Visa Update: We went to the Bureau of Immigration on Monday to find that they were closed for election day. We suspected that could happen, but there was no word of it on their website, so we gave it a shot. Nonetheless, we made our way back to the office on Tuesday morning to learn that we needed a few signatures and notaries from the province. So we asked all the questions we could think of to make sure we would be fully prepared when we came back and we hopped the 7 hour bus ride back to Maria Aurora. The trip always makes for a long day, but we were blessed with two air-conditioned buses which was a nice treat. We've gathered all the signatures and notaries and photocopies and we're preparing to make the trip back to the city. We are in a rush to get back because our current visas expire at the end of November. So...we'll head back on Monday and prayerfully submit everything. In return we're expecting them to give us a date for an interview (which means one more trip) and then finally be approved for extension. Please continue to pray for this process. Pray for swift action from the Immigration officers and for us to have attitudes towards them that are above reproach as they can often be hard to work with. And join us in praising the Lord for safe travel to, from, and while in Manila as well as the visa progress that has been made thus far!

We've been a little out of whack since we've been back in the Philippines. We went through a typhoon and it's aftermath, we helped get Monica off to Turkey, and now we're busy working on visa extensions. So, I haven't really kept the blog up to date. But here are some pictures of a few things we've enjoyed since being back.

 Story and art time with the kids in our neighborhood. We're getting close to the story of Jesus' crucifixion. PRAY as we're seeing transformation in a few of these kids' lives.

 Praying for Monica and two Filipinos who work abroad before they each left the country. 

 This is the construction on what will soon be dorms for the students who aretraining to be missionaries. A lot of progress has been made just since I took this picture! 

 We've enjoyed some yummy Filipino food. This is banana cue and pancit. 

 These are some of the girls at Monica's going away party.

 

Note Josh's form of discipline during story time. Interrupt and you get a frisbee to the head :) 

 Our church hosted an "Eat All You Can" fundraiser to help build a kitchen for the church members and missionary training students to use. 

 Lots of food and lots of people

 While we were in the States, many of you asked about our friend Mack who had dengue fever earlier in the year. He has fully recovered and is doing great! Thanks for praying for him. We've also seen some spiritual growth in his life recently. Praise the Lord for His goodness in Mack's life. 

 These boy scouts were ready for camp. I couldn't resist putting this picture up. Check out that uniform! This little boy's personality makes me laugh just writing this.

 We have puppies! Meet Rex and Yuppie Girl :) They're rabies and disease free...unlike most other dogs here. 

FAT (Fat, Available, Teachable) Group is still meeting every Sunday. We now have our Filipino friends leading the meetings which is really exciting. 

This is one of many reasons why I'd rather live in Maria Aurora than Manila. 'Packed like sardines' took on a whole new level while we waited for the train. 

One last picture of the three of us before Monica flew out for Turkey! 

PRAY for Monica as she adjusts to a new culture in Turkey. PRAY for her to be effective in every way. 

 

PRAY for Josh and me to be approved for visa extensions.

 

PRAY for Filipinos as they celebrate the biggest holiday in the Philippines today:  All Souls Day.  Family members gather from all over the country and visit their deceased family in the cemeteries. The families will decorate the tombs and pray on behalf of the dead who maybe did not die in grace. They will also commemorate the lives of beloved Roman Catholic saints. For Christians, this holiday has become not much more than a family reunion. They may visit the graveyard and commemorate the lives of their loved ones, but their is no worship or communicating with the dead. However, many people are still stuck in this cultural practice and are desperate for hope. Pray this holiday would be empty and confusing for them and that they may begin to ask questions and seek the Truth.

PRAY for Josh and me as we prepare to become a mommy and daddy. As this belly grows, reality is setting in :)

PRAY for 7 of our friends here who are currently fundraising and training for a 2 month mission trip in the Spring (it will be Summer break here). Pray God would provide the necessary funding and prepare their hearts for serving Him in another culture and context. We're VERY excited as these are the first Filipinos in Maria Aurora that we know of who are being sent out for the purpose of God's Kingdom. We're excited to see the movement that God is stirring in the hearts of believers all over the Philippines. Our friends will be visiting many spiritually closed Southeast Asian countries that Caucasians would face great challenges getting in to.  Pray for them, please. I'm sure I'll post more about them as their trip date grows near.

PRAY for 4 other Trek-Xers who recently moved to Turkey and Guatemala. Pray for them as they transition into their new lives and for the people they will come in contact with. 

 

PRAY for a group from my church in Corinth, Holly Baptist, that is coming for a visit in late November. We are honored to have them join us and can hardly wait for them to get here! Pray for us as we make plans and preparations for their time here. Our desire is for their trip to really further the work of the local Church here. 

How can we PRAY for you??