Boxing Tryouts @ Gil Montilla National High School!

Pastor Sam...all smiles at getting the Boxing Ministry started at GMNHS

Weighing in the boxers.

Pastor Sam giving the boxers instructions.

One of our ABBA Boys, Wilfredo helping a boxer gear up.



The Montejo Brothers

Melcho (30), Zehlim (26), Pastor Sam (28)

We took this photo of the 3 Montejo brothers before they headed up north to the LTO Office (Land & Transportation Office) to  register our Tricycle (motorcycle with side car) and Melcho and Zehlim to get their student licenses. Pastor Sam was licensed awhile back, but as the mission needs grow and expand we would like to have more licensed drivers. They were so excited to head off and get their licenses, as it is a rare priviledge to get a driving license.

These three brothers have been a real blessing to us. Pastor Sam has been our "main man" since our arrival. He has helped us accomplish so much, in such a short time. He has helped us with everything from buying land to buying chickens and his translating expertise has been invaluable. His integrity and love for God have made him a blessing to serve with. He is our Filipino son!

Melcho is the oldest brother and we call him a "machine" or maybe a better way to describe him would be to call him the "energizer bunny". Whether he is clearing land, making charcoal or whatever we hire him to do, he does it with energy to spare. He is married to Jurinda, who keeps my house spic and span and they have three children. Daisey Mae (8), Hannah (5) and Mark (5 months).

Zehlim is another hard working brother. He married his child hood sweetheart Michelle this February and they are expecting their first child at the beginning of the year. Zehlim has worked with Richard on every construction project and has  become one of the lead workers. He  quickly grasps Richards' building designs and has been a real help in getting the other Filipino workers to understand what Daddy Rich wants!

We are currently living in Pastor Sam's house on the Montejo land while we wait to build our own house down the road on the land we purchased. We appreciate all the brothers support of ABBA Mission and it's endeavours.  People of integrity are the greatest assets one can have in a foreign land. We are grateful to God for each one of them, they are family. They have been a blessing to us and we pray that we are a blessing to them as well.

Happy 23rd Birthday to our son Calvin......

Calvin @ 3 years old, 1991.

Can it be that 23 years ago our third son Calvin was born? Time seems to fly by so fast and at other times it seems to drag so slowly. Like waiting for him to be born! He was about 8 days overdue and waiting for him to make his way into this world seemed to take forever. He was the first son I had at home and just when I thought it wasn't going to ever happen he arrived......at 10 lbs., with a 14" head, it was no wonder he took so long! Calvin was such a sweet child, by far the calmest of the three. We had almost 5 years between Daren and him, so I really enjoyed being a mother again.

Time seemed to stand still on several occasions later in his life. In 2004 he had his appendix burst while visiting his grandparents in Burbank, Ca. He spent 8 days in the hospital only to fly home to Portland and be back in the hospital another 5 days with severe infection. During those days he was in the hospital his best friend Sam Visan, was in an automobile accident and was admitted to the same hospital. Calvin recovered after awhile, but his dear friend Sam went home to be with his Saviour leaving a huge hole in all our lives. Calvin joined the Oregon National Guard in 2008 and spent a year in Iraq in 2009. Just days before heading off to Iraq, Calvin's son Aaron was born and spent the first weeks of his life in NICU. Yes, those are the times that life seems to go so slow and yet it is during those times we readjust our priorities and we praise God that there is an eternity to be reunited with loved ones.

And now with 8,000 miles between us, it is impossible for us to celebrate together, but again we commit you to the hands of a loving Father this new year of your life. So happy birthday Calvin.....we are so glad the Lord loaned you to us and has preserved your life thus far. Happy 23rd!

Surgery for Lilia

Lilia & Paterno of Sipalay

Lilia is an Aunt of Pastor Sam's who has been afflicted with a large goiter for over 16 years. She has basically remained a shut in for most of this time. The Lord placed a burden on our hearts to see how we could assist her with this condition. Through various circumstances we have been able to navigate our way though the government health care system and get her started on some treatment to help her with this condition. This is our second trip up to Bacolod to see if she is ready for surgery or not. Please be praying with us that her lab tests show she is ready for this surgery that will bring her a brand new life! I don't think I've ever received a tighter hug then from her, in my entire lifetime......sometimes you understand a person without even being able to speak their language.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Yummy.......Americano Breakfast!

Danelo, Landon, Wilfredo, Rene & Toto

Some of the boxing boys stopped by for breakfast this morning.......I had rice, but no fish.....oh what to do? I decided to serve them up some American pancakes. You can see how much they enjoyed it.....it was the first time any of them had ever had a pancake or syrup. They especially like my berry syrup from Oregon! They've got great taste, the good thing is they washed the dishes!

Is Osama Bin Laden REALLY dead???

.......or did he and his sidekick escape over here to the PI? This is  very common headgear worn around this part of the Philippines. The Filipinos love to wear these as they work in the fields or ride around on their rmotorcyles. They mainly wear it to keep the sun off them, but Rich has discovered it keeps the misquitos from attacking his head and neck!

Putting old things to good use....

My old sewing machine sat in my closet for a decade. I'm thankful I shipped it over here because Pastor Sam's Uncle Juan and his family are putting it to good use in their Tailor Shop here in Sipalay. They have been very supportive of our Sunday evening church plant at Jamont's downtown.