September 20, 2007

A day to remember! I was sitting in my jungle office overlooking the green and yellow of jungle and just-picked rice stalks, when I heard aircraft overhead. As I looked out the picture window I saw a small helicopter circling our enclosed valley. I was at once excited, ...and apprehensive. I've lived here long enough to know the stories of the military coming in, taking advantage of the people and stealing everything; recent reports that miners may be coming into our valley to begin pillaging what is left of this jungle didn't add to my peace of mind.

During the last few months we've known that a helicopter was very likely going to be coming to our area to expressly help us in our mission – both medical and evangelistic. And two to three months of paperwork in Manila, led to six months, as the pilot waited for paper work to be finished and then had to wait a week for fuel to become available! Then wonder of wonders, he was able to fly out of Manila last Friday. He flew to Mindoro where he spent the Sabbath, then on to Coron on Sunday.

Once in Puerto on Monday, we kept hoping he'd be able to come on down soon, but Typhoon Falcon had other plans!! With rain and winds everyday and most days – the whole day, it was NOT flying weather. So we were shocked when he surprised us by coming in Thursday afternoon! He got in just in time, for after greetings and a few photos, it started pouring down rain yet again!! Can you imagine the excitement that created in the village??

We do not know yet what all God has in mind for this little dragonfly (in our language 'kererindi”)– as I've dubbed it, but God must have something particular in mind, for we've sensed Him preparing us for a broader work in this area. God certainly desires to give good gifts to His children. This has been a dream and a need for 12 years!!