Last one from the Philippines :(

Hi All,

As you may have guessed, this will be my last post from the Philippines! Tentatively the schedule will allow one more week in our villages, debrief here, then traveling to the big debrief in Alabama. It's incredible that it's gone by so fast! The Lord is so faithful to provide and I am truly blessed that He has chosen me to do His beautiful work of spreading the gospel to the nations. 

So much has happened since my last posting that it would take me hours upon hours to write it all down. I'll just quickly tell some good things and stories that have happened...

One of my favorite things about the Filipino people is their transportation system...the Jeepney specifically. On our way back to the village of Consorcia, we rode the Arlin Jeepney (yes, they all have names) and when it came up, we waved it down but there was absolutely no room...at least to the American eye...we managed somehow to fit all six of us on there with our hiking backpacks and groceries for two weeks! Still to this day, I'm not sure how we did that but I was halfway hanging out of the back :)

Another favorite trait of these people in the villages is their front porches. I know this sounds a little strange, but everyone has built-in benches on their front porches. It's like they were designed for relational conversations! How great would we be as neighbors if we just invited each other over for conversation and of course the southern sweet tea every afternoon? And it doesn't stop there. The kids in the villages roam around like they own the world. It's actually pretty funny, they'll go in and out of houses and perch themselves down not even in their own house! Haha we were visiting a family once and I saw a little boy who I hadn't previously so naturally I asked is he your (naturally, right) and the lady who we were talking to gave me a confused look as if to say "he doesn't have to be mine to stay in my house". These people are so loving and hospitable, I have truly had an amazing experience that I'll never forget!

If I haven't mentioned this before, it rains everyday in the village which this Texas girl just loves because it doesn't rain much over there! The rain usually falls right in the window of siesta which is wonderful. Taking a nap under a tin roof while raining is so relaxing! One day while it was pouring all day, Ross and Melissa decided that they were bored and the kids were already playing with the soccer ball in the rain so they went and joined the "game". It's kind of like kindergarten soccer where the mass of kids just follows the ball around with no real strategy, but it sure is cute! While playing in the rain, there was a mud puddle near by which Ross completely whipped out in! It was funny from my balcony perspective and the kids just had a field day with that and started trying to imitate him falling :) It was pretty cute!

Our team sure is full of joking and playing pranks on each other. One night, I had to go to the bathroom and it was already dark, so I went downstairs and I was already on edge but before I could look around the corner Loren had jumped out from behind and scared me to death! Haha, I'll get her back though....Another night, Melissa decided to hide under a table and grab Ross' ankle as he was walking by. She asked me to "signal" when he was coming in and everything worked well from our part but when she jumped out to grab his foot, not a peep! He just looked down and said "what are you doing?" Hahaha more pranks have been played than I can remember, but we sure are close :)

We have a little down time each day in the middle of the day for siesta or whatever you'd like and I have recently finished a book by Kyle Idleman called "Not a Fan." It is a fantastic book and I think that anyone who is willing to label themselves a "follower of Christ" should read this and examine their life. It really has opened up my eyes to a lot in my life that wasn't right with God. The point of the book is to call out the "fans" of Jesus and realize that they may only be fans. I for one was a fan. Kyle had me marked to the T for what a fans is and I had all the check-marks...just the wrong checks. Notice I said "I WAS a fan" I am not a fan anymore. Christ has saved me from myself basically and I am more and more grateful to Him everyday for that! If your looking for a good book to read, I highly suggest this one. He's not only wise, but he is incredibly funny! You won't regret reading it. 

Basically I could go on forever about how good the God we serve is and how faithful and merciful He is, but we are about to leave. I hope this post finds you all well and I pray that (even if small) God allowed me to have some impact in your life this summer. He sure has changed my life and if He has your too, I would love to hear about it when I get home :) That will only be in two weeks!! Gracious that's crazy! 

I love you all dearly and thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts this summer, they are greatly appreciated. Now as we go onto our last week, please pray for endurance and strength to finish to race that our Lord has given us to do! (Acts 20:24)

--Rachael

We Serve the Creator of the Universe!!

Hi Ya'll!  (I had to, I kinda miss the Texan ya'll :)

I pray that all are doing well and the Lord blesses you everyday.We are doing so well here as well as all the other teams. This week has been one full of adventure to say the least...

So, our week started on Sunday (your Saturday night) with illness running rampant through the group! Remember how I said no one was sick in my last post? Well...it all started that night. It's just colds and coughs so no schistosomiasis yet. Pray for health among our teams! I knew that Satan would be playing hardball with us here, but I didn't know it was going to be sickness! In 1 Peter 5:8 it says "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour'. Please pray fervently that he does not get a hold on us! Something to take comfort in if you are in a similar situation is 1 John 4:4 which tells us "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is GREATER than the one who is in the world." So we have nothing to fear for the Lord will go before us and prepare the way. A good chapter to take comfort in as well in John 14. A girl in our group (Kate) read that to me today and it is a good one to read in those hard times. Just remember that the Lord is our ROCK and PROTECTOR and He will always be with us for now and forever. He will never leave your side. Take comfort that out heavenly FATHER will never leave you. Things in this world will fall away, but one thing remains...

On Sunday I didn't have a voice all day! But I believe that was a gift from the Lord because the message that a teammate spoke over was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I really needed that message and if I had had a voice, I would have gone out to teach the children, so I believe that the Lord wanted me to learn something. An odd lesson, but I talk too much anyway, I need to spend more time listening. Nate, another teammate actually had said that day "Preach the gospel always and use words only when necessary." That was a perfect line for the day in my life! :)

Monday began very early as we had to meet the jeepney outside at 6:30 to go back to our villages after our weekend at the BOOST. This week the medical team from the States came to visit all our villages and provide medical care for those in need. The team consisted of a pediatrician, dentist, pharmacist, and a few nurses. We met them that morning as they went off to the first village of Tud-ol. They came to my village, Consorcia, on Wednesday. Our "team time" on Monday was full of tears of conviction, joy and freedom! The Lord was really moving in our team and really bonded us through similar experiences. Also, in team time we waited on the Lord and listened for words or pictures of houses or people we needed to talk to. The Lord gave me a picture of a white T-shirt and jean shorts...I honestly didn't think much of it because I thought it was just my spastic mind. Never will I doubt the Lord's voice again!! The first house we came to was a single mom and a 1-year-old little boy and guess what she was wearing...A WHITE T-SHIRT AND JEAN SHORTS!! I was basically in shock and awe. How great is it that we can not only talk to the Lord, the creator of the universe but he actually cares for us to speak back!! It was a great time, and we set up to have a Bible study with her later this week. It was a great day and on the way back to the clinic (where we are living) we met a family who are Baptists that go to church in the city. Praise Jesus! We most often take for granted fellowship with other believers, but consider the analogy of the Good News being a light (common, I know) and you walk into a large room with no lights, no windows, no nothing. You candle burns bright for a while and then (as life happens) it starts to fade. With no other lights around we all began fade away. But just as that happens, you see another light strike up in the room and you meet up and began to build a big fire. Soon enough there are no more dark spaces but just light in the room. This is what we hope to accomplish in Consorcia. In a village of 1,500 we hope by the grace of God we can began a huge bonfire! It was a huge encouragement to meet this family. 

Tuesday I was feeling pretty sick and I had an awful headache! So I stayed in for morning house to house.  It was about 10am and I was reading a book that Ross brought called Jesus Freak Martyr.  It's multiple stories about Christian martyrs from around the world. The had already starting working in me and I felt better immediately. I felt so convicted that I just had a head cold and meanwhile there are brothers and sisters dying for our faith! I was just about to go out and find my group when about 30-40 children came running up to the windows of the clinic yelling "Ate Rachael, Ate Melissa!" This is common after school in the morning because they like to come say hi to us. So I thought this is what was occurring so I just went along and was getting my things together. Well, there was one thing...there was a child at the door with a bloody face!! It scared me so much!! I brought him in and it looked at first that something was penetrating his eye. We are miles away from the nearest hospital and I am in no way qualified to remove a penetrating object from a little boy's eye! Thank goodness there was nothing penetrating his eye though...there was a large laceration right under his lash line. I had no idea what to do so I cleaned up the blood and put some gauze over his eye. Later Melissa laughed at my dressing, but at least it stopped bleeding, right? Anyway, I'm glad the Lord used me even when I didn't go with the group. I'm very glad I was at the clinic at that time. The rest of the day we had Bible studies that went very well. I think the Lord is working with one lady who began to cry when we were reading about Paul and Silas in prison and the guard being saved through their actions. I pray He works in her and uses us! We have another Bible study planned for Monday of this week. 

Wednesday was our medical day!! Finally it came! I have been waiting for this day for a while. Loren, Ross and I were running the check in table taking temperatures and blood pressures. I'll say this, I wasn't good at BP before but I think I took BP about 100 times! I sure am good at it now! :) The team came and provided medicine and dental work for anyone who needed it. Melissa actually got to give injections and pull a few teeth! She's a nursing student so she has had some exposure to injections before so she was definitely qualified. We saw many people and I pray that we made an impact for the Lord! 

That night our village began the annual fiesta. We wanted to go for the experience and culture...but it was pretty intense...the party started at 10PM with a "fashion show" and a "disco dance". It was so loud we could barley talk to each other standing a foot away! Our people sure do know how to party. So after the fashion show we left and went back to the Barangay where we sleep but it was so loud no one was going to sleep that night...I was lying in my hammock and I was praying that the Lord would reveal Himself to our people and right at the moment the power to the whole village went out!! Hahaha that sure is an interesting way to show Himself! I had such a goofy grin on my face for several minutes :) 

I love it here, and I know we still have a month until we even start to make the trip back, but I can already tell you that I may not want to come back :) I miss you all and I am praying that the Lord works in your life as well! 

I won't be able to post anything until July 19th because we are staying in our villages until then, so no internet access, but I ask you to keep us in your prayers and always remember that we serve the God of the universe! Nothing can stop us, we are moving by the grace of God and I pray that He bless us to be able to minister to these wonderful people!

Thank you and blessings on all of you from our heavenly father

--Rachael

Life Changing Experiences!

Hello All!

I'm so sorry I didn't post last week. There was something wrong with the internet at the cafe where we were. 

Despite that, I had an AMAZING week! The Lord is really moving in the lives of people over here and I would encourage you all to continue praying as He answers them as I can testify! He is such a wonderful heavenly father who we have the privilege to call Abba because he is our father and we can rest in His arms even when life seems absolutely impossible. He has really opened up my heart and my life to things I have never experienced before and I thank Him everyday for all of the amazing things He has revealed to me just in the past few weeks. 

So, since my last post, we have been doing lots of stuff! We finished up our Filipino orientation at the BOOST on June 17th. This orientation was more of a chance to adapt to Filipino life rather than orientation. Like I said, we take bucket baths and wash our clothes by hand but very surprising to me, it's actually not that bad. You all know me as the Texas girl who likes her make-up and hair done in the Texas fashion, but I'm a totally different person here. I thought it was going to be really hard to adjust, but I actually like the "new me" :) The Lord has to do some working in that area of my life, but I'm actually very okay with it. 

The week of orientation at the BOOST really bonded us as a big group, we are like a family. After Sunday with the visitation at churches, we had a delicious Filipino lunch with families at the church and took our siestas (naps) until about 3pm. --------The pace of life here is so different from the US, it's going to take a lot of "getting used to" when we all return to the fast paced life there. Basically, the Filipinos are just concerned with things needed to survive which the Lord has used to really open my eyes to how "the other side" lives. In the US we are always worried about the next big thing and the next item on our agenda. That's not the case here. We cook breakfast leisurely, and if we're a little late, no worries (there's a phrase here, Filipino time, which basically means that if the time is set at 7pm, don't expect the event to start until at least an hour and a half later at about 8:30pm) Like I said, I love these people :)---------

We began our BOOST orientation with morning lectures about medical botany and common illnesses we (or our village people) may contract while here. These ranged from common cough/cold to Malaria and Tuberculosis. Not to worry though, I am fine and all the team is well except a little GI adjustment to new food and such. 

One thing that I found when we got here is that the team would be providing a medical clinic on the Friday of orientation where we would be providing free circumcisions to the boys in the surrounding villages. This was quite a shock to me seeing that I am going to go into physical therapy...not surgery. Now I can say with full confidence though that I am not meant to be a surgeon! 

We continued through the week with more education on the culture and the Filipino life. Friday rolled around and I was feeling extremely nervous about the circumcision clinic because Kuya Bong said that he wanted everyone to be "lead surgeon" on at least one patient. We walked up to the clinic at about 8am expecting to have only a few patients and found there were about 20 already waiting! We sure had our work cut out for us. We split into groups and I thought I would watch first to make sure I could do it correctly. The first patient was extremely brave seeing as he was only about 6 and so he jumped on the table and was all set! As soon as Kuya Bong made the first cut I felt so sick and almost fainted! I usually don't feel sick at the sight of blood, so I think it was a combination of the heat, humidity, and the feeling of nervousness. Needless to say, I sat down for a little while and let the other pre-med students and nursing students take the lead for a little while. As soon as I felt better, I played "nurse" to the "surgeons" and just assisted and comforted the patients with stickers and pictures. We only had one extremely scary case where we believe the patient metabolized the anesthesia too quickly and began to feel pain before we were finished, but Greg (a team leader) kept very calm and finished quickly. This certainly was an interesting experience, but I'm sure surgery is not for me :) 

The weekend was a pretty calm one and we were preparing for the next week when we would travel to our villages in teams of four. My team consists of Loren, Melissa, Ross, and myself with our fantastic translators Arleen and Jael. We are in the Village of Consorcia with over 1,500 people living there! That's quite a large village. Before we left for our villages I tried to keep myself from having expectations...but I couldn't help it. I had imagined that we would be sleeping outside in our hammocks hung on trees fighting off mosquitoes and other bugs all night, fetching water a mile away from a river having to filter it ourselves and having to start a fire with sticks and stones. To my surprise, this is not at all what our village was like! We rode over in a jeep-ney on a gravel/dirt road (no major obstacles) and we arrive in the village of Consorcia and we don't see mud huts with an uncontrollable bug issue...rather we arrive at our residence and find that it is a medical clinic with a real bathroom!! Up until this point, we have been using "squatty potties" at the BOOST and have been preparing for digging a hole in the ground. However not in Consorcia! We all sleep on the terrace/balcony of the Barangay Hall (kind of like their town's square/city hall) in our hammocks hung from the bars. My expectations have been put to shame! I should have never been preparing for something I wasn't sure was going to happen. 

Honestly, this is a good general message in life. Why do we worry? Why do we constantly go through life thinking about what "could be" or what "could happen"? The Lord is our ROCK and He is our PROTECTOR! We are living proof that the Lord is still using us to do His work. He is the CREATOR of the universe and He is our Father who will always takes care of His children. So why worry? Rather than worry, today, think about what you can give over to the Lord instead of what you can worry about. I will be doing the same 7,000 miles away from the US. 

Our first village visit ended yesterday and we all came back to our home away from home at the BOOST. It was like we never left each other! We were all so happy to see each other and hear stories of how the Lord is working in the other villages. Greg's team who was in E.G. Montillia came back with a story of 7 salvations!! Praise Jesus! The Lord is moving and we are only so fortunate enough to be His instruments. Thank you Jesus for using me for your work! 

Please continue to pray for the work He is doing over here and for Him to soften the heart of the people in our villages and begin to work in them. Thank you all for your support and prayers!

--Rachael

Week One in the Philippines

Hi everyone!

I am having such an amazing time here and the Lord is doing some great things in our lives and in the lives of the people here!

We arrived in Butuan City, Mindanao, Philippines on Thursday morning (your Wednesday night), stepped off that plane and...it...was...HOT!! Like hotter than I have ever experienced kind of hot and humid! We have a running joke though...Like the 5 stages of greif, we also have the 5 stages of heat and humidity in the Philippines...Denial--"There is no way it is this hot...", Anger--"IT IS SO INCREDIBLY HOT!!!!", Bargaining--"Please, just a cold drink of water, no ice required, I'll give you anything!", Depression--"It is going to be this hot for the rest of the Summer...", and lastly Acceptance--"Okay, so it's going to be this hot, it's not so bad :)" I think I've almost reached the acceptance phase ;)

Anyway, after the got our bags from a little bitty baggage claim, we went outside to meet our supervisor and translators. Our supervisor is Kuya Bong (Kuya means older brother, we call all Ate (older sister) or Kuya if they are within 10 years of our own age), and we hae several translators within a few years of our age. We rode to the market on a Jeep-nee! It's a bus type thing with open windows and just two benches...If we had these in the US, we could fit about 12...however, here in the Philippines, we fit A LOT more! There are people everywhere! About 20-25 on the roof and generally 5-7 hanging off on the sides!! :) so brave! I haven't been on the roof yet, but I will tonight when we head back to the BOOST (our home base about an hour away from the city)

Speaking of the BOOST...I will NEVER take warm showers for granted ever again!! Our system consists of a hose spicket from the wall, a cup, and a bucket...that's right, bucket baths :) Honestly, it's so hot that cold showers aren't so bad. Also there at the BOOST, we cook our meals over a fire that we start ourselves, and we wash our clothes in buckets as well and hang them to dry. All that to say, I am so very thankful for what the Lord has blessed me with! I will always remeber to be thankful for these things.

There has been so many things that have happend I don't know what to talk about! I have been keeping a journal every night so I can remember all the great things that have happened.

I think the best moment so far is when we went to church sunday morning. We headed out from the BOOST at 8am. We traveled to the river by tricycle (no, not the child bike). It's a motorcycle with a carriage attached and again, in the US we would fit about 3...not here :) we have fit 7 in this small bike on more than one occasion! It sure is different, but it's fun :) So after we got to the river we crossed in a canoe. I'm not sure if most of you know, but I really do not like water, so crossing in a janky canoe was SOOO nerve racking for me! We made it safely across and started our next leg of the journey on a habl-habl. This nifty transportation device is a motorcycle with "wings" attached so they can fit even more on! :) I love the Philippine people :) So after our ride to the church, we had an amazing time of worship. The best part was that we did not have any instruments, comfy chairs, coffee shops, or hymnals, we just used the voices the Lord gave us. It was amazing!! During children's church, the children would sing to us and recite memory verses (in English, very impressed!). There was one little girl who started her song but stopped suddenly and began to cry. We asked the translator what had happened and she replied "she was moved by the Holy Spirit" How awesome is that?! A little girl, 11-years-old was moved to tears with a song :) It was the most precious thing I have ever seen.

The Lord is working here and I would encourage you all to pray for us as we are His hands and feet doing His work.

Thank you all so much!
--Rachael

Made it through orientation!

We are in the Atlanta airport right now. It has been an exhausting few days at orienataion, but we made it through by the grace of the Lord! He is doing some crazy things here in the lives of His Children which I will share at a later date.

Mom, I wasn't going to tell you this untill we left the country...

At the arrival at orientation, service started with praise and worship and as the speaker stood to present the Word, LOUD noises began to sound as well as gun fire and explosions!! Needless to say I was absolutely terrified as a man pushed me down onto the ground and told me to stay down! After what seemed like an hour of gunfire, the lights came on, the noises ceased and there was our same speaker with a huge grin on his face...he said, "Welcome to security training!"...

As I will be in no danger sharing the gospel in the Philippines, there are others going to other parts of the world who are going to be in real danger as they share with the people of those countries.

Please be in prayer for these people as they are doing the nobel works of OUR LORD! Pray for your brothers and sisters please.

In praying for them do not be afraid. The Lord says not to fear over 365 times in His word.

I will be posting more when I get to the Philippines!

Today is the day!

I have arrived in Birmingham Alabama (then driving to Rainsville) for orientation after just a few hours of flying. I've already met some great people that are going to be at orientation but not with me in the Philippines. We will be parting ways on Tuesday.

Some of you may know that I went to China Christmas of 2010 with two other girls, Olivia and Angela. As it turns out, Olivia is going to be at orientation with me!! I am very excited to see her again! :) 

Thank you all for your prayers for my team as well as the other teams that are being sent out on Tuesday. In addition to these teams, I would like to ask for prayer for another team that is close to my heart going to Africa. The church I attended in Abilene, Wylie Baptist, is taking some youth to a village in Africa (I believe it's Kitale). These youth are on fire for God and I thank Him that such strong individuals are doing His work there.

I'm not completely sure what to expect for orientation, however I'm sure I won't be able to post anything until we actually arrive in the Philippines on Tuesday. 

Thank you again for your prayers and I pray blessings and peace on you as you shine for Jesus back in the states. 

--Rachael 

Just 12 Hours More!!!

Hello Everyone!

It's almost time for me to embark on this amazing adventure the Lord has provided for me! In just 12 short hours, I'll be on the plane heading to orientation in Rainsville, AL. I have absolutely no idea what I am getting myself into but I trust in the Lord with my whole heart that He will provide for me just like he has so many times before.

One of my favorite verses that we can all take comfort in is Nahum 1:7

"The Lord is GOOD, a REFUGE in times of trouble. He cares for those who TRUST in HIM."

I am relying 100% on Him over the next weeks as my team and I will be sharing His good news with the people in and around Butuan City in the Philippines. I would like to ask everyone for fervent prayer as we go out into the field and share with these wonderful people.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul is ready to go out from Thessalonica and share the word of the Lord and He leaves final instructions.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

I would ask that in this journey, you will pray continually and rejoice always because the Lord is good and He is always in control of every situation. Pray that the Lord's work will be done through us and the people of the Philippines will be open to all God has to say.

You may have noticed that the link to my blog is "Cathedral Made of People". I believe this with my whole heart that we really are the hands and feet of the Lord and we are to do His work through Him. Thank you all for praying for my team and me. I would love for you to share with me about anything I can pray about for you as well.

I will try and post as often as possible however I may not have internet access but every week or so. Thank you again!