Dear friends!!

     We have been in Manila for a little over a year now! We had a fun celebration as a family because we felt like it was worthy of celebrating given all of what was required from all of us to make it through the move and the whole year.  I (Christine) am excited to share an update on our family as well as share some of the fun ministry opportunities I have had a hand in over the last couple of months.

     When we returned in May I honestly felt like I was jumping into the deep end of the pool and needed to hold my breath and pray my way through another year of transition and challenge. Last year was so stretching for me and coming back took faith when I feared more sickness, loneliness, and feeling overwhelmed.

     But several times of late I have said to Brian that I am surprised I came back after last year, but I am so glad we did.  God was not finished with our family here yet and I’m thankful for that. God has provided in so many ways that have led to us having a much better year so far. Some homeschool days are longer then others 🙂  but overall we are getting into a rhythm of life here and I am very thankful we are here for now.

      Many of you prayed for Morgan last year as our first year was hardest on her and I.  Prayers have been answered, it is such a gift to see.  She is lighter, happier.  She has made good friends here.  When we don’t have her girls Bible study she is sad, she really enjoys the Bible study we are leading together and she does a great job helping me lead.  She is good at it. But really all of our kids our doing well! 

     In fact, we wanted to share with you some of the responses from our family “debrief” when everyone reflected on things that they’ve learned over their first year here in Manila……

Colin:  “I’ve learned that I can make friends with tons of people! I have so many friends. Oh – and I’ve learned to read a lot more.”  (He has a large social capacity – he is well known and loved here.)

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Morgan: “I’ve learned that I can take things personally some times when my friends do things I don’t understand. I also have learned that I go to bed waaay earlier than Filipino kids my age!”

Kaelyn:  “I learned to say frog and beautiful in Tagalog.  And I learned to use the potty also.”  (Praise God for that one! We do not recommend starting potty training a month before you move to a developing nation. It was a bumpy road, but we got there! Kaelyn is our best Tagalog learner. Most of the words we know, we learned because she started using them first!)

Brian: “I’ve learned so much about the Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist parts of the world that I didn’t know much about before. I’ve learned more about God’s heart for people in these challenging places. And I’ve learned how to be a more effective teacher.”

Me: “I’ve learned I can handle a lot more than I think I can and I’m tougher than I think I am. And I’ve learned so much more about my kids – I know them so much better now!”

And we ALL have learned about the power of prayer through this year and are grateful for your prayers for us!!!  

So as the last few updates show, while I still am learning and adjusting culturally,  struggling through homeschooling and the heat and humidity and general lack of mobility here, God has been faithful to show me that He’s using me with my kids, and also as I invest and pour into the lives of women who will be partnering to take the gospel to places I may never visit or see. I’m thankful for the opportunity to impact the nations for Christ (and the local community too) in the ways God is providing for me.

The soccer equipment and the IGSL community day are fun things that really bring a lot of life and energy to the community and I like leading projects that meet needs. In the coming weeks we’ll share more about a much BIGGER project I’m helping coordinate. Keep praying!