On April 28th, all 4 dorms, 66 people in all and 6 vans ventured down south to Batangas City, Philippines. We then piled into a large 120 passenger boat and traveled 90 minutes across the South China Sea to Oriental Mindoro Island. When we arrived at our resort destination, Luca’s, we unloaded our luggage in our rooms and enjoyed a weekend at a traditional getaway spot for the dorm students at Faith.
A time for the students to relax and enjoy riding on waverunners, banana boat, play beach volleyball, soccer, cards, group games, get their hair braided and just lay out in the sun. As the school year comes to a close, the days, weeks and weekends become very busy for the students. Projects, exams, AP courses, papers, Jr/Sr. banquet, recital and concerts to name a few fill up the calendar oh so quick.
On Sunday night, the 29th, we all gathered together after supper, in a large open room, and we sang worship songs and had a prayer time. One of the dorm dads shared a devotional with the group. At the end, he left the floor open for sharing from the students. Several of them took advantage to share what was on their hearts, what they were thankful for and how God had blessed them.
We stayed at the resort for two nights. Monday was a travel day back to school. Our dorm girls are now back in the swing of studying for exams and the final push.
Three weeks of school left. Three. That’s it. Then, what? An empty dorm and two very sad kids…
Family Home Weekend
Philippine Culture Show
We’ve had the desire to see our girls more connected with Philippine culture. Being on Faith Academy campus can often be compared to living in a “bubble”. Many of our girls have only lived in the Philippines for a few years and don’t have much knowledge of the culture.
Last Sunday, we took our whole dorm along with a former student who is staying with us, to a Cultural dance show. We really enjoyed watching all the different dances and music that dated back over a century from different regions of the Philippines. At the end we were given the chance to participate in one dance which involves jumping in and out of bamboo poles which are clapped together. This is called tinikling (pronounced tee-nee-cleeng) One of our girls volunteered but the rest wanted to see Jen up there. Just to make them laugh, Jen agreed even though she has done tinikling many times over her years in the Philippines.
The show was only about an hour long, and as we looked around at our girls, we could see that everyone was smiling, laughing and having a great time. This was a good reminder of an important part of dorm parenting. Spending time together as a family. Bonding. Developing relationships. And making memories that last a lifetime. Below are some pictures from this fun evening.
Masaya Valentine ng Day
Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
In honor of Saint Valentine, as a dorm, we had special “love” meals. For breakfast, heart-shaped pancakes. For lunch, bowtie pasta salad and for supper, chicken and shrimp kabob’s with twice baked potatoes. Because we love everyone twice as much as ourselves. For our two snacks, we had homemade sugar cookies and chocolate fondue.
Making the sugar cookies for after school snack.
A completed cookie with icing and sprinkles!
Its just more fun eating chocolate fondue and wearing it too!
It has been such a fast school year. It is really hard for us to believe that we have called the Philippines home for almost 7 months. We are loving what we have been called to do and we are loving these missionary kids.
We hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s day.
Blessings!
Enjoying Lunch at a Korean Restaurant
On Monday, Feb 13th, the middle school had a day off and a three day weekend. Just the previous week, all middle schoolers and several Faith Academy staff trekked up North to Subic, Philippines. Outdoor Education is an annual event that rotates each year between Subic Bay, Taal Volcano and Corregidor Island. The students learned a lot about jungle survival, making items out of bamboo, and cooking meals over an open fire. Today was a day off and a recovery day for the students as well as the staff that accompanied them.
So, with a day off, we took our 3 middle schoolers out for lunch. Josiah was in class and Julianna went to a friend’s house after her class ended at 11:00. Jen and I spent quality times with our girls as we had enjoyable conversation and ate very yummy food. We talked about what they liked about Outdoor Education and what their parents are up to on the mission field. And of course, they talked to us about Korean food!
Here are some pictures from our great luncheon!
In the picture above, we are stuffing our mouths with sam gyup sal, its a big piece of lettuce wrapped around grilled pork, garlic, veggies and yummy sauces. What a mouth full- almost too full to chew. Very delicious though!!
In the picture above you can see the plate of pork for sam gyup sal before its cooked (they cooked it at the table) and the many side dished that come with every meal.
All our spoons in the doen jang jigae (a lot like miso soup).
All our chopsticks in the dubu kimchi (cooked kimchi with tofu)- Jen’s favorite. 
Reflections…
A start of a new year and a start of a new school semester! Here we go!!
On Monday the 9th, 14 of our girls arrived back in our dorm to get ready for the second semester. The last arrived this morning around 12:30 AM. We only have 16 this semester because the parents of one of our seniors has moved to Manila for her last semester. Josiah and Julianna were beyond excited to have their “sisters” back with us. Words can not explain how much they missed the attention and activity that the girls bring. Jay and I missed them too. We are already full swing into the last half of this school year.
Upcoming events that will keep us busy:
Talent Night next weekend (most of our dorm involved in a song from The Sound of Music)
Middle School Outdoor Education early February for our 3 middle schoolers and one senior
We had fun watching some of our girls play rugby this morning as we tried to learn the rules of a new game. The girls play touch rugby so don’t worry, they’re not getting tackled. It was a beautiful morning with a nice breeze and a great view of Manila. As I(Jen) sat on the bleachers overlooking the city (see our view from the back of the school below) I was again reminded of Christ’s love for each and every one of the people living out there. I thought about their lives and the major differences in wealth that were before my eyes. From homeless and squatters to those in expensive condos and even those in huge mansions. Christ died for each one of them. I don’t know how many times during my life I have gazed over that view. I am thankful for the location of our school and the opportunity to pray.
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. Psalm 33:8-9
Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart…
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Yummy roasted chicken from the market
We are very grateful that God has called our family to serve here at Faith Academy in the Philippines. We are sad that we are away from family and friends during a holiday that celebrates family gatherings. You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you celebrate in the USA.
Here in Manila, as a dorm, we also celebrated, just one day early because we will be on our night off for actual Thanksgiving. Yes, our dorm is 70% Korean students, but you don’t have to be American to be thankful. With almost all but 2 students, we changed our tables to make ONE table as we sat together as ONE family. We stood together, held hands in a circle around the food and Jay prayed. After several minutes of eating, each of us went around the table and said what we were thankful for. It was a wonderful and memorable moment!! We told our helpers they would not be needed for after supper clean up and that we would all pitch in to put leftovers away and wash/dry dishes. For dessert, at merienda time, we enjoyed pumpkin pie and pecan squares.
God has blessed our “big family.” Our dorm is often full of love and laughter. It is not perfect, has its challenges, but all things considered, we are so thankful for every girl (and of course, Josiah and Julianna) and how God has uniquely made each of them in His image.
God bless your family this thanksgiving holiday. And most of all, be thankful with a grateful heart…and tell HIM what you are thankful for!!
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Plates and table set for our "family."
Sides were mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing and gravy, and mango chutney (we weren't able to find cranberry sauce)
Our big family!
October break
Well, our intention was to update our blog while we were on break but we were not able to get on the internet the whole time. October 1st, the last of our 17 girls left to be with family. Monday morning, the 3rd we boarded a plane and flew to Davao City in Mindanao which is the large island in the Southern Philippines. After less than 2 hours we arrived in Davao. This wasn’t just a leisurely trip but our mission conference with all the other World Venture missionaries in the Philippines. Yearly, during October break we get together for meetings and updates from each other. Every other year is usually planned at some kind of a resort but this was the first time in Mindanao. See pictures below of Davao International Airport and a replica of Durian, which is famous for its very stinky smell and not so fruity taste. And yes, we both tried some of it.
We spent 2 nights in Davao City at an Inn and 2 nights on Samal Island at Paradise Island Resort on the coast of the Davao Gulf. We had meetings scheduled throughout the week to talk about mission finances and to hear updates from other couples in our mission with their work in Cebu and parts of Mindanao. We also spent a full day at Hope Mountain, which is a training facility started by Conservative Baptist Missionaries. It is a place that is for tribal pastors to learn agricultural living, such as raising goats, quails, rabbits as well as plants and rice fields.
Josiah's imitation of the goats eating
The rabbit's cages are suspended from the ceiling to prevent the ants from getting in
This is a sample garden to train the tribal pastors to feed their families
