible frugal way and proven integrity make her a trustworthy partner. Jun is a genuinely loving and capable hard-working man who we are honored to call brother. They make quite a team! So truly this is not “just” learning English, this is freedom to empower our fellow image-bearers, enabling them to make their own choices in this life and to be discipled in Christ by a man and wife who love the Lord fiercely and firstly and take that commitment to serve all. We can’t wait to be part of this growing ministry. And we have now seen how even one extra dollar a month can literally change lives!


By: Evelyn Teresa Davenport
For: Aunt Christine and Tiyo Jun

God Shows His Creation
I think God was trying to show off (In a good way) the Philippines creation.
By going to the wild life place I got to experience standing behind an owl, talking to a parrot, staring straight at tarsiers, and many other things.

The People
In the Philippines you will find the nicest people in the world. When I was there they went out of their way so my family and I could have a good time.

Amazing Things
When I was in the Philippines I saw things I never thought I would see. I saw men scaling coconut trees, waves taller than I will ever be and many other things.

Yummy food
There were many yummy foods. I do not know what they were called but I do know they were scrumptious. I loved that there was rice every day and I loved the pork.

December and January

First off apologies for taking so long to communicate.  December and January have been crazier than I expected. I got the chance to see so many people in person on my US visit that I didn't actually have much time online!  Now my time has been filled with preparing for my wedding and family and friends visiting. All of that while also having four classes every week still😁

My visit to the states was very full with stop overs in 5 different states.  It was kind of funny to me, but my family asked the least number of questions about Jun and life here.  I realized that is because I generally get to either call or text them at least once a week. Often it is frustrating and only 5 minutes of conversation over the course of an hour though.  It was nice to just spend time sitting together talking, playing games, and eating meals. I also spend some time sorting through the rest of my personal things and sent several boxes of supplies and donations via balikbayan boxes.  The first set sent from my parents place the week of Thanksgiving and I told them it will be a race to see who arrived first them or the boxes. I was sort of joking, but now it is true! The boxes made it to Manila on the 23rd, but are yet to arrive in Juagdan.  Mom and Dad arrive in the Philippines on Sunday night, but we will stay in Cebu for a little bit…. which will get to Juagdan first?

It was a joy to meet with so many of my supporters during such a short visit.  It helped me remember how much I love what I do even if the day to day gets overwhelming.  I know I tried to get one pals going, but I haven't had much luck getting people to keep up.  Maybe after all the visitors and interactions for the wedding here it will make people more excited to do it.  Two of the best visits with supporters was the layover in Seattle, WA and my home church missions team. In Seattle I got to be treated to lunch on the water by my sister in laws parents.  Her mom had so many questions I was glad to hear and answer. It reminded me that peop!e are curious but often don't think to ask questions unless they see me. Meeting with my church had me excited to see how much it means for them to personally meet and know the missionaries they are supporting.  It was also good to start communicating about the potential additions to ministry with Jun joining me.

I returned to Juagdan in time to have Christmas with my local community.  I had a couple people try to get me to wait until after visitors and my wedding to start class, but it had already been a month of no classes so upon my return we just waited for the Christmas and New Year celebrations to end then we got going during the first full week of January.  Tomorrow will be four complete weeks for each class and I have still been averaging 50 students each week. They are very excited to meet my family. My mom wants to join class so we have been working on question asking and answering as well as short autobiographies. This week the assignment is to write out at least one question on a note card to ask my mom.  I had one student so excited he wrote 5 questions! In March I hope to add back the two other classes which includes my advanced high school students that were working on reading and writing.

As I already said, my parents are arriving in Cebu on Sunday night so Jun and I will head over there after church.  Perhaps when we are there I will be able to add some pictures and share a little more information…. perhaps, but no promises!