Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Things we will need.-updated Feb 29th

There are a few things we are going to need while we are in Ontario.  Maybe someone has an extra of these things.

House- We are thankful and blessed to know that we will have a home to stay in while we are in Ontario.  Thank you to Mom and Dad for letting us take over their place.

8 Passenger Van- We are in need of a reliable van that will fit 6 kids.  We have 2 in car seats still and 2 teenagers as well.

2 Car seats-  Jenna will need a car seat with a 5 point harness. Sophia will need a booster seat.

Snowsuits/winter jackets, boots for the kids- The kids ages are 14, 13, 11, 9, 4 and 2.  If you have a spare sitting around, let us know.

Bunk beds with mattresses- we just need to borrow it for a year

1 single bed- to borrow for a year. Thanks so much!

6 sets of single bed sheets-  these are also to borrow.  We have lots in the Philippines and will bring some if we need to.

Pack n’ play- just for a couple of months.

Bicycles for the kids-  The 4 older know how to ride, Sophia would need a tricycle or one with training wheels and Jenna would love something she can be pushed around in/on.

Please send us an email if you would have any of these items for us to borrow or buy. 

chuck-shannon_talbot@ntm.org

We are looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Things we will need.

There are a few things we are going to need while we are in Ontario.  Maybe someone has an extra of these things.

House- We are thankful and blessed to know that we will have a home to stay in while we are in Ontario.  Thank you to Mom and Dad for letting us take over their place.

8 Passenger Van- We are in need of a reliable van that will fit 6 kids.  We have 2 in car seats still and 2 teenagers as well.

2 Car seats-  Jenna will need a car seat with a 5 point harness. Sophia will need a booster seat.

Snowsuits/winter jackets, boots for the kids- The kids ages are 14, 13, 11, 9, 4 and 2.  If you have a spare sitting around, let us know.

Bunk beds with mattresses- we just need to borrow it for a year

1 single bed- to borrow for a year. Thanks so much!

6 sets of single bed sheets-  these are also to borrow.  We have lots in the Philippines and will bring some if we need to.

Pack n’ play- just for a couple of months.

Bicycles for the kids-  The 4 older know how to ride, Sophia would need a tricycle or one with training wheels and Jenna would love something she can be pushed around in/on.

Please send us an email if you would have any of these items for us to borrow or buy. 

chuck-shannon_talbot@ntm.org

We are looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

Monday, February 20, 2012

The funeral

As we wrap up our time here in the tribe and get ready for home assignment we have recently been reminded vividly of the reason why we are here and the urgency in getting back so we can continue with studying the language and culture of the Ga’dang people.  This past term we were able to experience many cultural events, from all the aspects of planting and harvesting corn and rice to the daily grind of just living and surviving in this environment.  We’ve also had the privilege of participating in some major events, including two ‘uli’ (engagement parties), a wedding and multiple births.  These are all happy events, and one gets to see the lighter side of life here in the tribe. 

With just a couple of weeks left before we head home for a year the Lord put one more cultural event before us.  It’s not just a cultural event though, but also a spiritual one as well, and perfectly timed to be fresh in our minds as we share with churches and individuals back in Canada about why we are here.  Someone in the village died.

Danny's wife, AnnalynAnalyn, or Kiwara as she was known in the village was going to turn 40 years old this year.  She hadn’t been really healthy since we first met her, and we suspected she was having trouble with her lungs.  Despite her breathing problems and lack of energy she never hesitated to do her part as one of the community, going out to the fields during planting and harvesting time and playing an active role wherever she could.  When she wasn’t out she could be found at home running her little sari-sari (convenience store). 

Then it happened.  Kiwara’s health took a turn for the worse so her husband, Danny (one of my language helpers) took her out to town for a check up.  Kiwara was hospitalized for a week but her health quickly deteriorated, and then they were told there was nothing more the doctors could do for her.  All they could do is come back to the village and wait for the inevitable to happen.  As some men left here that morning to go and carry her back in, the word in the village was that she had a 50/50 chance of survival. 

That afternoon my language helper, Gaton and I were watching Perfecto and Victor, two older men as they were making some ‘dongadong’ and ‘barambang’ (musical instruments) out of bamboo for me to take back to Canada.  Suddenly one of the young ladies who works in the house came out, shook up and crying, and told us that she had received a text saying that Kiwara had died on the trail while being carried home.  She then ran to tell the others in the village about it.  Soon after, our neighbour ran home and brought out his rifle, which he shot into the air several times to inform the surrounding villages of the death. 

When the men arrived in the village with the body, the village people quickly got to work preparing for the days ahead.  They opened up the side of the house so visitors could see the body and erected a large tarp to provide shelter for all who be arriving.  Firewood was gathered, a pig killed, and many other preparations made.  Over the next 5 days, siblings and relatives came from many parts of the surrounding provinces to visit and pay their respects. 101_3217

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For us, all we could do was observe and ask simple questions such as, “What is that?” and “What are they doing?”  The body was laid on a bed and covered with a blanket, except the head, so that any who came by could view it.  Danny, Kiwara’s husband sat beside the body with a shawl over him and didn’t move away from it until it was buried.  Many came by and wailed and cried over the body.  Several groups of men gathered around to play cards, and drink liquor and gamble.  We were told that until the body was buried, people needed to stay awake through the night, and this was how they passed the time.  (A portion of the winnings went towards the expenses of the funeral.)  A small generator was borrowed and lights were set up to provide lighting through the night.101_3352

Over the next few days, a casket was made and then the body was put into it.  The lid was fitted with a piece of glass so visitors could still view the face as they came to pay their respects.  The men rotated turns as they stayed awake each night, playing cards, drinking and watching over the body.  A burial plot was discussed, and due to the rain we were having everyday, it was decided to bury her near by the house. 101_3303

By the fifth day, there was a break in the rain, so the hole was dug, and the final proceedings took place.  Kiwara’s  family are members of the local Espirista group so a spiritual leader from a major town near by was called in to perform the service.  The family gathered around the casket while they took turns talking about life with Kiwara, and people sang.  Each member of the family then placed red flower petal on the glass part of the casket lid.101_3360

Once the hole was ready with a rough wood lining to protect the casket, several men carried it out and placed it over the hole where it was lowered down into.  As the casket was being carried people either clapped their hands or banged sticks together, and one of the men fired several shots in the air with his rifle.  We noticed that as soon as the casket was lowered into the hole all the family immediately left the site and went back to the house.  Several planks were set over the wood box and then suddenly people started throwing dirt into the hole, even before the men could climb out.  They were able to climb out ok and the hole was quickly filled in by everyone standing there.  101_3364

At that point things wound down quickly.  Clean up began, and those from other villages left to go home.  The generator no longer ran that night, and by the next morning clean up was done and the house put back together.  Life as we could see it had gone back to normal, except without Kiwara.101_3385

That’s it, right?  Or is it?  Where is she now?  Sadly, she hadn’t had the opportunity to hear the Gospel message.  She hadn't been able to choose for herself where she would spend eternity, with or without Christ.  This is the reality of why we are here, to tell these people this Good News of salvation through Him.  But in order to do so, we must be able to communicate this to them in a way that they will understand.  This means we need to understand who they are, and why they think the way they do so that we can answer the questions they will have and not be confused about why God would send his Son to die for them and pay the price for their sins.  They need to understand clearly how that is the ONLY way to spend eternity in heaven.

I look forward with great anticipation to the day when a funeral here is a time of rejoicing for the one who finally gets to see their Creator and Saviour.  I look forward to that day when we will see Ga’dang people in heaven and stand along side them before God Almighty.  Oh what a glorious day that will be!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Things we will need.

There are a few things we are going to need while we are in Ontario.  Maybe someone has an extra of these things.

House- We are thankful and blessed to know that we will have a home to stay in while we are in Ontario.  Thank you to Mom and Dad for letting us take over their place.

8 Passenger Van- We are in need of a reliable van that will fit 6 kids.  We have 2 in car seats still and 2 teenagers as well.

2 Car seats-  Jenna will need a car seat with a 5 point harness.  Sophia will need a booster seat.

Snowsuits/winter jackets, boots for the kids- The kids ages are 14, 13, 11, 9, 4 and 2.  If you have a spare sitting around, let us know.

Bunk beds with mattresses- we just need to borrow it for a year

1 single bed- to borrow for a year. Thanks so much!

6 sets of single bed sheets-  these are also to borrow.  We have lots in the Philippines and will bring some if we need to.

Pack n’ play- just for a couple of months.

Bicycles for the kids-  The 4 older know how to ride, Sophia would need a tricycle or one with training wheels and Jenna would love something she can be pushed around in/on.

Please send us an email if you would have any of these items for us to borrow or buy. 

chuck-shannon_talbot@ntm.org

We are looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Sophia

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How can we not love this sweet girl?!

You would think that after the first 4 kids that we would be well practiced for #5.  Since the day Sophia was born she has kept us hoppin’!  She has a lot of energy and spice in that little body of hers.  Some times that spice is cayenne pepper.  I remember Sophia having her first temper tantrum at just 7 months because she couldn’t have something.  I didn’t know what to do with her.  The others never did that.  At 4 yrs old, that fire still comes out.  Not as often as before but we still see it.  Sometimes we still don’t know what to use to put out that fire either.  But we look to the Lord to help us know what to do with her.

Sophia also came with a whole lot of sugar too!  Several times each day Sophia and I go through our ritual.  First a kiss, then a hug, then a squeeze (just a tight hug with noises) and we end with a tickle.  If we don’t get them in the right order, we have to start all over again.  She tells me every night that she will wake me up in the morning with all 4 of those things.  It sure makes morning a much sweeter thing for me.

God also gave Sophia a great sense of humor.  She loves to laugh especially at Bugs Bunny!  She also laughs at the scary parts of a movie that her siblings are watching!  The best part though is that she makes us laugh.  We laugh so many times a day with this little girl in our house.

Today we began packing up our stuff in our house so we can go on home assignment in just 3 weeks time.  I spent a lot of time going through the girls’ clothes and toys today.  The last thing we needed to do before lunch was decide on which bed time dolls/stuffies, would go to Canada with us.  I lined up Sophia’s 4 dolls and asked her,

“Who’s going to Canada with us?”

Sophia quickly replied while raising her hands, “ME!”

We all started to laugh!  I couldn’t stop.  She just sat there and looked blankly at us wondering what was so funny!  I tried to explain that I wanted her to pick her dolls.  She still didn’t understand what made us laugh so much.

I think this is one story I will remember for a very long time.  I think we can tell that she is very excited to go to Canada!

Please be praying for Sophia and Chuck and I as we raise her. 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Engagement Party

Last week our neighbour’s daughter was getting engaged.  What a great time for us to learn the customs of the people here.  We could look right our our window, stand on our porch and watch or go right down to be in the middle of it all.

The young lady is 16 yrs old and she is going to marry a man in his 30’s from another village.  He is not Ga’dang like she is but they both speak the local trade language.  So much of what was said was in this other language, that we don’t know, so it had to be translated back to us.  Thankfully we were able to video much of it so we can go back over it again and again.

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There were 2 pigs killed for the meal and lots and lots of rice was cooked.

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In the late afternoon the 2 families sat down to talk about the bride price, beads for a necklace.  This is the most important part of the planning for the wedding.  We were told that if the beads aren’t good enough that the wedding could be called off.  It was interesting to see that much of the bride’s village was there to make the negotiations over these beads.101_3123

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The people in our village were not happy with one of the beads, saying it had a flaw in it.  They talked and talked for a long time about what to do.  It was agreed to add some money to be given with the beads.  After that they were to talk about the date and where it would happen.  The last we heard the date was set and it would be at done at the Mayor’s office.

Then we all ate.

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Then the gongs came out and the dancing began.  We had a great time watching all this.  Sophia waited all day to put her dress on and dance with her friends to the gongs.101_3127

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We are thankful for the way the Lord brought this event right to our doorstep.

Expectations of Home Assignment-Top 30 things we want to do in 2012

In just 3 1/2 weeks we will be back in Canada!  So I was thinking about what my/our expectations might be for home assignment this year.

Last time we were “home” we were so busy.  We had a great time but returned to the Philippines feeling like we didn’t do everything we wanted to.  This time I am going to make a list, and maybe it will change.  Things might get added or taken away but I want to have a goal for our time. (These are not in order of priority!)

1. Reconnect with our family.  Spending more time together.  Getting to know our nieces and nephews again.  Spending time with brothers and sisters, grandparents and our parents.

2. Reconnect with our home church, Faith Evangelical Missionary Church in Wasaga Beach.  Get involved!  Get to know new people and renew old friendships.

3. Go to Tim Horton’s often!  Boy, do we miss Tim Horton’s bagels, donuts and coffee (well Chuck misses the coffee!)

4. Spend time in our supporting churches.  We want to get to know people more than we do.  If possible help out or attend more than just a Sunday morning service.

5.  Go to Grand Manan.  Going to Grand Manan as a kid was the best thing I did.  We took the kids in 2008 and they loved it.  It is the one big thing they want to do while in Canada.

6.  Share what the Lord has been doing here in the Philippines, specifically with the Ga’dang people, with anyone who wants to hear.

7.  Connect with new churches and individuals, sharing the work the Lord is doing amongst the Ga’dang people.

8.  See an increase in our current support.  We are currently receiving 53% of the mission recommended support level.

9.  Find someone that would like to come back with us to homeschool our kids for us, so I can be more involved in language study.

10.  Have BBQ’s…with family and friends.

11.  Get Eli adjusted to a “real” school, high school.

12.  Raise funds for solar equipment and a new generator for our house in the village.

13.  Enjoy shopping without everyone staring at us…oh wait, we have 6 kids, we still might get stared at!

14.  Go to Praise in the Park during the summer.

15.  Drink real milk, not UHT or powdered!

16.  Start a medical fund to help with medical expenses for the Ga’dang people.  ie: medical flights out of the village, hospitalization, surgery, etc.

17.  Smile lots.

18.  Drive! Chuck drives when we aren’t in the village but I, Shannon, haven’t driven in 2 1/2 yrs! Look out everyone on the road.

19.  Spend a few days away with my husband, without the kids. Kind of a late anniversary getaway and celebration for the next 3!

20.  Go to a library, often. We miss being able to read so many books.

21.  Laugh more.

22.  Eat goooood apples!  And raspberries and strawberries and blueberries!

23.  Play in the snow!  Maybe only once or twice though.

24.  Go to Canada’s Wonderland.

25.  Go on hikes for pleasure not necessity.

26.  Not buy all the food we need for 3 weeks at a time, but if we need something go buy it.

27.  Send the kids for sleepovers with their grandparents.

28.  Sing with more than just our family, with a congregation.

29.  Love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind.

30.  Become more Christ like.

Things we will need.

There are a few things we are going to need while we are in Ontario.  Maybe someone has an extra of these things.

House- We are thankful and blessed to know that we will have a home to stay in while we are in Ontario.  Thank you to Mom and Dad for letting us take over their place.

8 Passenger Van- We are in need of a reliable van that will fit 6 kids.  We have 2 in car seats still and 2 teenagers as well.

2 Car seats-  Jenna will need a car seat with a 5 point harness.  Sophia will need a booster seat.

Snowsuits/winter jackets, boots for the kids- The kids ages are 14, 13, 11, 9, 4 and 2.  If you have a spare sitting around, let us know.

Bunk beds with mattresses- we just need to borrow it for a year

1 single bed- to borrow for a year.

6 sets of single bed sheets-  these are also to borrow.  We have lots in the Philippines and will bring some if we need to.

Pack n’ play- just for a couple of months.

Bicycles for the kids-  The 4 older know how to ride, Sophia would need a tricycle or one with training wheels and Jenna would love something she can be pushed around in/on.

Please send us an email if you would have any of these items for us to borrow or buy. 

chuck-shannon_talbot@ntm.org

We are looking forward to seeing you all very soon.