Farewell to the Philippines

First we would like to apologize for not updating this very much here recently. We have been busy preparing to leave but that is no excuse to not keep you all informed.
This last month has been pretty crazy around here. Preparing to leave has been a lot of work (more than either of us thought I think). We sold all of our stuff and found someone to rent our place about a month ago. We moved out on Sept. 15 and have been staying at another mission organizations guest house (Praise the Lord for the guest house). We leave for Manila on Sept. 22 and then will be heading for the states on Sept. 25. We arrive back in Indy on Sept. 26.
This year has been what we wanted it to be. We are very thankful for your prayers and support throughout this year. We know without a doubt that this is where God wanted us to be this year. We ask though that you continue to pray for where God wants us to go from here. When we return to the states, this is what we will be trying to discern. We are very grateful for you all and will hopefully see you all when we return.

Kadayawan Sports Festival

Kadayawan is the festival of festivals. There is a horticulture festival, a sports festival, booths for pasalubong (souvenirs), and lots of cultural dances. Eric was able to take part in the sports festival by playing on the mayor's basketball team in the tournament. On Thursday, August 17, was the championship game. Eric's team came in 4th out of 6 teams. One team that was in the tournament was Manny Pacquiao's warriors. Manny Pacquiao is a VERY famous boxer in the Philippines and especially in Mindanao because he is from General Santos City. GenSan, as it is referred to, is on the coast just west of Davao. Well last night Manny Pacquiao, or Pacman as he is affectionately called, actually played on his team. Eric and Tara were able to stand right beside Pacman (he is very short like most Filipinos). We also watched him play. The crowd went crazy every time he even touched the ball. The crowd was amazing. Filipinos love their basketball but especially when Pacman is there. The gym holds probably 2,500 in seats and there was probably well over 3,000 inside with hundreds more waiting outside to try to get in.

Praises

PRAISE THE LORD!!! We are continuing to sell things although it has slowed down a bit but still get some people interested. Please continue to pray that we will sell everything. Also we believe we have someone to take our place. Someone came on Saturday and looked at the place and before leaving said they were interested. Thank you for all of your prayers. We greatly appreciate them.

Praise

As soon as we got back from our trip to Boracay and even somewhat before, we started preparing for our return back to the states. This involves selling all of our stuff here. We had a very long list that Tara had to squeeze onto one page of stuff that we were selling. Praise to God though after only 2 hours of the list being posted in a couple of different places we have already had about HALF of our stuff spoken for. And some more things going to be looked at. One more big thing is we would like to find someone to take the place we have been staying in order to help our landlord out. Please continue to pray for this as we are supposed to have someone coming to look at it as well. Thank you for all of your prayers.

Rest and Relaxation

At the end of July into August, we were able to spend a few days in Boracay for rest after Eric's trip and for his birthday. Boracay is a pretty touristy island in the Visayas. Again, Visayas are the islands in the middle of the country. Boracay is known for their beautiful beaches, one of the world's best supposedly. It was a great time for us to relax and spend some time together without any distractions. Eric would like to thank everyone for the birthday cards and emails. He really appreciates them all.

Cebu trip highlights!

We first want to apologize for not blogging in while. We have been busy, and Eric did not get back to Davao until Aug. Though, he had a great trip starting in Cebue city then traveling to a small but beautiful Bantayan Island and ending the tour in Bogo, Cebu!



Some of the highlights of this trip were!

1.) The great hospitality of the Chinese church and community from the start of the trip they were blessing us with so much!

2.) This was his first time in the part of the Philippines which is call Visayas which is a lot of islands in the middle part of the Philippines. The big city called Cebu City, the queen capital of the Visayas. History would tell us that this is the place where Magellan together with his forces landed and conquered the island bringing Roman Catholicism along with the Spanish friars. This also is the current result of the island's present 98% Roman Catholic. So this is a very much needed area of sharing the Gospel!

3.) Bantayan Island which has less than 2 percent evangelical presence. But, the people were so welcoming especially the churches. This one pastor told us that they were getting so much persecution they were about to commit suicide, but since the planning our trip it was much encouragement. Especially when we thanked and stood up publicly thanking the pastor for inviting this American basketball team to share the gospel in front of their whole community! Needless, to say the pastor seemed very encouraged and a completely new spirit by the time we left! God is good all the time!

4.) This out of my three trips here in the Philippines, this has been probably the best crowd of people, the responses, and the encouragment that we saw with all the pastors, and some of the local ministries that helped schedule the games for this trip.

5.) Lastly, some of the connections, contacts, and ministries that were formed from this trip was truly God working! It was encouraging from future sport ministry partners to the Evange cube seminar that will be coming to Davao City now due to the connections and contacts from this trip!

Cebu Trip

Greetings to everyone!

Eric is currently on his Cebu Trip, and he is doing well. Tara is back in Davao, where is believe or not...starting to prepare things for us exiting the Philippines. Though this has been a great year, the time is coming very soon to an end.


Though, we would like for you check out some pictures of Eric's Trip that is can be found on Pastor Gary Visitacion blog. This blog has been a great help for his ministry and the communication to his supports. Eric was the main person to really encourage and help Pastor Gary get his blog up and it has been a blessing for both Eric and Pastor Gary! We as missionaries here in the Philippines feel its important to keep our supporters involved and with current information, prayer requests, and just keeping them up to dat on our lives!

Please take the time to check out some great pictures and his blog!

Crown Ministry Seminar

Crown Ministry Seminar
June 17, 2006

This past Saturday Eric was able to attend a Crown Ministry Seminar at the local church that they both attend here in Davao City. It was exciting not only to know that Crown Ministry has made it internationally, but it was also a great time to take advantage of something like. And the best part of it all, was that Eric was able to invite a friend that a catholic. There is actually a pretty cool story about all this. The person he actually invited was our handy man. About a month ago he was at our house working on the Air condition units, and he saw our church bulletin talking about the finical freedom and staying out of debt. Well, after the day was over he asked Tara if he could have the bulletin. And she said yes, and later I saw him and asked him more about it. He then told me he really liked the information and wanted to share it with his family. So through that when the opportunity came around for the seminar he was honestly one of the first guys I thought of to invite. And throughout the day he and the breaks of the session he keep repeating some principles that he really liked and was going to try to work on. So it was encouraging to see his excitement about the seminar. And personally it was a great and refreshing reinforcement knowing that God is completely in control of my complete life and especially our complete finances!

If you would be interested and want to learn more about Crown Financial Ministry

Outland Adventure Retreat

Starting Tomorrow being Friday June 9th and leading into the 10th. We have planned a retreat weekend for all our staff from Outland Adventure Ropes Course. We will be taking 2 of our full time staff, and 8 or 9 of the junior or volunteer staff. We will be taking them out of there element and really trying to challenge them to start stepping up and growing up in there faith! This, has been a very big issue in both Tara and I heart. We have really felt that these staff have such a great potential, have a great opportunity through Outland Adventure. Though, at times like all us we just miss the mark. So we have been really praying, seeking, and Letting the Lord work this weekend! We pray that he will continue to work in all of our hearts Drawing us closer to Him!

So, needless to say Tara and I have been putting a lot of thoughts, time, effort, and even some of our money (and if your supporting us this would include your money as well) is going into this retreat! Though, we truly feel that God has called us to take this last weekend this group has before they start back some in college/university. We wanted to take this time to really try to get them focus on the real purpose of life!

We just would really like to ask for your prayers in this time that we have really set aside to really try to strength this staff. Please pray that the retreat will be a spiritually success, that they will walk away not only changed, but have a true life changing experience, and know that God has called them to live and make a difference through Outland Adventure.

Sport Ambassador Trip to Bicol

May 14-30th, Eric headed up to Manila to meet the American team coming to the Philippines. The team officially then headed another 35 minute flight north of Manila to an beautiful area called Bicol. This started the 2006 Sports Ambassadors trip to the Philippines.

This year was unique planning and strategy! This was three ministries working together to help encourage, equip, edify, and evangelization. The three ministers were 1.) Sports Ambassadors - being the short term Americans that came for a few weeks playing and sharing the Gospel. 2.) Summer Team Evangelism Program (STEP)- These are short term summer teams that consist of some Americans but this year primarily Filipino's doing there own mission trip which was exciting to see.
3.) Bayanihan Church Planting (Church Planting Coaching Network) - This is a network of 12 pastors trying to plant churches in areas that have no Evangelical Churches.

So, This year they put all three working together. The Coaching Network is a 12 month meeting, teaching, and encouragain pastors to plant new healthy churches. Well, on the fifth month which was May, the topic is getting or start making new contacts to start Bible Studies, and in the long run to plant a church. Well, that's where Sports Ambassadors came into play. We were able to playing over 15 games with crowds sometimes as big as over 2500 people and through sharing basketball we were also able to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. So the pastors that were in the network were given numberous names of contacts that were interested either more information, wanting to accept Jesus Christ as the Lord, or to start attending a Bible study. Sports Ambassadors were able to work directly with 6 to 8 local pastors that were all wanting to plant churchs in areas without a Evangelical Church.

That leaves what we called steppers or the Summer Team Evangelism Program. Where do they play a role in all this partnership and coming together. STEPers will lead the charge to follow up the responses to the Gospel. The STEPers will and current are partnering with local churches in helping the local pastors with the follow work and visiting those who indicated they received Christ or wanted a Bible study. The Bible studies that will be opened will be continued by the local lay workers to whom STEPers partnered with until the time when the attendees will form a new church or fellowship. We're praying that many souls will be harvested and many churches planted for God's kingdom this way! They are and will be working until the end of June! Just to try to paint the picture a little more clearly of this idea. Sometimes Sports Ambassadors comes to a little village or help out a pastor playing two games in his area with crowds of say 500 at one game and 1,000 at the other. Well, the response we would average would probably be about 150-200 games. Try to give a small local pastor that has maybe 9 to 20 members currently at his church and we turn around and hand him 150 to 200 names to follow. Needless to say this could be overwhelming to some if not most pastors! The STEPers are there to help encourage, and do some of the field work of meeting, visiting, and connecting with the people!

Some of the Trip highlights:

1. This year was a different kind of trip for me...being on the other side of sort of leading the trip, sort of in charge, I helped setup this trip, and so I really did not feel like an American coming to a country to help. It was more like, it was my country and I had to keep all the connections happy and going. Such as the pastors to the american team and etc.

2. It was encouraging to truly see all the E's being filled
encourage - I saw 8 encourage pastors to see Americans coming and helping them out, and knowing that still would have more help with the STEPers after we left. I also saw many of Sports Ambassadors players encouraged in their faith!

equip - I saw that the local church was getting more help and learning more about following through the STEPers.

edify - I saw many of the STEPers, players, and pastors being edified through Christ like Fellowship! Seeing guys stand up and share there testimony for the first time ever in front of crowds of 500 or more!

evangelization - I saw the team evanglize over 15 games, and even the players one were able to go and visit some of the homes of local Filipino's house and share the Gospel with them in more one on one or group setting!

Overall, it was a great trip, that all went very well, and the Lord Saw us through it the whole way!

Praise and Prayer Requests

Praises
1. That Tara's week at school went very well.
2. People are still faithfully giving.
3. So far this trip that Eric is leaving for on May 14 is going well.
4. For encouragement through emails, letters, and prayers.
5. Feel pretty comfortable with the Henderson's leaving.

Prayer Requests
1. This next two weeks will be good while Tara is at home and Eric is on Luzon.
2. For the Outland staff since they really be on their own this month with Eric gone and Rich going on furlough.
3. For upcoming retreat for Outland staff that will challenge them spiritually.
4. For our transition back to the states with preparations.

May 8-12

This past week Tara was able to substitute in the 3rd grade class. The normal teacher left for furlough to Canada on April 29th so they had 3 different subs for the rest of the year. Tara was kind of nervous before the week because she has not subbed a full day ever before. She ended up really enjoying the week. It was very encouraging for her because she got a lot of compliments about how she did. She was told by one parent that she would make a very good teacher and that she looked very natural. During the week, she also realized that she really enjoys the Korean students. There are 4 Korean students in that class.

May 9th

On Tuesday, May 9th, Eric and some of the other local Ventures for Victory team members were able to go to Calinan and participate in a clinic. There were about 75 kids in the clinic that they were able to work with. Then at night there was a service with about 250 kids. Eric was able to share with them a sermon and some of the guys that were there were able to share their testimonies as well. Some the guys do not do this very often so it was a great time for them to share.

The Korean kids Tara works with

We thought you might like to see the kids Tara works with. David and Joseph (the two boys) are brothers. David is in 6th grade and Joseph is in 3rd grade. Esther is in 3rd grade also. They are so much fun and constantly make me laugh. I am always coming home and telling Eric a funny story about one of them. Especially David, he is a crack up. I really enjoy seeing them and talking to them.

Our house

We thought you might like to see some pictures of our house here in the Philippines. These are pictures of our living room, our kitchen/dining area, and our "entertainment" room. This is our room were our T.V. and computer are so we spend a lot of time there. We hope you enjoy seeing our house.

Easter in the Philippines

I am sure you have heard or seen that Filipinos have taken a literal interpretation of Easter celebrations by crucifying themselves to honour Jesus Christ.

The big news this year was that even a British TV star was due to re-enact the death of Jesus. Though the British man was reported to be praying one minute and then backed out of the being crucified at the last minute. This British man named Dominik Diamond brought a lot of if not thousands of spectators hoping to see the TV presenter to cry out as nails the size of pencils were driven into his hands and feet.

The nine men who went before him grimaced as they were nailed and hoisted up in the steaming Philippine heat.

The gruesome annual ritual in the small village of Cutud, about 50 miles north of the capital Manila, attracts tourists from around the world, some of whom are splattered with blood from lines of men flagellating themselves.

It's reported that the country's dominant Catholic Church disapproves of the crucifixions and whippings as a misrepresentation of the faith.

But participants say they endure the pain to atone for their sins or to bring blessings on their families.

Dionigio Dancil, a 30-year-old driver said: "I'm doing this for penance. I'm not worried about the pain because I have faith. I will go back to work tomorrow with bandages on my wounds."

Mr Dancil, and the other penitents were nailed to crosses for about five minutes before being taken away on stretchers.

Started in Cutud in 1962 and copied in other parts of the country, the crucifixion ritual has become a big tourist draw. Seven hung on crosses. Dozens bleed from whips. Processions, pain, with joy and sorrow! This is Easter in the Philippines.

While people in the West are celebrating joyous and orderly Easter Services the situation in the Philippines and other ritualistic countries is different. Though, I am sure that's probably all you heard about this Easter in the Philippines is about the few that do these being crucified.

Though, our personal experience in Davao City, Philippines was none of that. What we experienced was literally the whole place shuts down primarily on Thursday and Good Friday. I and mean it's like ghost town nothing is open. And I heard of many fasting and not eating any meat or giving up other items while so people prepare native delicacies.

But, what we thought was the sort of strange part of it is all is that Come the day after Good friday that Saturday literally everything is back to normal. It's like Easter is already over, and everything opens up! Then on Sunday it's like a party time, and culturally here most go to the beach and start eating there meats and more stuff! It's different that's for sure, and that's just some of our personal experience I am sure there is some things we have missed but that's what we heard, and understand with people that we talked with.

Philippine Challenge at Outland Adventure

On Monday, March 27, the missionaries from Philippine Challenge went to Outland Adventure. This was the first time for Tara to participate in the "adventures" and Eric had done a few before. We started out with low elements which are the Trust Fall and the wall. The trust fall is a platform 5 feet in the air and you stand and fall into the groups arms. The wall is a 12 ft. wall that you have to get your whole team over without a ladder, step stool, or anything like that. Just imagination and your team. Then we started the high elements which include: vertical playpen, catwalk, trapeze jump, pamper pole, and the zipwire. Vertical playpen is a series of logs and tires that you and your partner must climb to the top and touch a cowbell and then come down. The catwalk is a log 60 ft. in the air that you have to walk across and then back to the middle and then come down. The trapeze jump is a platform 35 ft. up that you jump from and try to touch a ball that is about 8 to 10 ft. away from the platform. The pamper pole is a 60 ft. pole that you have to climb to the top of and stand on and state a goal, then jump. The zipwire is 300 ft. across a lake. Eric and Tara were partners on the vertical playpen and were able to make to the top after a lot of struggle and bruises. Tara did all of the high elements except for the pamper pole. Eric did all of them and had a scary little mishap on the zipwire. The staff uses a rope to stop you at the end. Well...when Eric went the rope broke when trying to stop him. Thankfully he was able to stop. We had a lot of fun but more importantly worked as a team.

Beauty from Ashes Orphanage

On Saturday, March 26, we went to the Beauty from Ashes orphanage with our language teacher. The children there have all been abandoned by their parents. The children do not go to school during the week so Bebe (our language teacher) does all of their schooling on Saturday. We were able to help the children with reading, math, and Eric was able to give them a little information about the states. After school was done Eric played a game with the ones that are physically able to play games. The game was very similar to Duck Duck Goose. The children loved it. Then of course they all wanted to play basketball with Eric. The rim was like most rims in the Philippines very short. Tara watched with Bebe, the children who were unable to play, and the only girl there. When we left all the children were asking us when we would come back. Bebe informed us that they talked about the rest of the day. We had a lot of fun playing with them.

Calinan

On Saturday, March 26th, Eric had a game with the Ventures for Victory team in Calinan, a town about an hour north of Davao. There were about 750 people watching the game that all heard the gospel. The other team was brought in from Davao, so it was stiff competition. The game did not turn out too well for the VV team. They lost, but most of the players were able to dunk on the rims which is a new adventure for the Filipinos.

Things are staying busy

Recently, Eric went to a place called Naga City, Philippines. Here he went to meet with several pastors, these pastors are in a process of planting a church. The way we are connecting our sports ambassador trip this year. There will be around 10 American guys coming to the Philippines this May. We have targeted the place we will be going to by the research done by our office. This area that we are reaching and trying to get pastors to plant more churches is Naga and we will be visiting this upcoming May! So, I want there to visit with the pastors, scope out the area, plan the places to eat, and stay. It was a good time, and great to meet and encourage some fot the pastors.

It was sort of humbling to see a few of the pastors and how they are truly living out there faith. To sort of help you get a picture of this place let's just say very very rural. Which we are already talking about a third world country so a place that is very very rural in a third world country is very humbling to visit. Though, the pastors are always so nice and want to give literally everything they have to make us feel comfortable! This one pastor that really sticks out of the trip. This man fist off has no house. They live at the church or the place the church meets. His name was Pastory Johnny, and he married with four kids. His oldest kid has special needs, but you could just see the love of Christ through this family! It was amazing to see and visit this great pastor doing God's work faitfully in a place that is much need for Christians.

This area that we are targeting has less then 5% Evangelical Churches. We even planned it that we will be playing one game in a city that has no Evangelical churches at all.

Please be in prayer for this trip and as we continue to work out all the details of this trip. And for the 10 American guys coming from the States to help ministry in this area!

We had a great 1st Anniversary here in the Philippines!

First Anniversary in the Philippines

Wow, we can not believe it. We celebrated and a great time on our first anniversary!! When we take this time to remember all the fun, the great celebration we had at our wedding, and the decisions we made all in that has taken to where we are at now! And this all happend in our first year of marriage!

The great thing is we know that Lord has seen us through it, and each and everyday! We know nothing would be possible without Him truly guiding us each and everyday! So we just want to give him Praise for this great time of celebrating for both us, but also to ask for prayer, wisdom, and guidance! In the many years to come!

Also, want to take this time, which we don't do enough we feel. To thank you, the friends, family, supporters, prayer warriors, and whoever else is reading about our ministry! Though, we just want to say that your thoughts, prayers, emails, letters, packages, calls, support through gifts, finicial support, and so much more that you all have blessed us with! We just want to say Thanks, and know that It's going towards serving His Kingdom! May God Bless you ask much as He continues to bless us through all this!! Thank you again!

Crossfire Trip to Luzon

Most of you know that Feb 17th I fly up to the main Island of the Philippines which is called Luzon. I took a direct flight from Davao City to Manila! Here, I was greeted by a some great smiling faces from a Pastor that I have been talking with for over a month. This was to take part with the Crossfire Ministry trip that would be traveling all over the Luzon.

We started off the trip in Manila only to meet and greet the rest of the team. This team consisted of Jamie Johnson and Randy Sheperd the two co founders of the ministry Crossfire. I know and met this both this summer doing a basketball Jammin for Jesus that happend yearly in Greenfield, IN. Well, along with them they brought 12 other people are apart of there ministry (this also included Deep Ministries - Dan and Shan doing kids games).

Cabanatuan City for about three days - While we stayed here at this great resort, we were able to play one of the Pastor's team and one group that invited us. This group is called Christian Sports and Youth Development Center In (CSYDCI). We also were able to do a clinic which is where Dan and Shan planned a big role and helping with kids games with them for a few hours. And then we would come in and share a little basketball and mostly Gospel with them!

Our stay in Cabanatuan was lovely, and we are also able to divide the groups up and go to two different church services. The one I went to, I was able to share a short testimony and people were so nice, sweet, and giving! They were very humbling to host us has there guests!

We are also able to play two games while we stayed in Cabanatuan City, and both games were very physical, very very fast pace, and pretty packed house. It was exciting, and great to be able to share the Gospel with so many Filipino people!

After our great stay in Cabanatuan City, we traveled about 6 hours up a beautiful mountain into a beautiful, and to my excitement actually a cool almost cold temparature wise play in the Philippines! This great place was called Baguio!

Baguio for two nights – While we were here we played two games and one of these games was one of the best for the whole trip. This was a great game versus the Baguio University select team. This was a great game, and the University gym was packed. Through the half time gospel you could hear a pen drop the people were so quiet, listening, and opened to hear the Lord's Message!

Then we moved on to city on the China coast called La Union. While in La Union we played another game and after the game we went to the Mayor of the city house and were able to visit, share, and build relationship with the other team and community!

We traveled back to Manila – this time back in the city of Manila we had a days rest of games, though we had an orphanage visit, we were able to do some kids game with them do some basketball clinic with them, and share much of God's love and words for them!

Then the last game was in Manila, against one of the Semi Professional teams. This league is called the PBL, and it was a very hard game, though we were able to share. The crowd was small, and the pastors said it's very hard to really do these types of games in the manila because of the city being so big. Though, the Lord is Good all the time and saw us through the whole trip!

Sports Ambassadors

LAST February 05, 2006 Sunday, the local Ventures For Victory/Sports Ambassadors Basketball Team played the Temple Of Praise Christian Fellowship Basketball Team which is set to join a church league this coming March, 2006. Headed by their Executive Pastor Wilfredo R Calisang, they allowed us to play and minister to their two (2) church teams. Most of their players have just accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior.

Brian Christopher together with Eric Pangburn, another VV/SA player had the chance to share their testimonies during the fellowship time. This was a great opportunity for Brian & Eric knowing that most of the young players that they were playing with were very excited to be part of the church basketball team.

Ptr. William mentioned to us that he is having a regular bible study with the players every wednesday night at the church. The church leadership is very supportive to the newly-opened sports ministry of the church.

Let us continue to remember them in prayer for the success of their sports ministry.

True Love Waits

As we stated earlier, we were asked by a student leader involved at a local college here to speak at a True Love Waits seminar. He really wanted an American couple because Filipinos will listen to Americans better than other Filipinos was the explanation given. HOWEVER, we soon found out that it could have possibly been because the subject of sex is VERY taboo in this culture. No one talks about it. Especially parents do not talk to their children about sex. They unfortunately learn about sex mainly from television. To me, Tara, one of the most surprising statistics that I found was that only 46% of women and 52% of men know that condoms can prevent HIV. That was shocking to me because it almost common knowledge in the states. Well we had the topic of "Virginity and Virginity of the Heart". It went very well. 80 students were there and of those 45 made commitments to wait and learn more about bible studys. There was even a student who said that she believed that you can't stop those feelings and so you just have to fulfill them by having sex. Well when the commitments were made she was one of the ones that went forward. PRAISE GOD!!! Please continue to pray for all of the students that were there.

* The pictures above are: the student leaders who put on the seminar along with the other speakers, with Ronnie the person who asked us to speak in front and us speaking.

Philippines Landslide

So a lot of people have been emailing or texting to find out if we are alright after hearing about the landslide. We are fine, first of all. The landslide occured on a different island. It is to the north of Mindanao which is the island we live on. http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/country/philippines.html
This is a map of the Philippines where you can see Mindanao and Davao which is where we live and Leyte Island which is where the landslide occured. They are now estimating that 1800 people died due to the landslide which is just about the whole population of the village that was affected by the landslide. Please keep these people in your prayers and their families.

Thanks for all your prayers for us as well. Please be praying for Eric as he is north of Manila with Crossfire Ministry until Feb. 27. Also pray for Tara as she is still in Davao.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentines Day! From our heart to yours!!!

We hope you have a great Valentine's day!!!

Busy weekend, and more to come!

Wow, this weekend was very busy, or maybe it was just a busy Sunday! This Sunday Eric was asked and accepted to preach at the Ulas Chruch of Christ! This is where Pastor Elipidio is actively involved! This was a great opporunity to Eric to really come along the side of the local Filipino Church to help, assist, and encourage this great local fellowship! After the Service, Eric and Tara were able to talk more of how they could continue to work and help assist this Church!

Well, after the morning of preaching and sharing! It was on to a Bible Study with the local Sports Ambassador guys! This has turned Tara into a famous chef, where all the guys are loving here snacks. They keep on requesting that she makes Calzones!! This is a great ministry tool, because of her great cooking more guys are coming to the Bible Study! Isn't she the BEST! Well, I sure think so!

A busy Sunday, only to be able to rest little to none. This Wednesday please be in prayer where both Tara and Eric will be sharing with what is or will God willing be 200 college students about a the hard topic of Sex! Please be in pray for us!

Then you can also keep us both in you prayers this coming Friday Eric will be leaving this Friday for about a week and half. He will be meeting up with Cross Fire Ministry to join them and there sports ministry trip! Though, Tara will be by herself and stay back in Davao. Where she will be continuing teaching her baby sitting class, and tutoring Korean students! Through this teaching the baby sitty class full of middle schoolers...she is learning why she never wanted to teach middle schoolers!

Sports Ambassadors Outreach!

Sunday February 5th, 2006

The Local sports ambassador basketball team had an ministry outreach and I was able share my testimony. We pray that we encouraged the pastor, and his players today! May the Lord work in there hearts! Tara said I was sort of drawing a crowd...people on the street were stopping to watch some big tall Americano! But, The Lord uses anything even if it's a big tall americano like myself!

We were able to share the Gospel with two teams from the same church. The best part of the it all was the church has a basketball court right in front of it. Pray that the guys were challenged, and will be able to grow in there faith. Also, we have started up more consistent meetings with our own local players with our teams. We pray through fellowships and Bible Studies, that we can continue to encourage, strengthen, and teach them in a deep rooted faith!

Update on upcoming dates!

We ask that you will be in prayer with us, about the following upcoming ministers:

Feb. 15th - Both Tara and I will be speaking to college group about Love waits..please keep us in your prayers about this!

Feb 17th - 27th - I will be traveling to Manila will be joining a sports ministry team called crossfires. Pray for traveling, minister that God will bring the people he want with an open heart, strength through this trip. Also, please be in prayer for Tara as she will be by herself for really the first time since we have been here in the Philippines she is not looking forward to this at all! Please keep us both in your prayers!

We have a lot more things coming up, and every time I look at the calendar it seems to be filling up faster and faster! Thank you for all your support, prayers, and know that we are feeling them daily!

Discerning Heart

This new year and start has been a season of a new discerning heart. Both Tara and I have a lot of long talks about true discernment in the area that we are working here in the Philippines, and even in the future of our plans. We please just ask for prayer for a clear discerning heart in areas of ministry here in the Philippines, and where and what the Lord is calling us for the future! We are at our fourth month going into Feb, and we feel that our feet are officially wet now! Though, there is a lot of work to be done, but the feeling is where do we begin! What keeps coming up is for us to stay focused on Christ alone, secondly what the Lord has called us to do here in the Philippines. So, with that all said and done. It's back to work.

Pastor Gary

Here is a one of the missionaries that is in our office. This Pastor Gary and he has been a pastor and missionary for over 20 years. Pastory Gary has a true heart and passion for helping, caring, and encouraging Pastors! I have really appreciated getting know him and his family! And he is very involved in sports ministry, and also in a Chaplain Service. He also has two sons that are actually involved in our local sports ambassadors team. If you would like to find more information out about Pastor Gary, family, and ministry check it out now!

Meeting with Pastor Elpidio

Last Sunday Jan. 22th. We were invited to the Ulas Church of Christ! This has been a Pastor that I have been trying to meet, and track down ever since Nov! Sometimes contacting, finding, and getting numbers or contacts take time here in the Philippines! So our office finally found this pastor's contact information right before Christmas, and I was able to contact him shortly after the New Years!

Well, I was very encouraged to meet and visit Pastor Elpidio's church and see just a little of all that he has been doing these some 20 years he has been a Pastor! It was very very encouraging to see the fruits of a faithful servant for over so many years! Along with sharing some stories about East 38th Street Christian Chruch which is now known as Post Road Christian Church which has supported him for well over 20 years! He was very excited to share with me all that he has been doing. We are looking forward to working with him in the future. We are currently trying to work some with his sports ministry that he currently has going in one of his churches!

Praise the Lord for faithful servants just like Pastor Elpidio, and sometimes I feel Churches don't thank these hard working, faithful, servants enough! We want to thank him for all his work, and know that we apprecaite all that he has done for the kingdom of Christ. Though, I know his humble spirit would only take it all in stride knowing that his true reward is up in Heaven!

Things coming up

We are currently working out some busy schedules around here. I keep looking at the Calendar to schedule daily meetings, only to see less and less avaible. Here is some up and coming scheduled events that you can be praying for.

This coming Feb 17th through the 27th - This is with Crossfire ministry you can find more information about them at ! Please be in prayer for this trip! More updates at a later time!

In March, I was asked to go on three different trips at one point of time, but after talking with my boss aka Tara! We have both decided it would be a little to much for both of us. So as of right now it's planned that I will be traveling to set up the Sports Ambassadors trip that will be coming this May.

Also, the Last week of March is our office meetings. The organization that we are working with has an offic in Manilla and also in Davoa. And they set a side a week out of the year to get together for meetings. So we will be taking a part of this as well coming up in March!

It may not sound like much...but when you brake it down before I starting saying no to some of the trips I was going to be gone almost a total of a month in less then two months period of time.

Also, I can not sign off with out mentioning the most important is that March 12th is a very special day that is already marked off the Calendar to spend with my beautiful wife on our first year anniversary!!! So that has already taking up some of our time! And Now it's the just the hard task of making this first year special in the Philippines. But, I keep telling her we are together how special does she want it...let's just say I am still working on it!

Price differences

We get a lot of questions about how much things cost. Right now the exchange rate is $1=P52.64 (P=peso). So here are some prices of things.

1.5L of Pepsi is P28.40
1 Kilo of rice is P29.80
A cheeseburger meal at McDonald's for approximately a medium size (which is large size here) is P77
Double cheeseburger meal is P107
A medium size pepperoni pizza at Pizza Hut is approximately P350

So as you can see things are quite a bit cheaper here for the most part. Here are some things that are more expensive or about the same.

Gas is anywhere from P37 to P38 a liter.
A jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce is approx. P220.
JIF peanut butter is approx. P148

So as you can see those things that are imported in are more expensive and it is much cheaper to make it yourself or buy Filipino version.

Food in the Philippines

Many people have asked what we eat here so we decided to let everyone know some of things that we eat. First most Filipinos eat a lot of rice. It is like the American potato. They eat it every meal even breakfast. We have not grown accustomed to that practice yet but we definitely eat it a lot more than we every did in the states. They also eat a lot of fried chicken so we have been eating more of that than ever before. McDonald's even has fried chicken meals as value meals. Filipinos also eat a lot of spaghetti BUT it is very different than American spaghetti. It is much sweeter and then sometimes they put their type of hotdogs in it. McDonald's also has spaghetti meals and spaghetti and chicken meals.

One thing we also eat more of is a lot of vegetables. Good fresh vegetables are much cheaper here and make a very good meal with rice. We have been eating a lot of stir-fry or steamed vegetables. We eat tacos although it is a little different from home. We have to buy tortilla shells from someone who makes them because you can rarely buy them in the grocery and if you can they are expensive. The other thing is that hamburger is more expensive here too but we still eat pretty often because who wants chicken all the time. You can actually get a lot of things that are available in the states here it is just sometimes it is much more expensive. So please don't worry we or I guess I should say I eat just fine here.

Missionaries get breaks too!

Missionaries get breaks too! For a week our office was closed for the holidays. This means we got a vacation too. First we went to a beach resort called Paradise. We arrived there December 30th. Paradise is on an island called Samal which is just a 15 minute boat ride. Let me explain a little bit about the place so you are not confused by resort. It is a very nice place for the Philippines. We stayed in an air-conditioned (air-con) cottage. In it were 2 twin beds. Most Philippine rooms are twin beds that you can push together if you want. If they are not twin beds then there is one double bed and one twin bed. No two double beds. Also there is no hot water available in any rooms at Paradise. This is something that you have to ask about when going to hotels because is is not standard to have hot water. However, it is really good food and on the beach. We spent New Year's there. We watched fireworks and heard the ship horn blow at midnight.

Two days later, we headed up one side of Mindanao to Butuan. The roads were what some might call makeshift roads. We stayed at a resort for just one night so we could finish our journey to Camiguin another island to the north of Mindanao that was formed from volcanoes. We took a hour long ferry ride over to the island and stayed the first two nights at another beach resort. We were able to go snorkeling on a little sand island called White Island. We saw a snake and many fish and corral. Then our last night in Camiguin we stayed at a highland resort. It was beautiful. There was a beautiful view of Camiguin and the ocean. We went to a 60 foot waterfall and also a hot spring. It was a wonderful relaxing trip.

On the way back we took a trip back in time and stayed at a SIL (or in the states Wycliff) compound. You felt as though you were in the 50's at an old farm house. Then we traveled back to Davao. It was a wonderful trip but we were very ready to be home.

balut or some spell it balot

Just for the RECORD!! Some are calling Eric now a TRUE PINOY which means
TRUE Filipino! Just the other night He was a true and brave Missionary trying BALOT!!! Yes, this is true, and if you have not seen the fear factor show that has balot.

Let's just say tara would not give him a good night kiss until he completely brushed his teeth and used MOUTHWASH!!

So your saying what is Balut or some spell it balot?

A partially shelled balut egg, ready to be eaten.A delicacy of Southeast Asia and especially the Philippines, a balut is a fertilized duck egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. Popularly believed to be an aphrodisiac and considered a hearty snack, balut are mostly sold by street vendors at night. Their high protein content is complimentary to the consumption of beer. The word balut roughly translates to mean "wrapped".

Balut are most often eaten with a pinch of salt, though some balut-eaters prefer chili and vinegar to complement their egg. The eggs are savored for their harmony of textures and flavors; the broth surrounding the embryo is sipped from the egg before the shell is peeled and the yolk and young chick inside can be eaten. All of the contents of the egg are consumed with the exception of a hard white chunk (the bato or "rock") that is found in the bottom of the egg. Balut have recently entered higher cuisine by being served as appetizers in restaurants: cooked adobo style, fried in omelettes or even used as filling in baked pastries.

Objectives

Objectives

This is one thing that we sat down with from pretty much day one or early on in our trip. We apologize for not sharing these objectives before now! Though here they go!

First some of the overall Organization Objectives for 2006 would be as followed:

60 churches trained and multiplied through church planting coaching networks and through church multiplication training (which our office prints and distributes material strictly for church planting).

100 local churches assisted in reaching their region through sports and short term. An additional 50 local churches assisted to reach regions that have no churches.

50 local churches assisted and trained in starting their own sports ministry.

150 local church leaders challenged to lead their churches to “take the next step” in missions resulting in new missions goals at the local church level.

5 missions partnerships catalyzed to target unreached people groups or gateway cities.

15 local players trained and disciplined in Sports Ambassadors ministry.

10 Outland Adventure staff trained and disciplined in OA Ministry.


Okay, now your asking well can you really do all this in a year? Well, that's first why they are goals, and secondly, the organization that we are with has two different offices one in Davao City and the other in Manila. The one here in Davao has 4 full time missionaries all striving towards working together to reach these goals. Second, your asking so which or where do you play a role in. Well, we are working towards the last two goals where we are building relationships, leading Bible Studies, disciplining one on one our local sports ambassadors team, and outland adventure staff. When sitting down going over these objectives. The missionary was sharing what kind of blessing it was to have 25 and maybe up to 30 young adults willing and wanting to listen and learn from you. He was going on to share how some missionaries work a life time just to get those 25 to 30 people to listen to them or the next missionary! Yet, the Lord has placed us in this perfect position to share and teach His ways through us. That's a humbling feeling, and we only continue to ask for wisdom to be a His vessel through this year in the Philippines and where ever He leads us to next.

An individual objective that we have as a couple is that we feel as though we are needed here to help a couple we have talked about before Tata and Cherrill. They are a newly married couple also. They have no example of a Christian marriage in their lives besides Rich and Marla. We feel like we are the only newly married couple that they see. It sometimes is a lot of pressure but at the same time it helps to make sure our relationship is in check and where it needs to be.

Prayer Requests for 2006

Prayer requests for 2006

To continue in wisdom as we are leading bible studies, building relationships, and encouraging and equipping through discipleship.

That God will continue to lead us to His opportunities. Specifically Eric's opportunity to join Crossfires ministry to play a basketball game with them in Manilla in February. More details to come. Tara's involvement in Faith Academy.

Our time here while many of our newly acquired missionary friends are on furlough starting at the end of May. Including Rich and Marla Henderson.

Internet so we will be able to communicate with all of friends and family like you.

Continue to listen to the Lord especially in regards to our future when this trip is over.

Christmas Parties in the Philippines

Christmas parties here in the Philippines are very different than those in the states. Filipinos love to have parties. In the states, you have a Christmas party and it is Christmas carols, cookies, maybe a gift exchange and that is it. Everyone leaves and the party is over. First of all, here you have to have a theme. That is how the gifts are picked. You have to have lots of food. There is spaghetti, some sort of fish, chicken, rice of course, and vegetables. Not just cookies and you are good. Also you have to have a Christmas party with every single group. We had one with the office, the Ventures for Victory team, and Outland staff. All in one week with two being on the same day. Then everyone waits around until they are pretty much kicked out. They will wait for someone to leave before they leave which means the parties can last many hours. Also you have to get a gift for all of the people. But unless you tell them too they will not open them in front of you. Culturally it is not okay to open the gift because then you are saying the gift is more important than the person. BUT they love gifts!

Average Day

I keep hearing a lot of requests of what an average day is like for us living here in the Philippines. Well, this is just one of the many reasons of why were wanting to do this trip to see the day to day, in and out, and living a missionary's life or at least here in the Philippines.

Though, this is a hard question to fully explain, answer, and give you every last detail of our “day to day” or “daily schedule” for many different reasons. But, we are wanting to share a story to maybe help shed a little light on an average day. And after thinking about this question there was this perfect day that just explains a lot of what can be an average day in the Philippines.

This was a few weeks ago and I was planning and running a three day high school girls basketball clinic. And I had set up a meeting with one of the main guys helping me out. So the meeting was planned for Thursday afternoon lunch meeting at noon. So this is how that Thursday went.

It started off me checking in and going to the office which is about 3 to 5 minute walk from our place. This particular day I believe I was preparing more for this three day camp, and preparing for this meeting, and did some paper work for Outland Adventure. After doing this, 11:35 comes around time for me to head to my meeting. So 11:35 I walk out of office to take a taxi to my meeting which was set for 12 and it was going be held over lunch. So 11:35 I get into a taxi to head only what should take about 15 minutes if that. Though depending on traffic... that day I was running late and did not get there until 12:05. Though I noticed that it I would be late so me being the nice person/American that I am I texted* the person that I was meeting that I was running a little late. After about another five minutes the person that I was to meet texted back only to share “I better get a move on and get going then”. After several minutes of waiting, I received another text saying he would be there shortly. Well, 12:25 comes rolling around and other text asking where officially should we meet at. So 12:45 we actually figured out a the official place we were going to eat and meet at. So the decision was made I was going to rough it and eat at Pizza Hut. Well, by the time we sit down it's probably no joke now a 1 o'clock meeting which was scheduled for 12! Welcome to the Philippines. So after 1 is when we sit down and start talking about how things are doing, and going on. 1:20 we order our food. And so we talk a little more and then decide lets get down to business and talk about the full plan of this three day basketball clinic. Well, about 2:00 our food comes and the guy I am meeting says lets eat and put aside the business issues of this clinic and just eat and talk some more. If you have not got it by now Philippines stress relationship/talking and making everyone happy over real issues or matters. So after we are officially finished eating it's no joke already 2:45. So know it's time to get down to business and just explaining a lot of the details of whats going on and how to work together to plan this basketball clinic together. Well, finally it was 3:50 and I looked down to see what time it is, and told him I am very sorry we are going to have to finish this up and I had be somewhere else by 4.

So let's just reflect and even I did on this matter. I am thinking man I was so busy and had a lot to do today and then when I look back and figure out what all I did it just shows up as one meeting that lasted forever. Culturally we are looking at this first from the American side people are thinking you had one meeting and went into the office for a little work in the morning then just one meeting the rest of the afternoon. Americans would say your crazy, your lazy, your wasting time, not doing enough, that's all! Though as hard as this is to believe cultural on the Philippine side and being on this side of the world, with all kinds of different factors. This was a pretty busy day! Yet your thinking to yourself all you did was meet with one person! And yes this is true, but the Philippine people who are more interested in the relationship then the task, to a culture that is always late, and sometimes things aren't as easy, convenient, or practical. Welcome to the Philippines!! Though at times especially with being late, and the time Tara has wanted to pull her hair out over the matter. One thing you learn really fast is flexibility! Now that I have tried to paint a picture of the differences through an average day. We also don't want to give the wrong impression that we are just having one meeting everyday that's not the idea or the plan, but sometimes it happens. Though I thought this story was a perfect story to share to show how an average day in the Philippines can be very very different Americans eyes and world!

For me, Tara, an average day is mainly spent in taxis and lines. Grocery stores here are only in malls which means they are only open from 10am to 8pm and refrigerators are much smaller here so you have to shop for everyday's meals pretty much maybe 2 days but that is it. Also things mold a lot faster because it is so hot. Bread will only last about 2 days not in a refrigerator. So a lot of my time is spent going to the grocery store to be completely honest. However, I also spend time at Faith Academy (the missionary school here in Davao) helping an Asian girl learn English better and a Spanish boy learn numbers and letters. Also I am going to start teaching a class to middle schoolers about babysitting. Then there is also Bible Study which never starts at the time we scheduled. Like Eric said Filipinos are all about the relationship not time.

*texting is instant email done phone to phone. Which is pretty much all that Philippines use. Reasons for using it, it's fast, it's cheap, and fun I guess. (it was also very popular in Europe from my experience there). Though I don't think it will ever be popular in the states we just call which to me makes more since, but they just text a message and sent it to the person all by phone. The main reason for this is because it is usually cheaper to text than to call. Also we can text people in the states even if you would like a text from us just let us know. We would love to send you a text SERIOUSLY!!

New Experiences

There are a lot of things we would have never expected to happen to us. Things are sometimes extremely different here in the Philippines. One thing is when people go on strike here they try to keep you from doing whatever you were wanting to do physically by completely blocking your way. In the states they are just outside with signs. Here they put up signs and then line up cars or pedicabs to block your way.

There are brown outs all the time here. A brown out is basically power failure. There is no real reason for the brown out. In the states there is a storm or lightening or something to that effect. Here they might be fixing something so power is out or honestly there is no reason at all. My personal opinion of the worst time to be caught in a brown out is in a grocery store.

In the states your bills will have a if after this date you have to pay this amount which includes your late fee. Here in the Philippines there is a discount period if you pay your bill early, a normal fee which is on time, and a late fee. Time is of no consideration.

Filipinos are very open and honest and will talk about anything. In the states we will not talk to strangers about anything. Here they will tell you all about there prison time or how they were deported if you want to hear.

You have to have spacers for pictures otherwise they will stick to the glass due to condensation and will ruin your pictures. BUT you can't find them anywhere here. And no one knows what you are talking about.