Vol 2.1

Rhonda has been busy with developing Member Care on the Philippine-Micronesia Field.  In December, and the months leading up to, she was responsible for organizing the field’s three-day missionary retreat.  Thankfully, she did not have to choose the resort, plan the food, or arrange for travel, but she was in charge of everything else including entertainment on the four-hour bus ride to and from the resort. Bingo Philippines was a hit it with everyone looking for calaboa (water buffalo), saging (banana), jeepney, and pandesal (sweet bread).  
 
Other areas that she has been busy with in Member Care is preparing for and welcoming our field’s new Work & Witness Coordinators, Janet and Kevin Wilkins. This includes helping them with their on-going transition to the Philippines, being a resource, arranging for New Missionary orientation with various people, and a variety of other things.

Right after Christmas, missionaries serving on our field gathered at a beautiful, ocean beach resort for a time of fellowship, relaxation, and spiritual renewal. We were privileged to have Harmon and Cindy Schmelzenbach from the Melanesia Field be our guest speakers.  We kept them busy with presenting two ninety minute workshops on Stress Strategies and Strengths Development, 1:1 coaching, speaking in formal and informal gatherings, and leading a team building activity. Something of interest that they pointed out in their workshop on Stress Strategies is that those who serve in cross-cultural ministry like us have an average stress level of 600. 200 is considered very high. We actually feel that our stress is lower now than what it was in Idaho before we came back to the Philippines. The past few years, our stress was very high from jobs, health issues, taking care of 4.5 acres, and many other challenges. Although there are many challenges living in a new place (driving in Manila traffic, heat and humidity, language challenges, cultural issues, ministry related issues), knowing we are here in the center of God's will helps us find our way through these challenges.

In January, David taught a video class of five student from Fiji through the Culturally And Linguistically Diverse program of Nazarene Theological College, Australia. The topic was on Biblical Hermeneutics, a course he has taught many times for at least six different colleges and seminaries. It was challenging to be in front of his computer screen for six hours a day five days in a row. This was his first time to teach by live video. David taught one day at home and then the other days in the Philippine/Micronesia Field Office. The technology worked well for the most part. It was a great experience to work with these students who are pastors in the South Pacific and educators at South Pacific Nazarene Theological College. Now, the students have to finish their written work!

We were able to visit several district assemblies in January. This was a good time to make new friends and renew relationships with others. In between the assemblies, our family was able to go out to dinner with Dr. Filimao Chambo, the new General Superintendent elected as the last General Assembly. He is a very kind and humble person, easy to talk with. He was very well accepted by the assemblies here. He is a great speaker with biblical sermons that are relevant to the spiritual needs of people.

David continues to assist efforts on the Asia-Pacific Region to develop theological education. This month, he devoted a lot of time to writing a handbook for teachers and students for Wesleyan Interpretation of Scripture in the new Regional Course of Study. He hopes to finish it in the next few weeks. The plan is to recruit more people in the next month or so to write the 23 other courses in the curriculum. He is pushing hard to finish this handbook so that he can provide others an example of how they can write their handbooks. The goal is to have a set of teaching materials within a year that can be used by teachers in colleges and extension education cites around the region. The handbooks will be around 150 pages each when completed. The handbooks will go with the new curriculum which is focused on the outcomes of what a pastor should be, know, and do. It is a creative approach to this ancient idea.

We have used our long accumulated frequent flyers to plan Joel's return to the Philippines this summer during July and August. We are looking forward to this after not seeing him for a year. We appreciate all who are watching out over him and sending him tangible expressions of love while he continues his study at Northwest Nazarene University.

Shan continues to work at Faith Family Children's Home each Wednesday morning, visiting with a young lady. She is a vital assistant to her mom in Member Care.  Watch for her soon to be launched Member Care Muffin Ministry. Thank you for praying for her and her ministry.

David has restarted his devotional blog found at http://acky4.com/wp/blog/. Each day, he posts thoughts on a passage of the Bible. Right now, he is studying through 1 John. Drop on by if you need some encouraging or challenging thoughts for your day.