Partners @ Work

 Since we aren't able to be on site as much as usual because of lockdown restrictions, I have been sharing pics that our tribal partners in Bicol post in their social media accounts. Hope you enjoy seeing what they've been up to. And it seems that one of our partner couples hasn't been social distancing very well during this past year of lockdowns - our newest MK just joined the team today! :)
(see pic below)

Thanks for standing behind them in prayer!

Request to lift up!

Here's a request for this week specifically. The government here will be making decisions for what quarantine lockdown level will be implemented starting May 1. The lockdown level makes a huge difference in our quality of life (ability to get out and exercise with friends for example) as well as how easily we can move around for ministry. Additionally, while they are at the strictest lockdown, they don't process exemptions to allow foreigners to enter the country, and there is a strict travel ban. We have several new personnel hoping to arrive in June, but in order for that to happen, the ban has to lift in May so they can start processing the exemptions again. Cases have been on the decline again, so we're really hoping...Pls pray with us that the ban would lift!

Alive & Kicking

 Hello team. We're still alive and kicking here...but it's hard to know what to post. For this past month, Manila and its surrounding area has reverted to strict lockdown because of rising case numbers. While lockdown never entirely ended, it had started loosening up, but now we've been back at the "don't leave your house except for groceries and medicine" level. Prayers appreciated for strength as this time has been emotionally even harder than before, especially on our youth who have essentially been under house arrest for more than a yr. Steve actually has been able to take some ministry trips because humanitarian needs are an exception, but can't post info or pics because lot of people feel strongly about him doing that, even tho he tests first and follows laws. Then not much interesting to post about in regular life because not technically allowed to leave our homes. Can only post so many zoom screens and pics of us working on computers! So, apologies for not keeping up with posts and blog but just not sure what I can actually post about. Tnx for continuing to pray even without pics and updates!

Quarantined

When the Philippines opened back up to allow some foreigners with visas back in, they instituted a 1-week hotel quarantine upon arrival with a test on the 6th day. If negative, then you can do the 2nd week quarantine at home. You have to choose from a list of bureau of quarantine approved hotel facilities. We were on the 27th floor, and it was a 1 bedroom suite with a living area (where Ben slept) and small kitchenette. Meals were delivered to us (rice with meat and veggie for every meal), and we were not allowed to get deliveries. It wasn't a great week, but it could have been whole lot worse, and we were thankful to have little more space than a typical hotel room. And the sunsets were amazing! We tested negative and completed our 2nd week of quarantine at home. We were released from quarantine on a Thursday morning...and Steve left Thursday afternoon for a trip into the mountains. :) He's back already, planning his next trip to Bicol.

The Work Continues

 Something that is pretty cool is that even when we are stuck in another country, the work with the Agta in Bicol continues. Our tribal partners there were continuing with Bible studies, relief and new outreach groups. Even some new baptisms! Even though we aren't there in person, we get to touch base by phone, and we enjoy seeing pics posted on FB. Thought you might enjoy seeing some of them too. :)

Thankful for faithful teammates who carry on the work!

Delayed

We were supposed to be in the States for just 1 month, but while we were there, the new variant covid cases started to emerge. The Philippine government became concerned about the variant, so even though we had special exemption paperwork to re-enter the country, that exemption was pre-empted by the new travel ban. We found ourselves stuck, but we were so thankful for a place to stay (friends allowed us to use their beautiful lake home!) and that we could continue working online while we waited. The delay also allowed us to be with Mikayla to celebrate her 21st birthday! We were eventually able to book new flights and actually left the night of her birthday to travel to the airport - the first round of snow cancelled our flights through Dallas, so we had to reschedule through Chicago, then we had to leave early to beat the 2nd round of snow and slept in the airport the night before we traveled. Quite the way to start that looong journey.

 It was so incredibly difficult to say goodbye to these 2 once again, but we were so very thankful for the time we had together, and also thankful that we were allowed to travel back to the Philippines after 2 months in the States.

Snow

 While our kids have been blessed with many adventures through the years, they haven't had much experience with snow - both Ben and Zach hadn't even seen it in 9 years - so they were thrilled when Missouri got some snow while we were back. That doesn't happen every year, so it was a special blessing. The snow actually ended up disrupting our travel plans (more on that to come), but we definitely took advantage of it and had some fun while we had the opportunity. 

Florida Vacation

 While we were in the States, we joined my parents for a vacation down in Florida with the kids. We also got to visit with Steve's parents while we were down there, and we saw Zach's school on the way back - where Ben will likely be after he graduates as well. We had a wonderful time relaxing as a family and catching up with both sets of parents. We spent a lot of time on the beach, with crazy stunts, spikeball and picnics. We also got to see the manatees and a crocodile farm as well as canoe down a river with crocodiles. In no particular order...

Thankful for many new memories with the family!