Winter Here and There

A lot has happened since our arrival in Oregon.  With the 3 surgeries, 5 incisions, 2 spinal injections behind us we have settled where Bekah has been attending school. We are daily focusing on rehab and recovery in order to get better in this season. We are reflecting and gathering old memories and working on documenting our life and story of following Jesus.  We have been traveling most weekends to connect with friends and family. Have had fun with a few rounds of snow since styling here.

 

In the Philippines all of the houses that were destroyed and damaged by fire have been rebuilt or repaired!!! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B1RDKaiOc4

The unfortunate thing is Agape house (ministry house) has been damaged. A flash flood swelled the river higher than it has been the entire time we have been there from monsoon rains that happened on Jan 16th, 2017. It was sunny in the morning and then unexpectedly in the afternoon the downpour started and continued. By night fall it washed away the sand under the house and now it is completely tilted into the river. The good news is it didn’t wash out to sea.

So there is a lot of good materials there. So we can rebuild on higher ground and start over again. So our greatest need is finances to hire workers. Right now there are volunteers doing it but it would be greatly appreciated if we could pay them. We don’t have finances for that right now. Could you help us out? Can mail a check to 

Zoe International Ministries
1026 Pruitt Place
Tyler, TX 75703

or you can use PayPal through our website...
http://zoetotheworld.com/connected.html

Thank you!!!

Workers

volunteering

Day 14

Waking up with the final stretch in mind was great, having pain shoot through my body was not.  It was mixed feelings as we said good-bye to our friends. As in every place that we have stayed,  once again we did not want to leave our friends.  The good news is that we were only 3 hours away and closer to our family and one more day away from Bekah's play that she is in.  The drive was a little slower than we planned but we arrived in time for hugs and a home cooked meal. To be hugging family that in some ways felt like we had seen them last week, and in some ways has felt like five years. We enjoyed the evening like a bottle of Gatorade after a marathon.  We made it.

Day 13

A leisurely relaxed morning was much needed as we awoke to a drizzly morning.  We were then blessed with another gourmet meal as we started the day.  Patti stayed at the house and worked on office work to keep everything running as she always faithfully does.  I got to enjoy seeing both of my friends at their work and see how they impact the world for Jesus.  He serves the community with his business with audio & visual equipment.  And she serves at a ranch the serves the community by loving on kids by using animals, crafts, and the beautiful outdoors.  It was great to watch and amazing to see the impact they have made all over the world in such a short time.  It was difficult to just watch, because everything in me wanted to help.  They did not need any help though, and my wrists and hands are still not able to do what I want them to because of the recent surgeries. I still wanted to help though as I watched them and God do amazing work.  The evening was epic as we played Mini House Golf and recorded a fun song on his music equipment.  And yes, Patti beat all of us like a dirty rug.

Day 12

Starting off the day with a fresh start I decided to salvage the remaining good pieces of of the bikes: seat, handlebars, and brake pads. While struggling with it, my friend came back from his five minute errand and opened up the garage door.  "Can you help me get this undone," I said trying to do a three armed job with two.  He looked at me and said, "Why are you messing with those old bikes when you can ride your new ones," pointing to two brand new bikes next to his truck.  After being stunned, these questions popped out of my mouth, "Wait...how...ahh.. how did you get those in 5 minutes? NO WAY! Are you kidding me? Uh a." I went and got Patti also, only watch her go through the same emotions of shock, gratefulness, and blessing that I had just went through.  

Then it was my friend's turn.  He went in the house and opened up a check that came to him in the mail from a mistake someone had made a while ago and was now paying him back.  He was surprised and had no idea about it. So now he was shocked and blessed while wearing a smile. After good-byes to him and his wife, we drove three hours to our next stop to see other friends of ours from way back.  We were able to see our first snow in many years and the amazing fall colors of the northwest.  

Driving up to their house at dusk was a welcomed site, because my body was and is getting tired of this traveling. Being welcomed by warm hugs, warm house, and warm food is more than I deserve but I appreciate greatly and enjoy. What a blessing.

Day 11

Leaving the sweat embrace of our friends was difficult. The prayers were still in our hearts as we headed out for a quick 30 minute drive to meet my uncle that I have only met once before. We arrived at a fun Mexican restaurant in a slight drizzle. Inside sitting patiently was my uncle, aunt, and my cousin. It was encouraging and fun to hear stories of my dadf and his childhood. After some amazing stories and encouragement we said good by and headed out into more pouring rain. After only a quarter mile before heading on to the freeway while sitting at a light we we thrusted forward with the dreaded crunching sound. Realizing we were just rear-ended, we pulled over as soon as we could to exchange information, only to find ourselves sitting alone. It was a hit and run, that left us with two totaled bikes and a crushed hatch that would not open. 

After calling the insurance and the police we headed to our next stop. I must admit that the wall of gray fog that  we drove into as we headed into Oregon matched how we felt. We were a bit shaken up. It was hard, so we prayed and thanked God for what we have and released what had happened.  We arrived to meet our good friends that we have known for a long time, way back to early camping days.  Their familiar love and comfort was wonderful as we laid down for the night.  

Day 10

Walking up to the ouwie dance
by Patti after she accidentally
smashed her finger so bad that
 it turned blue instantly.

It made for a difficult day but she danced her way through the morning and got packed and ready to go. In the middle of our six hour drive we stopped for gas. As we were stopped we noticed a man trying to break into his car. After 40 minutes we helped him get in his car that he had locked his keys wallet, phone, and left the radio on. We were happy that the engine started up without a jump start. We had a new friend and headed out on our way.




Half way on our drive, I caught Zakita (our car) in a Car's moment. It was a cool moment.

(Yes that is a reflection in the hubcap of a semi that we passed)

We arrived at a dear friend of ours that receives us as a mother and father, they rejoiced and encouraged us and had a wonderful time visiting. They are amazing at ministering to neighbors and leading them to Christ.  They are so welcoming and willing to adopt many into their family.  They have grand children that are not their own but hey love them and treat them as their own. We give the glory to the Lord. We want to grow up and be just like them.

 

Day 9

This day was spent visiting a dear friend who is doing time in Prison.  Because of her bad choices she was stripped of everything that was important to her (including her two children).

Since in prison she has grown into a beautiful and fruitful tree bearing amazing fruit.  Though prison walls contain her she is free spiritually because of the redemptive work of our Savior in her life.  The hope and anchor she has found in Jesus she shares with many prisoners to help them to grab hold of Him also.  She leads multiple support groups for victims of domestic abuse, grief support, and she even vigils with the terminally ill that are dying in prison.  She shares Jesus with sooooo many inside those prison walls.  She is able to reach inmates that the ministries that come in cannot reach.  She is really walking out being the hands and feet, heart and mouth piece of Jesus in side those walls.  She is doing a very important work.  This once intimidated and shy introvert has become a bold and strongly rooted soldier for Christ, that she said "I am so comfortable with a microphone that I can share and preach for 2-3 hours straight."


As I pulled out of the prison parking lot and prayed for her, the thought of the one strong lesson I learned this last year over the pain and difficulties that we have walked through, is to focus on today.  We are not promised tomorrow, all we have is today.  We need to follow Jesus in the moments He has given us right now.  Don't get distracted on the "what ifs" of tomorrow and the uncertainty of the future even if it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.  He has given you the light of today, step into it, embrace Him in it, He is with you, trust Him and follow Him even if it feels dark, and He will bring life and light and purpose to you in your today.