64th Birthday in Philippines

Unlike most women, I do not mind telling my age. It's my way of thanking God for being granted the gift of 10 more years than my mother was given and 12 more years than my father. I count each year, month, and day as a gift from our Creator.

I suspected this birthday might be different from others and was that ever true!



As is the custom in U.S. schools, the birthday person in the Philippines customarily provides  a treat to share with others.

Fifth Grade Birthday Treat: My March 28th birthday would be during spring break. The last day of class before break, I brought the favorite treat of the majority of my fifth grade language arts students - each received a whole package of 10 sheets of roasted seaweed.  My Swiss German plus my four Korean students dearly love the stuff, as do I. My one American pupil is a good sport and nibbles on it. I told her she didn't have to eat it all, asked who might like to help her if she didn't want it all. After other students got on their knees to beg Emily for some, she gave each of them one of her slices of seaweed. LOL!

       Also on Valentines Day, rather than bring a sweet treat for my students, I also gave them each a package of seaweed and had happy campers.

After assisting with "Track and Field Day" in the morning, when I went to the library to set up for several Parent-Teacher Conferences, a wonderful school custom surprise awaited me - a lovely bouquet of red roses and goody bag with card signed by staff - my favorite dark chocolate, and more. As I was scheduled to fly out of Davao in a few hours for a brief mission trip, God nudged me to pass on the fresh flowers to a Mom who is struggling with a very serious medical issue. 

I thought my care group at Christ Fellowship Church, the Filipano church I attend, might enjoy an popular American chocolate treat and was so right! I gave personal size bags of "Mega M and M's". The chocolate was very well received! (Glad that a grocery at a local mall has two shelves on buy one/get one.)

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Early Morning Birthday Serenade Visit

 A Filipino custom I learned about through experience was the early morning birthday serenade visit.  (Glad mine was not as early as is common in the dark...heard it could be 4 a.m.)

I was told to hurry my shower, I had visitors. 




Greeting my guests with high-fives at the door.

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  Shirts from Faith International Academy, Davao

After the birthday serenade and for the second time while in San Jose, teacher colleague friend Ruth Graybill and I had the privilege of passing along gifts to others. This time we each brought light and dark blue T-shirts in our suitcases whose style was no longer being used in Davao. We had many grateful recipients.

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Shared Birthday and House Dedication Party

March 28 was not only my birthday, but also the birthday of one of the teachers at the elementary school Kermit and Raquel Titrud started Mangyan children, one of the languages for which Kermit serves as a translation consultant. Erica and I were the guests of honor at a potluck gathering where the new home of Kermit and Raquel that would also house visiting teachers was dedicated to the Lord's service.

  

This potluck party took place on the roof of the second floor that has iron railing around the edge. 

Erica and I were asked to share a few thoughts. I shared praises to God and encouragement for the students.

Kermit pointed out to visitors the location of the Big Dipper and other star groupings. I was amazed that the narrow beam of my small purse size flashlight had such a strong beam, Kermit was able to use it as a pointer to the constellations. I really liked that little flashlight, but God put in my heart to give that flashlight to Kermit as a housewarming gift to help him teach about the marvels of his creation from the Titrud’s new flat rooftop.

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This framed collage was a very meaningful gift from Grace Flores, Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church - Operation Christmas Child coordinator, my children's ministry translator, and pastor's wife...also a much appreciated new friend (circle photo, right). My heart was especially touched her thanks for showing that "senior life is beautiful, fun-filled and adventurous."

A Dream Come True - Handing Out OCC Shoeboxes

For many years it has been my joy and privilege to serve as a volunteer with Operation Christmas Child (OCC) -- to pack shoeboxes of toys, toiletries, and other items, to organize church shoebox collections, to work at a processing center (Orlando Magic hanger), and to participate in several packing parties...including helping disabled folks pack boxes via Giveback, a program of Lift Disability Network and an annual event which  empowers the Disability Family to move from a role of recipient to contributor.

The Operation Christmas Child program that shares Christ's love in a tangible way and His message in the native tongue of the receivers is dear to my heart. I have long dreamed of being able to help hand shoeboxes to children in person. That dream came true on Sunday, March 26 in San Jose, Philippines on the island of Mindoro.

Pastor Reynaldo and Grace Flores of Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church, where I did children's ministry presentation, invited me to go with them to a shoebox distribution at the church of Grace's sister...after Grace heard of my past OCC volunteer work and excitement about the program. In fact she invited my teaching colleague friend Ruth Graybill and I (in San Jose, Mindoro on a spring break mission trip) to hand the boxes to the children. What a thrill for me to help out on this end of the awesome OCC ministry program!

The Gospel was presented visually and orally before shoebox
 distribution by Grace's sister.

Ruth and I took turns receiving shoeboxes from local OCC volunteers with a gender and age category label plus a colorful Gospel message cartoon booklet in the children's heart language...and handing each box to a child as their name was called.  I lovingly said, "God Bless you" to each child to whom I handed a box. Most could not understand my words, but I trust they understood the love from Christ in my voice and eyes.                                                                                                 

It was such a great privilege and an honor to hand out shoeboxes to these precious children on behalf of Operation Christmas Child's many volunteers  - sharing Christ's love...a dream come true.

Spring Break Ministry Trip to San Jose, Mindoro

An email went out February 5 inviting to Faith International Academy staff inviting us to consider a "possible mission teaching trip during spring break." Fifth grade and middle school teacher Ruth Graybill and I were the ones who went this time. So very glad I did.

The primary goal was to help children from the Mangyan language group with their English.

Ruth and I stayed in the new home of Kermit and Raquel Titrud. Kermit has spent 40 years translating the Bible into a number of languages. Recently they have opened a school for the Mangyan children.

After our arrival in San Jose on the island of Mindoro, we spent time with the children and staff in the home of Kermit and Raquel - telling stories, singing with them, and listening to the children sing. Kermit asked Ruth and me to share about our childhoods...took me some concentration to remember.

Several of my stories were about rabbits..."Powder Puff" and mothering
of baby wild rabbits whose nests were accidentally broken up.
 Just happened to have brought a rabbit for story dramatization.

I had my puppet David sing his fav song - "This Is the
Day the Lord Has Made." The children clapped along.

The children then sang  "This Is the Day" in Hebrew
and their native Mangyan. David clapped along.

To break up the children's sitting, I led us in the song and
actions for "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" 
at various speeds,

Many of my hours were spent having students read aloud 
 and helping with the vocabulary meanings.

I was asked to review student notebooks, did some spelling 
and punctuation corrections on student notebooks.

Papercut object lesson based on Philippians 4:13 - 
"I can do all this through him who gives me 
strength." First  I cut a "T" 
out of center of a piece
 of computer paper.

With some careful cutting, I was able to  get
14 children with me inside of the hole
 I cut in the computer paper. 

Papercut object lesson of a pilot's wheel with Psalms 32:8 -
 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
 I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." 
. There is a cross in each handle to emphasize turning
to Christ for guidance in big and small decisions.

Teaching the students how to do "Jesus Loves Me" in sign Language.

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Sunday was designated "Children's Day" at Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church on the same compound as the school. I was asked to share with children during the morning worship service. 

Children were asked to squawk to help my bird lay an egg. 

Grace Flores (pastor's wife) translated for me. 

Inside the plastic egg was a slip of of paper with the

 memory verse for the day.

I asked a student to read the memory verse
 which tells how Jesus grew as a child and how 
He wants children to grow today - Luke 2:52.-

Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in 

favor with God and man.

David and the children sang "This Is the Day the Lord Has Made" in English. It was also shared in Hebrew and in Mangyan.

One students was asked to squeeze the contents of a tube of toothpaste
into a ziplock bag. Another was asked to put the toothpaste back into the  tube...
not possible like we really can't to take our words back once they are spoken. 
He who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19
 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be
 acceptable in your sight. Psalm 19:14

Introducing a tortoise and a hare.

Children dramatized "The Tortoise and the Hare" fable to
 illustrate Ecclesiastes 7: 8 - "Finishing is
better than starting. Patience is better than pride." 

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The common mode of family transportation in San Jose. The parking lot of the restaurant three of us ate at during a shopping trip in town was lined out tricycles such as this -  a cab on a motorcycle.