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.