Filipino Memoirs

I post this in May, but the following is what God showed me in February:
Time has passed, and looking back, there have been moments that I had to ask God "What did you accomplish through me in the Philippines? I didn't finish my time there...I didn't accomplish what I went to do in the first place--serve the Bukid people.."

In the last few weeks, God has given me insights into what He did there....
In total, I spent 2.5 months at Mercy Maternity Center, where God allowed me enough practice in midwifery and complications in prenatals and delivery, that I felt completely comfortable delivering a baby without a supervisor, in the Bukid (hours away from hospital help), and also allowed me to share the Gospel to different women and encourage others in their walks with God.

While there, I delivered 15 babies (bringing my total to 25); assisted with over 30 births (bringing my total to over 80); and performed over 70 prenatals (bringing my total to around 200). At one point, I delivered 7 babies in a mere 2.5 weeks, and twice, I delivered 2 babies within 4 hours of each other, on one shift!! That was an interesting experience!!

One Crazy Shift!!

With such short hours of sleep, God again reminded me that it was HE I could rely on for my energy, strength, patience, and wisdom.... Praise Him!!!!

Originally, I was supposed to spend 3 months in the mountains, but because God called me back early, I ended up only spending 2 weeks there, at the end of November. My time in the Bukid was definitely the most challenging of all, not only because I (the only white person there) lived with the tribal people, who spoke almost no English (and I only knew coherent Visayan), but I also had some major adventures relationally-wise with the pastor's wife I stayed with, which created a lot of learning, praying, and growing experiences. I was quickly forced to learn more fluent Visayan, God gave me the patience and oversight to just 'go with the flow'.

Some of the people I discipled/stayed with.

While there, I did a prenatal on a patient, that had I stayed, I would have delivered her baby in late January; helped clean up after Bagio Pablo (Typhoon Bopha, which I lived through); did much discipleship with the girls there; and helped lead Bible Studies and church meetings.... God grew me so much, and we had precious, sweet fellowship.

Ruins of Bagio Pablo

My Filipino Teammates

The remainder of my time in the Philippines (6 weeks), was spent in South Cotabato in Koronadal City (Marbel), with the Serisola family, helping my dear Filipino "sister" prepare for her wedding, get married, and then get moved to her new home (North in Cagayan de Oro), followed by my time in the Bukid before coming back for Christmas Break at their family home.

Kuya Jim Harris ug Ateh Sylvette ug ako--sila bridesmaid. ;p

Truly, it wasn't until I got home that I realized why God had me spend so much time there: Not only did I learn so much spiritually while there, but I also learned the Filipino culture intimately, and invested and experienced their Holiday customs/giving season. God also used me to help transition their family from having an oldest single daughter to having a married daughter, who had her own 'family' now that she was married.

Funny "Family" Picture :-)

That is just the tip of the ice berg of ways God used me, and I am so grateful that He allowed to spend the 7 months He did serving Him in the Philippines.

Truly, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth Salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except the be sent? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. 

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

~ Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:11-15a, 17-18 ~

My Last Filipino Days

Before I ever left to go to the Philippines for the second time, both my mentor and my dad told me that if for some reason I needed to come home in the middle of the trip, instead of staying for the full 6 months, that I should not feel guilty for not staying the whole time I had planned.

I didn't think too much about those words, but the thought did come back to me in mid-December, and I thought, "Sure...what could possibly happen that would prevent me from staying my intended length? God would have to do something outstanding for me to return to the US before March!!"

While I was busy that week, the men started revamping the lean-to, to make the roof an extension of the house...that was pretty fascinating, seeing how their creativity, and how they went about accomplishing it.

The plan was that I would finish out the weekend with the Serisolas, and then head back up on Monday to spend the next 2.5 months in the Bukid (mountain villages), serving, discipling, doing prenatals, and delivering my client's baby up there, outside Butuan.

A good view of the construction site, after demolition was mostly complete.

However, January 2nd (Wednesday), on our way back from the beach, I started experiencing excruciating abdominal pain, with varying intensity, from 3-8 (on a scale from 1-10) that started on my right side and then  shifted to the center of my core, followed by my left side. It continued all day and all night, worrying all of us. 

They used a Tricee to carry their lumber, which was kind of fun to see!! What creativity!

Thursday, when it persisted, I got convinced to go get it checked out, since some of my symptoms mimicked early appendicitis. After spending most of Thursday and Friday at the the doctor's office/hospital having all sorts of tests done (that was an experience all in its own!!), the doctor couldn't limit out appendicitis, and after worsening symptoms (including exhaustion after any exertion and pain on lifting things), much prayer, tears, and consulting with my parents, it was decided Friday night that it would be best for me to fly home to the US ASAP for further examination and treatment.

The wall they were building too, and a view of their resourceful ladder (using old wood pieces nailed together)

Getting the basic roof structure up, which unfortunately, I was never able to see to completion. (Love their serious faces)

As it was, there was no way I could be effective in the Bukid, and not knowing what was going on not only put a stress on everyone around me, but also, if it was truly early appendicitis and surgery needed to happen, I would be a burden on my caretakers for 6 weeks, which wasn't feasible or considerate.

I really wanted to delay a week, and see how things progressed, but with over 24 hours air travel home, that was not prudent.

My precious "3rd family" made me my favorite dinner before I left--Chicken Adobo...thank you Inday, akong igsoon ng babae--Ate´Sylvette!! Those memories will never be forgotten.

So, Saturday morning, I took the 4 hour bus to Davao City, packed all my stuff up (leaving some things to be shipped in Butuan), and flew home Sunday morning... Talk about a quick turn around!!

Waiting in the Davao airport to fly to Manila, Canada, and Spokane....

It was more than hard for me...in fact, that was one of the hardest things to do--leave my post (including a soon-to-due patient and much girls' discipleship), to come home, for something that might turn out to be 'nothing' (in my mind)...however, God gave me absolute peace, and I knew that no matter how stupid it may seem, God had greater things in store for me (and looking back, I know He did).

A fun Filipino map of our flight to Davao

After 24 more hours of (painful) travel, I arrived home, safe and sound. After much more extensive testing, it proved not to be appendicitis, but other things that still needed taking care of, and looking back, I have to laugh, because Appendicitis really is possibly almost the only thing that would have made me go home..and God knew that. His creativity is ingenious!!!

My welcoming home dinner with my precious family...

Even though I didn't understand all the whys, even then, I knew God had a bigger, better plan....which, if I had stayed wouldn't have happened as it did, and those blessings are still being unfolded... (as of today -- 5/6/2013) 

I praise God for the family He has given me, and for parents (and siblings!) who have not only wholeheartedly supported me in following my dreams and passions, but have always been there with me through the thin and thick of it.

Thank you all who prayed for me during this time, and during the rest of my missions trip...those prayers were felt, and though there are many things I feel could have been done better, God taught me so much, and used me so much... I praise Him for the support team I had back home!! Your letters were priceless!! (Especially my dear Oma--the President of my Fan Club <3)

Moral of the story: 

- Never underestimate the creativity of God!!

- Trust God to work through your authorities, parents, rhemas, and you for His ultimate good.

- Even when we don't understand, God has a plan, and we can TRUST HIM!!!!

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul. I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. But, verily, God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.

~ Psalms 66:16-20 ~

Christmas Eve 2012

Malipayon Pasko!!! Unlike in America, the Filipinos celebrate Christmas similar to the way we celebrate New Years (though they do that too), with the big celebration being Christmas Eve, and then celebrating at midnight as well.

For our household, it went this way: Sylvette and Toto got in Sunday night after church. As their rice fields were ready to be harvested, the men went out to inspect them Monday (the 24th), and hire workers to harvest them. Meanwhile, we women did laundry, made lunch for them when the got back, and went shopping for the feast making.

Since refrigeration is very limited, many people actually purchase whatever they are going to purchase on the day of preparation--so imagine the lines at the Mall!! Crazy...

When the men got back, they started taking one of the motorbikes apart--I found out later that though they were thoroughly cleaning it, it was mostly just to get 'experience', as there was nothing actually "wrong" with it. (The Serisolas like to keep busy, and so if nothing else needs done, they often go work on their motor bikes, and learn all the pieces, etc...something Toto especially likes to do! :p)

The plans were that most of the cousins were coming over, which meant we needed a good amount of food. A couple families came early to help prepare:

One way to make a fire here

Preparing the Pork Adobo

Cooking the Lechon

Making Mango Floats and Creme Brule'

Nanay and Lola (her mom)

Making more food at our regular fire stove.

Lechon almost done--they really enjoy this job!!

Still working on the motorbike (around 7pm)

Making Filipino-style Spaghetti ("spag", which is sweet)

Mmmm!! Bordz likes!!

Having fun....

Washing the dishes...

What a beautiful spread!!!

This was hanging in one of the bedrooms, and I liked it so much, I took a picture of it! :)

I helped with most things, but especially made Tapioca Salad.

Happy, happy, happy...funny how much people enjoy food!

Still working on it. ;)

One of the sisters married an Egyptian, who is muslim--no pork, etc.

After everyone left around 11:30pm, we had Sparkling Grape Juice, etc. to celebrate midnight, and stayed up until probably around 1:30am or so continuing celebrating before going to bed...
Next is Christmas Day...

2nd Semana sa Marbel

The Serisolas have a daily visitor, which doesn't seem to bother us inside the house, or the dogs, for that matter..however, they are still a bit pesky: Rats.

There is a collection of about 4 of them, living under a huge crate, and they come out in broad daylight to scrounge.I've tried before to get a picture of them, however, by the time I would go back inside to grab my camera, they got startled and hid. (Although, they would come out if we were just sitting out on the porch.)
We finally got one, and humanely disposed of it.. ;P

I had fun doing my hair like this a lot...my hair got a lot lighter while I was here....lots of natural blond and red highlights! (Probably from being in the hot sun so much.)

 I found this little guy in the sink when I went to wash breakfast dishes. (You see him?? He almost blends in--on the left-hand side.)

 One day, Nanay was preparing lunch, and we were all congregating on the porch, and poor Totoy 2 must have felt overwhelmed..so he retreated to the corner (under the cooking fire)

At Nanay's house...same lunch time. :)

Saturday, we butchered another baboy for the Church's Christmas/Thankgiving Celebration on Sunday:

SO cute...all the little boys discussing the matter with great interest!!

Tying it up

Washing it...

More Washing

Love this mommy chicken!!

Boiling the hair off...

This picture is just plain awesome!! I love the dissection of it (clean cut too!!)

Love these little boys just talking around..

Stripping the Intestines from the muscle and fat

This pig was smiling!! It new it had lived a happy life (of 9 months), and was fulfilling it's life purpose.

However, to keep the flies/rain off, we covered it...and boy is it cute!!!

Lola and I

Sunday, all of the little kids from our church sang the Christmas songs they had learned, and our choir sang 2 songs--Holy is He and I Then Shall Live. I was also asked to sing a special solo, for both services, and I chose "Great is His Faithfulness", encouraging the congregation to join in on the last verse--that was pretty special!!!

A few of us from the choir together.

After church, we had the huge feast and celebration (with ice cream of course!!) and spent all afternoon and evening there... What a wonderful time of fellowship!!!

A few of my 'extended family' :)

Praise the Lord...He is worthy to be praised!!