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
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