The boys new favorite is fried (pinirito) sun dried (buwad) eel (tagibos) or as a complete sentence in Visayan. Buwad nga piniritog tagibos.
New Property
Today we were finally able to talk to the owners of the property next to us about buying it from them and they said yes! That is very exciting for us because this is the piece of property that is #1 on our list to purchase for the ministry. It is about 9.5 acres, has rice fields, coconut trees, areas to farms veggies, great locations for ponds to be dug and is directly connected to the property that our house is on. They didn’t name their asking price yet so that is still up in the air. We are praying about it and leaving it to God, if we cannot afford the price then it isn’t for us and God has something else in mind for us. Lead on God and help us to be patient as You lead.
Ball Don't Lie
Every other week we do youth basketball games and today was the day. We had 42 between the age of 9 and 14. It has been a learning process for us how to make teams fairly and get everyone playing time but we are getting there. Boaz and Ezra had a good time joining in, first time playing full court for them. I think they will sleep well tonight!
Son of David
Today I am tired and worn out feeling. On days like today I wonder why following God’s call isn’t always comfortable, easy and profitable for those who do it. I mean it should be right? But that isn’t what the majority of the Bible shows us when we read it. Today I read 1 Samuel 23:1-6, it is a short read but packed with so much for it comes with history. David (not yet king) is hiding out from king Saul and he finds out some of his countrymen are being attacked during harvest time. He asks God should I help? God tells him to save Keilah (the town in distress). Which means that he would come out of hiding and fight a battle that isn’t his directly. He would risk his life and men for people and their food who he probably didn’t know personally. When he tells his men they say “Here in Judah we are afraid, how much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!” So what does David do? He asks God again and gets pretty much the same answer with the reassurance that they will defeat the Philistines. This at first glance seems great but it gives no assurance that king Saul won’t find out about it and kill him. Now I didn’t read the next part to find out what happens yet, that’s tomorrow’s reading. This is just what would be going through my head if I was David. He knows if he goes he will successfully save Keilah but what then? What do we do when when God calls us but doesn’t give you more than go and do? What will the personal cost be? David does it and saves the town and that is the end of today’s reading.
The Air in the Night
I stand in awe tonight/ this morning as (12:30 am) as I listen to the rain. Some might believe in coincidences but not me. I don’t believe that it just happened that Tuesday we decided to tear off the old roof (after waiting almost a month)to build a new one and after four days of work with no rain and a few delays it started just as we were finishing. It wouldn’t have been the end of the world if it would have started raining Wednesday. We have dealt with plenty of inconveniences before and I’m sure we will again. It isn’t just the fact that this time it went our way that I am encouraged, though it sure does help. It is because even with this project going over three days, my projected work time and weather window I had a peace that transcended the threat of rain and the delays. As we got closer to the end of the project we noticed that our roofing materials, which had been stacked up waiting to be used for over a month because of rain and threat of rain began to fall apart. Even though I knew that we were going to run short I wasn’t worried we just dealt with it. We found some of the old that was good enough still to be used and made it work. My perfectionist personality makes situations like that usually unbearable for me and others but I had peace over that too. It’s times like these that encourage me to keep on going for I know without a doubt that God has a plan even if it isn’t mine. Thank you for all the prayers and love as we navigate this crazy journey called life together!
The Roof
The rain started with about an hour left of work but we finished anyway! Now it is back to basketball as usual. We had kids gathering to wait for us to be done working so that they could start playing. Thank you God for enough dry weather to get this part of the project done!
Still a Good Dog
What happens when one of your dogs chews on everything. This isn't even one of the little ones, Buster you are chewing through the welcome mat!
A True Gift
We asked if anyone wanted to help us and we take this as a resounding yes! The boxes that were sent in October arrived yesterday and this is the school/art supplies that we found in them. Wow you all amaze us with your generosity! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
A New Roof
Monday morning we started the demolition of the old roof and the rebuild because the weather looked good for a couple days. Monday was a good day and so has Tuesday so far. We need at least one more day of dry weather tomorrow to finish it up since we hit a few delays. Monday we didn't have power for half the day and Tuesday the power went off for only a short time but the ladder that we borrowed was needed back for a few hours. Oh well that's life sometimes. We are blessed!
Our Garden
I guess that we don't have all the correct growing requirements for growing celery here. They only got this big, oh well they are still a tasty treat.
A Couple Butterflies
Basketball!
We were able to hold the youth basketball games this past Sunday as it only rained in the morning during church. The kids had a great time playing and a nice snack afterwards. I think that we will try and do it twice a month from now on.
Dinner
Sorting little fish! Some need to have special cleaning and others not. Lunch was minnow patties beans and rice. It was hard for me to tell the difference between the species at first glance.
More Work
Forms removed and countertops revealed, they turned out nice and should last a long long time. Wood products don’t last very long and I prefer not to rebuild things again in 10 years
Remembering
Yesterday we gathered as a family to remember Joy’s father, it has been three years since he died. That is a tradition here and they make it a priority.
Work Before Play
Work before play! First finish pouring and finishing the countertops then off to run the youth basketball games at 2 this afternoon. It has been raining off and on all morning, I pray it is done raining so that the kids can have some fun.
