Dear friends,
Well, just as many of you have family and friends who are starting their summer vacation, all of the students in the Philippines have just finished their summer break and are heading back to school. June marks the end of school vacations here, and the beginning of rainy season. Rainy season has come, but it is still very hot! The other day in my room, the thermometer I have, said 99.5 degrees. And I have adjusted so much that when it gets close to 80 degrees, I feel cold. =)
The last couple of months have brought lots of changes, of course, and many eventful days. Most days here are eventful, as simple things of life turn into an adventure. I have grown to love the Philippines more and more these last few months. The other day I was struck by the words, “The Philippines”, as I read it on the spine of a book. I looked at it, and thought about how I would never have imagined how that name could become a place that I love, with familiar sights, sounds, and smells that have become a part of me, and have so many people whom I love. I have been blessed to make Filipino friends in, it seems like, many different places here. They have blessed me in different ways, and some of them I know only a little, but I love the interactions.
There’s a lady at the bottom of the hill from the birth center, who has a little shop selling fruits and vegetables. I started out just buying some of those from her, and then one day she started talking, asking me questions about what I am doing here, where I’ve come from, etc. That’s a pretty common theme of conversation here, but she kept going, and shared about herself, and her family, and other missionaries she’s met. I stood in front of her shop one day and listened. It was just what I needed that day. Later, I stopped by again, and she offered me some of her fruit, and we shared it on a nearby bench and chatted some more. That day she walked me up the hill to the birth center. A couple of days ago I bought a few veggies, and we talked some more…rather, she told me how I’ve gotten tanner and taller =), and she asked me questions about the US. She offered me a soda, and we sat on the bench again. She wants to meet my mom when she comes for a visit. =)
My friend Gigie, I meet, somewhat randomly, through a friend at a YWAM base that I visited a couple of years ago. We hit it off then, as she shared about what God has done in her heart, and provided for her…little things that she needed, like shampoo and toothpaste when she didn’t have any. I was touched to meet a Filipina who is ministering to her own people here and with so much passion for it. From that one meeting, we texted some more, and after I went back to the States I started to support her. About a year later I was able to visit her again and stay the night at the base with her. We got to get together again in April when she came through Manila, and again it was such a sweet time, of being able to share about what God is doing, and the struggles and challenges of being in ministry and leadership. She’s been a blessing to my heart every time I’ve talked to her. Her passion for God has encouraged me, time and again. Her dad passed away last month, so you can keep her in your prayers.
Helen is a midwife that I met when we did our rotation at Fabella Hospital in February. She has 5 kids, is about my mom’s age, and she started talking to me one day when we were both in the delivery room. One of her sons is my age, working in Australia, and I think she had some hopes of getting us together. =) She got my text number at the end of the rotation, and invited me to her house for dinner. So I went, and had a great time. She made a feast of traditional Filipino foods: lumpia, fried chicken, pancit, rice, and maiz con hielo for dessert. She talked about her kids, three of them whom I met and like a lot, and about her family. She invited me over again, about a month later, to celebrate one of her son’s birthday who is in Australia. She says that even though her kids are far away, she still has a party for them every birthday. Again she made some great food…some of the best Filipino food I’ve eaten. We sat and talked, about places in the Philippines and traveling around here, and friends and family again.
My friend Benitz is another person whom I don’t see very often, but I so enjoy sitting and talking with her. She runs a souvenir shop on White Beach, selling sarongs and t-shirts and bags and shorts to the tourists who come through. I met her couple of years ago for the first time, when I was a student here. I had gone to White Beach for a short vacation from Manila. During that time, somehow, we started talking, I found out about her family, and her sister who trained as a midwife. She was outgoing and cheerful. When I moved to White Beach in the fall, I went by where her shop was, not sure if she would still be there, or would remember me. She did, saying, “Hey! I remember you!” We talked again, catching up on things and life. She’s Catholic, so we talk a little about God each time. On Christmas day I went to her house, and had some spaghetti…a traditional celebration food for Filipinos, and Coke. I brought her some cookies I’d made, and she showed me her drawings and paintings. We’re the same age, but she hadn’t been to college, since her older sisters had gone, and there wasn’t enough money for her to attend yet. She talked about that, and how she wanted to go so badly, and that her older sister had said that she would help her this coming school year, if all went well. Plans did go through for that, and she had to take entrance exams, which she was nervous for since it had been so long since she’d attended school. Two months ago, when she took those, she sent me a text that said she had gotten a full scholarship for this semester, because of her good grades in high school! In her text she said, “Praise God! He is so good!” I agree. I am so excited for her. She’s starting college this week.
I wish I had pictures of all these friends to include here. It just hasn’t worked out. =) But they have touched my life in many ways, big and small, and I am so grateful for them. The Philippines wouldn’t be the same without them. There are many other people whom I see, and know, some better than others, some Filipino and some Westerners, who have made this life here what it is. I am grateful for that.
Transition is constant here…we have had some significant chunks of it in the last few weeks, but in a good way. Two more students came to work at the birth center in Antipolo in the beginning of May. Last week four midwifery students who have been waiting to come finally arrived! They are excited to be here. Also, we moved/are in the process of moving up to Antipolo….thus cutting our commute time to the birth center from one hour, to 20 minutes. We’ve had a lot of people come and go, some finishing their time here, and some for a visit. Vicki and Scott returned from the US, and it is great to have them back. I also turned 25 at the beginning of the month. =)
Please pray for me for leadership challenges, I want to step up to them, and grow as a leader and a missionary. Please pray for the new girls who just arrived, as well as the ones who have been here for a few months now…that they will keep their passion and purpose, and learn as much as they can! Please also pray for the birth center we are working at, and the baby home connected to it, and the Gunderson Family, as Dennis, who founded this ministry with his wife, passed away suddenly last month.
Babies are born, midwives work hard, we have adventures with spiders and cockroaches, and life goes on. It’s challenging, but good.
In the end of July, beginning of August, I will be going to New Zealand, to be at the birth of one of my classmates and good friends, who recently got married and will be having a baby! I am SO excited for that. In the middle of September I will be going home to Medford for a visit, and in February I am planning to wrap up my commitment here and head home for a while, and on into the next season of life.
This letter is long again. =) I try to keep things concise, but they just won’t stay that way.
I hope all is well with you and your families. Many blessings, love,
Becka
A mama who's birth I was at, and her baby
The way to get around
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