A Visit From Friends

After much anticipation the day of Rod and Linnette's arrival was finally here! We picked them up at the airport on Thursday, September 10th at 12:00 AM (midnight). Needless to say, there were lots of hugs and tears! After the short drive to our house, we spent a couple of hours getting caught up on old news and giving them their itinerary for the week. We knew it was going to be a lot in a short time for our dear friends, but we wanted them to get a good picture of what our life was like here in Cebu.

Thursday was a light day for us. We let Rod and Linnette get a little rest and then we headed out for our Cebuano lessons at the Bible Study Center with Rachael Murrell Robinstein and Sara Murrell. They had a wonderful afternoon getting to know the Murrell Family and celebrating the birthdays of Amy Murrell and Clint Robinstein. After the lesson we drove around the city for some minor sight seeing. Later that evening, we attended the Couples Devotional at the Downtown Church. They made lots of new friends and happily joined in the discussion.

On Friday morning we braved the rain and began our shopping at Makro, the Philippine version of Sams, to purchase the monthly supplies for the orphans in Negros. Our friends got to experience first hand how difficult shopping can be here in the Philippines, because as all who live here know, to complete your shopping, you must visit many stores. There is no such thing as buying everything in one place. Once the shopping was completed we met up with Joel and Maricor Talaver who served as our tour guides for the afternoon. Rod and Linnette got to enjoy many of the local sights such as the Taoist Temple, Magellan's Cross and Fort San Pedro. It was a wonderful afternoon spent with new friends.

On Saturday morning we visited the Children of Cebu Foundation for our monthly visit. We were joined by several brothers and sisters from Downtown, Mark and Debbie VanDyke, Joel and Maricor Talaver and Dolly Belo. Hannah, Ann, Cheryl, Onassis, Jobert, Ethen, Rizal and Josue from the youth also joined us to lead the activities with the children. We were eagerly greeted by several of the children as we got out of our van. It was touching to see how they remembered us and especially Lilia. There were several new children at the home this month. One group of siblings in particular tore at my heart. They had only been at the foundation for a couple of days. The youngest little girl, probably about 4, was very withdrawn and didn't interact much with the group. She immediately made friends with Sister Debbie and clung desperately to her. It was only when the group started singing that she left Debbie's lap long enough to join in and then immediately ran back for comfort once the story began. Some of our youth was able to piece together the story from the oldest sibling. Apparently the father had left the family and the mother, having no where else to turn, went to live with an aunt. The aunt was not able to provide for the four children and so the mother brought her children and dropped them off at the Foundation. I can't imagine the pain of having to give up your children to keep them from starving in the streets, nor can I imagine the pain of the children at having been abandoned by both parents. This story truly broke my heart and I just ask that you please keep these children in your prayers. After the lessons and activities, the children enjoyed the fresh fruit and yogurt drinks provided by Lilia's Place and the VanDykes. Clothing and slippers were also donated by the Sugar Grove Church of Christ. Rod and Linnette got to witness first hand the passion and enthusiasm from the Downtown Church for the children in this transitional home. After our visit to the foundation we were all treated to lunch at Joe's Chicken Inato by the VanDykes. Next on the agenda, was an afternoon of badminton with Joel and the youth. Like ourselves, Rod and Linnette quickly discovered that this was not the leisure backyard variety of badminton. This was a serious game of skill and finesse! But in all fairness, the old guys didn't too bad against the youth...

Sunday morning we worshiped with the Downtown Church. The ladies studied Esther in their Bible classes while the men discussed the Prayer of Jabez. Later we enjoyed a powerful lesson from Mark VanDyke on Nehemiah. The Fikes were welcomed with open arms and made to feel right at home. They could immediately see why the Downtown Church had become our new church family. After church we were treated to lunch at Laguna Garden Cafe by the VanDykes. Rod and Linnette got to experience many local dishes and also had a wonderful time getting to know Mark and Debbie. After our delicious lunch we met up with Joel, Maricor and several of the youth for a local favorite pastime of karaoke. Our room rocked with talent! Before we left Rod and Linnette were treated to a special presentation of "Lead Me Lord" by the group. It was a beautiful parting gift and we closed with a prayer.

Sunday evening was an emotional reunion with our home congregation of Sugar Grove Church of Christ via Skype. Although we had technical difficulties in the first service and got to laugh hysterically at Mark Howell's antics, it was still a moving experience. Doug and I got to share a little of what's been happening in our lives for the last three months and what our needs and visions are for the future. At the end of each service our family sang to us "We love you with the love of the Lord." Though I loved every moment of seeing all of our old friends, the call made me so homesick. I was so glad that Rod and Linnette were here with us to comfort us after the call.

Monday was a day of traveling. We loaded up the supplies and began our 6 hour trip to Negros Island. Rod and Linnette enjoyed seeing a new part of the Philippines. Though, I do think Linnette was a little anxious about riding in the front seat. Let's just say "a drive in the country" has a whole new meaning here than it does in the states. We enjoyed lunch at Joe's by the Sea before heading to Caulig Caulig. After arriving at the Emperado home, Rod and Linnette were introduced to Orwen and Resurrection Emperado, Richard's brother and mother. Resurrection entertained us with some stories about our hosts, Richard and Becky, while we waited for dinner to be prepared. After our wonderful meal, Rod and Linnette had the joy of a cold shower before turning in for the evening. I've never heard Rod sing in that pitch before...

We were awakened early, and I mean early, 4:30 AM to be exact, by the crowing of the rooster! Not a sound Rod and Linnette were accustomed to. We were treated to a delicious breakfast of sticky rice, thick hot chocolate and fresh mango prepared by Resurrection, Richard's mother. With our jeepney loaded down with supplies for the orphans, we headed up the mountain. Our first stop was at Sister Lida's home. Samboy and Mamart greeted us with the traditional show of respect (touching our hand to their forehead). We could tell the boys were getting used to us because they smiled more and seemed much less bashful. Even Mamart gave us some smiles. Sister Lida reported that they had been doing well this month and that the boys were enjoying school. We shared a prayer together before we headed off for our next stop at Wenyljane's. Wenyljane was awaiting for our arrival with several of her school friends. She was very excited about receiving her much needed school supplies and the new clothes that Rod and Linnette purchased for her. We visited with Jane for a while and even discussed the possibility of her coming to visit us in Cebu during her Christmas break. She still continues to have perfect attendance at the M.O.S.E.S. classes and will be receiving a special award. We also spent some time visiting with the Bago Church members. They served us fresh green coconuts to quench our thirst. It was a new experience for Rod and Linnette. Our last stop on the journey was at the Luizo home, where the Dolino children live. Again, we were honored with a meal prepared by Perla Luizo. After the meal, the children were given the clothing and shoes donated by the Sugar Grove Church in Houston, Texas. The girls especially loved the shiny pink sandals. What was really neat was that I asked what they needed the next time we came and one of the girls said she needed a pair of black pants with white stripes for her P.E. class. I pulled out a pair of Adidas pants and they fit her perfectly. She was amazed that God had met her request that quickly. They were very touched to know that people so far away cared and loved for them. The Luizos and the Dolinos are a beautiful family and we ask that you continue to keep them in your prayers, especially as one of the older girls, Nelly, is experiencing some growing pains. Linnette's trip was made complete when she got to ride on the motorcycle with Adie Luizo. For Rod and Linnette the trip was an opportunity of a lifetime. They were able to experience the joy of glorifying God even though they experienced some of the roughest terrain and endured throat burning smoke from the burning fields. That evening, on our trip back to Cebu City, there was no complaining of how difficult the trip had been, but instead, talk of the fond memories of Samboy, Mamart, Wenyljane and the Dolino children and their beautiful smiles and gentle souls and how many more children we could help through Lilia's Place.

Wednesday, their last day in Cebu, was a day of relaxation! Doug took Rod, Linnette and Lilia to Plantation Bay for a day of fun in the sun. Unfortunately, I was down with a migraine and couldn't join in on the fun. We took the Fikes to the airport that evening around 10:30PM. It was very sad telling them goodbye and it was very hard letting go of our little piece of home. We asked Linnette if she was ready to move here and her reply was, "No, I think my job is to serve you from the states."

Linnette is exactly right. Not everyone is called to come to the field and work, but you still serve in an important capacity. People in the field need to know that people back home still love them, still think about them and most importantly still pray for them. Missionaries can't do their jobs completely without a great support team behind them. It takes all of us doing something to make a difference! For all of you that support, love and pray for us, we thank you! Thank you Rod and Linnette for coming to visit us, we love you!