Friends and Family! Greetings from the Philippines.
We hope that you are well and continuing to grow in the faith. We want to share with everyone what’s been going on with us concerning family and ministry. This past Chrismas Eve, Cathee’s mother had a stroke. She lost the use of the muscles in her throat and was unable to swallow. She was brought home from the hospital to recover, but slowly kept losing weight and became very weak. She died this past Friday. So please continue to lift up Cathee’s family in prayer.
Our family is doing well. Samuel and Miriam had birthdays in April and turned 3 years old and 1 year old. They continue to bring us much joy and excitement as they grow and learn. We are thankful for them and the challenges they bring as they grow.
You can’t have purpose without a vision
Recently, I’ve really had to step back and take a look at what we were doing and why we are doing those things. In each of the projects we are working on or planning to work on, I have to ask, “Why are we doing this?” Is it because it’s needed? It’s a “good” thing to do? Is it that someone else thought we should be doing it? Are we doing it cause we just need to “do” something? OR…This is something that we’ve had a vision for and know it is a mandate from God?
Sometimes things fall apart and it’s God that breaks them. For the past 4 or 5 years, we have been looking at land to build a house, but when we thought we found the right place, the deal would fall through, we would not be able to finance it, and another time we were sold a fake lot that did not belong to the seller.
The Pakak Project
Recently, I was looking at another lot when God reminded me of the vision He gave Cathee and I when we were writing a vision statement as missionaries of the Vineyard. The vision statement had to do mostly with health and was concentrated in the village of Pakak. In our vision statement, we would begin by building a deep well, then we would group the houses to build latrines, then pigpens, then gardens, and eventually Pakak would become a training center for other villages to see as an example of becoming a self sustaining, healthy example village.
After the well was finished, we began the latrine project. For various reasons, it took one year for the first Latrine (Comfort Room, as they are called here) to be built. More followed after that with about 25 houses having access to a latrine. When we wanted to begin the pigpen project, there was much resistance to the idea and for the few that wanted, an inability to agree on the project. Without the feral pigs being penned, gardens would be destroyed, and the project died.
During the time we were doing the “Pakak Project”, we were given land in Pakak on a hill. We built a small hut made of wood, bamboo and a grass roof where we stayed when we hosted outreach teams or when we would visit Pakak. After some time, we built a concrete foundation where the house would sit. About 60 of the men in the village picked up the house and sat it on the foundation. It was a community event complete with a pork lunch that fed the entire village.
The mission house served us and others well, but was destroyed during the big typhoon in 2010. About 25% of the roof was missing and the whole house was leaning to one side. We had to tear down the house and salvage whatever we could from the remains.
A Place to Call Home
While I was looking at the land for sale(mentioned earlier), God reminded me about the vision for Pakak and about the land that was given to us. When I shared this with Cathee, she said that she felt that God had been sharing the same thing with her. Before this, we had resisted the idea of moving to the village because it was still far from town, our children might be at risk for the many respiratory illnesses found there, malaria was rampant during the rainy season, and the conditions were less than sanitary because of the wondering livestock. But we knew those were excuses and God would protect our children from harm. That same week we began to make plans for a place for our family to live.
Phase 1. Water Source
The first thing we need is a deep well. The well will be about 100 feet deep and dug by hand with the workers cementing the sides of the 3 feet-wide hole every 3 feet down. The work is hard and the laborers face the danger of underground gas pockets, heat and debris falling on them.
Estimated completion time -50 days
Estimated cost $2,300
Phase 2. Septic tank
The Septic tank for the house will be built with a leeching chamber and a digestive chamber to maximize decomposition of waste.
Estimated completion time-1 week
Estimated cost-$350
Phase 3. Repair of ministry office
We will rebuild the old house to use as a ministry office, but with cement this time. The ministry office will be used as a center for church resources. The Bible school office, a recording studio for indigenous worship and Gospel recordings, a office for video editing for video ministries, and a guest room. the space is 12 feet by 22 feet.
estimated time to complete- 3 weeks
estimated costs- $2000.
Phase 4. Land preparation
This consists of flattening a hill and leveling the area for the house. Hiring a bulldozer and local workers will be the majority of costs.
Estimated completion time-1 week
Estimated cost- $700
Phase 5. Building of Residential house
Built from Concrete and hollow block. Size is at 800 square feet. it will be located just next to the ministry office. This will be a home to accomodate our family and any personal guests that visit.
Estimated completion time- 3 months
Estimated costs- $20,000
Reasons we need a home built.
#1. This is the place we feel we are called to serve.
#2. The majority of the work will be done with locals from the village. It will provide much needed income for many.
#3. We have been renting for the past 6 years and can no longer afford to rent.
#4. We need a stable home. We have moved 4 times in the past 5 years. This is hard on us and especially our children.
#5. With the unstable economy, we are unsure of future support and need to be able to becoming self sustaining. Owning a home and gardening will help us move that way.
#6. We are in this for the long run. Our children need a place to call home that is safe and comfortable.
