Team Update: 2006 Discovery Orientation

Man, it's been a busy summer! From June - August, we will have hosted 12 teams here in the Philippines! A lot of the time, I'm stuck behind the computer, emailing team leaders, trying to work out some of the logistical stuff, but fortunately, we ARE able to get out every once in awhile with a team and enjoy some of the Philippines.

One of the teams that we get to interact the most with is the Discovery team. You may remember us talking about the Discovery 2005 team last year.

Anyway, back in June, Ellen and I, and our new friend Sarah, had the chance to orient this team to the Philippines. Here are some pics:

Here's the team, gathered on some rocks overlooking a river where we watched a baptism.

Ellen guides the ladies through an open air market in Manila.

Dan and the guys, harvesting rice alongside our host family in the northern rice terraces.

Intern Update: Leonie from Australia

I don't always work with teams--sometimes, I get to have a hand in helping some individuals come to the Philippines, too. Although my role in getting Leonie over here to the Philippines was quite small, I just couldn't pass up sharing her story. I just received an email from her a few days ago, and you can tell that she has a great attitude: "I had the most wonderful time! The Lord just kept on blessing me with so many opportunities to meet people, to see literacy work, to experience village life, to eat frogs and see fireflies! What more could I ask for?"

After Leonie finishes up some of her literacy schooling in Australia, she'll be joining back up with us here in the Philippines!

Team Update: The Aussies are Coming!

Twice a year, our friends Geoff and Aileen bring up a group of students from Australia on a fascinating trip that they call "Discover" (not Discovery). During the two week trip, they spend most of their time in a remote allocation with one of our translators.

While in this location, they will sit down with students from that same area and begin dialoguing with them about similarities and differences between the two cultures. By the end of their trip, the Aussies have shared their faith with their new friends, and encouraged them to read the scriptures that have already been translated for them.

One of the students that participated on a past trip will be joining us full time after she finishes her classes!

Geoff and Aileen are on the right. How would you like THEM as your team leaders?

We're having a baby!!

We are now ready to announce to the world that Scruffy is about to be a big brother in a few months!! We are 13 weeks pregnant and I have a 2 inch baby inside of me!

We found a wonderful, experienced doctor here in Manila, and are excited to say that sometime around January 10th, our precious Baby Brooks will be born!

Here is one of the photos we recieved this past week at our doctor visit. It is so amazing to us how perfectly formed this new life is, so early on! We even got to see him/her scratching their head and flipping over! Definately an active baby already!!




This is a view of the his/her head and arms outstretched!! The doctor wrote in, "Hi Mom!, Hi Dad!" We'd like to add "Hi ya'll!"



Feel free to leave a comment/name suggestion below!

Isnag Dedication Pictures!

Here is the airplane approaching the landing strip as we flew into the village!


Louise and I in our airplane!


The river we had to cross was shallow but had a strong current. We crossed it by canoe, swam in it, bathed in it, and watched several be baptized in it.


The Dibagat church is where most of the events were held over the weekend.


I was able to visit the Dibagat Elementary School. Each morning they have a flag raising ceremony where they sang the Philippine national anthem.


Yummy! The best pineapple in the world!!!