Laaaaaa! "Okay, everyone close your eyes and try that again. See if you can all match your voices to one note." Louahooooahhaaaaaaaaaaaa! "There! did you hear that now! That was much better. That's what we want to sound like when you're singing the songs."
Last week I started a children's choir here on Second Mile. Between the two practices we have had, there are a total of eleven kids interested, including my cousins. I had SOOOO much fun with them!! I couldn't believe how much fun. They all LOVE to sing, and are fast learners. They aren't shy and afraid... they just sing out with all their might and we can work on adjusting it from there :-)
Over the last week I have been busy with something happening each day. Since last Monday I gave a keyboard lesson Monday, children's choir Tuesday, Bible study where I led the music Wednesday, Wednesday morning I helped cook at the Working Hands dorm, Thursday evening I went to a final dinner and presentation at the end of a street kids camp, Friday was Missionary team meeting in Manila and another kids choir practice, Saturday was the regular choir practice, and Sunday I went to church with one of the girls from Mustard Seed in the morning, led music for the afternoon service and also at that service the church choir performed for the first time! It was a good week. Oh, I forgot to mention music lessons with Daniel and Noah and writing another test for them.
Today in the morning Laura and I went to the Palenke to buy ingredients, and then in the afternoon we made Biko (sticky rice with sugar and cocoanut) with one of the national ladies here, named Lolly (pronounced Lowly). Later this week I may be cooking at the dorm again sometime, and have more choir practices and performances.
Between everything that's been going on, I have enjoyed spending time with the Roots, reading a book together as a family (The Edge of Eternity) and helping with various projects. We will be having guests for Supper tonight.
Well, I hope this gives you a bit of an idea of what I've been up to! Thank you so much for your prayers! I really need them, especially when there is a busier schedule. I am Praising God for every day I have here, and seeking Him for wisdom in how to spend my time.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
My Holey Foot
Beware of this post if you get queezy stomachs about gross things.
It was Saturday morning, 11 am. I was just helping drop off some tools by the garden to help Daniel and the rest of the family get some work done for an hour before Lunch. And then it happened.
I was listening to the music being sung by the Seventh Day Adventists who are on the other side of the compound fence. They were singing "He Leadeth Me". I was also feeling tired that day, and thus clumsy. I tripped over and stepped on the edge of a rake which had just been dropped, points upward, on the lawn. I must have stumbled toward it, because somehow I ended up leaning all my weight on it, I'm pretty sure. I staggered forward, and sat down on the grass to investigate my scratch. It turned out to be a hole.
Between my pinky toe and the next one in line with it, there was a little strip of skin peeled up, and then a puncture, right between those toes. It didn't bleed much, which really surprised me. I'm estimating that it was about 1/2 cm deep, and I think it bruised some stuff internally. No broken bones though. I never knew there was a space right there on my foot.
With help from my Aunty Melita and Uncle Gary I got it cleaned up, and poured some anti-bacterial-something-or-other down the hole so that it would hopefully kill the germs. It is a good thing I'm up-to-date with my Tetnus shots, because the rake was rusty.
This morning (Sunday) there was a red area on the top of my foot and the little toe area looks swollen. I am taking antibiotics, and have drawn a line in permanent marker around the red area so that I can tell if it grows or not. Throughout today, the red area expanded just slightly. I am following Aunty Melita's instructions for caring for it each day.
Please pray that this injury will heal, Lord willing, and that it won't turn into anything dangerous.
On the plus side, it has forced me to sit still so I had some nice time of Bible reading and journaling today. You never know what's going to happen in a few short moments! Never leave a rake with the pokes facing up.
It was Saturday morning, 11 am. I was just helping drop off some tools by the garden to help Daniel and the rest of the family get some work done for an hour before Lunch. And then it happened.
I was listening to the music being sung by the Seventh Day Adventists who are on the other side of the compound fence. They were singing "He Leadeth Me". I was also feeling tired that day, and thus clumsy. I tripped over and stepped on the edge of a rake which had just been dropped, points upward, on the lawn. I must have stumbled toward it, because somehow I ended up leaning all my weight on it, I'm pretty sure. I staggered forward, and sat down on the grass to investigate my scratch. It turned out to be a hole.
Between my pinky toe and the next one in line with it, there was a little strip of skin peeled up, and then a puncture, right between those toes. It didn't bleed much, which really surprised me. I'm estimating that it was about 1/2 cm deep, and I think it bruised some stuff internally. No broken bones though. I never knew there was a space right there on my foot.
With help from my Aunty Melita and Uncle Gary I got it cleaned up, and poured some anti-bacterial-something-or-other down the hole so that it would hopefully kill the germs. It is a good thing I'm up-to-date with my Tetnus shots, because the rake was rusty.
This morning (Sunday) there was a red area on the top of my foot and the little toe area looks swollen. I am taking antibiotics, and have drawn a line in permanent marker around the red area so that I can tell if it grows or not. Throughout today, the red area expanded just slightly. I am following Aunty Melita's instructions for caring for it each day.
Please pray that this injury will heal, Lord willing, and that it won't turn into anything dangerous.
On the plus side, it has forced me to sit still so I had some nice time of Bible reading and journaling today. You never know what's going to happen in a few short moments! Never leave a rake with the pokes facing up.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Links for Photos
Please forgive me for not figuring out how to make these hyperlinks. Also, I can't figure out how to email the pictures to the blog yet so that they all show up directly here... so for now you'll have to copy and paste in a browser!
Father's Day Trip:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/amy.n.skinner/FathersDayTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCJew9vScyf_1YA&feat=directlink
Palenke:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/amy.n.skinner/Palankay?authkey=Gv1sRgCN2Tgoqk5tOCKg#
My Day with the Mustard Seed Girls:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/amy.n.skinner/DayWithTheMustardSeedGirls?authkey=Gv1sRgCIfc64rWhKPqdw&feat=directlink
Father's Day Trip:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/amy.n.skinner/FathersDayTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCJew9vScyf_1YA&feat=directlink
Palenke:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/amy.n.skinner/Palankay?authkey=Gv1sRgCN2Tgoqk5tOCKg#
My Day with the Mustard Seed Girls:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/amy.n.skinner/DayWithTheMustardSeedGirls?authkey=Gv1sRgCIfc64rWhKPqdw&feat=directlink
Musings about Missionary Life
“Tao po! Ate Melita?” A Philippino lady comes to the door asking for money for her adult son to go to the hospital. He has a boil on his face that has expanded and spread under his jaw, and they can’t afford to take him to get medical attention.
Knock, knock! A child stands there with a letter. My Aunt picks it up and brings it back to the breakfast table Saturday morning. She reads the Tagalog words with her husband, and they decipher that one of the neighborhood ladies has gone into labour early, and needs help. A mother who has birthed four children before, and says there is something different this time.
One sardine. On top of a pile of rice. This is lunch for a poor child, and she wouldn’t even have this if it hadn’t been given.
Looking up at my Uncle with a shy face, a boy, about 14, explains that his family doesn’t have enough money to put him through school, and he is asking to be sponsored.
20%. On a fractions exam. The grade that a young man received as he struggles to understand math and stay in his carpentry program. What should be done? Can he re-take the test? Or is it over for him? How should his teacher decide?
These and many others are the tough situations that the missionaries here at Second Mile face. In one week. Should they give money to help, or would this be discouraging the people from taking initiative to help themselves? How much should they give? Is the health problem enough to recommend seeing a doctor?
Along with household chores and daily life, these decisions are ones that cause the missionaries to turn to God for wisdom on a daily basis. Couples pray for wisdom to know how generous to be with finances. The missionaries struggle to know how to help young believers grow, people who profess Christianity, and come to church, but continue in past traditions and sinfulness. Where is the balance between encouraging people in God’s love and warning them of His wrath?
As I have watched the missionaries here over the past two weeks, I have found it interesting how “normal” their lives are. That doesn’t quite sound right, but let me explain. They are living here, and have all the regular responsibilities of caring for a home and property, raising children, handling finances, grocery shopping, cooking, attending church and Bible studies, and attending association or community meatings. But across the street families are starving and people are aching for the gospel. Again and again the missionaries serve them, and hold services and preach the gospel. Some come. Some go. Prayer meetings are held regularly, and missionaries talk to one another about their experiences and pray for the people. Again and again. My Uncle teaches his carpentry class, and encourages the students in spiritual discipleship as well. Some do well, others fail. Life goes on, new students come, the same neighborhood kids come to Sunday school. Another bible study. More language studying. Another day. Life keeps going.
Sometimes it's exciting, and sometimes its not. Being a missionary is a life-long act of service to God, and faithfulness in prayer, and trusting that God is making a difference even when you can’t see it. Whether you are at home, or abroad.
Knock, knock! A child stands there with a letter. My Aunt picks it up and brings it back to the breakfast table Saturday morning. She reads the Tagalog words with her husband, and they decipher that one of the neighborhood ladies has gone into labour early, and needs help. A mother who has birthed four children before, and says there is something different this time.
One sardine. On top of a pile of rice. This is lunch for a poor child, and she wouldn’t even have this if it hadn’t been given.
Looking up at my Uncle with a shy face, a boy, about 14, explains that his family doesn’t have enough money to put him through school, and he is asking to be sponsored.
20%. On a fractions exam. The grade that a young man received as he struggles to understand math and stay in his carpentry program. What should be done? Can he re-take the test? Or is it over for him? How should his teacher decide?
These and many others are the tough situations that the missionaries here at Second Mile face. In one week. Should they give money to help, or would this be discouraging the people from taking initiative to help themselves? How much should they give? Is the health problem enough to recommend seeing a doctor?
Along with household chores and daily life, these decisions are ones that cause the missionaries to turn to God for wisdom on a daily basis. Couples pray for wisdom to know how generous to be with finances. The missionaries struggle to know how to help young believers grow, people who profess Christianity, and come to church, but continue in past traditions and sinfulness. Where is the balance between encouraging people in God’s love and warning them of His wrath?
As I have watched the missionaries here over the past two weeks, I have found it interesting how “normal” their lives are. That doesn’t quite sound right, but let me explain. They are living here, and have all the regular responsibilities of caring for a home and property, raising children, handling finances, grocery shopping, cooking, attending church and Bible studies, and attending association or community meatings. But across the street families are starving and people are aching for the gospel. Again and again the missionaries serve them, and hold services and preach the gospel. Some come. Some go. Prayer meetings are held regularly, and missionaries talk to one another about their experiences and pray for the people. Again and again. My Uncle teaches his carpentry class, and encourages the students in spiritual discipleship as well. Some do well, others fail. Life goes on, new students come, the same neighborhood kids come to Sunday school. Another bible study. More language studying. Another day. Life keeps going.
Sometimes it's exciting, and sometimes its not. Being a missionary is a life-long act of service to God, and faithfulness in prayer, and trusting that God is making a difference even when you can’t see it. Whether you are at home, or abroad.
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