Glory Hallelujah

Often times it is the conveniences of life that we get wrapped up in, I know this is true in my case. Perhaps it was about 6 weeks ago (maybe more, I don't precisely recall) that I heard a sermon about the differences between wants and needs. In response to this message I asked God to give me the wisdom to know the difference between the two. Shortly thereafter my laptop started malfunctioning and the internet service that I enjoy here also started malfunctioning. Other things that malfunctioned during this time were other computers that I could use to contact my family. I haven't been completely cut off for six weeks, I've managed a few emails; but for the most part I haven't had a lot of contact with anyone in the United States recently. I'm interpreting all those things as wants. The good news is that now, the internet service is restored. Additionally, the laptop and I appear to have reached a truce, there are still a few issues, but by the grace of God it is currently working.

So much has happened since the last post. It has all served to enhance my experiences here in Aparri and other places in the Philippines. The highlight of the interim has been my trip to Davao. I got to meet Mr. Elpidio Batalla who is from a town just south of Aparri, but moved to Davao on the island of Mindanao in 1956 to start a seminary. He was a gracious host as was the rest of his family. There was also a mission close to Mr. Batalla's house that he runs that was started by a graduate of Cincinnati Bible Seminary named Ruth Smith. It seems that CCU has long had a strong connection with the Philippines. I also got a chance to snorkel in Davao at a resort called Paradise Island. It was my first time snorkeling, and I only swallowed 1.5 mouthfuls of sea water. Pretty good I think. The fish and the coral were interesting.

It seems very strange to think about, but this school year and as a corollary my first experience here in the Philippines, are "rounding third and heading for home" in the words of the old lefthander. Two months and a few days, then I get to see my family.

My Ilokano has been steadily improving; my vocabulary isn't that large but it grows every day since I have at least 62 willing teachers, not to mention my colleagues here in the office, especially Sir Alex and Ma'am Linda. I'm also starting to get the pronunciation patterns down which helps a lot in terms of being understood when you are speaking. That accent that most non-native English speakers have that we all like to make fun of; that is the problem I'm working through right now with my Ilokano.

As I mentioned last time I want to return at least next year to teach here again. I have several reasons for this, but the most important is that I feel like God has placed me here to meet a need that he also equipped me to meet. Because of that I've been working the numbers for what it will cost to be here next year. Preliminary estimates (which include airfare) are $710 a month. Please consider supporting this mission that God has given me.

On a much sadder note, I want to pass along my condolences to some of my extended family. My grandfather's sister Katherine passed away recently. We called her Aunt Kitty, and she was a very kind, loving, funny, God-fearing woman. I'm grateful for all those things and that I was blessed enough to know her. My thoughts and prayers are with her children and grandchildren as well as with all the families that make up the Ulrich clan that knew her and loved her.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

Nick

Sorry about the Delay, Happy New Year!

December was just as busy as I told you it would be and January isn't slowing down yet. I have a feeling that things will be a whirlwind until April when I return to the United States. Hopefully that return will only be for a few months. The goal is to return for another school year and see what happens. Please, please pray for this. I feel that I belong here. For how long? That is the question everyone (including me) is asking. The answer of course is until God sends me somewhere else. Naturally I don't know when that will happen.

Let's talk about the Philippines. I experienced both Christmas (sort of) and New Year's here and they were interesting experiences. Christmas here is much less commercial. Gifts are given, but they aren't the focus. In true Pinoy fashion the focus of the celebration is eating. "Noche Bueno"is what they call it, and it is another meal around midnight on Christmas. The time leading up to midnight, and maybe after, is spent visiting friends and eating, or cooking and then eating, or maybe visiting family and eating. This is what they tell me happens. I was disgustingly tired from Choir tour and waking up for 5 AM devotions at Church the previous two days (one of which I spoke at) so I slept through Noche Bueno. New Year's eve was, naturally, more "fooding"and then it was "very fireworks." It was also my friend Kit's birthday so there was extra fooding for that.

Additionally, we have visitors from America, the Burns family is here right now spreading good cheer. It has been enjoyable talking with them and getting to know them. I met some of them back in September when I was stranded in Chicago for two days. One of the reasons they are here is a wedding, and so I met many new Pilipinos and Pilipino-Americans too. The best part thus far was that there was genuine hickory smoked ham and cheddar cheese at the wedding reception. I swear I ate half a pound of each before everything was said and done.

Our Christmas break ended this week at ABS, so we restarted classes, mid terms are next week. Time truly flies.

Please pray for my extended family, the Weltes lost one of their own last week to cancer.

God is good.