Philippines since 2002 with World Team (www.worldteam.org)/ /
Hi everyone! Lots of stories to tell, it's hard to pick just a few to
write about.
SICK
There was a stomach flu going around that Imogen and Arwen caught. I
soon caught it also, but when I was not getting better after 3 days like
they did, I started to wonder if I had something else. After 5 days of
not being able to eat and stomach cramps, it was clear I was not going
to get better on my own. The next day I started bleeding internally,
and after some lab tests in the next town, we discovered I had an amoeba
infection. I was getting too weak to walk, so we decided to go to
Manila, where I stayed at the hospital for 2 nights. The medicine
worked and the infection was gone, but it has taken a few weeks to heal
from the damage caused to my system, especially since my hemoglobin (red
blood cell) count was down to 6.7, where 12 is normal. Thank God I am
fully recovered now (aside from a few foods that I can't yet handle) and
my energy level is back to normal
ELIAS AND THE CAT
I sent emails out to pray for Elias after his encounter with a cat that
had his leg entangled in our fence. The cat bit him at least a dozen
times, with a few really deep wounds. The cat had his jaws still
attached to him when Jacinda got to the scene. Rabies can be a problem
here, so after seeing that there were no major pieces of his hand
missing, that was our next greatest concern. Jacinda and Elias headed
off for Manila the next day to get the rabies injections and to see our
pediatrician. We started Elias on antibiotics just hours after the
bite, and that along with your prayers has helped him heal very fast and
without infection. He still needs 3 more rabies injections, but we are
happy to see him back to his normal self. It looks like we're in for a
lot of adventures with our little boy!
PTA INDUCTIONS
I am the Vice President of the PTA for Imogen's 3rd grade class this
year, with one of the responsibilities of my office being attendance at
the induction of the officers. This is a big event, with all of the
officers elected for every classroom as well as the officers for the
entire school gathered to be sworn in. This is a good opportunity for
us to be a part of the community and to strengthen existing contacts
that may lead to starting new Bible studies. The mayor of the town gave
a speech, as well as several other local politicians, the principal of
the school, and school administrators (about 2 hours). After the
speeches, everyone eats the potluck brought by each individual to their
class table, and the drinking and dancing begin! We danced the cha-cha
until a little after midnight before we went home.
FIESTA PARADE
This year both of our girls were able to participate in the fiesta
parade as pom-pom girls. The parade loops around most of the town in
the afternoon heat. Arwen needed several drinks of water along the
way! This is a great way that we can participate in the community and
make new friends.
TIMOTHY GROUP
We started another semester of our Timothy Group training. Our previous
semester closed with a progressive dinner, followed by a simple ceremony
to recognize those who had started new Bible studies in the past few
months. Along with the worship, Bible study, and practical training,
each person will have a chance to tell their life story. We meet with
them ahead of time to help organize their stories, and then they tell it
to the group. It has been a great way to get to know people on a much
deeper level, and for the community as a whole to come closer together.
A CONVERSATION ABOUT IDOLS
After studying what the Bible says about idols, a woman came home from
Bible study with a decision to make. She decided to throw away their
house idol, so she took it and threw it into the nearby trash pile.
When her husband came home (he was not yet studying the Bible) he asked
where the idol was. At first she said she was just cleaning it. After
a while, she came out with the truth. She told him, "I threw the idol
away.". The husband replied angrily, "But you were the one who
purchased that idol. What a waste of our money! Why did you throw it
away?". She replied, "I threw it away because the Bible says that
worshiping anyone or anything but God is wrong. It says that we are not
even to own any idols.". The husband said, "Is that right? I didn't
know the Bible said that.". A few months later, her husband began
studying the Bible as well. Today they are being trained as leaders,
and are attempting to start another Bible study in their town. God is
changing people, one family at a time, to turn away from worshiping
idols and to put their trust in the true and living God.
Thank you all for allowing us to follow our call to be missionaries in
the Philippines. We would not be here without your faithful giving and
prayers.
Bryan, Jacinda, Imogen, Arwen and Elias
//To Make a tax-deductible donation to the Martin's ministry in the
Philippines, make checks payable to World Team with Bryan Martin in the
notes section, and send them to: World Team, 1431 Stuckert Road,
Warrington, PA 18976/
/To give online, go to: http://www.worldteam.org/content.asp?id=98//
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