Padens in the Philippines

  Fall Update 2021 -Finally reunited! We were so happy to have our whole family together again after such a long time. -Our travel to the States looked so different this time. There was a lot of room on the plane going to LA though. Face shields and face masks the whole flight was very challenging.  -First stop is always a Tucson classic. Eegee's! Short Trip Back As you might recall, we traveled back to the States for 2 months last May. It was a whirlwind trip and we praise God we were able to do it.  Left just in time before Julie's visa expired.  Finally got to see Nhaya after WAY too long. (we missed so much- High School Graduation, her 18th Birthday, going to college for the first time) Able to spend time with Julie's family in the States. We even got to attend a family reunion.  Visited many of our supporting churches and friends even with limited time. Sent Caleb off to his first overseas short-term missions trip with Royal Servant...

   Hi Everyone,               Here is a short review of some of the things that happened and that I learned. This summer I was able to experience many things that allowed me to learn, adapt and grow. During the month that I spent in Tangier, I experienced many things. I was able to engage in outreach, learn about the culture, and grow spiritually.  In Tangier, I was able to engage in many different forms of outreach. I did outreach to Moroccans, the marginalized, the team, and missionaries that worked in the city. Outreach to Moroccans was mainly performed through conversing with the people we met wherever we were, although it was sometimes hard because of the language barrier, it was an overall amazing experience.  We were able to pass out food to the homeless and visit an orphanage. Full of small children that ranged from babies to around 11. For the orphanage, we sent out groups of five or six and helped the people work...

Ready or not Here We Come! What's in this update: -What have we been up to these last few months? -When are we coming home? -Please pray for us. -Family update/highlights in pictures. As a family we are doing good and are healthy. Praise the Lord for that. The Philippines is seeing a high spike of COVID again. That is specifically true in the north- Manila region. They are back to almost total lockdown and the hospitals are running out of space for patients.  In fact, last week our ministry director, who is based in Manila, was diagnosed with COVID-19 and dengue fever at the same time.  They went to 3-4 hospitals and could not find a place for him. It took a few days on a waiting list. Please pray for him, his name is Pastor James.   In Davao city, where we live, it’s somewhat relaxed. Churches are starting to open up providing they only allow half capacity and all wear a mask and a face shield. So I have been preaching face to face and at the same time streaming it ...

Merry Christmas  We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. Psalms 33:20-22 Contrast- a state of being strikingly different from something else.    The mall is usually the place to be here in the Philippines. It’s where we shop for groceries, clothes and the hardware store is there, movies, and restaurants. Of course Starbucks is a must as one goes about your busy day and marks off that to-do list.    The mall is almost empty now! Entry is restricted, face masks and face shields are required. You must have your own personal QR code scanned before you can enter and that is of course after you have had your temperature taken. Plastic barriers are up between seats at a table and there are no movies or activities open. Each store requires you to fill out a health and tracking questionnaire on top of w...