It's 2 a.m. my first night home in America. I was hoping to at least make it til 4 a.m.:) It's mid afternoon Phil. time right now. I'm at my parents home and the air conditioning is on. AC feels weird, we didn't need ac in La Trinidad, we didn't need it here when I left IL in June...I'm readjusting to American culture.
We are all home safe and sound. My back held up marvelously thanks to all your prayers. I was even able to push my luggage cart, something that wouldn't have been possible yesterday. I ate steak with my fam for my first meal in the US, and sat next to my niece:) I didn't like a lot of the Phil. meat, it tasted different.
Thanks so much for being a part of this trip. Your thoughts and prayers fueled me and my teammates, helped make ministry happen, and I couldn't have done it without you!
I'm sure I will continually be asked if I think I will return someday. After investing so much of my time, life, and heart there, I don't know how I couldn't return. As to what degree, I'm leaving that up to God.
Right now, I have one more year of grad school to focus on. While continuing to serve part-time as an intern with ISM, I will be interning this fall semester for my Master's in Counseling at Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington part-time and taking one class. In order to get the most out of my education and become a good counselor, I have to invest much energy emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Just one more year and I'll have my degree.
Probably the greatest thing I was reminded of and learned in the Phil. is how precious relationships and people are. The most important things in life are people. Filipinos create their schedule around this concept. In America, if you live a highly ambitious life like me, you spend a lot of time on tasks, and you have to fight to keep people a priority and make time for them in your schedule, a battle I need to continue fighting, and to a greater scale in some areas. I hope to see you soon! Love, Steph
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Wrapping Up
On Thursday, we spent the day jumping off rocks at a waterfall. We had so much fun, and I took a lot of cool pics of that day.
On Friday, I rested in the morning and spent some time with students and had awesome conversations in the afternoon. One of our student leaders asked if we would help her talk to some friends about baptism. We went where she was, and the 3 girls she was talking to wanted to be baptized! We were very excited.
Our trip wouldn't be complete without one final typhoon:) We're in a stage one right now, the lightest of the typhoon stages. We still have a few things to wrap up. One final meeting with student leaders, one last Bible study, a goodbye celebration, and some housekeeping items to take care of.
I know some of you are wondering what our travel schedule so you can pray.
We begin traveling your time, 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Our plane leaves the Phil. at 6 p.m. Tues. night.
We will be flying into Detroit at about noon on Wed. your time:) After that, we will be spitting off. The IL team is going back to IL, and I'll be meeting my parents and spending a couple days with my fam.
I am very much looking forward to seeing all my friends and fam when I get back! Thanks for all of you who have been faithfully praying! We're almost there! Please continue to pray for our travels. Also, I hurt my back a little on our last adventure, so if you could keep that in your prayers, I'd appreciate it.
On Friday, I rested in the morning and spent some time with students and had awesome conversations in the afternoon. One of our student leaders asked if we would help her talk to some friends about baptism. We went where she was, and the 3 girls she was talking to wanted to be baptized! We were very excited.
Our trip wouldn't be complete without one final typhoon:) We're in a stage one right now, the lightest of the typhoon stages. We still have a few things to wrap up. One final meeting with student leaders, one last Bible study, a goodbye celebration, and some housekeeping items to take care of.
I know some of you are wondering what our travel schedule so you can pray.
We begin traveling your time, 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Our plane leaves the Phil. at 6 p.m. Tues. night.
We will be flying into Detroit at about noon on Wed. your time:) After that, we will be spitting off. The IL team is going back to IL, and I'll be meeting my parents and spending a couple days with my fam.
I am very much looking forward to seeing all my friends and fam when I get back! Thanks for all of you who have been faithfully praying! We're almost there! Please continue to pray for our travels. Also, I hurt my back a little on our last adventure, so if you could keep that in your prayers, I'd appreciate it.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Finishing Well
On Tuesday we baptized 2 more students in the creek, and had lunch with our small group leaders, and Danielle and I went through the last book of Philippians with the 2 girl leaders who will be taking over our Bible study to help prepare them. They led for the 1st time Tues. night and did an awesome job!
We went to the last large group of our trip last night. We watched 'Facing the Giants' and had over 130 students come! We said some goodbyes, but I'm glad we don't have to say too many yet and I still have one more small group time left.
What else? I've gotten to do a couple of things I've wanted to do before leaving...go the the Black Market, which is pretty much just a big market with stores you can buy stuff, and Brady and I climbed another mt. in our backyard yesterday morning. Today is Danielle's Bday and we're going to a waterfall you can jump into. I wanted to jump last time we passed but my friends talked me out of it because I was fully clothed and we were on our way to serve in Dagupan:)
We went to the last large group of our trip last night. We watched 'Facing the Giants' and had over 130 students come! We said some goodbyes, but I'm glad we don't have to say too many yet and I still have one more small group time left.
What else? I've gotten to do a couple of things I've wanted to do before leaving...go the the Black Market, which is pretty much just a big market with stores you can buy stuff, and Brady and I climbed another mt. in our backyard yesterday morning. Today is Danielle's Bday and we're going to a waterfall you can jump into. I wanted to jump last time we passed but my friends talked me out of it because I was fully clothed and we were on our way to serve in Dagupan:)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Mountain
Alright, I know you're probably hoping to read some awesome adventure story on how I was the only girl on my team to climb the 2nd largest mountain in the Phil. (that's what I was hoping I would be writing about:) Well, I was the only girl to ride the bus through the mountains to where we stayed the night (which on our team is a big feat), and I have a funny story of how there's Filipino communists on Mt. Pulag right now so we couldn't climb it without a police escort?! Being Filipinos, I wasn't sure how mean their communist party really was, but I didn't think it was a good idea to climb if we would need a police escort.
So what did we do instead? We stayed at a church in the mountains that has 2 stories. The 2nd floor is used for visitors and missionary housing. It reminded me a lot of being at camp:)- a very pretty area. We met some students at the other campus of BSU that go to the church on Sat. night (yes, the college we're working at has another branch in the mountains), and we served at church today. I helped with the kids. It was great to begin a relationship with that church! We had a good time being there and away, I was sad to return home today but needed to because over 1/2 our team is sick right now:( 3 out of 4 came back sick from Dagupan:(
As we enter our last week here, please pray for the sickness on our team, that we'll use our time wisely, and we'll have a smooth transition of responsibilities and information with the campus ministry and leaders here! Please also pray for our goodbyes, especially for the girls on my team who are very sad to leave (that includes me but I'll probably wait til the plane ride to be really sad). Thanks!
So what did we do instead? We stayed at a church in the mountains that has 2 stories. The 2nd floor is used for visitors and missionary housing. It reminded me a lot of being at camp:)- a very pretty area. We met some students at the other campus of BSU that go to the church on Sat. night (yes, the college we're working at has another branch in the mountains), and we served at church today. I helped with the kids. It was great to begin a relationship with that church! We had a good time being there and away, I was sad to return home today but needed to because over 1/2 our team is sick right now:( 3 out of 4 came back sick from Dagupan:(
As we enter our last week here, please pray for the sickness on our team, that we'll use our time wisely, and we'll have a smooth transition of responsibilities and information with the campus ministry and leaders here! Please also pray for our goodbyes, especially for the girls on my team who are very sad to leave (that includes me but I'll probably wait til the plane ride to be really sad). Thanks!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Rain
The past 4 days a typhoon has been passing through, and it's rained A LOT. Being from the midwest, we don't get extended rain. Arnold says he's seen it rain for an entire month here. I thought 4 days was a long time!
It's amazing how much rain can effect your week...I remember shivering through a Bible study under a gazebo with a bunch of Filipinos who remained totally involved in the Bible study despite the dampness, drinking coffee at McDonalds during another Bible study to stay out of the rain, getting soaked from sideways rain going to check on Katie before our Wednesday night large group meeting, a smaller attendance at our Wed. night large group but still a good turn out despite the weather, and finally being able to run this morning because there wasn't a down pour.
My personal favorite rain story though is having someone take this awesome umbrella I got from here and leave another old umbrella, which fell apart on Cris and I as we were on our way to our Wed. night gathering! I think I was way too attached to my new umbrella (I don't buy new nice stuff too often anymore), and Cris and I laughed really hard when the older one completely fell apart!
Tomorrow, hopefully we will see the sun again. It's been great to see all God is doing in spite of the rain! I have had more of an opportunity to spend one on one time with students since I led Bible studies solo with week, and I also got to help train 2 small group leaders. The rest of the team returns tomorrow, and we are serving at a church near a mountain I hope to climb on Sunday (if it's not too slippery)!
It's amazing how much rain can effect your week...I remember shivering through a Bible study under a gazebo with a bunch of Filipinos who remained totally involved in the Bible study despite the dampness, drinking coffee at McDonalds during another Bible study to stay out of the rain, getting soaked from sideways rain going to check on Katie before our Wednesday night large group meeting, a smaller attendance at our Wed. night large group but still a good turn out despite the weather, and finally being able to run this morning because there wasn't a down pour.
My personal favorite rain story though is having someone take this awesome umbrella I got from here and leave another old umbrella, which fell apart on Cris and I as we were on our way to our Wed. night gathering! I think I was way too attached to my new umbrella (I don't buy new nice stuff too often anymore), and Cris and I laughed really hard when the older one completely fell apart!
Tomorrow, hopefully we will see the sun again. It's been great to see all God is doing in spite of the rain! I have had more of an opportunity to spend one on one time with students since I led Bible studies solo with week, and I also got to help train 2 small group leaders. The rest of the team returns tomorrow, and we are serving at a church near a mountain I hope to climb on Sunday (if it's not too slippery)!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sports Fest and 5 Baptisms
Our weekend was pretty low key. We celebrated Gigi's Birthday (minister here's wife), and I went to 2 church services on Sunday to spend some time with one of our new student leaders. A girl who came with us ended up getting baptized on Monday, so that was awesome.
Yesterday was a holiday, so we had Sports Fest at a gym here. We played vball and bball, and had a ton of fun! We also baptized 5 students who accepted Christ last Wednesday at a nearby Bible college. A great day!
1/2 of our team is in Dagupan for the week, and Pete and Kordell went home. It's really quiet, and Will, Katie, and I are teaching some extra classes and leading some Bible studies for our teammates. Speaking of which I need to go lead one:) We're seeing many leaders rise up and having opportunities to help equip them, so thanks for the prayers! I am looking forward to returning home in 2 weeks:)
Yesterday was a holiday, so we had Sports Fest at a gym here. We played vball and bball, and had a ton of fun! We also baptized 5 students who accepted Christ last Wednesday at a nearby Bible college. A great day!
1/2 of our team is in Dagupan for the week, and Pete and Kordell went home. It's really quiet, and Will, Katie, and I are teaching some extra classes and leading some Bible studies for our teammates. Speaking of which I need to go lead one:) We're seeing many leaders rise up and having opportunities to help equip them, so thanks for the prayers! I am looking forward to returning home in 2 weeks:)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Large Group Meeting #4
Pete promoted our large group meeting at Saturday's big event, and he spoke on Reaching Your Dreams part 2 at large group last night to 100 people:) We had 16 people come forward and accept Christ for the first time. Definitely a big night, and worth giving a summer for:)
When Pete got here, he signed a document that finalized our paper work needed to work with the university while we are here. Pete also spends a lot of time with my teammates, which means I have a little more time on my hands this week. I practiced with the college vball team one night, which I'd been wanting to do for a while, and went out to dinner with my small group girls.
We've also been working to start some new small groups, as many students signed up with interest, and mentoring some new leaders. God continues to reveal and provide leaders, so please keep praying for that!
Today the girls are off, and the boys are done with class mid-afternoon, so hopefully the weather will hold and I will be climbing the mountain, or doing some other fun Filipino stuff:)
When Pete got here, he signed a document that finalized our paper work needed to work with the university while we are here. Pete also spends a lot of time with my teammates, which means I have a little more time on my hands this week. I practiced with the college vball team one night, which I'd been wanting to do for a while, and went out to dinner with my small group girls.
We've also been working to start some new small groups, as many students signed up with interest, and mentoring some new leaders. God continues to reveal and provide leaders, so please keep praying for that!
Today the girls are off, and the boys are done with class mid-afternoon, so hopefully the weather will hold and I will be climbing the mountain, or doing some other fun Filipino stuff:)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The Big Event and 100 Islands
Last week, we worked hard and planned all week for Pete coming to speak at a Saturday big event. He spoke on reaching your dreams, and the ROC on campus put together an awesome program with 2 speakers. Pete spoke to a HUGE audience and was able to promote Encounter at his speech.
Saturday afternoon I spoke to a grad school class for the first time on Christian values and social change. Grad school students are mostly younger here (21-25, but many of them have careers and families, so they are very mature with a lot of depth. I enjoyed interacting with and getting to know them, and I had an opportunity to talk about Encounter!
On Sunday, we all took off for 100 Islands, which is as the name says. Many islands where you can hike, swim, snorkel, jump and dive. We had an AWESOME time! My 2 favorite parts were swimming to another island with some team members and jumping into a pool of water from a cave. Time to get to work, it's Monday:)
Saturday afternoon I spoke to a grad school class for the first time on Christian values and social change. Grad school students are mostly younger here (21-25, but many of them have careers and families, so they are very mature with a lot of depth. I enjoyed interacting with and getting to know them, and I had an opportunity to talk about Encounter!
On Sunday, we all took off for 100 Islands, which is as the name says. Many islands where you can hike, swim, snorkel, jump and dive. We had an AWESOME time! My 2 favorite parts were swimming to another island with some team members and jumping into a pool of water from a cave. Time to get to work, it's Monday:)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
3rd Large Group Meeting & Camp John Haye
Wednesday night we met with 77 students during our 3rd large group. Very exciting!!! My team has done an excellent job inviting students from their classes and from the basketball courts. Many of the students had an interest in becoming part of a Bible study. Discipleship is a big need here. We are working to develop leaders who will be able to do this when we're gone.
We also found out this week we will be able to use a room on campus with the ROC, the registered Christian organizations on campus. We hope to continue to build a good relationship with the university so next year we can become one. Until then, we are thankful for all the ministry opportunities God has opened up for us on and off campus.
Yesterday was our day off. I went to what used to be an American military base, Camp John Haye, and is now sort of a resort/ get away. There's biking, horse back riding, shopping, pizza, trails, parks, and pretty much everything I like to do there. It's also very peaceful and quiet. I went horse back riding and hope to ride a bike next time. Pete and his 11 year old son also arrived, so we're happy to have them here!
We also found out this week we will be able to use a room on campus with the ROC, the registered Christian organizations on campus. We hope to continue to build a good relationship with the university so next year we can become one. Until then, we are thankful for all the ministry opportunities God has opened up for us on and off campus.
Yesterday was our day off. I went to what used to be an American military base, Camp John Haye, and is now sort of a resort/ get away. There's biking, horse back riding, shopping, pizza, trails, parks, and pretty much everything I like to do there. It's also very peaceful and quiet. I went horse back riding and hope to ride a bike next time. Pete and his 11 year old son also arrived, so we're happy to have them here!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Meeting the President
We are back into full swing here at BSU! Cris wasn't around too much last week, so I found things to be pretty much where I left them. We had a great 2nd large group meeting last Wed. night here, with 55 students! We were all very excited about that.
Monday we got our room situation figured out and worked on plans for this week's events. Encounter's lead minister from the US, Pete Cocco, is coming for a couple of weeks and will be speaking at the University on Reaching Your Dreams in a program put on by the Registered Christian Organizations on campus (what we are hoping to be one next year). We are helping to promote this event and are very excited for the opportunity to link with the other organizations.
Tuesday was Kim (team member's) bday and she wanted to climb the mountain, so in the morning we climbed, and today my girls rested:) While not climbing, we worked more the documents we need to present the university to formalize our service at BSU. We are all looking forward to an end to the paper work!!
Tues night 2 of our team members participated in a camput-wide Christian service at BSU in honor of the university's anniversary. I attended with another team member, and we were seated in front by the university staff. We met the Vice President of BSU, and after the service was over, the President came over to say hello. He invited Danielle and I to a faculty dinner afterward, where we were able to meet more faculty. For those of you praying for a strong relationship with the university, thanks, I can tell!!!
We are still teaching in classes. I will be teaching to a class of grad students on Saturday and am very excited for the opportunity! I also got to go to our 2nd small group I am coleading. Please pray for the leaders of Encounter at BSU who we are helping select and train while we are here. They will be helping lead the ministry when we are gone.
Monday we got our room situation figured out and worked on plans for this week's events. Encounter's lead minister from the US, Pete Cocco, is coming for a couple of weeks and will be speaking at the University on Reaching Your Dreams in a program put on by the Registered Christian Organizations on campus (what we are hoping to be one next year). We are helping to promote this event and are very excited for the opportunity to link with the other organizations.
Tuesday was Kim (team member's) bday and she wanted to climb the mountain, so in the morning we climbed, and today my girls rested:) While not climbing, we worked more the documents we need to present the university to formalize our service at BSU. We are all looking forward to an end to the paper work!!
Tues night 2 of our team members participated in a camput-wide Christian service at BSU in honor of the university's anniversary. I attended with another team member, and we were seated in front by the university staff. We met the Vice President of BSU, and after the service was over, the President came over to say hello. He invited Danielle and I to a faculty dinner afterward, where we were able to meet more faculty. For those of you praying for a strong relationship with the university, thanks, I can tell!!!
We are still teaching in classes. I will be teaching to a class of grad students on Saturday and am very excited for the opportunity! I also got to go to our 2nd small group I am coleading. Please pray for the leaders of Encounter at BSU who we are helping select and train while we are here. They will be helping lead the ministry when we are gone.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Dagupan: Saying Goodbye.
We taught all day today about Christian values and sexual purity to about 500 students. What an opportunity to teach about Jesus! The university held a goodbye celebration for us. I was wondering if they were going to carry us out on a float:)
Tomorrow we are headed back home to La Trinidad. Cris, the campus minister we're working with there, has a son who is very sick right now. Please pray for him and us, as I don't know how much of the ministry I will be leading on my own. I also think a room change is in our near future, as I have requested 2 rooms for the girls. We are all getting along well, but being in a leadership role 24/7 was wearing on me. Please pray for the room adjustment as well.
It's Saturday night here so we are getting ready to go out:) Dagupan has been a lot of fun but I am ready to return to my home in the Phil for now, La Trindad, and feel inspired and ready to keep working hard at our mission of plant a campus ministry there!
Tomorrow we are headed back home to La Trinidad. Cris, the campus minister we're working with there, has a son who is very sick right now. Please pray for him and us, as I don't know how much of the ministry I will be leading on my own. I also think a room change is in our near future, as I have requested 2 rooms for the girls. We are all getting along well, but being in a leadership role 24/7 was wearing on me. Please pray for the room adjustment as well.
It's Saturday night here so we are getting ready to go out:) Dagupan has been a lot of fun but I am ready to return to my home in the Phil for now, La Trindad, and feel inspired and ready to keep working hard at our mission of plant a campus ministry there!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Dagupan: Serving at LU
Becoming involved with Luzon University in Dagupan has been a completely different situation than at BSU. Here, a team already came through and established an awesome relationship with the university. As Ronald, the Encounter minister here, puts it, 'they treat me like a king at LU.' Basically whatever we want to do is possible. We had our proposal and legal agreement done for us here! Being American in the Philippines basically means you're looked at as a celebrity. Students want their picture taken with you, and your words can have a major impact on lives. The awesome thing is you can speak about Christianity in the classroom even though it's a state university!
I taught psych in 3 classes yesterday, and Katie and Will spoke in the multi purpose room to all the education majors on Christian values. Today we spoke to over 300 high schoolers on sexual purity. Tomorrow we will be headed out into the community to work with kids (the university places great emphasis on community service and involvement). It's been encouraging to see what working with a university could be like as we work on building a relationship with BSU.
We spent half the day at the beach today:)
I taught psych in 3 classes yesterday, and Katie and Will spoke in the multi purpose room to all the education majors on Christian values. Today we spoke to over 300 high schoolers on sexual purity. Tomorrow we will be headed out into the community to work with kids (the university places great emphasis on community service and involvement). It's been encouraging to see what working with a university could be like as we work on building a relationship with BSU.
We spent half the day at the beach today:)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Dagupan, Day 1
Dagupan is on the coast, and it's much warmer here (upper 80s and 90s). The three of us spent today getting acclimated to the university, meeting the staff, planning for teaching (I'll be teaching on psychology here:), and helping with the campus ministry large group here. A college group from the US came here in 06 and started the ministry, and it's been cool to see all God has done. We've also had the opportunity to visit the ministry Encounter started in Bagio, which the lead Filipino minister serves at (Arnonld). Arnold visits us almost every day (I am convinced we are spoiled rotten by him because he takes us cool places and brings us to a place we can use the phone for free:). So far, Encounter has 3 staff at different universities, and it's been a lot of fun serving with and getting to know all of them.
What else can I say about Dagupan? Like all cities, it has it's own personality and is different from La Trinidad. I'm enjoying being on the coast, some new great restaurants, a Gloria Jeans coffee shop, and most of all the swimming pool where we are staying.
Tomorrow we'll be getting up early for a prayer walk, and hopefully teaching some classes. It's almost time for bed here, good night:)
What else can I say about Dagupan? Like all cities, it has it's own personality and is different from La Trinidad. I'm enjoying being on the coast, some new great restaurants, a Gloria Jeans coffee shop, and most of all the swimming pool where we are staying.
Tomorrow we'll be getting up early for a prayer walk, and hopefully teaching some classes. It's almost time for bed here, good night:)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Typhoon Frank and Down Time
You might be wondering how Typhoon Frank is effecting us. It's a stage 2 Typhoon, stage 4 is the worst, and we got heavy rain and strong winds last night. (My guys were wanting a stage 4 hurricane!) I was at our house watching Spider Man 3 with some teammates while the worst of it was going on:) My job- remain calm and help my girls to remain calm:) Some power lines and trees got knocked down, and classes are canceled today... Our house only lost power for a few minutes and we are all fine.
You might also wonder what I do when I'm not doing ministry with the Filipinos. Well, my team is a ministry and being the oldest, I do mom-like activities like help coordinate my team and things that need to get done, clean up after the flu, make dinner, hang out with them, pray A LOT, and counsel. My FAVORITE thing I do in my free time is go climbing...Brady and I go whenever we get free time. We have a mountain range in our backyard so we're always exploring a new route.
This afternoon I will probably be headed to Dagupan to help with another Encounter Campus Ministry for the week! It's on the coast and Will and I hope to go surfing while we are there:)!!!
You might also wonder what I do when I'm not doing ministry with the Filipinos. Well, my team is a ministry and being the oldest, I do mom-like activities like help coordinate my team and things that need to get done, clean up after the flu, make dinner, hang out with them, pray A LOT, and counsel. My FAVORITE thing I do in my free time is go climbing...Brady and I go whenever we get free time. We have a mountain range in our backyard so we're always exploring a new route.
This afternoon I will probably be headed to Dagupan to help with another Encounter Campus Ministry for the week! It's on the coast and Will and I hope to go surfing while we are there:)!!!
Friday, June 20, 2008
First BSU Encounter Large Group!
We had our first large group meeting Wed. night in a room we rented off campus. We brought snacks, and helped put together a night of worship, testimonies, games, and a message by Cris, the campus minister. We were overjoyed to have over 40 for our first meeting, and we have their phone numbers so we can keep in contact (text messaging is a very big deal here:)
With God's help, we will continue meeting in the same place on Wed. nights while we are here. The university gets first selection of the 2 rooms we could meet in though, so please pray we will be continue to be able to meet in a room each week.
I got to teach for the first time here in a college class Friday afternoon, and again this morning. Teaching college here is somewhat different, as the students are younger (American high school age). I greatly enjoyed the experience, and am overjoyed to be able to teach about Christianity and be able to promote our events!
We continue to get closer to having our proposal with the university approved. Please continue to pray for the relationship we are building with the university through this.
3 of us are leaving for Dagupan on Monday to help with a campus ministry there. I am one of them, and will be closer to the beach, but further from the Typhoon that might be hitting here. I am excited for the change and getting the team set to be without me and our lead cook:)
With God's help, we will continue meeting in the same place on Wed. nights while we are here. The university gets first selection of the 2 rooms we could meet in though, so please pray we will be continue to be able to meet in a room each week.
I got to teach for the first time here in a college class Friday afternoon, and again this morning. Teaching college here is somewhat different, as the students are younger (American high school age). I greatly enjoyed the experience, and am overjoyed to be able to teach about Christianity and be able to promote our events!
We continue to get closer to having our proposal with the university approved. Please continue to pray for the relationship we are building with the university through this.
3 of us are leaving for Dagupan on Monday to help with a campus ministry there. I am one of them, and will be closer to the beach, but further from the Typhoon that might be hitting here. I am excited for the change and getting the team set to be without me and our lead cook:)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Building Relationships
For our 2 month mission here in the Phil, we set out to build relationships with God, each other, the university, the ministers here, and students. Relationships are extremely important in this culture, and are valued over tasks. Spending time talking about what's going on in your life with friends and family is EXTREMELY important. In the business world, I have found business meetings to be longer than the US because more emphasis is placed on relationships. Perhaps this is why it's taking a while for our proposal for how we can help the university to go through. God knows I would want to get it done quick and do it the American way, and I wouldn't be spending as much time with staff members here and helping to build a good reputation for the ministry. At any rate, each day we get one step closer to having the proposal approved. Monday Cris and I talked with the lawyer for about the legal agreement we need. He needed a letter of recommendation from a professor. We should be delivering the letter tomorrow.
Thankfully, the proposal has turned out to be mostly a formality we need to do to help build a good relationship with the university, and not having it approved yet has not held us up in doing ministry. Please keep praying for it though, as I am constantly meeting new faculty in regards to this. We are teaching in college classrooms everyday and have the opportunity to teach about the Bible and promote events:)
Now that we have some small group Bible studies going and our first large group event tomorrow night, we've been inviting people from the classes we're teaching in and getting everything set up. We rented a large room and can't wait to see what God is going to do!
A ministry highlight for me was playing basketball with one of my guy teammates who wanted me to play with him and the Filipinos. I really hadn't played in a while but was up for the challenge. My teammate is awesome, I hung in there, and after I got tired, I went to start up some vball and got to meet some new girls. I was also thrilled to find they now have a vball net on the courts, so we can start up games.
Thankfully, the proposal has turned out to be mostly a formality we need to do to help build a good relationship with the university, and not having it approved yet has not held us up in doing ministry. Please keep praying for it though, as I am constantly meeting new faculty in regards to this. We are teaching in college classrooms everyday and have the opportunity to teach about the Bible and promote events:)
Now that we have some small group Bible studies going and our first large group event tomorrow night, we've been inviting people from the classes we're teaching in and getting everything set up. We rented a large room and can't wait to see what God is going to do!
A ministry highlight for me was playing basketball with one of my guy teammates who wanted me to play with him and the Filipinos. I really hadn't played in a while but was up for the challenge. My teammate is awesome, I hung in there, and after I got tired, I went to start up some vball and got to meet some new girls. I was also thrilled to find they now have a vball net on the courts, so we can start up games.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Father's Day
Today I am thinking of my Dad and what an example of service he has been to me in my life. My dad relentlessly serves his family. Growing up, he made sacrifices to allow me to follow my dreams. In high school, he drove me hours away on the weekends to play club volleyball because I wanted to play in college. He woke up early to make me pancakes on track meet days. He drove me through bad storms to get me to my plane when I went to China. Currently, he and my mom have my Labrador retriever for 2 months. If you know Molly, she's sweet but a hand full. I have often thought I want to serve my family someday here the way my dad does. I'm getting plenty of practice here with my twenty year old family for the summer:) Thanks dad for your example. I love you and miss you.
Progress and flexibility
The past couple of days we've gotten a lot accomplished:) The team spent yesterday getting a lesson plan ready to teach a class we were going to teach today. The topic- religion and values. Our team consists of 3 education majors, 2 psych majors, and 2 business majors. They are all very smart and can create some incredible stuff. We researched 5 different religions and put everything together for an awesome plan we will get to execute next week in various classes. God opened the door for us today to teach every day in various classes about spirituality while we are here. It is a major answer to prayer and couldn't come at a better time. I can tell the team is really looking for more to do:) 3 of our team members are also very gifted in music, and have been helping the Christian music teacher here in class and at church.
We have been meeting with our Filipino friends in our down time and getting some small group Bible studies organized. We will get to have our first large group meeting next Wed. night off campus in a place we rented.
As for me, I am still working with the minister here to get our proposal approved. Thankfully, it is not holding us up from doing ministry. We will be talking with a lawyer next week to get a legal document we need. Titles are important here so as the team leader I am often meeting important people. It's a little weird, as I like to be more causal and need to be business-like and formal for these occasions. Whatever it takes:) I also went to an RSO with a friend that does Filipino dancing last night. Finally I have found a culture where I can dance:) I do miss my friends from time to time, as I am the oldest here, and working mostly with Filipino guys...but God is taking care of me:)
We have been meeting with our Filipino friends in our down time and getting some small group Bible studies organized. We will get to have our first large group meeting next Wed. night off campus in a place we rented.
As for me, I am still working with the minister here to get our proposal approved. Thankfully, it is not holding us up from doing ministry. We will be talking with a lawyer next week to get a legal document we need. Titles are important here so as the team leader I am often meeting important people. It's a little weird, as I like to be more causal and need to be business-like and formal for these occasions. Whatever it takes:) I also went to an RSO with a friend that does Filipino dancing last night. Finally I have found a culture where I can dance:) I do miss my friends from time to time, as I am the oldest here, and working mostly with Filipino guys...but God is taking care of me:)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Chillin' and Waiting
Arnold (campus minister) took our team to the beach today for a day off. We drove through the mountains to end at a resort that had a pool, restaurant, and beach. It looked like something from a movie:) I enjoyed the lounge chair and some quality chill time by the pool. I am thankful for the adventurous guys on the trip because they love doing about anything I do, like swimming in the deep water and diving for shells.
Tomorrow it's back to work. We have been working hard with Cris to create a proposal for activities we would be involved in while serving here. We've had to revise it twice so far, not because the proposal is bad, but because we're at a state university and they're being pretty picky for various reasons. Hopefully tomorrow we will be completing it for the final time. It's been difficult returning to my team and telling them we need to change some things again, but they have taken the news well. Please continue to pray for this proposal.
We also learned applying to be a RSO might not be as easy as we had thought, as they aren't too keen on us being a religious organization. Please pray for wisdom for us and that doors could be open on this.
A couple of cool stories- I made my first Filipino friend who went to dinner with us last night. Her name is Faye and she's going to school and taking care of her lil sister. I'm glad we're here to encourage her. I also learned the campus minister we're working with, Cris, turned down an awesome teaching job to become a support-raised campus minister and start this ministry. He has a wife and a son. I always think stories like that say a lot for people's commitment and character. We are glad to be here to help him.
Tomorrow it's back to work. We have been working hard with Cris to create a proposal for activities we would be involved in while serving here. We've had to revise it twice so far, not because the proposal is bad, but because we're at a state university and they're being pretty picky for various reasons. Hopefully tomorrow we will be completing it for the final time. It's been difficult returning to my team and telling them we need to change some things again, but they have taken the news well. Please continue to pray for this proposal.
We also learned applying to be a RSO might not be as easy as we had thought, as they aren't too keen on us being a religious organization. Please pray for wisdom for us and that doors could be open on this.
A couple of cool stories- I made my first Filipino friend who went to dinner with us last night. Her name is Faye and she's going to school and taking care of her lil sister. I'm glad we're here to encourage her. I also learned the campus minister we're working with, Cris, turned down an awesome teaching job to become a support-raised campus minister and start this ministry. He has a wife and a son. I always think stories like that say a lot for people's commitment and character. We are glad to be here to help him.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Wednesday
We have officially began our first week of ministry! Today we are working to revise our proposal for helping the university. Yesterday we found out exciting news- we can turn in an application to become a RSO (registered student organization) as early as next week! We were thinking we wouldn't be able to do that until the end of the summer.
Yesterday, we also got to meet some students Cris, the campus minister here, has been working with. Many them are Christians, and Cris paired our American team up with a couple of students so we can get to know them and meet their friends! Please pray we will develop strong relationships with these students, and have opportunites to meet and talk with them.
Other than that, we've been fighting some sickness on the team...today people seem to be feeling better. We are in high elevation so it's taken a little while to get used to. I personally am still working to get used to leading. It's been a big challenge to try to help my team get adjusted to a new culture as I am adjusting myself, and be strong and wise when I need to speak up and when I don't. I'm also working with the Filipino ministry staff, which are wonderful, but challenging as we are from 2 different cultures with different communication styles. I am also adjusting to a laid back culture, and if you know me well, I am a go-getter who typically operates at a fast pace, so I need an extra measure of patience:) It's going to take a little while for all the ministry stuff to be happening.
As you read this, please don't think i am complaining, I am blessed for this opportunity and blessed to have you as part of it. God is doing great things and I can't wait to see how everything unfolds! I just want to be as real with you as possible. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Yesterday, we also got to meet some students Cris, the campus minister here, has been working with. Many them are Christians, and Cris paired our American team up with a couple of students so we can get to know them and meet their friends! Please pray we will develop strong relationships with these students, and have opportunites to meet and talk with them.
Other than that, we've been fighting some sickness on the team...today people seem to be feeling better. We are in high elevation so it's taken a little while to get used to. I personally am still working to get used to leading. It's been a big challenge to try to help my team get adjusted to a new culture as I am adjusting myself, and be strong and wise when I need to speak up and when I don't. I'm also working with the Filipino ministry staff, which are wonderful, but challenging as we are from 2 different cultures with different communication styles. I am also adjusting to a laid back culture, and if you know me well, I am a go-getter who typically operates at a fast pace, so I need an extra measure of patience:) It's going to take a little while for all the ministry stuff to be happening.
As you read this, please don't think i am complaining, I am blessed for this opportunity and blessed to have you as part of it. God is doing great things and I can't wait to see how everything unfolds! I just want to be as real with you as possible. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Weekend
We spent our weekend developing our proposal for ministry, preparing to sing and singing in church for Sunday, and getting a few more supplies. We spent some time interacting with students playing sports. I played some vball, although it is not very common here. I had about 10 kids around me, an amazing experience.
We also ate our first Filipino meals, one cooked by Cris, the campus minister here, and one in a restaurant. The weather has been incredible (70s and 80s:) It rains everyday in the afternoon, but not for a long.
We have a mountain in our backyard, and after a few days here, Brady (teammate) and I couldn't take it anymore so we climbed it yesterday!
As we gear up for our first week in ministry, I am getting ready to do our devo. Please pray for us as we will be presenting our proposal this week, and for boldness and courage to go make new friends:) Thanks!
We also ate our first Filipino meals, one cooked by Cris, the campus minister here, and one in a restaurant. The weather has been incredible (70s and 80s:) It rains everyday in the afternoon, but not for a long.
We have a mountain in our backyard, and after a few days here, Brady (teammate) and I couldn't take it anymore so we climbed it yesterday!
As we gear up for our first week in ministry, I am getting ready to do our devo. Please pray for us as we will be presenting our proposal this week, and for boldness and courage to go make new friends:) Thanks!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Getting Settled
The past couple of days we've spent our time getting set. As the trip leader, I have the responsibility of making large purchases like rent and a stove so we can cook. We have a team member who loves cooking and does an excellent job:) Praise Jesus.
We got to get the ball rolling for our goal of planting a campus ministry today. We met with the Dean of Students at the University. We will be making a proposal of how we'd like to be involved with the university. Please pray the proposal will go over well and we will be able to help out and get very involved.
We also met with another person who works at the university and would like for us to teach about spiritual things. We are supposed to meet with him tomorrow to make plans.
God took care of us today by sending a person to help get us to City Hall. The 2 Filipino ministers down her take awesome care of us! We also have a generous missionary who is letting us call home and use their internet for free:) They have a Labrador retriever I will get to play with once a week:) Miss you! Good night.
We got to get the ball rolling for our goal of planting a campus ministry today. We met with the Dean of Students at the University. We will be making a proposal of how we'd like to be involved with the university. Please pray the proposal will go over well and we will be able to help out and get very involved.
We also met with another person who works at the university and would like for us to teach about spiritual things. We are supposed to meet with him tomorrow to make plans.
God took care of us today by sending a person to help get us to City Hall. The 2 Filipino ministers down her take awesome care of us! We also have a generous missionary who is letting us call home and use their internet for free:) They have a Labrador retriever I will get to play with once a week:) Miss you! Good night.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Arrival
We're here! After over 41 hours of travel, our team is settled on campus at Benguet State University campus housing. Let's just say it's not the Hilton, but my teammates have incredible attitudes, so we should be fine:)
Traveling went very smooth- all our transitions went well, and our needs were also provided for. My teammates did a great job interacting with people on the plane.
My 2 favorite travel stories included getting on our first plane- we had many boxes to check (and only had to check our luggage one time!) It was 5 am at O'hare, we had been waiting about an hour and a half for the check-in counter to open. In front of the check-in counter directly in front of where we were sitting, a sign was placed- Passengers to Manila:) I also enjoyed traveling with a family of 5 who had a 3, 4, and 5 year old. The kids did AWESOME on the flight. I can't wait to travel with kids someday.
Well, my team is grocery shopping and I should go check on them. Thanks for the prayers, they're working!! I love it here, it's a combination of China and Brazil, my 2 favorite places It's tropical with Asians:)
Love
Steph
Traveling went very smooth- all our transitions went well, and our needs were also provided for. My teammates did a great job interacting with people on the plane.
My 2 favorite travel stories included getting on our first plane- we had many boxes to check (and only had to check our luggage one time!) It was 5 am at O'hare, we had been waiting about an hour and a half for the check-in counter to open. In front of the check-in counter directly in front of where we were sitting, a sign was placed- Passengers to Manila:) I also enjoyed traveling with a family of 5 who had a 3, 4, and 5 year old. The kids did AWESOME on the flight. I can't wait to travel with kids someday.
Well, my team is grocery shopping and I should go check on them. Thanks for the prayers, they're working!! I love it here, it's a combination of China and Brazil, my 2 favorite places It's tropical with Asians:)
Love
Steph
Monday, June 2, 2008
On board
Hi!
Before I begin, I would like to thank all my friends and fam who have helped me prepare for this grand adventure! This week would not be complete or possible without you! You bless my life in so many ways, thanks!!
We depart at midnight, and meet up with the Michigan team at O'hare. We won't actually leave the country until 4 p.m. tomorrow night. That means we'll be flying through the night. Quite a LONG travel time, please pray for perseverance, smooth plane changes, sleep, and good attitudes:)
I will be checking email and updating this some. Please trust in God as I do that if you haven't heard anything for a little while, that we are doing fine. Please also pray for the requests listed on the prayer card, and if you're praying for me specifically, please pray for wisdom and confidence in leadership, as this is my first time leading:) In case you're reading this right now and thinking, I could never lead a trip, I would say, never say never to God:) I am the baby of the family, and not the most outspoken. God uses those available and on board to do His will:) So please pray for me, and I will be praying for you!
Love
Steph
Before I begin, I would like to thank all my friends and fam who have helped me prepare for this grand adventure! This week would not be complete or possible without you! You bless my life in so many ways, thanks!!
We depart at midnight, and meet up with the Michigan team at O'hare. We won't actually leave the country until 4 p.m. tomorrow night. That means we'll be flying through the night. Quite a LONG travel time, please pray for perseverance, smooth plane changes, sleep, and good attitudes:)
I will be checking email and updating this some. Please trust in God as I do that if you haven't heard anything for a little while, that we are doing fine. Please also pray for the requests listed on the prayer card, and if you're praying for me specifically, please pray for wisdom and confidence in leadership, as this is my first time leading:) In case you're reading this right now and thinking, I could never lead a trip, I would say, never say never to God:) I am the baby of the family, and not the most outspoken. God uses those available and on board to do His will:) So please pray for me, and I will be praying for you!
Love
Steph
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