Chris and Lynne Strange Your missionary connection in the Philippines Update on Elias Gappmayr
Thank you for praying for Elias and asking for an update. Richard and Carmen Gappmayr and their family joined us in Mindanao while we were still in language study. Their ministry here was cut short by the diagnosis of a brain tumor in their second child, Elias.
Deadly Beauty
I love how God speaks to me through the beauty of his creation.
You can imagine my gasp as I glanced out the window and saw this magnificent butterfly. Grabbing our camera, I scuttled out the door and crept upon him mingling among the giant yellow trumpets behind the house. It just lingered there around the beautiful bush, seemingly for me to admire it and collect photo after photo.
It effortlessly lit upon the blossoms never bothered by my intrusion. I clicked away capturing this incredible sight, grateful for a moment of unexpected beauty. God planned a lesson for me that morning.
Christmas Storm Rocks Southern Philippines
Many of you wrote asking about the storms and any news of the survivors. We saw for ourselves the damage only hours after it hit a nearby city. Our hearts went out to those walking around covered in mud and in shock and still I am haunted seeing a little child sitting all alone in the mud crying with no one around tending to her.
Awana Kids – Philippine Style
Feeding the Awana Kids of Mt. Moriah
Awana! It’s amazing to watch 300+ kids line up for a delicious and nutritious meal after hours of running and jumping, screaming and clapping and, amazingly, quietly sitting to hear God’s Word for them.
Awana Clubs International brings the Gospel of Jesus Christ to kids. Lots and lots of kids. It’s a beautiful thing to witness and even more beautiful to participate. We visited one such club recently and the noise brought a smile to our faces even before we saw the room full of children. I stepped inside the vibrating building just to grab a few photos and video because we had a specific task to do. We were there to volunteer in the feeding of 300+ children after all the activity and teaching was finished.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100
Being Short-Sighted
The Clarke's from New Zealand
Saying, “Goodbye.” Sigh.
We often complain that it seems since we entered the mission field, our most difficult words are “Good-bye!”
Youth Group Splits
Ages 12 - 29!
The youth group from the little mission church we attend in town has a wonderful problem!
It’s too big!
Poor Harvest and Illness but Trusting Still
Our dear friends in the village report a poor harvest this year. The heavy rains and earth tremors that ruined our airstrip are a joint threat to their harvest. We barely had a dry season this year which translates into a late start in burning and planting the land and a poor growing season.
A New Christian for Christmas
Lisa's first Christmas and Christmas Tree
Christmas decorating starts in September here in the Philippines. We eagerly joined in by decorating our house along with our neighbors. When we decided to drag out the decorations from years in a box (we didn’t decorate for Christmas in the village) Liza’s eyes danced! Liza stays with us on the weekends to go to church since she is the only believer in her family. Before we could start, Liza quickly inserted Christmas CD’s into the player and sang at the top of her voice with them all. It’s exciting to observe Lisa as she is learning about her new Savior and his love for her.
“Good Morning Pastor Chris!”
Chris Teaching 4th Grade
Once a week Chris is greeted enthusiastically with “Good morning Pastor Chris!” by approximately thirty little 4th graders. It’s a highlight of our week when we volunteer as substitute teachers for a Bible Story and singing at a small school in the area. The children are attentive and eager to hear about the stories God has preserved for us in the Bible. They love hearing about the giants and the mighty things people did when they obeyed God. Singing is loud and joyous and we get to learn new ways to act out the “sweet sweet love of Jesus.” Many of these little ones come from extremely poor homes. The most malnourished receive a special meal after the teaching and treatment for tuberculosis while the others play outside. We understand that for those, it’s their only nutritious meal of the day.