Celebrating One Year of Healing

Philippines

Patti was recently able to make a trip back to the Philippines.  She was greeted by Annamae, our oldest and first adopted daughter, with news that she passed her SW board exams!!! Now she is a licensed social worker.  We are so proud of her.  Patti’s heart was also warmed by how well the younger girls that we took in, Naneth, Tonette and Jonesa (whom are siblings), are doing in their new foster family.  They are well adjusted, secure, loved and doing great socially, academically, and spiritually.  They are very active in church and the two oldest are second highest in their classes.  This is a miracle because when we took them in they were illiterate. 

While in the Philippines Patti led three bible studies most days and was a part of baptizing three disciples.  Bible studies have continued in our absence, but they have become their own which is really a good and God thing.  Student sponsorship is doing well and each student is being responsible and growing.  The Subangan activity area continues with regular beach clean up.  This provides a safe place for the village children to play and hear bible stories.  It is our privilege to continue to be involved in the work in the Philippines even while we reside in the US.

United States

This summer we have had the opportunity to host missionaries passing through Oregon. First we got to see dear friends that date back to our early walk with the Lord.  They minister in Turkey.  We had a special time with them.  Then we hosted a Columbian missionary kid that was with us when we were in Trinidad.  He is now headed to China as a missionary.  We also hosted a previous DTS student from Trinidad that is headed back to South Africa for the third time.  Next we had the privilege to host and debrief our friend’s grown child that just returned from doing missions in 11 nations in one year!  He is already back out in the field.  Finally, the founders of Nehemiah House in the Philippines passed through on their furlough.  It has been fun to see the work the Lord is doing through these special people and to experience it in this season of His Grace.

Mark is healing up from his multiple injuries/surgeries and is continuing his therapy regime.  He is feeling much better, though he still has some limitat-ions and pain.  It is officially one year since our return to the US and his surgeries.  He continues to be creative and working on projects, helping neighbors, and volunteering.  He has made our place hospitable for hosting people.  He is already volunteering this school year with the drama department in Bekah’s high school.  He continues to have occasional speaking engagements.  We feel like this season is for giving Bekah stability in her high school years.

As soon as Patti returned from the Philippines she got to drive nearly 4,000 miles to Fresno, LA, San Diego, Tucson, El Paso, Phoenix, Palm Desert, Clovis, Red Bluff and back home again.  It is a long story.  But…by God’s grace many divine appointments happened along the way.  Sometimes what we see as an obstacle, having to drive to Texas to register our car and have it inspected, God uses as opportunities for blessing His people and furthering His Kingdom.  Thank you for loving us and praying for us through this season.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.       ~Rom 8:28

Whats UP??? (March 2017)

  Mexico  

Recently our family was able to join dear friends on their Spring Break Mission Trip to Mexico.  They do it jointly with a local school. 64 people in all went and built 4 houses in 4 days. We were able to help build a house for a family who tragically lost their house to a giant sink hole, along with 60 other families.

  Philippines  

Even though we are here our hearts are also in the Philippines. We are in contact and in touch almost daily with the great things that God is doing with these precious people. They finished with the fire rebuild and after the setback of the flood, things are up and running again at Subangan. Bible studies continue on.  We still have sponsored students who are doing great in school. We have one that has recently graduated with her degree in Social Work.  Thank you for your prayers and support for these students and the work there.

  United States  

Where we are is the mission field. The need for surgeries and rest has only created a new area to love and live. We are keeping our hearts open to what is around us.  This has led us to speak at many churches and meetings, to visit at people’s houses, and to join outreaches like Mexico. Good things are happening and we are so blessed to have you in our lives. 

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.