well that stinks!

Okay so I had every intention to take tons of pictures of all the things that are differant about my life here than yours there where ever there might be. But of course the power went out for a week strait and then no internet for a nother three days and then I was struck with illness and well time has gotten away from me and it's been almost three weeks since my last post.
Well here is at least a little info on what is going on and I promise to get the camera out this week and post them soon!
Today we had join service. This is when all the churches come to the campsite and we worship and study together. I love joint service because I get to see many people that I don't normally get to see. We attend a service on Sunday's but there are two other services that we miss. So this gives us a time to visit with the many other believers here on the islands.
We had two child dedications today as well. It was a bitter sweet time. One family was whole and one was not. The whole family was all smiles and their joy we could see was so sweet! But the mother of the other boy was well not so. You see her husband died last year. She is raising three boys all alone now. Talk about needing a church to help raise this and the other two boys! The older boys are hard working and very nice boys. It is hard for me to think that they are now the men of the house. They work to support their mother and sibblings. So much for such young boys who are the ripe ages of 15 and 18. Definatly gives me perspective.
On a lighter note, there is one little girl that Justin and I have fallen in love with. Her name I can't remember because I call her tank. She is the only child who from the beguining was not afraid of us but rather making faces at us and even fake punching with Justin. She is missing her front four teeth and she is a bit on the stalky side. She is funny and always makes me smile. Today she wanted to hold my hand as we walked up the stairs. And while we were all eating the shared lunch she was sitting next to the dinuguan (blood soup) and kept dipping her fork into the serving bowl to retrieve just one more little piece. I couldn't stop her simply because it was just so cute! She lives with her aunt and uncle. I am not sure why, maybe her family has died, or something like that. I am just amazed at how she is still a happy little girl.
There are tons of stories like her's here. I know five boys and one little girl who's parents died within a year of each other and now the brothers are raising their little sister who is 7 years old. I heard that the oldest brother is only 22. Can you imagine being raised by your five older brothers? Or at the age of 22 raising your little sister and younger brothers? these people have so many hardships and yet they still trust that God will take care of them, that He will provide all that they need. Faith like a mustard seed in the One True God is what get's them through the day I am sure because with out it depression and dispare would overwhelm them.
Makes not having electrcity for a week not so bad ay? God really doesn't give us what we can't handle. He is also right there for us to cast our cares on. Praise Him for He is so good to us!
Well that is just another day here on the islands.
come back soon for pictures.
Blessings!
erin:)

Plans and security

Well a few weeks ago I was feeling, well secure. Knowing that God has called us here for a purpose. We have all we need. We had raised all our money for our house, But we lack our monthly budget by almost half. We have a giant house being built, well to island standards. We thought the budget was for the finished product. The info we got for the budget was only for the materials. That means it did not include labor, windows, sinks, toilet, doors, paint. This brought me to my knees. What are we going to do? How will this work? We are not even half way and our budget is 90% gone. We don't everything that I think we need to really live here. I know God is our provider and will figure it all out but I was no longer in that secure place that I like to be in. You know that place where you are in controle, you can make choises, where you are the master of your life. Well from what I am learning in God's word that is NOT as safe of a place to be as I so often think. We want to trust in our own understanding. But God, I love that line, But God has a differant plan. He has a plan for us for a hope and a future, but so many times our ways are not his ways. What we want is not what He wants for us. So as I am forced to sit back and trust him I want to thank Him for what he is doing. I want to Praise him because our house is still being built. We still have food to eat. We still have a visa to live here. We still are working and serving the Lord. We just have a differant plan, God's plan. I think that is a much better plan to have. I just forget that sometimes.
Has God ever changed your plans? How?

Blessings!
erin:)

days go by

Some times I don't feel like I am doing anything to out of the ordinary. Yes I live thousands of mils away from my family on an island in the Philippines as a missionary, but that is just life for me. All my friends tell me I need to blog more about this exciting live of mine, but I am just not a very good writer and I feel that I don't have much to write about.
Well last night it hit me my life is so crazy and differant than any one who reads this that although it is boaring for me it is quite the adventure. I have decided to do a photo diary of a day in my shoes... well flip flops for those of you think I am nuts and just want to know what I do all day. I am charging my camera for monday and then also tuesday since mondays we go to town. Those are my fun days!

So for today I will tell you about what we did last week that was a bit out of the ordinary.

One day the men went shoping in town and brought back ckicks! These poor things are not for laying eggs they are for eating sooo we force them to eat constantly and when day 48 comes they will be dinner for a team that is coming to use our camp site. Praise the Lord I don't have to be the one to prep those poor things. the men do that part. It is a nasty job and they do it without complaining, thanks guys!

The other night I went to take a shower in our ruff outdoor dorm style shower toilet stall thing. I usually take a flash light just in case the electricity goes out. But this night it was already out. Justin also needed to take a shower and since they are dorm style we used one candle for both showers. We just put the candle on top of the wall and that is how we showered that night, by candle light, So romantic don't you think?

A week or so ago we had some visitors from the US. we took them to the first church that was started here on the islands. we had to take a hour boat ride then jump up onto a wall then hike through mud, giant spinny plants, shin deep water and a bit of jungle just to get to the church. As we were walking I asked where the handicap access was. It is HARD out here. They don't handicap parking, we have two deaf kids and no one to translate the message for them. The church is a very plain hall with some home made bamboo benches not pews with backs so no relaxing here. It does help keep people awake during the service I guess. The windows are almost the full length of the wall for circulation, No AC here. When visitors come we bring fans but when they leave the fans go with them.

So that is just a taste of life here. I can't wait to show you pictures of my day. I hope you can enjoy my adventure as much as I do!

Blessings!
erin:)