December 2016 in the Philippines

Serving as Elementary Chapel  speaker at Faith International Academy on December 1st. Children opened three packages to find objects representing what Jesus wants for his birthday.

We also dramatized "The Legend of the Poinsettia" which illustrates that a gift (no matter how humble) given with love for Jesus is blessed. 

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Faith International Academy 2016 Staff Christmas Party including spouses on December 9th.

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OUTREACH MINISTRY: It was a privilege to participate in a Christmas gift giving and party for the the kids at Awhag with the Esther Care Group and Ladies Intercessory groups from Christ Fellowship Church. Following a Gospel presentation, folks received a boxed meal (I spooned a lot of spagehetti into those boxes), children a toy, and each family  a bag of rice and other staples.

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After our Christmas Outreach, the Esther Care Group and Ladies Intercessory groups from Christ Fellowship Church enjoyed fellowship and food.

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During the last week of school in 2016, I shared children's Christmas literature during 5th Grade Language Arts class rather than start a whole new unit in our regular literature text.

Students enjoyed dramatizing a simple version of The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie De Paola after taking turns reading it together. An upside down desk served as manager and the smallest 5th grade boy as "Baby Jesus."

Among the other stories we also read and discussed:
-How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. I shared "Herod the Grinch." 
-The Night Before Christmas and we each read a parody of this famous poem from the internet, including a Biblical Christmas story poem.
-The Baker's Dozen, A Colonial American Tale by Heather Forest.

My contribution to the 5th grade Christmas party was a popular party food in the Philippines - hot dog and marshmallows on a stick. 

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  "Under A Starry Sky" Christmas Musical was presented at Christ Fellowship Church. 

Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus (This is Timothy, the precious
 little one I was holding in a November blog post.)

Adult choir

The daughter in the drama prays for her Mom who
 left temporarily, distracted by materialism.

Children's choir dressed as angels.

On December 23, I attended a beautiful Christmas musical at my church, Christ Fellowship Church Davao with actors, choirs, and dancers of various ages. After the program, I so appreciated the senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Church leading a prayer for those who wanted to become Christians and also leading a prayer of recommitment to Christ, as characters in the drama had done. I enjoyed seeing several ladies from my care group using their talents for God during this production.

Christmas Day

Thank God for technology ...especially computers, Wi-fi, and Skype. A google search told me the distance from Davao City to Granville, Ohio is 8,711 miles. It was a joy to talk with my two sisters on Christmas morning in the Philippines / Christmas Eve evening for them - 13 hours difference EST. My younger sister told family and friends we had Skyped and I was sweating. TRUE...also had wet hair because partial electricity in my apartment went out while I was in the shower. Oh well, you focus on what's important.

I was blessed to receive invitations to three gatherings with new friends and colleagues on Christmas Day. At one home, we had brunch and a meaningful carols and lighting of candles worship time. Fans blew out several of the candles a couple of times, but you go on.

There was an afternoon potluck open house at the apartment upstairs of a missionary teacher counselor about to change assignments...and a potluck sit-down dinner at another home. 

As a newbie in a faraway land I was grateful for all the good fellowship. Since becoming an orphan on Christmas morning 42 years ago, I have a hunger to be with people on Christmas day...and God supplied beautifully. My hope is that next Christmas I won't be getting over a deep respiratory infection (? walking pneunonia), will know my way around better, and can plan some personal community outreach on Christmas day...have several ideas.

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SNEAK PREVIEW: Coming to the Philippines the first week of January to be part of my teaching, literature enrichment sessions, and outreach ministry - a 25-inch puppet who will be my "David" of the Philippines.

UPDATE: I was united my my new "adopted son" on Thursday, January 5th. YEA!!! Watch for a picture of his debut on Facebook, and in my January blog post. David and I want to visit Tebow Cure Hospital, orphanages, and other.