Link to the area we are ministering to... HOJ
Kinda cool huh!
Link to where I am from... North Vancouver
www.dawicks.blogspot.com
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
A Day in the Life
Well my Dad asked me to give a "day in the life" for me. So here is a brief outline of a normal day.
4:00 am - Get up for 2 hour run.... kidding. It's only an hour run... ha.
8:00 am - 1 hour worship and devotional time. I share something quite often.
9:00 am - Do some office work, administration, you know... TCB (Takin care of business). These days most of my desk work involves preparing for the YWAM team visit and working on sponsorship profiles.
10:30 am - Tabitha feeding starts at about this time, so I usually sneak out of the office to hang out with the kids a bit.
12:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm - Sometimes have a staff meeting, do some banking, prepare for a bible study, meet with somebody about something... etc.
4:00 pm - By this time the heat has worn you out, so I try and head outside and meet/hang out with people in the community. This is probably the thing I enjoy most.
6:00 pm - Supper
7:00 pm - Bible study, some kind of teaching, a youth night etc...
Evening - Relax a bit and maybe type up a memo or schedule and answer some emails.
Well that is it I guess. That is a pretty typical day.
the blog
4:00 am - Get up for 2 hour run.... kidding. It's only an hour run... ha.
8:00 am - 1 hour worship and devotional time. I share something quite often.
9:00 am - Do some office work, administration, you know... TCB (Takin care of business). These days most of my desk work involves preparing for the YWAM team visit and working on sponsorship profiles.
10:30 am - Tabitha feeding starts at about this time, so I usually sneak out of the office to hang out with the kids a bit.
12:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm - Sometimes have a staff meeting, do some banking, prepare for a bible study, meet with somebody about something... etc.
4:00 pm - By this time the heat has worn you out, so I try and head outside and meet/hang out with people in the community. This is probably the thing I enjoy most.
6:00 pm - Supper
7:00 pm - Bible study, some kind of teaching, a youth night etc...
Evening - Relax a bit and maybe type up a memo or schedule and answer some emails.
Well that is it I guess. That is a pretty typical day.
the blog
Saturday, December 09, 2006
And then there were none...
Well Inneke is heading back to Canada tomorrow. Going to drop her and the kids off in the Jeepne very early... yikes, you know how I love early mornings. Very exciting time for me as I am facing the challenge of cross cultural communication and leadership in a ministry situation. When I worked for a company it was much different... people did their jobs because they enjoyed it, but also because they were obligated... if they did not do it you could find someone new. Not so easy in ministry. My vision is not to just maintain things here while Patrick and Inneke are away, but also to move things forward and bring Christ and freedom to more people.
Situations make you realize your true character and areas of your life that you have not allowed Christ to crucify. Hit home again those verses in Romans about not doing what you want and doing the things that you don't want to do. Who is this other man living inside me? Also considering how careful one needs to be when bringing "biblical" principles. Are you bringing God's ways or your cultures ways which you erroneously think are superior. Sometimes feel scared to move or do anything because you are worried that you won't do the right thing... but I guess you just have to trust that God will use you because you are yielded to Him and it is not just you.
For those who have missed the video posts, here they are...
Check em out!
Monday, December 04, 2006
Monica
Hey Monica, you left a comment for me about bringing a team, but you did not leave any contact info so I can send you some info. Email me at dawicks@gmail.com.
That gives me an idea for a post. I'll give some thoughts about how people could be involved if they wanted to.
That gives me an idea for a post. I'll give some thoughts about how people could be involved if they wanted to.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Article in the Kindersley Clarion
Following is an article as it appears in the local newspaper where I am from. Thanks for the great article Wayne (WAYNE GIBSON of The Press Review).
=====
An Eston graduate is using his knowledge of numbers to help out-of-school
youth halfway around the world.
David Wicks departed for Davao, Philippines in mid-September and has been
enjoying his new role as an inner-city math teacher so much he plans to
upgrade his stay from six months to maybe two years. Wicks is working with
Hope for the Nations, an international organization that focuses on
community development and areas of the world where poverty is severely
impacting children.
In Davao, he tutors youth at the Hope Education Centre where they can
complete their high school equivalency exams. Many of the children have been
abandoned, from as early as pre-school age and are recruited from the
streets or a nearby orphanage. Without family and financial support, they
would not receive schooling of any kind otherwise. The centre is neither an
official public or private school, however, as the legalities for both are
too complex, Wicks said.
Davao is located on the island of Mindanao. Hope for the Nations also
provides primary health care, leadership training, and shelter for abandoned
kids and orphans.
Since arriving in September, Wicks has also become an administrator,
improving the centre's website, hoping to enhance promotion of a sponsorship
program, and participating in other activities like Bible studies. Through
the sponsorship program, older students can be financed to attend university
for far less money than what western post-secondary students are accustomed
to paying.
Wicks, the son of former Eston Full Gospel Church pastor Dave Wicks and his
wife Pat, graduated Eston Composite School in 1995. After two years of
attending Bible college, he went on to complete an honours degree in
biochemistry and chemistry from Simon Fraser University.
But he always felt a pulling toward some kind of missions work, and found
the avenue to do so after meeting a pair of Hope for the Nations directors.
"I used to live with the program directors that are here now when they
lived in North Vancouver. I wanted to go and do missions somewhere, and I
figured that since I already knew them and had a contact here, that it would
just make sense to just come here," he said in a recent email.
Wicks' father, Pastor Dave Wicks said it is an adjustment to have his son
so far away, but those feelings are soothed by knowing how much the younger
Wicks is enjoying himself.
"It's been a huge turning point in his life," he said.
Wicks provides regular updates on his daily life in an online blog he
created (www.dawicks.blogspot.com). Recent entries describe how his first
two months have already brought about positive personal growth.
"I am learning a lot about myself, I guess - seeing some gifting that I
thought I never had, and seeing some of the areas of my life that still need
work. The most rewarding is seeing a smile on the kids' faces when they see
you because you have touched their lives somehow or have made a difference."
Many of the youth that frequent the education centre have difficult
circumstances to deal with outside of the classroom. Wicks was light on
specifics, but said troubled youth who opt for stealing and other small
crimes to survive are dealt with very harshly.
Despite this, and the barriers associated with communication to the non
English-speaking youth, Wicks said there is a generally positive attitude
among them. Establishing positive mentor-student relationships is one of his
goals as a teacher at the centre.
"The kids are very open and friendly and desire to learn more, but they
live in an oppressive environment with oppressive attitudes and have a real
poverty mentality," he said. "We are trying to show them that with God's
help, they can rise up and become leaders."
An experience early on also showed Wicks how the Philippines differs from
most communities back home.
"The people are amazing. I was walking home one day and saw through
someone's window the latest Oscar de la Hoya fight. I am a huge boxing fan,
so I just stood there and watched. After only about 30 seconds, they invited
me in and gave me a chair to sit in. After watching three rounds, already
late for lunch, I said I (had) to go. They did not want me to leave and said
come back anytime. Would that happen in Canada with a total stranger? I
doubt it."
Wicks will soon move to his own house for a period of months while other
missionaries return home on furlow. Visa regulations require that he leave
the country temporarily after one year to reapply, but Wicks feels convinced
his time in the Philippines is just beginning.
=====
An Eston graduate is using his knowledge of numbers to help out-of-school
youth halfway around the world.
David Wicks departed for Davao, Philippines in mid-September and has been
enjoying his new role as an inner-city math teacher so much he plans to
upgrade his stay from six months to maybe two years. Wicks is working with
Hope for the Nations, an international organization that focuses on
community development and areas of the world where poverty is severely
impacting children.
In Davao, he tutors youth at the Hope Education Centre where they can
complete their high school equivalency exams. Many of the children have been
abandoned, from as early as pre-school age and are recruited from the
streets or a nearby orphanage. Without family and financial support, they
would not receive schooling of any kind otherwise. The centre is neither an
official public or private school, however, as the legalities for both are
too complex, Wicks said.
Davao is located on the island of Mindanao. Hope for the Nations also
provides primary health care, leadership training, and shelter for abandoned
kids and orphans.
Since arriving in September, Wicks has also become an administrator,
improving the centre's website, hoping to enhance promotion of a sponsorship
program, and participating in other activities like Bible studies. Through
the sponsorship program, older students can be financed to attend university
for far less money than what western post-secondary students are accustomed
to paying.
Wicks, the son of former Eston Full Gospel Church pastor Dave Wicks and his
wife Pat, graduated Eston Composite School in 1995. After two years of
attending Bible college, he went on to complete an honours degree in
biochemistry and chemistry from Simon Fraser University.
But he always felt a pulling toward some kind of missions work, and found
the avenue to do so after meeting a pair of Hope for the Nations directors.
"I used to live with the program directors that are here now when they
lived in North Vancouver. I wanted to go and do missions somewhere, and I
figured that since I already knew them and had a contact here, that it would
just make sense to just come here," he said in a recent email.
Wicks' father, Pastor Dave Wicks said it is an adjustment to have his son
so far away, but those feelings are soothed by knowing how much the younger
Wicks is enjoying himself.
"It's been a huge turning point in his life," he said.
Wicks provides regular updates on his daily life in an online blog he
created (www.dawicks.blogspot.com). Recent entries describe how his first
two months have already brought about positive personal growth.
"I am learning a lot about myself, I guess - seeing some gifting that I
thought I never had, and seeing some of the areas of my life that still need
work. The most rewarding is seeing a smile on the kids' faces when they see
you because you have touched their lives somehow or have made a difference."
Many of the youth that frequent the education centre have difficult
circumstances to deal with outside of the classroom. Wicks was light on
specifics, but said troubled youth who opt for stealing and other small
crimes to survive are dealt with very harshly.
Despite this, and the barriers associated with communication to the non
English-speaking youth, Wicks said there is a generally positive attitude
among them. Establishing positive mentor-student relationships is one of his
goals as a teacher at the centre.
"The kids are very open and friendly and desire to learn more, but they
live in an oppressive environment with oppressive attitudes and have a real
poverty mentality," he said. "We are trying to show them that with God's
help, they can rise up and become leaders."
An experience early on also showed Wicks how the Philippines differs from
most communities back home.
"The people are amazing. I was walking home one day and saw through
someone's window the latest Oscar de la Hoya fight. I am a huge boxing fan,
so I just stood there and watched. After only about 30 seconds, they invited
me in and gave me a chair to sit in. After watching three rounds, already
late for lunch, I said I (had) to go. They did not want me to leave and said
come back anytime. Would that happen in Canada with a total stranger? I
doubt it."
Wicks will soon move to his own house for a period of months while other
missionaries return home on furlow. Visa regulations require that he leave
the country temporarily after one year to reapply, but Wicks feels convinced
his time in the Philippines is just beginning.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
No more Patrick
Well, Patrick is back in Canada (he is the executive director) and from what I hear the weather over there is not too friendly. I think I heard that it was -20 in Vancouver. Yikes, that is really cold for Vancouver. I think it was about 30 here, so I can't relate. The cold of the prairie winters feels a thousand miles away right now (wait it is at least a thousand miles away). I have decided to definitely extend my stay now and so I will need to begin making arrangements for that. You know what I miss the most so far... is just hanging out with friends and family. I would love to just go out and throw a Frisbee around or just sit on the back porch and have a coffee. Just goes to show again how valuable the simple things are.
There is a YWAM team coming here soon so we are madly getting ready for them. It is going to be a very busy, challenging, and fun time. They sound like a good team and they are not that big (only about 20 people), so it will be good stuff. There are lots of other things to take care of, but this will take up the bulk of the next 3 months or so. There are also some other interns coming in the new year so I won't be the only foreigner hanging around for long.
Have been pondering some interesting scripture the last couple of days, Romans 8-10. Very challenging and deep stuff. Wish I had kept my Alan Mortensen notes (sp?). So who chose who anyway? And if He did chose... why me and not somebody else. Had a nagging cold and sinus infection which seems to be almost gone now and felt a little run down, but have found God to be a center and strength again.
Have been able to get a few kids sponsored in the last little while. If you are interested let me know. It is only 35 dollars a month and it provides 5 hot meals a week, school uniform, pays for school fees, hygeine supplies, tutoring, and lots of love. Pretty good deal plus if you sponsor while I am here (at least a year or more) I can help you pick out a kid and follow up for you!
There is a YWAM team coming here soon so we are madly getting ready for them. It is going to be a very busy, challenging, and fun time. They sound like a good team and they are not that big (only about 20 people), so it will be good stuff. There are lots of other things to take care of, but this will take up the bulk of the next 3 months or so. There are also some other interns coming in the new year so I won't be the only foreigner hanging around for long.
Have been pondering some interesting scripture the last couple of days, Romans 8-10. Very challenging and deep stuff. Wish I had kept my Alan Mortensen notes (sp?). So who chose who anyway? And if He did chose... why me and not somebody else. Had a nagging cold and sinus infection which seems to be almost gone now and felt a little run down, but have found God to be a center and strength again.
Have been able to get a few kids sponsored in the last little while. If you are interested let me know. It is only 35 dollars a month and it provides 5 hot meals a week, school uniform, pays for school fees, hygeine supplies, tutoring, and lots of love. Pretty good deal plus if you sponsor while I am here (at least a year or more) I can help you pick out a kid and follow up for you!
Friday, November 17, 2006
New Blogger Template
Ok I added some new content, tried some RSS feeds, changed the template I was using, and added some Google ads. Hope everything works! Oh and here is a new video for you.
A more complete tour of the area!
A more complete tour of the area!
What am I doing anyway?
Well things going good still. Caught a bit of a flu last week and went to see the doctor. Got better care then I have ever got in Canada. Kind of scary huh? Starting to get a bit of a hold on the local lauguage, which is really important if you want to make a connection with some people here. While some are happy to speak english, others have no interest to do so.
Thought I would try and give a description of some of my responsibilities here. First I have kind of adopted the writing of profiles for child sponsorship. This involves taking pictures and interviewing the kids and family to write a brief profile with the help of some volunteers. As Patrick and Inneke will be away for 1 year I have agreed to help with the Leadership and administration of the whole operation while I am here (with their help of course). This will involve lots of things including helping to organize some team visits and get a new ministry going called Hope Holidays whose vision is to inspire people with a heart for missions. Basically it is one week of holidays and one week of intense missions work (well as intense as people can handle it!). I also feel really motivated to just hang out with the kids and youth and build relationships. A very important thing here in the philippines! And my heart is just to serve and do what I can.
Anyway, talk to you all real soon!
Monday, November 06, 2006
Maayo Hapoon
Well, it has been a few days since I posted anything, so I better get at it. Patrick and Inneke are beginning to step out as the local leaders (they are heading back to Canada for a year) and a local guy named Jun and myself will be stepping up to run the show here for a while. I think it will be a stretching time for me and an exciting time. Definitely will be doing stuff that I have not done before, but I look forward to the challenge... makes life interesting.
How am I growing in my faith? I guess just realizing again how dependent I need to be on God and that Jesus needs to be the center of your life no matter what you are doing or where you are (i.e. if he is not the anchor in your life its gonna be rough). Why do I say this? Well I guess working around a lot of hurting lives and broken, hungry people, you really really want to make a difference and help them, to show them love, and to give them hope. As just man I can only do so much... even though you smile and try and show care, it feels kind of like selling cotton candy. You sell the candy and they eat it and are happy and enjoy it but you have not made any real change in their life. I guess I want to effect these people more then that. I want to see them changed and grow in their faith and to find the peace, love, acceptance, grace, and joy that I have found in Christ. In essence to become faithful disciples of Christ. I know that without God I cannot make this kind of difference so that is what has been drawing me back to even greater dependence on God. I know that even if I lack skills, abilities, and the character traits to do so, that God can make up for where I am lagging.
For those of you that know me well, you will know that I have weathered some rough months in the last little while. Someone asked me if I would be where I am today if that had not happened. And the answer is no! Not just geographically, but spiritually. There is no doubt that these hard times have driven me to a new level of faith and relationship with God. I will never be the same, how can I be. I had a work associate ask me if I had always been this religious after they had read my blog. I just laughed and said well I have always been spiritual, just stealthy about it I guess.
It looks like I am definitely going to be staying longer then 6 months. Not really sure how I will do it, but I would like to stay a couple years (where did I get two years from? It just seems about right. 6 months is too short and 5 years is too long). Much to my mom and dad's frustration, but I think I can convince them to come and visit.
Starting to really feel at home here in the Philippines. The only thing that really gets to me after a while is the heat, but you can always escape into an air conditioned coffee shop or mall.. just be prepared for a blast of heat when you leave. Anyway, don't want to drain all of my creative juices, so until next time!
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Video for you!
I uploaded a little video for you. This shows the walk from the major street where we work into the House of Jubilee. This is where all the teaching, preaching, bible studies, clinic work, church, and hanging out happens. Enjoy!
A walk from Tancontian Street into the House of Jubilee (HOJ)!
Oh yah, here is another. Kids dancing and singing this morning at Tabitha.
Kid's enjoying themselves.
A walk from Tancontian Street into the House of Jubilee (HOJ)!
Oh yah, here is another. Kids dancing and singing this morning at Tabitha.
Kid's enjoying themselves.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Hello again...
Well I am off to help some students with math... if they are so willing! They are doing better these days. I think that it just took them a while to start to understand my english. I am trying to pick up the local language more and more. It seems ok so far, but I am a long way from having an extended conversation. Really enjoying things so far. I am still blown away by the people here. So precious.
I am starting to see God's timing in my coming here. There are some areas that I am able to serve in and help that seem to be timed perfectly. I thank God that I am able to be here at this time.
And on another note. The fruit is amazing! I think I mentioned it before, but it is incredible. I can handle a little more heat and humidity if I get to eat fruit like this! Anyway I have been helping to set up a new website and have a "beta" release. We have been trying out a new technology/program called intellisite. Seems very useful because people can change content on the fly without any real skill or training. Kind of like Wiki (google it) but a bit more limited. I'd appreciate your thoughts and comments. Go to www.hopeforthenationsph.org to check it out. Trevor, you'll have a field day with your typo spotting skills! Actually I was hoping you could help me with that once it is complete.
Anyway, almost late for my class. Gotta go!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Pictures from the last few...
Me driving a Jeep-ne!
Me and well... little bundles o joy! And below, me and Gary on an angle.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Another Week
Well, the last few weeks have been busy, but very good. I was hanging out with some of the local youth the other night and I said to them how cool it is to be here. They asked me why. I said if we were in almost any neighbourhood in Canada right now there would not be anybody on the streets just hanging out and talking like this. People would most likely be in their house watching TV or a movie. Which is not bad in and of itself, but we sure lack the sense of community that is here. I mean there is a little store or Videoke place every 20 feet! And all of them are full of people just hanging out. I know it is partly because I am white, but they are all willing to talk to me and help me with anything.
I have really been enjoying the math class that I teach and have had the opportunity to lead several devotional times. It has been really good to do so. i have also got to watch Inneke do some stitches (and she wants me to do it next! Yikes!). It would be very helpful to come here with some basic first aid training, there are huge needs for just basic stuff. A stitch, clean up a cut, etc... I have also enjoyed helping to revamp the website, which although I am not an expert at, I hope that I will be able to improve it so that it can become a connection point for people to donate, get a vision, learn about needs to pray for, etc...
What else to say? I am still happy to be here and feel priviledged to be able to serve these people. I love interacting with the kids and I am trying to learn Basiya (I think that is how it is spelled?), the local language. My math students have a test tomorrow! The test is going to be pretty easy, but I hope I have scared them into getting ready for it. Again, I'd love to hear from you so drop me a line, dawicks@gmail.com.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Come Here!
Hey there my peeps! So far so good in the Philippines.
Nothing really stands out to say these days, I just wish you could all come here to spend some time with these kids. They are so precious. It is also really cool to see the older kids that Patrick and Inneke have discipled over the years and see where they have come from and where they are headed to... a lot of them have a desire to do missions! I have also been thinking how to describe the Philippines to you. It is just so different. It smells different (Durian everywhere! Yikes!), there are no traffic lights and yet there are no traffic jams, there are trikes on the road with lawn mower engines in them and three people riding up front and 4 pigs in the back, there are people crossing the street like the video game frogger, there are lots and lots of people all about 5 foot 6, and... there is just so many things different, you just have to come here to see it. Owen was right about what Bill M. said about the city... a blue fog of diesel.
Today I took some time off to do some R&R. My dad will shoot me but we took a ferry to an island then paid a guy to drive us around the island (without a helmet!!!!). Anyway, saw some waterfalls, some bats at a really stinky batcave, and swam in the warm ocean. Really beautiful.
Oh yah, played a couple games of pool with Patrick. He whipped me. Very interesting pool hall!
Nothing really stands out to say these days, I just wish you could all come here to spend some time with these kids. They are so precious. It is also really cool to see the older kids that Patrick and Inneke have discipled over the years and see where they have come from and where they are headed to... a lot of them have a desire to do missions! I have also been thinking how to describe the Philippines to you. It is just so different. It smells different (Durian everywhere! Yikes!), there are no traffic lights and yet there are no traffic jams, there are trikes on the road with lawn mower engines in them and three people riding up front and 4 pigs in the back, there are people crossing the street like the video game frogger, there are lots and lots of people all about 5 foot 6, and... there is just so many things different, you just have to come here to see it. Owen was right about what Bill M. said about the city... a blue fog of diesel.
Today I took some time off to do some R&R. My dad will shoot me but we took a ferry to an island then paid a guy to drive us around the island (without a helmet!!!!). Anyway, saw some waterfalls, some bats at a really stinky batcave, and swam in the warm ocean. Really beautiful.
Oh yah, played a couple games of pool with Patrick. He whipped me. Very interesting pool hall!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Adventure or What!
Well the last few days have been awesome. Been spending time teaching math, working on the website and helping out wherever I can. Definitely where I am supposed to be right now. Sunday service was awesome. Although a lot of it was not in English, still pretty easy to understand what was going on. So cool to see people so happy with so little. I am in a coffee shop sort of thing right now. Pretty weird being the only white guy most of the places that I go. Went to a gym to lift weights the past couple of days... can definitely feel the eyes on me... they are just curious though, I am quite stunning you know ;)
What I enjoy most is just interacting with the kids. They are so much fun. I was talking with a little girl the last few days named Giselle. She has already memorized my birthday and I now know hers, January 26th. Some of the older guys think I am huge (as if I spend all my time in the gym)... wait I am huge.
It is easy to get busy with stuff and loose focus. The focus should be the people and seeing change in their lives. I just pray that I would be given the opportunities and abilities to be able to make a difference. I feel like I have been given an awesome opportunity and I would like to make the most of my time here. As my Dad said I want to make a difference!! Maybe it is premature, but I think a couple years would be more appropriate. Here are a couple more pics for you. Just some neat shots.
The fruit is amazing. Mangos, Mangansteins (the nectar of the gods), and all things teeming with fruity goodness. The heat is not that bad... it is just hot all the time. The cold showers were a shock at first, but now they are welcomed.
Please pray that I would be given the opportunities to make a difference and the strength and opportunity and annointing to do so. Been struck by the verses 1 Peter 1:17-19. We have been bought with something so precious. Surely we have a purpose and a calling that matches that price. I want to grab hold of that purpose.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Pictures
My buddy Gary.
Some of my students.
A Jeep-ne. These things are everywhere!
The little girl with the camera is Lana.
Becky
Taught math again today and spent lots of time just hanging out with the little kids. Hilight from today was a little girl who we will call Becky (I'd prefer not to use her real name). Love and compassion for her just poured out of my heart. She is not able to go to school... or rather her parents don't want to put forth the effort to get her through school even though she has been given support to do so. She was intrigued to just count my fingers... got up 21 or something. She is really smart and deserves a lot more. Her english is limited, so I just told her that Jesus loves her. I wish that I could take her away from here.
Hard to say but I don't think six months is long enough. I just pray that God would give me the strength and abilities to serve. Feels like a part of me is dissappearing and other parts of my character and giftings are coming alive... guess you call that spiritual growth. I am going to start taking pictures and stuff soon so hopefully you will be able to see what I am talking about.
Feel free to contact me. I'd love to hear from you.
Hard to say but I don't think six months is long enough. I just pray that God would give me the strength and abilities to serve. Feels like a part of me is dissappearing and other parts of my character and giftings are coming alive... guess you call that spiritual growth. I am going to start taking pictures and stuff soon so hopefully you will be able to see what I am talking about.
Feel free to contact me. I'd love to hear from you.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Busy Day
Today was a really cool day getting to know some of the little guys as well as the people I will be teaching and tutoring math. There was this tiny little kid (unbelievable amount of energy) hanging off me all day, he is maybe 5 years old and he is just hungry for attention and interaction with people. Hard for me to see what he has when we have so much, but amazing to see the joy in his eyes. We also visited a family today and the older sister who is 19 was telling us how she did really well in school, got a scholarship, and then was not able to take it because her mom got sick. We felt really bad for her but she looked at us and said don't worry that is the "spice of life." Amazing!
The students are very behind in math and they will have a lot of work to do to catch up. Anyway, I am still feeling the jet-lag a bit and combined with the heat you start to feel pretty tired, so I better get to bed. Sorry there are not more pictures, the internet is slow here and I am not really comfortable snapping pics of some stuff. Kind of feel like a mindless tourist if I do so.
The students are very behind in math and they will have a lot of work to do to catch up. Anyway, I am still feeling the jet-lag a bit and combined with the heat you start to feel pretty tired, so I better get to bed. Sorry there are not more pictures, the internet is slow here and I am not really comfortable snapping pics of some stuff. Kind of feel like a mindless tourist if I do so.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Day One
Arriving in Davao last night was pretty cool. It was really stormy and there were lightning flashes as the plane was landing. Believe it not the music playing over my headphones on the airplane radio was "Riders on the Storm" by the Doors. As everyone warned me it is very hot here, but not as hot as I expected... maybe the real heat has not arrived yet. Spent today resting and just relaxing. The jet lag is not near as bad as I thought it would be, but I guess it helped that I was able to sleep about 10 hours of the flight. Geckos on walls, Jeep-nees (sp? I'll post a picture of this soon), and movie style rain, I guess I am in the Philippines.
Patrick and Inneke and Kezia and Teah are all doing well. It was really cool to see them. I am looking forward to what God has planned and what I will be involved in. It is wonderful to know that I have friends, a family and a church who love and support me.
Patrick and Inneke and Kezia and Teah are all doing well. It was really cool to see them. I am looking forward to what God has planned and what I will be involved in. It is wonderful to know that I have friends, a family and a church who love and support me.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Enroute
7 am in an internet cafe in Taiwan. Strange rap music playing in the background... quite hilarious. The english signs here are hilarious. "Ever Rich Duty Free" for example. Better get to the gate.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
The Bags are Packed
I just finished packing the bags for my trip. The reality of it is starting to kick in. I am excited and a little bit nervous... but mostly just excited.
I have been visiting family and old friends the last couple of weeks and it has been really relaxing. It is hard not to relax at least a little bit when you are out in the middle of nowhere on the prairies. I have also had some great quiet times and have experienced God's presence. Apparently, G.S. Mclean used to get his inspiration for his sermons from long walks on the prairies and in the river hills near Eston. I can see why.
Tomorrow I fly to Vancouver and then I fly out to the Philippines on the 18th. I can't wait to get back to North Vancouver for a few more days. I miss my friends, my church, and the trees and mountains. Well, this is my last night with mom and dad for a while, so I better get back to them.
I have been visiting family and old friends the last couple of weeks and it has been really relaxing. It is hard not to relax at least a little bit when you are out in the middle of nowhere on the prairies. I have also had some great quiet times and have experienced God's presence. Apparently, G.S. Mclean used to get his inspiration for his sermons from long walks on the prairies and in the river hills near Eston. I can see why.
Tomorrow I fly to Vancouver and then I fly out to the Philippines on the 18th. I can't wait to get back to North Vancouver for a few more days. I miss my friends, my church, and the trees and mountains. Well, this is my last night with mom and dad for a while, so I better get back to them.
Monday, September 11, 2006
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