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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Day 3: The Car Seat
Rex had his biggest cry, and it's not about what I would have expected. Saying goodbye to his foster family, his first night with us strangers, a 13-hour plane ride, these are reasonable candidates, but like John McCain, not the winner. No, ladies and gentlemen, the winner is...riding in a car seat. When we strapped Rex into his car seat after our long plane ride, he went without a fight. I guess he was just too tired.
But when we placed him in his new flashy car seat to go to my parents' house, he threw a massive fit. Poor Colette had to squat in between his seat and Asia's seat, hugging him closely, Rex screaming in her ear the whole time. And Asia sat so quietly, probably remembering the good old days when she made the only noise in the van. You can hardly blame Rex, though. He's not used to a car seat. Back home he didn't use one, a fact I later checked with his foster family.
And so I had to explain to my parents why Rex arrived to their house tear-soaked and throat-parched. No, it wasn't because he was going to their house (a nightmare for grandparents); it was the car seat. After this initial outburst, there was one other, but now we've had several rides with no incidents, and I'm confident he'll live a car seat-happy life from here on out.
But when we placed him in his new flashy car seat to go to my parents' house, he threw a massive fit. Poor Colette had to squat in between his seat and Asia's seat, hugging him closely, Rex screaming in her ear the whole time. And Asia sat so quietly, probably remembering the good old days when she made the only noise in the van. You can hardly blame Rex, though. He's not used to a car seat. Back home he didn't use one, a fact I later checked with his foster family.
And so I had to explain to my parents why Rex arrived to their house tear-soaked and throat-parched. No, it wasn't because he was going to their house (a nightmare for grandparents); it was the car seat. After this initial outburst, there was one other, but now we've had several rides with no incidents, and I'm confident he'll live a car seat-happy life from here on out.
Devastating Typhoon in the Philippines
Last Friday--the day we flew out of the Philippines--there was a devastating typhoon (called Ondoy) that caused massive flooding in the Philippines. An average month of rainfall fell on the Philippines in less than a day, causing catastrophic flooding in many areas. The destruction is estimated to be more than that caused by Hurricane Katrina in the United States. More than 100 men, women and children have been reported dead, more than half a million have been reported displaced, and both figures will continue to rise over time.
The areas that we visited during our trip were hit hard. Marikina City is the location for the CRIBS Foundation, which is where we picked up Rex. Here's a picture of it now:
It's hard to believe that a little over a week ago, we were in Marikina City. Now it's submerged. I don't know how CRIBS is doing. Rex' foster family live about ten minutes away. I've been in touch with them and they are fine.
I've also been in touch with Pastor Roy from Manila. He and his family are fine, but their church and one-room home were flooded. Here is a report from Pastor Roy:
"Thanks be to God making our people safe! Despite of floods around Metro Manila and almost entire Luzon, worship service went on. I and my wife did not get a good sleeping time since Saturday. Only my kids occupied the deck in our room. Everywhere is flood. There is now way to get out Manila at the moment, so much worried of our members in other areas especially the pastors and family. I served rice and fish to few family last night for those who stayed overnight in the church. Today, we will serving rice soup to the squatter area as emergency relief to them. Thank you for allowing to touch little amounts from our funds. There was a black out in other area and some still brown outs now. Two kids were brought to hospital because of stepping to broken glasses which they didn't noticed due to floods, but they're fine now."
I've also heard from Pat Capwell from the Institute for Foundational Learning, where we stayed during our trip:
"We are all ok...took 2 days to clean up the mess from the flood but no damage just A lot of work. Tabing Ilog (the riverside area) was amazingly not too affected. I was really concerned that they would be hit hard but the Lord kept them safe. We sent a team of 80+ people out today to help do clean up in the severely affected areas. The team was divided and went to five different areas to help clean out houses and get people back in their homes again. The mud and mess were so bad but at least they were able to clean 15 homes for the people today. We are now gathering food, clothing, blankets, medicines, bottled water, etc for distribution to affected areas where no one is going to yet."
Ondoy was devastating but here's the thing...storm experts are notifying the nation to brace for two more typhoons that are scheduled to hit by Thursday.
On Friday, we're planning to wire money to Pat Capwell for relief aid. She has a large team of people who are being deployed to help victims. If you'd like to contribute, we would really appreciate it. All donations are tax deductible through our organization, Current3 Ministries. Donate online by clicking here. Please send checks to: Current3 Ministries, 1433 E Park Hills Ave, State College, PA 16803. Checks need to be in the mail on Tuesday to arrive on Friday. If you're local, you can drop them off in the envelope at our front door. Also, you can deliver checks to Good Steward Software, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801 in the envelope at the front desk (8 am - 5 pm) by Friday at noon. Checks should be written to "Current3 Ministries." Please let me know if you plan to donate so I can expect it.
Thank you!
Personally we are thanking God that he spared us from experiencing this devastation. Had we tried to fly out a day later, we would have been there for the storm. Please pray for the people whose lives have been changed by this storm, pray for relief, pray for safety as experts warn of impending storms.
Blessings,
Chris
The areas that we visited during our trip were hit hard. Marikina City is the location for the CRIBS Foundation, which is where we picked up Rex. Here's a picture of it now:
It's hard to believe that a little over a week ago, we were in Marikina City. Now it's submerged. I don't know how CRIBS is doing. Rex' foster family live about ten minutes away. I've been in touch with them and they are fine.
I've also been in touch with Pastor Roy from Manila. He and his family are fine, but their church and one-room home were flooded. Here is a report from Pastor Roy:
"Thanks be to God making our people safe! Despite of floods around Metro Manila and almost entire Luzon, worship service went on. I and my wife did not get a good sleeping time since Saturday. Only my kids occupied the deck in our room. Everywhere is flood. There is now way to get out Manila at the moment, so much worried of our members in other areas especially the pastors and family. I served rice and fish to few family last night for those who stayed overnight in the church. Today, we will serving rice soup to the squatter area as emergency relief to them. Thank you for allowing to touch little amounts from our funds. There was a black out in other area and some still brown outs now. Two kids were brought to hospital because of stepping to broken glasses which they didn't noticed due to floods, but they're fine now."
I've also heard from Pat Capwell from the Institute for Foundational Learning, where we stayed during our trip:
"We are all ok...took 2 days to clean up the mess from the flood but no damage just A lot of work. Tabing Ilog (the riverside area) was amazingly not too affected. I was really concerned that they would be hit hard but the Lord kept them safe. We sent a team of 80+ people out today to help do clean up in the severely affected areas. The team was divided and went to five different areas to help clean out houses and get people back in their homes again. The mud and mess were so bad but at least they were able to clean 15 homes for the people today. We are now gathering food, clothing, blankets, medicines, bottled water, etc for distribution to affected areas where no one is going to yet."
Ondoy was devastating but here's the thing...storm experts are notifying the nation to brace for two more typhoons that are scheduled to hit by Thursday.
On Friday, we're planning to wire money to Pat Capwell for relief aid. She has a large team of people who are being deployed to help victims. If you'd like to contribute, we would really appreciate it. All donations are tax deductible through our organization, Current3 Ministries. Donate online by clicking here. Please send checks to: Current3 Ministries, 1433 E Park Hills Ave, State College, PA 16803. Checks need to be in the mail on Tuesday to arrive on Friday. If you're local, you can drop them off in the envelope at our front door. Also, you can deliver checks to Good Steward Software, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801 in the envelope at the front desk (8 am - 5 pm) by Friday at noon. Checks should be written to "Current3 Ministries." Please let me know if you plan to donate so I can expect it.
Thank you!
Personally we are thanking God that he spared us from experiencing this devastation. Had we tried to fly out a day later, we would have been there for the storm. Please pray for the people whose lives have been changed by this storm, pray for relief, pray for safety as experts warn of impending storms.
Blessings,
Chris
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Day 2: Sleep
When the good LORD was about to give the first man a wife and family, He caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. That's because the LORD knew Adam would need it, and it's been the same ever since--where there is a wife and family, the man needs to sleep. That would be good and all if the man could sleep. But it poses a problem when that man travels half way around the world, where the time zone is twelve hours later, meaning what was once midnight is now noon, and so forth. It's okay when said man adjusts to the new time zone, but when he returns to his home, flipping midnight and noon again, and does so not only with his wife and 6 year-old daughter, but also with his new 2 year-old son who has lived the other time zone his entire life, this isn't an easy thing.
It's quite a lot to do this "new family, new country, new home, new life thing" on regular sleep, but try doing it on little sleep, when your body is whacked out because it doesn't know if it's time to eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom. Last night just as I was heading to bed at midnight, Rex woke up and wanted me. So I laid down in his room with him. Since this was noon Philippines time and he already had four hours of sleep, he decided it wasn't time to sleep anymore. We laid down for two hours--until 2 am--and then I got bored and we went downstairs. We played for the next two hours--until 4 am--until Colette came down, took Rex, and put him to bed. I went to bed myself.
I don't know what kind of training the military does to prepare troops for sleep deprivation, but I think it should be part of the adoption process. I mean, is introducing your new child to their new life really the time to see how well you function when you're sleep deprived? Isn't there too much at stake for the weary and bleary-eyed? And what about the little guy? Here he is in a strange new world and suddenly these new people are poking and prodding to wake him up at precisely the time he should be sleeping. And for some reason when he should be playing, everyone is going to bed. What is going on? No matter, at least Adam got some rest.
It's quite a lot to do this "new family, new country, new home, new life thing" on regular sleep, but try doing it on little sleep, when your body is whacked out because it doesn't know if it's time to eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom. Last night just as I was heading to bed at midnight, Rex woke up and wanted me. So I laid down in his room with him. Since this was noon Philippines time and he already had four hours of sleep, he decided it wasn't time to sleep anymore. We laid down for two hours--until 2 am--and then I got bored and we went downstairs. We played for the next two hours--until 4 am--until Colette came down, took Rex, and put him to bed. I went to bed myself.
I don't know what kind of training the military does to prepare troops for sleep deprivation, but I think it should be part of the adoption process. I mean, is introducing your new child to their new life really the time to see how well you function when you're sleep deprived? Isn't there too much at stake for the weary and bleary-eyed? And what about the little guy? Here he is in a strange new world and suddenly these new people are poking and prodding to wake him up at precisely the time he should be sleeping. And for some reason when he should be playing, everyone is going to bed. What is going on? No matter, at least Adam got some rest.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Day 1: Real Life Starts Now
Note: Please see previous message to understand what "Adoption Year" is. You'll receive two more messages from Adoption Year and will not receive anymore; join the group or visit
Here is day 1 of our adoption year and the start of the daily blogging. This is the day after we got back from our trip to the Philippines to get Rex. I'm starting the Adoption Year today because real life starts today, not during the trip. Although the trip was wonderful, and we met so many great people, and did many super things, and so many prayers were answered, it was not real life. Transition for our family--for an adoptive family--really starts back at home, doing everyday things. This is when the journey begins.
Sure, a lot's happened already and in some ways this has already felt like an epic quest, like "Lord of the Rings" or "The Neverending Story." I half expected to see Frodo or Atreyu on our trip. In the last two years since we started the adoption process, we heard the call to adopt, rose to the challenge, passed the test (the home study, medical exams, and other paperwork), were guided by wise mentors, traveled to a foreign land, flew on a big bird (named Delta), communicated in a strange tongue (Tagalog), participated in local rituals (eating tosino and riding on motorized tricycles), encountered delays and setbacks (no, come next week instead), and brought back the king (Rex means king). But in the end, this proved to be only the start of our adventure.
And it's at this beginning--at the start of our Adoption Year--that I make record in this blog. For real life starts now, in the everyday things. This is the adventure. Welcome to Adoption Year.
http://adoptionyear.blogspot.comto follow along.
Here is day 1 of our adoption year and the start of the daily blogging. This is the day after we got back from our trip to the Philippines to get Rex. I'm starting the Adoption Year today because real life starts today, not during the trip. Although the trip was wonderful, and we met so many great people, and did many super things, and so many prayers were answered, it was not real life. Transition for our family--for an adoptive family--really starts back at home, doing everyday things. This is when the journey begins.
Sure, a lot's happened already and in some ways this has already felt like an epic quest, like "Lord of the Rings" or "The Neverending Story." I half expected to see Frodo or Atreyu on our trip. In the last two years since we started the adoption process, we heard the call to adopt, rose to the challenge, passed the test (the home study, medical exams, and other paperwork), were guided by wise mentors, traveled to a foreign land, flew on a big bird (named Delta), communicated in a strange tongue (Tagalog), participated in local rituals (eating tosino and riding on motorized tricycles), encountered delays and setbacks (no, come next week instead), and brought back the king (Rex means king). But in the end, this proved to be only the start of our adventure.
And it's at this beginning--at the start of our Adoption Year--that I make record in this blog. For real life starts now, in the everyday things. This is the adventure. Welcome to Adoption Year.
We're Home
Well, we're home! We got home yesterday to some family and friends at the airport. That was very nice. Neighbors posted a large sign on our front door to welcome Rex to the neighborhood. It has been a whirlwind since we've been home--whirlwind for Rex in seeing his new home, whirlwind of suitcases and dirty clothes around our home, whirlwind of emotions in getting settled into our new life.
We wanted to thank you so much for your love and support with this adoption. We've definitely felt your prayers. The placement and trip went so well. However, that was the easy part. The hard part starts now...transition into real life. We could use your prayers now more than ever.
Pray for Rex' heart as he misses his old life and embraces his new one; for Asia as she deals with not being the only kid anymore; us as parents as we learn to parent Rex; for his foster family and caregivers in the Philippines as they deal with loss.
This will be the last regular update, not because we're done writing about this adoption, but because we're starting something new. "Adoption Year" is a new group and blog dedicated to our first year of adoption, starting with today, day 1 and ending on day 365 of this year. Inspired by Julie Powell and the movie "Julie and Julia," who worked her way through Julia Child's cookbook in one year and blogged about it every day, I'll blog every day (short and focused) on our family's first year of adoption. So we're starting a new Facebook group called "Adoption Year" and also a new blog at http://adoptionyear.blogspot.com.
I'll send the next three messages to the current Facebook group and then it's up to you join "Adoption Year" facebook group or start visiting this blog site if you're interested.
Thank you again for supporting us!
We wanted to thank you so much for your love and support with this adoption. We've definitely felt your prayers. The placement and trip went so well. However, that was the easy part. The hard part starts now...transition into real life. We could use your prayers now more than ever.
Pray for Rex' heart as he misses his old life and embraces his new one; for Asia as she deals with not being the only kid anymore; us as parents as we learn to parent Rex; for his foster family and caregivers in the Philippines as they deal with loss.
This will be the last regular update, not because we're done writing about this adoption, but because we're starting something new. "Adoption Year" is a new group and blog dedicated to our first year of adoption, starting with today, day 1 and ending on day 365 of this year. Inspired by Julie Powell and the movie "Julie and Julia," who worked her way through Julia Child's cookbook in one year and blogged about it every day, I'll blog every day (short and focused) on our family's first year of adoption. So we're starting a new Facebook group called "Adoption Year" and also a new blog at http://adoptionyear.blogspot.com.
I'll send the next three messages to the current Facebook group and then it's up to you join "Adoption Year" facebook group or start visiting this blog site if you're interested.
Thank you again for supporting us!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wednesday
Yesterday was a good day as we mostly hung around IFL. We did take Rex to a doctor in the evening as he's been scratching and tugging on his ear. Turns out he had a big clump of ear wax that was bothering him. We were glad to get it out before the plane ride. Entertaining him for an hour and a half in the waiting area was interesting...we played a game where we started at the end of the hall and tapped on the door three times, then we walked to the other end and tapped three times, and so forth. We did this many times. Then jumped and danced, and had chocolate milk, and played with his planes. Feel free to use any of these ideas next time you have to wait.
Heidi taught a class in the afternoon to the high school students who run the school newspaper. She shared tips on photography along with examples from pictures she has taken. She did a great job--very clear and she communicated her passion for photography. By the way, Heidi has a blog and his posting updates and new pictures. Her latest blog post is about the feeding program and has so many awesome pictures from the day: http://www.heidilynnephotography.com/blog/
Asia is doing a wonderful job at being patient and understanding with Rex. When he gets tired, he gets a little rough. He doesn't seem liike he's used to playing with younger children, as his foster family had teenagers in it. So that is a prayer request...that Rex will learn how to share and play with Asia and Asia will continue to be patient in the process.
Today is our last full day at IFL and then tomorrow we'll spend it in Manila.
Bless you!
Chris
Heidi taught a class in the afternoon to the high school students who run the school newspaper. She shared tips on photography along with examples from pictures she has taken. She did a great job--very clear and she communicated her passion for photography. By the way, Heidi has a blog and his posting updates and new pictures. Her latest blog post is about the feeding program and has so many awesome pictures from the day: http://www.heidilynnephotography.com/blog/
Asia is doing a wonderful job at being patient and understanding with Rex. When he gets tired, he gets a little rough. He doesn't seem liike he's used to playing with younger children, as his foster family had teenagers in it. So that is a prayer request...that Rex will learn how to share and play with Asia and Asia will continue to be patient in the process.
Today is our last full day at IFL and then tomorrow we'll spend it in Manila.
Bless you!
Chris
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday
Today is Tuesday, so we only have three full days left before an early flight on Friday morning. The cool thing about being half way around the world is that I live life 12 hours (if you're in the eastern time zone) ahead of you. So if you want to know what happens Tuesday morning, just ask.
IFL has been the perfect place to spend our first days with Rex. There are so many children around for Rex and Asia to play with. It's also very safe with lots of staff members. So we feel very comfortable letting Asia run around with her friends. It's a blessing for her to be here. It's also good for Rex. He's not left alone just with our family. He can ease into life with us while still being around fun friends to play with.
IFL folks have been so accomodating to us; we feel a bit spoiled. We're eating very well (I've actually gained weight), we have air conditioning and purified water whenever we want. We're around some of the coolest people you could know. Actually, Pat Capwell, the director of IFL is one of my favorite people in the whole world. This place is wonderful to be at and I'm so glad we stayed here longer than go to the resort we were planning to.
Yesterday morning we went with Pat to the Riverside Community, which is a village built alongside a riverbed. IFL is starting a feedig program there and so they were weighing children, diagnosing their health and deciding which children were malnourished. They will particpate in the feeding program, with the goal of getting them healthy. IFL will provide food for a season and also teach princples of agriculture so they can grow their own food to sustain their health. We'll post pictures of our experience there. Asia and Rex stayed back at IFL when we went there.
Rex seems to be adjusting well, although it's still so early in this transition and IFL will not be his normal environment. Rex can point at pictures of us and say, "Mommy, Daddy and Asia." It's evident that his foster family prepared him for us! Asia and Rex play well together. When she brushes her teeth, so does he. When she showers, so does he. She kisses him all the tiime and tells him she loves her. It's so fun to see them together.
Rex painted watercolor yesterday and enjoyed it. He loves playing with toy planes and cars. He laughs easily when he plays. When we put him to bed last night, he said "good night" and waived a kiss and made a thumbs up sign. It's such a joy to interact with him. God has been so good to bless us with him!
Thanks to everyone who sent or posted messages. I wish I could reply to every one, but I can't.
Bless you!
Chris, Colette, Asia & Rex
IFL has been the perfect place to spend our first days with Rex. There are so many children around for Rex and Asia to play with. It's also very safe with lots of staff members. So we feel very comfortable letting Asia run around with her friends. It's a blessing for her to be here. It's also good for Rex. He's not left alone just with our family. He can ease into life with us while still being around fun friends to play with.
IFL folks have been so accomodating to us; we feel a bit spoiled. We're eating very well (I've actually gained weight), we have air conditioning and purified water whenever we want. We're around some of the coolest people you could know. Actually, Pat Capwell, the director of IFL is one of my favorite people in the whole world. This place is wonderful to be at and I'm so glad we stayed here longer than go to the resort we were planning to.
Yesterday morning we went with Pat to the Riverside Community, which is a village built alongside a riverbed. IFL is starting a feedig program there and so they were weighing children, diagnosing their health and deciding which children were malnourished. They will particpate in the feeding program, with the goal of getting them healthy. IFL will provide food for a season and also teach princples of agriculture so they can grow their own food to sustain their health. We'll post pictures of our experience there. Asia and Rex stayed back at IFL when we went there.
Rex seems to be adjusting well, although it's still so early in this transition and IFL will not be his normal environment. Rex can point at pictures of us and say, "Mommy, Daddy and Asia." It's evident that his foster family prepared him for us! Asia and Rex play well together. When she brushes her teeth, so does he. When she showers, so does he. She kisses him all the tiime and tells him she loves her. It's so fun to see them together.
Rex painted watercolor yesterday and enjoyed it. He loves playing with toy planes and cars. He laughs easily when he plays. When we put him to bed last night, he said "good night" and waived a kiss and made a thumbs up sign. It's such a joy to interact with him. God has been so good to bless us with him!
Thanks to everyone who sent or posted messages. I wish I could reply to every one, but I can't.
Bless you!
Chris, Colette, Asia & Rex
Saturday, September 19, 2009
And then there were four...
We got Rex! This is going to be short because Rex is going to wake up soon. Asia's already up and wants me to type "Asia loves Rex." And she does. At the placement appointment, Asia played with Rex and he joined in with her right away. He laughed a lot when playing with her. It was a short appointment and we didn't say much--almost couldn't say much--at it.
We met the Filomeno family, which is a loving family. You could tell they really loved Rex, who they called Jai (pronounced J-long I). They gave us a wonderful life book, handmade with pictures and notes of his life. They also each wrote a letter to him. We also received back the family album we made of us, so we know they used it to prepare us to meet him.
This is also going to be short because we are treasuring this precious time in our hearts, like Mary did when she learned she would have a son.
Heidi arrived safely and soon we'll meet up with her and then head to Pastor Roy's church. It'll be the first service we attend together as a family of four. I'm preaching on Living your Real Name and we are looking forward to ministering.
Thank you for your love and support!
We met the Filomeno family, which is a loving family. You could tell they really loved Rex, who they called Jai (pronounced J-long I). They gave us a wonderful life book, handmade with pictures and notes of his life. They also each wrote a letter to him. We also received back the family album we made of us, so we know they used it to prepare us to meet him.
This is also going to be short because we are treasuring this precious time in our hearts, like Mary did when she learned she would have a son.
Heidi arrived safely and soon we'll meet up with her and then head to Pastor Roy's church. It'll be the first service we attend together as a family of four. I'm preaching on Living your Real Name and we are looking forward to ministering.
Thank you for your love and support!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Rex Day
The day is here. We're all awake early in our room because we're so excited for what this day means. We feel like many of you have been walking this with us. Before we left our home for the airport last Monday, Colette, Asia and I joined hands and thanked God for what our family has been. We celebrated the three of us. That was important to name that which has been good. But we also thanked God for what the three of us are becoming--four. We will realize a bit of that blessing today.
Our good friend Pat Capwell, an extraordinary American woman who founded and directs the place we're staying--the Institute for Foundational Learning (more on that later)--is going with us to the placement appointment. She is bringing a delightful Filipino boy named Arjun, who might be a bridge between us and Rex and make him feel more comfortable. The appointment is at 2 pm and is about 2 hours drive from IFL. We are sponsoring a cake and ice cream goodbye party for all the kids and staff at the CRIBS Foundation.
We don't know how long the appointment will be because it's in the afternoon, but I can't imagine it going longer than 3 hours since that will be getting into dinnertime. It will be wondeful to meet Rex' foster family--Caesar, Elizabeth, Kim and Kyle--and thank them for their important part in Rex' life. We wrote out a list of questions and will fire away. Then, we'll come back to IFL with Rex, the "Thrilla from Manila," as my brother John affectionately calls him.
Our good friend Pat Capwell, an extraordinary American woman who founded and directs the place we're staying--the Institute for Foundational Learning (more on that later)--is going with us to the placement appointment. She is bringing a delightful Filipino boy named Arjun, who might be a bridge between us and Rex and make him feel more comfortable. The appointment is at 2 pm and is about 2 hours drive from IFL. We are sponsoring a cake and ice cream goodbye party for all the kids and staff at the CRIBS Foundation.
We don't know how long the appointment will be because it's in the afternoon, but I can't imagine it going longer than 3 hours since that will be getting into dinnertime. It will be wondeful to meet Rex' foster family--Caesar, Elizabeth, Kim and Kyle--and thank them for their important part in Rex' life. We wrote out a list of questions and will fire away. Then, we'll come back to IFL with Rex, the "Thrilla from Manila," as my brother John affectionately calls him.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Plans Have Changed...
We got word today that the placement appointment has changed. We'll get Rex on Saturday at 2 pm. We'll have a goodbye party at the childcare facility with cake and ice cream. We have also decided to change our plans for next week. Instead of going to a resort, which is something we'd like to do but probably not something Rex would like to do since he's not used to big open pools, we're going to stay with our friends at the children's boarding school and home. This way there will be lots of kids around to sort of ease Rex' transition away from what has been familiar. We feel it will be valuable to have kids to play with while he gets to know us adults a little.
So, in less than 48 hours we will have Rex! On Sunday we go to a church to minister and will take him with us. We'll also meet Heidi Lewis that day. We will spend next week doing fun activities in the area until we leave the country on Friday.
Thank you for praying and supporting us! We've gotten many awesome messages from many of you. Sorry we can't reply back to each one.
If you'd like to pray, you can pray for the placement appointment, that the transition goes well. Please also pray for Heidi as she travels here on Friday and arrives Saturday.
Thank you!
So, in less than 48 hours we will have Rex! On Sunday we go to a church to minister and will take him with us. We'll also meet Heidi Lewis that day. We will spend next week doing fun activities in the area until we leave the country on Friday.
Thank you for praying and supporting us! We've gotten many awesome messages from many of you. Sorry we can't reply back to each one.
If you'd like to pray, you can pray for the placement appointment, that the transition goes well. Please also pray for Heidi as she travels here on Friday and arrives Saturday.
Thank you!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Letter from Pastor Roy
Dear Bro. Chris,
My lips is not enough to express many thanks to God because of you. I am not seeking self glory for I know the Master whom I serve- He is the only one worthy of glory, honor and praise. 15 minutes after taking taxi for you, I went back to the feeding site to appreciate my deaconess and her family for doing the cook and setting up chairs etc, but I arrived in the area where still full of people, they keep talking of the blessing they experienced and recieved that day. I received lovely hugs from few of them. I sat with them about few minutes and getting darker that time, we can't stop people's joy talking each one what they got, until I say, we are going home. I see sweet smiles and many hands waving at us as we leave their place. Yes it is a 4 months old feeding work, providing both spiritual and physical bread.
I have read this morning your article, and having joy in my heart as your are stating the readers, I'd like to do more for His kingdom. As you see, the ministry I told is not just a story or pictures that I used to sent you, it is a reality. God used you and caused our feeding ministry an impact and a talk about in the area. Because of that, what shall I expect but to see more kids and parents will come next meeting. Report spreading in the area about your visit.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH HEINZ FAMILY!
See you again, I love you.all.
Giving glory to God!
Your Brother in the Lord,
Pastor Roy
My lips is not enough to express many thanks to God because of you. I am not seeking self glory for I know the Master whom I serve- He is the only one worthy of glory, honor and praise. 15 minutes after taking taxi for you, I went back to the feeding site to appreciate my deaconess and her family for doing the cook and setting up chairs etc, but I arrived in the area where still full of people, they keep talking of the blessing they experienced and recieved that day. I received lovely hugs from few of them. I sat with them about few minutes and getting darker that time, we can't stop people's joy talking each one what they got, until I say, we are going home. I see sweet smiles and many hands waving at us as we leave their place. Yes it is a 4 months old feeding work, providing both spiritual and physical bread.
I have read this morning your article, and having joy in my heart as your are stating the readers, I'd like to do more for His kingdom. As you see, the ministry I told is not just a story or pictures that I used to sent you, it is a reality. God used you and caused our feeding ministry an impact and a talk about in the area. Because of that, what shall I expect but to see more kids and parents will come next meeting. Report spreading in the area about your visit.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH HEINZ FAMILY!
See you again, I love you.all.
Giving glory to God!
Your Brother in the Lord,
Pastor Roy
September 16 Update
Hello from Manila,
We arrived yesterday evening after a long but enjoyable travel experience. Today was very meaningful but exhausting. I've written a bit about it at http://chaplainspage.blogspot.com/2009/09/100.html. To summarize, we worked with a local friend to buy clothes and then pass them out at a slum here in the city. In addition, we also served soup. Our friend and his wife have been visiting this slum for about four months now. It is hard to believe people live the way they do here. It had rained earlier today, and so water filled the roadways. Trash floated in the big puddles as people walked in them with no shoes or sandals. Kids walked around naked, much like they do everyday. We saw people peeing in the streets and also bathing with large wash basins. Kids dug through trash heaps. People were napping in all sorts of places--on cardboard and on cement, much different than the feather bed I napped on today.
We spent about two hours walking in the market, buying the clothes, sandals and underwear we would pass out. 60 sandals, 60 underwear, 30 outfits for $100. Then we spent another two hours at the slums with the people. I shared a brief ten-minute impromptu message to the people, which our friend Roy translated, and then he preached a message. Then we handed the stuff out and spooned soup. They let us spoon the soup, which was a privilege. Asia was tired from our trip and I think it was very exhausting for her. She sort of just looked around, almost stunned, and took it all in. This was a powerful education, not just for her, but for all of us. Even though Colette brought homeschooling materials on the trip, I think she just did all the schooling she needs for the next ten days.
We return to the slum area on Sunday, where we will be guests in Pastor Roy's church and I have the honor of preaching. Heidi will join us on Sunday so it will be good to see her then. Tomorrow we are heading to the Institute for Foundational Learning, which is a children's boarding school, home and sustainable farm that houses over 100 kids. Our friend Pat Capwell, who is an amazing American woman, started IFL and leads it along with staff members. We'll be there for three days and look forward to our time there.
Then on Sunday as I said we come back to Manila, then Monday morning, drive to meet Rex. We just got word that the foster family is willing to meet with us, which is a huge gift since that will be our time to ask questions about Rex before we get him. Monday night will be our first night with him.
As we meet little Filipino children who are Rex' age, we can't help but think how his life could be like any of these children's lives. He could be on the street, scrounging for food, flies in his eyes. But instead we have the privilege of knowing him and raising him. In a sense we're so grateful to give him this chance, but in another, sad because he is only one out of thousands.
We arrived yesterday evening after a long but enjoyable travel experience. Today was very meaningful but exhausting. I've written a bit about it at http://chaplainspage.blogspot.com/2009/09/100.html. To summarize, we worked with a local friend to buy clothes and then pass them out at a slum here in the city. In addition, we also served soup. Our friend and his wife have been visiting this slum for about four months now. It is hard to believe people live the way they do here. It had rained earlier today, and so water filled the roadways. Trash floated in the big puddles as people walked in them with no shoes or sandals. Kids walked around naked, much like they do everyday. We saw people peeing in the streets and also bathing with large wash basins. Kids dug through trash heaps. People were napping in all sorts of places--on cardboard and on cement, much different than the feather bed I napped on today.
We spent about two hours walking in the market, buying the clothes, sandals and underwear we would pass out. 60 sandals, 60 underwear, 30 outfits for $100. Then we spent another two hours at the slums with the people. I shared a brief ten-minute impromptu message to the people, which our friend Roy translated, and then he preached a message. Then we handed the stuff out and spooned soup. They let us spoon the soup, which was a privilege. Asia was tired from our trip and I think it was very exhausting for her. She sort of just looked around, almost stunned, and took it all in. This was a powerful education, not just for her, but for all of us. Even though Colette brought homeschooling materials on the trip, I think she just did all the schooling she needs for the next ten days.
We return to the slum area on Sunday, where we will be guests in Pastor Roy's church and I have the honor of preaching. Heidi will join us on Sunday so it will be good to see her then. Tomorrow we are heading to the Institute for Foundational Learning, which is a children's boarding school, home and sustainable farm that houses over 100 kids. Our friend Pat Capwell, who is an amazing American woman, started IFL and leads it along with staff members. We'll be there for three days and look forward to our time there.
Then on Sunday as I said we come back to Manila, then Monday morning, drive to meet Rex. We just got word that the foster family is willing to meet with us, which is a huge gift since that will be our time to ask questions about Rex before we get him. Monday night will be our first night with him.
As we meet little Filipino children who are Rex' age, we can't help but think how his life could be like any of these children's lives. He could be on the street, scrounging for food, flies in his eyes. But instead we have the privilege of knowing him and raising him. In a sense we're so grateful to give him this chance, but in another, sad because he is only one out of thousands.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
We're Leaving Tomorrow
Well, it's hard to believe that in nine hours we'll be on a plane to Detroit, then to Tokyo, then to Manila. Thanks for all your support and we'll be in touch soon. By the way, thanks to all who donated eyeglasses. We're taking 58 pairs!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Now We're Leaving Monday
I apologize for all the updates lately. Our plans have changed again and hopefully this is the last change. We are now leaving on Monday, September 14 and will return Friday, September 25. We will receive Rex on Monday, the 21.
That's it for now.
That's it for now.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Trip Changed
Due to delays in processing Rex' visa, we have to push our trip back a week. So, we now leave on Sept 16 and return Sept 25. This is disappointing, but we trust God for the timing. He has been leading this process all along and we're not going to stop trusting Him now.
This does mean that we're continuing to collect eyeglasses for another week.
This does mean that we're continuing to collect eyeglasses for another week.
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 7
Well, our trip is almost upon us. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your love, support, prayers, and in some cases, supplies. A week from today, we’ll meet Rex and he’ll join our family. It’s hard to believe the time has come. This message contains the itinerary for our trip. As you’ll see, it’s more than an adoption trip; we get the privilege of visiting friends, delivering supplies, and ministering at a church before we meet Rex. After we meet Rex, however, our focus will be on him.
We’re so grateful that our friend Heidi Lewis of Heidi Lynne Photography is coming to photograph the trip. She leaves several days after we leave for the Philippines and will be traveling alone, so please pray for her safety. We’ll meet up in Manila on Sunday.
By the way, the time difference in Eastern Standard is twelve hours ahead in the Philippines. So, if you’re in the Eastern time zone at 8 am, it’s 8 pm that same day in the Philippines.
Here’s the itinerary:
Wednesday, Sept 9: Depart for the PH
Thursday, Sept 10: Arrive late in the PH
Friday, Sept 11: Spend time with friends at the Institute for Foundational Learning, a children’s boarding school, home and sustainable farm; Heidi leaves for the PH; my Dad’s birthday
Saturday, Sept 12: IFL; Heidi arrives late in the PH
Sunday, Sept 13: Minister at a church called the Little Jerusalem House of Prayer; deliver eyeglasses, Bibles, medical supplies, and funding for the feeding program in the slums of Manila
Monday, Sept 14: Meet Rex and receive him into our family; National Grandparent’s Day
Tuesday, Sept 15: Hang out at Loreland Resort
Wednesday, Sept 16: Loreland Resort
Thursday, Sept 17: Meet with the InterCountry Adoption Board
Friday, Sept 18: Depart for USA
We would really appreciate your prayers for:
Safe and on-time travel for us and for Heidi
The opportunity to meet Rex’ foster family
Peace for Rex in this transition
Good connection between us and Rex
Blessed ministry time
We plan to send updates during the trip, so stay tuned!
We’re so grateful that our friend Heidi Lewis of Heidi Lynne Photography is coming to photograph the trip. She leaves several days after we leave for the Philippines and will be traveling alone, so please pray for her safety. We’ll meet up in Manila on Sunday.
By the way, the time difference in Eastern Standard is twelve hours ahead in the Philippines. So, if you’re in the Eastern time zone at 8 am, it’s 8 pm that same day in the Philippines.
Here’s the itinerary:
Wednesday, Sept 9: Depart for the PH
Thursday, Sept 10: Arrive late in the PH
Friday, Sept 11: Spend time with friends at the Institute for Foundational Learning, a children’s boarding school, home and sustainable farm; Heidi leaves for the PH; my Dad’s birthday
Saturday, Sept 12: IFL; Heidi arrives late in the PH
Sunday, Sept 13: Minister at a church called the Little Jerusalem House of Prayer; deliver eyeglasses, Bibles, medical supplies, and funding for the feeding program in the slums of Manila
Monday, Sept 14: Meet Rex and receive him into our family; National Grandparent’s Day
Tuesday, Sept 15: Hang out at Loreland Resort
Wednesday, Sept 16: Loreland Resort
Thursday, Sept 17: Meet with the InterCountry Adoption Board
Friday, Sept 18: Depart for USA
We would really appreciate your prayers for:
Safe and on-time travel for us and for Heidi
The opportunity to meet Rex’ foster family
Peace for Rex in this transition
Good connection between us and Rex
Blessed ministry time
We plan to send updates during the trip, so stay tuned!
Eyeglasses Needed Before Wednesday
This trip to the Philippines is more than an adoption trip. I'll provide more detail about our activities in a later message, but the purpose of this message is to ask for eyeglasses. A pastor who I've gotten to know in the last year--Pastor Roy Malpas--serves people living in a slum in Manila. We were planning to bring used eyeglasses for the elderly people, who are in desperate need of them, but our plan fell through.
So, we are two days away from leaving and we have no eyeglasses. We're asking for help from those living in the State College area. If you have any used eyeglasses, or want to purchase new ones for this need, we would greatly appreciate it. We are providing funding in case the lenses need to be replaced once we get there.
So, if you can participate, there are drop-offs in two locations:
1 ) Good Steward Software, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801
2) Our house. Contact me if you don't know where we live.
There are boxes at both locations labelled "Eyeglasses for the Philippines." Radnor Road is accepting donations this Monday (today) and Tuesday around the clock. Our house is accepting donations on Monday and Tuesday around the clock.
Thank you for helping us out! Let me know if you have any questions.
So, we are two days away from leaving and we have no eyeglasses. We're asking for help from those living in the State College area. If you have any used eyeglasses, or want to purchase new ones for this need, we would greatly appreciate it. We are providing funding in case the lenses need to be replaced once we get there.
So, if you can participate, there are drop-offs in two locations:
1 ) Good Steward Software, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801
2) Our house. Contact me if you don't know where we live.
There are boxes at both locations labelled "Eyeglasses for the Philippines." Radnor Road is accepting donations this Monday (today) and Tuesday around the clock. Our house is accepting donations on Monday and Tuesday around the clock.
Thank you for helping us out! Let me know if you have any questions.
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