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This year we have had a short list of things we wanted our kids to do and to see here in the United States. That list in part was prepared by us parents, but also by Rebekah. Over the last five years in the Philippines, Rebekah has studied several different places and has asked us […]

We are excited that our kids do miss the Philippines.  To no surprise, they all miss it for different reasons.  For example, Rebekah longs to get back to somewhere warm.  For Abigail, she looks forward to the “special” father-daughter dates we used to have.  For Luke, he really misses his best friends Ty and David […]

This Friday our minds and thoughts will be focused upon the death of Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God.  However, this morning our thoughts are upon a different death, the death of an Agutaynen.  Our partners sent us an email to let us know that one of Ginger’s best friends, Tisi, died today.  Apparently […]

With every road trip we take, we try to do something fun with our children.  For example, this last week, we were at Mayfair Bible Church’s mission conference.  Our children actually enjoy it when we attend a church more than once.  In other words, they don’t make a new friend and then have to say […]

During this year, time after time, we will be getting ready to go visit another church or visit a family.  Often Jonathan’s response is “but Mom, I’m having fun playing with my toys at home.”  Even though a little disappointed, the kids get ready and off we go.  Once we arrive to our destination, they […]

Last week, Stephen’s brother Paul made a quick stop by our place in Michigan.  We knew Uncle Paul would be coming, but we wanted it to be a surprise for our children.  And what a surprise it was!  Uncle Paul was only here for a few hours, but the nieces and nephews had a great […]

Occasionally we will receive an email or a letter from an Awana Sparky or a T&T kid.  They usually need to ask a missionary some questions to pass a section in their books.  These questions are usually the same.  Some things like, “What country do you work in?”, “What do you do as a missionary?” […]

The Agutaynen language often will use vagueness.  For example, often an Agutaynen will come to us in the village and ask, “My um is in need of some um.  Could you please give us some um?”  If this happened to you, would you give them some um?  We assume you wouldn’t until you found out […]

The Lord has already provided through sacrificial giving of many of you to help with our project fund.  Along with these gifts, we have put all our “speaking gifts/love offerings” into this fund as well.  For those who might not know, the project fund is to help us with one-time expenses for our return to […]

  Yes, Agutaynens do “celebrate” New Year’s Eve.  Most of them believe the events of the evening of December 31, especially at midnight, will foretell the events of 2011.  For example, a rice pot with no rice in it on the evening of December 31 will mean 2011 will be filled with hunger.  Another example, […]