Quick note for those of you who will be going to serve at Chosen 300 on New Year's Day...I'll be praying for you guys. Special thanks to Patti and Jay for covering for me. I'll miss hearing Mark teach for the first time, but I'm sure the homeless guests and all our volunteers will be greatly blessed. I look forward to hearing all about the night when I get back.
Thanks again to Brian, Shandai and the rest of the Chosen 300 board of directors for your support of me on this trip.
And for those of you reading this blog who are unfamiliar with Chosen 300, it's an amazing organization. Please check the link I've got posted on this page.
OK, time to get packed for the trip to Manila.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Happy New Year!!!
Well, almost New Year anyway. It's about 8:00 p.m. Hong Kong time and since I won't likely have internet access at midnight, here are my early wishes!
Wow, what a marvelous day we've had!! Matt and Marilou got here after all...turns out there was a little mix-up on our end about their itinerary. Their plane actually did arrive as scheduled. And our luggage got here, too!!! Woo hooo!! Thanks for your prayers!!
Once Matt and Marilou got here we all headed over to Victoria Peak. On the way we passed by probably hundreds of women, many Muslim, sitting around on the sidewalks in little groups. They were all set for the day with food, drinks, etc. and made themselves at home while spreading out on sheets of plastic. We were trying to guess what was going on and had decided that they must be there to stake out spots for the fireworks tonight or something. Come to find out that they are actually women who are originally from Indonesia and who are working in Hong Kong and they hang out like that on weekends and holidays. They are still there at this hour....just sitting around talking and eating....interesting.
Anyway, back to Victoria Peak...it was about a 40 minute wait for the tram to take us up, but as you can see, it was an incredible, amazing view...check out the picture for yourself...
Wow, what a marvelous day we've had!! Matt and Marilou got here after all...turns out there was a little mix-up on our end about their itinerary. Their plane actually did arrive as scheduled. And our luggage got here, too!!! Woo hooo!! Thanks for your prayers!!
Once Matt and Marilou got here we all headed over to Victoria Peak. On the way we passed by probably hundreds of women, many Muslim, sitting around on the sidewalks in little groups. They were all set for the day with food, drinks, etc. and made themselves at home while spreading out on sheets of plastic. We were trying to guess what was going on and had decided that they must be there to stake out spots for the fireworks tonight or something. Come to find out that they are actually women who are originally from Indonesia and who are working in Hong Kong and they hang out like that on weekends and holidays. They are still there at this hour....just sitting around talking and eating....interesting.
Anyway, back to Victoria Peak...it was about a 40 minute wait for the tram to take us up, but as you can see, it was an incredible, amazing view...check out the picture for yourself...
The weather today could not have been more gorgeous...mid-60's and sunny. And here's a shot of the team...well, except for Kathy who's taking the picture...
Yep, we're having a great time in Hong Kong...check out Matt celebrating at dinner tonight...
Tomorrow we'll be heading to Manila. Our plane leaves Hong Kong around 4:00 (our time) and it'll be a short hop to the PI...a 2 hour flight. Then our "work"...the purpose for our trip...begins. I can't wait to see what God has planned.
On a final note, thanks to all you who have posted comments...they have blessed us all. And Trish, thanks for offering to contact my mom, but she will be checking the blog like all of you guys. (hi mom!!)
More to follow....
Saturday, December 30, 2006
We're Here!!!!
Well, after about 20 minutes of trying, here I am with my internet connection. And even more important...here we are in Hong Kong!! It's now about 8:45 a.m. on New Year's Eve and we're about to head off to breakfast.
Thanks to you all for your prayers for safe travel. We got here with no problems whatsoever. But boy...let me tell you...16 hours on an airplane is a LONG TIME!!! Here are a couple of shots of the team at the airport in Philly....
Thanks to you all for your prayers for safe travel. We got here with no problems whatsoever. But boy...let me tell you...16 hours on an airplane is a LONG TIME!!! Here are a couple of shots of the team at the airport in Philly....
Good news/bad news...bad news first...our luggage didn't make it...yet. But we also consider that to be good news since we didn't have to worry about dragging it through the airport and customs. It's going to be delivered to the hotel for us! But prayers that it will actually arrive as promised would be much appreciated.
And so much for our flying "around the world" on this trip. We actually ended up flying over the North Pole (ho, ho, ho) on our way here...very cool...over Siberia, etc. Of course we didn't see a thing between flying at almost 40,000 feet and it being dark. But they had this very cool tracking system on the video on the plane where we could watch where we were real time on a map.
Prayers for Matt and Marilou would also be much appreciated. They were supposed to arrive in Hong Kong this morning, but we found out that their plane has not even left Los Angeles yet. We're not able to make contact with them, so please pray that they are able to arrive safely.
Well, off to breakfast and to EXPLORE HONG KONG...how exciting is that!!!
And Chuck, Charlie, Kathy, Krisin, Marilyn, Nancy S., Kim and Scott say "hi" to all their friends and loved ones!
And so much for our flying "around the world" on this trip. We actually ended up flying over the North Pole (ho, ho, ho) on our way here...very cool...over Siberia, etc. Of course we didn't see a thing between flying at almost 40,000 feet and it being dark. But they had this very cool tracking system on the video on the plane where we could watch where we were real time on a map.
Prayers for Matt and Marilou would also be much appreciated. They were supposed to arrive in Hong Kong this morning, but we found out that their plane has not even left Los Angeles yet. We're not able to make contact with them, so please pray that they are able to arrive safely.
Well, off to breakfast and to EXPLORE HONG KONG...how exciting is that!!!
And Chuck, Charlie, Kathy, Krisin, Marilyn, Nancy S., Kim and Scott say "hi" to all their friends and loved ones!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Bon Voyage
Well, at 10:45 a.m. tomorrow morning, the team will take off on the first leg of our trip toward Hong Kong and then later, Manila and Mindoro. Prayers for good health, safety and baggage that arrives when it's supposed to would be most appreciated! Please also pray that we all remember to surrender this trip to God, since it is He who predestined it to begin with.
Love to you all! And see you when we get to Hong Kong!
Love to you all! And see you when we get to Hong Kong!
Monday, December 25, 2006
Friends and Family
On December 17 the team hosted a small gathering to express our appreciation and love for the family and friends who are supporting us on our adventure for Christ. We're so glad you could join us and learn more about what we'll be doing. It was also a blessing for me to be able to meet everyone else's loved ones. Wish you all could come with us! And we know that there were many others who wanted to join us that day, but could not. You were missed...we love you all.
Some photos from the day...first, the family and friends of Marilyn and the other Nancy....
Some photos from the day...first, the family and friends of Marilyn and the other Nancy....
Some of Kim and Scott's gang...
And my crew...
Merry Christmas everyone! May the love and presence of Christ be as real for you today and it was 2000 years ago when He walked among us on earth.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Geography 101
Have any of you guys wondered just where the Philippines is? Well, if you had one of those round globes of the earth, it would be almost exactly on the opposite side of the globe from where we are. And the Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, if you can believe it. A view of the Philippines from space is below. And if you REALLY squint, you might be able to make out where Manila is on the map. And at the upper left corner of the map is Hong Kong, where we'll be spending New Year's Eve...yippee!
Side note...I snagged these images from Google Earth....the URL is http://earth.google.com. If you really want to have some fun, go to that website and download the software...you will be blown away by what all you can see.
Anyway, the image below shows the island where we'll be working when we leave Manila. Again, if you squint really hard you can probably make out Mindoro on the map. Or go to Google Earth and check it out for yourself. And track Santa and his sleigh, while you're there!
Side note...I snagged these images from Google Earth....the URL is http://earth.google.com. If you really want to have some fun, go to that website and download the software...you will be blown away by what all you can see.Anyway, the image below shows the island where we'll be working when we leave Manila. Again, if you squint really hard you can probably make out Mindoro on the map. Or go to Google Earth and check it out for yourself. And track Santa and his sleigh, while you're there!
Lastly, they are 13 hours ahead of us over there. For that matter, so is Hong Kong. So, pretty much while you'll be busy in the middle of your day here, we'll all be sleeping there. I tried to figure out a way to post our itinerary here, but looks like you can't post attachments with this blogging software. But I'm not complaining...this is a great site.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Dry Run
Wise leaders, our Chuck and Kathy. Rather than have us land in the PI to see how we all function as a group, we had a practice work session, so to speak. Of course, we were REALLY working…not practicing! Anyway, this way, not only would we benefit by being able to work together before we leave, some worthy organization would (hopefully!) benefit from our help.
So, on Dec. 2 the team gathered at the WEC headquarters in Fort Washington to provide some much needed assistance installing replacement windows. For more information about WEC, check out the link on this page. They are amazing people there. I can’t describe how I felt working with them. We were all strangers, but yet brothers and sisters in Christ. I felt immediately at home…with family. They could not have been more gracious hosts. And Lee…those chocolate cookies were something else!
Anyway, what a magnificent building they have…they call it “the castle” and they aren’t kidding! Come to find out that it was the Drexel family SUMMER home! Yep, that’s how the “other half” lived alright. Incredible rooms…the stonework, the woodwork, twenty-some fireplaces! And they needed a bunch of windows replaced. Here’s Dan giving Scott and Chuck a preview of what needed to be done.
We happen to have some very talented folks on our team. Chuck and Scott doing their magic...
And we found out that we all had a GREAT time working together. WARNING….WARNING….WARNING…we have a practical joker among us…yes, that’s the other Nancy with a mouse (a headless one at that!!).
So, on Dec. 2 the team gathered at the WEC headquarters in Fort Washington to provide some much needed assistance installing replacement windows. For more information about WEC, check out the link on this page. They are amazing people there. I can’t describe how I felt working with them. We were all strangers, but yet brothers and sisters in Christ. I felt immediately at home…with family. They could not have been more gracious hosts. And Lee…those chocolate cookies were something else!
Anyway, what a magnificent building they have…they call it “the castle” and they aren’t kidding! Come to find out that it was the Drexel family SUMMER home! Yep, that’s how the “other half” lived alright. Incredible rooms…the stonework, the woodwork, twenty-some fireplaces! And they needed a bunch of windows replaced. Here’s Dan giving Scott and Chuck a preview of what needed to be done.
Nancy and I volunteered to drag all those vinyl windows from the ground floor to the second floor where the work was being done. Hey, Dan D., we need to talk about what constitutes “not heavy!”
The guys did the actual installation work, Kathy did some of the prep work (and helped out wherever else needed) and Kim and Marilyn did all the finishing. And here they are, showing off their talents…
And what’s going on here…Kim and Marilyn giving directions or taking notes??!!
We happen to have some very talented folks on our team. Chuck and Scott doing their magic...
And we found out that we all had a GREAT time working together. WARNING….WARNING….WARNING…we have a practical joker among us…yes, that’s the other Nancy with a mouse (a headless one at that!!).
After a long, productive day filled with many, many blessings and lots of fun we were all too pooped to go out to eat together afterward. As for me...a long hot bath and slipping into my jammies was just what I needed. I have a feeling I won't have that luxury in the PI!
Oh, before you go, scroll down and check out the pictures I added of our dinner at the Filipino restaurant in Philly!