Banquets to Reports

We decided to stay home for March Break. We asked you to pray for wisdom in regards to our van. We praise God for the money that came in for our van. We found a good Hyundai shop that seemed professional. After eight days in the shop, it seems to be working fine. Since we would lose money selling and buying, and since we only have one year before our home assignment, we decided to keep the van and pray it continues to work well. Getting that finished over break was a wonderful accomplishment. We also worked on our website, did our taxes, and relaxed with our children.

Fourth quarter started with a bang—Junior/Senior Banquet on the first weekend back. I am very thankful for the other Junior Class Advisor. She made a deal with me that she would organize the banquet if I did Talent Night. I did that last quarter so I only had to encourage her when things didn’t go well. The whole evening was fabulous–everyone enjoyed the venue, the food, and the program. The theme was “One candle lights a thousand” and the speaker challenged the seniors to shine for God.

I added another student to my schedule, so you can pray for me. I thought I had a busy schedule, but now it difficult to find time for lunch. 🙂 I am confident God is working everything out and will strengthen us. Pray that I can find time to finish my testing, plus I am administering a new test, and then writing all my reports.
Do pray for more teachers. Most of the people in my department are leaving or going on home assignment.

We are in hot season (Filipino summer). It is in the 90’s and 100’s every day. We are thankful for air-conditioning but try not to run it lots as electricity is so expensive.

We have another five days off for Easter so are able to catch up on a few more things. We enjoy this time as a family, singing hymns and reading chronologically through Christ’s last week. For Abby we have a simplified version using Easter eggs, called “Resurrection Eggs.” Each egg contains an object that helps her to remember the important parts to the story, i.e., three silver coins for the thirty pieces of silver, nails for the cross, etc. But we are daily reminded of the millions of lost people in Manila.

In Manila, people continue trying to work their way to heaven through pilgrimages, denying themselves of certain things, carrying a literal cross, whipping themselves with bamboo whips, and even crucifying themselves. It is sad to see what extent they try to obtain salvation. Here they focus on Christ’s death and trying to earn merit with God. They miss the point that Christ’s death “Paid It All!” We can’t work our way into heaven; it is by faith alone. Plus only evangelical churches celebrate Easter—the rest totally miss its importance. We love to sing “Up from the grave He arose!” It is because of Easter that we have hope and live a victorious life.

Thank you for praying for us and have a great Easter and sing with us—He Arose!

Walter for the Seven Spicers