Photos: The bathroom and Rodger by the kitchen sink
Hi,
We had a wonderful time this week hosting the Bailey family from Shanghai. The wife broke her foot a few weeks ago so some improvisation was needed for her to get to and from the beach resort but we managed it. Their visit was a blessing to us and they have invited us to visit them in Shanghai later in the spring--we're giving that possibility some serious thought.
Last Sunday was our first time to once again worship with our "home" church in Davao City. More blessings as we saw how the church has continued to reach out in ministry and evangelism. The two hour service flew by.
Thursday and Friday we went to Digos to sign contracts, pick up keys to the house and see about getting the water, electricity, telephone, and Internet connected. Everything was going along smoothly until the woman who told us last week there was "no problem" to install DSL looked up when Rodger entered the office and said "we have a problem." It seems there are no more DSL ports in Digos City. The telephone company was promised more DSL ports the first quarter of 2008....it may be a while.
Digos is classified as a city and that means they have a different tax set up with the government. There are a couple hundred thousand people living there and several colleges and training schools. So far the best place we have found to eat out is Mc Donalds! Only problem is when we go there we are beset with vendors wanting to sell us all manner of items (sunglasses, pirated DVD's, comic books, etc.) It seems there aren't a lot of foreigners in Digos, so we are the center of attention. But, the people are extremely friendly and helpful--so what if no one knows where the TV cable company is located? They each sent us on an interesting wild goose chase. Finally Rodger got in a Tricee (motorcycle with side car) and I followed them to the office. We do feel like we are on the Amazing Race-- "we'll pay you money to go to the cable office and we'll follow you." We did that with two offices yesterday.
We were excited when we discovered the Davao Ace Hardware store can mix paint colors (this is a new advancement in Davao.) We purchased some paint for the interior of our house and today (Saturday) Rodger and another man are down there painting.
Some plans we have for preparing the house include, having bars installed on the windows that don't already have bars, installing a couple of room air conditioners, building a couple of free standing clothing closets, putting a "T" on the faucet in the bathroom so we can have a shower, painting all of the inside walls, raising the height of the kitchen counters. We think it will take us all of February to get these things done. Rodger will do most of the work himself--or will oversee it. While he is busy working on the house I will be sorting and packing all of our personal and work things to be moved.
Wednesday, Feb, 4, our intern Peter arrives from Illinois. Peter is a ready to graduate from Lincoln Christian College and coming here for a preaching internship. We told him in advance he'll probably get to help us with our move.
I've rattled on long enough--it just feel so good to be at a coffee place that has Wi-Fi (in Davao of course) and to be able to work on line!!! YEA!
We look forward to another wonderful worship service with our brothers and sisters in Christ tomorrow and pray that you too will be able to join with others in worship.
With great love for you in Christ,
Rodger and Dixie
PRAYER REQUESTS
Continue to pray for Mary Kay Jarrett as she is recovering from her stroke, she is making great progress! We talked with her on the phone this week.
Pray for us to have the strength, energy and wisdom each day to do the work God has placed before us.
Pray for God's leading in the lives of those whom we have invited to join with us in ministry in Digos City.
Pray for Peter, our intern. Pray for him to adapt well to the temperatures, living conditions, and culture.
PRAISES
The refreshing visit of the Baileys.
God's Word that daily gives us encouragement and strength to continue on.
The Moweaqua Congregation in Illinois--our board, our forwarding agent, the elders, the ministers and our friends who stand with us. They bless us!
