Waiting and Progress
Land purchase for new airbase
Just wanted to give you an update on the latest happenings with us here in the Philippines. We are still working on processing the purchase of the land that God seems to be directing us to here in northern Luzon where we plan to build another airbase/ helicopter/medical mission. In the meantime as we wait for various aspects of the process, Dwayne has been doing some wonderful improvements on this house that we are staying at in Santiago City (around a half hour from the land). Putting up screen in the living room and kitchen has been my favorite improvement since the mosquitoes were eating us alive-and then fixing the toilet so it would flush, the shower head so it would spray properly, the bathroom faucet, the heavily leaking kitchen sink etc. have been other improvements much appreciated by me! Dwayne has also put in better locks on the front door and gate, a request by the owners, which we were happy to do. We are happy to do improvements on their house, as they have been so gracious to let us stay here. Dwayne has also spent time experimenting with making a different kind of hollow block form for possible use in our next building.
We have been waiting on a lot of things lately, much to Dwayne's frustration, and this includes internet. They have been promising to come and install internet in our house for the last two weeks. We hope next week it will finally happen. In the meantime we have been wandering our neighborhood trying to search for some wireless waves to borrow so we can make important phone calls at odd hours and check bank accounts etc.
I have been enjoying the waiting time, as I've also been working on getting this house to a more livable state, packing some of the owners things in boxes to put in storage and doing lots of cleaning and organizing. Dwayne is helping me start a small garden, which is fun too. I've also been learning to cook with some new foods, one burner, and no oven etc. (But it's been fun. We actually have a lot more available here food wise then we had in Palawan).
Medical opportunities
Last Sabbath we helped with a medical mission at a nearby prison. The hospital church goes there every Sabbath afternoon. They seemed happy for our help. Another thing that will keep me busy for awhile is working on a little medical handbook that I can share with our missionaries and those I come in contact with who are interested in medical missions. It will just be something basic that I can use as I share with people what I've learned through the years. I do not feel like an expert, but I can see how sharing some of my experience could help people get started.
Trip to Pagudpud
For example, we just came back from a trip up to the northern tip of Luzon where we visited another mission and their 5 new SM's who are struggling with how to take care of patients. The doctor that was supposed to be with them wasn't able to come (and they are not even nurses). I shared with them a few tips in our short visit but realized they could use some simple training and resources just to be able to do the basics. Some of the doctors from the Cagayan Valley Adventist Hospital (close to us here) go up there now and then so I offered to ride with them when I can and continue to help the SM's and the clinic there.
Books needed
I also see a huge need in Mindanao where the famous SULADS student missionaries from Mountain View College (MVC) work all throughout the mountains with schools for the remote indigenous people. At this point they do very little with the medical needs because they have not been trained and have very little resources. There is a 2 book series called the "Village Medical Manual" that has been my favorite throughout the years that I think would be so helpful for all missionaries out here. It is very comprehensive and it's written for people with and without medical training. I have given a few sets to missionaries now and then, but lately we decided we really need to get a whole box shipped out here to share and teach from everywhere we go. We would also like to get a bunch of "Where There is No Doctor" books which is even more basic. It's good for training local health workers and it uses more natural remedies.
Expanding into Mindanao!
A few weeks ago we were able to attend the Faith Camp Luzon and Faith Camp Mindanao. a very encouraging, motivating, and spiritually uplifting camp meeting type program focusing on faith and missions. One of the main speakers was David Gates and we saw how God provided this opportunity for us to spend time with him especially in Mindanao as we made some real progress on plans to expand to that region soon also (near MVC).
Ready and waiting for helicopters
As soon as we can get another helicopter pilot here in Luzon and some construction workers to oversee the building of this airbase, we can move forward with the Mindanao project. There is a huge need for a helicopter there as well. With the 32 schools and 3 high schools (run by the SULADS) scattered all over the mountains (some taking 2+ days to hike into) we could keep busy just supporting them with supplies, medical and missionary transport. But then you add theology students from MVC that could be flown out on the weekends to the many remote areas begging for help or nursing students that could fly out to other areas and provide medical relief--the opportunities are endless. We talked to many people while we were in Mindanao and we see how this place is just waiting and so ready for a helicopter to help speed the gospel to go throughout the vast mountains.
Exciting things are in the works, as God seems to be opening doors for His work to move forward! We hope to be able to share with you more exciting progress in the near future. And we ask you and thank you for your faithful prayers for this ministry. We know that God will continue to provide in his way and in his timing for this work and we thank you so much, all of you who have been a part of it by your prayers and support.
Comments are closed.