Submitted by rondowney on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 11:06 from Ron Downey - Dean of Asia, View Original Posting
Ron has commissioned me to write from my perspective an account of this next part of our adventure. On Tuesday morning we were driven to the bus terminal in Naga. That would be the easiest part of the day. The “highways” between Naga and Santo Tomas are bumpy and winding with a lot of stop and go and wait for all the small vehicles, trucks and road work. The bus seating is designed for small Philippine people. Therefore, Ron’s knees touched the seat in front of him the entire way. Mine did as well because of the seat in front of me being reclined. We were VERY appreciative of the two stops during the 8 hr. journey.We are more thankful now for the easier modes of transport we usually have. The countryside is covered in rice where there is an open space and banana and coconut trees everywhere else. The sights were beautiful and it was inspiring to see the people as we passed.
Submitted by rondowney on Sun, 02/05/2012 - 11:40 from Ron Downey - Dean of Asia, View Original Posting
After a long journey and a short night in Manila we have arrived in Naga City. It certainly has been a place of Mabuhay…Welcome! Our journey began with the long flight from San Francisco to Manila via Seoul, Korea. We landed in Manila at midnight and got a quick 5 hours sleep before heading here to Naga City. Naga is the southernmost school our four in Luzon (the North Island of the three major island groups in the Philippines). It is a place of great beauty and fertile farm land. They grow mostly rice and plant and harvest it the old fashioned way…with hands and plows pulled by water buffalo. The Bicol region (like our counties) is also home to many volcanoes and mountainous areas.
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Tue, 06/28/2011 - 05:00
FROM RON & JUDY IN ESTONIA
June 28, 2011
The first 10 days of a five-week visit home in Estonia: God has blessed us beyond even what we have prayed! And now we are encouraged to pray even more fervently. Let us begin with yesterday and share backward before we share forward …
OUR SECOND SUNDAY in Estonia (on this trip) … well, the collage photo so beautifully done by our sister Merlin Ponna shares with you the joy of the day that became the first day of eternity for three of the Aasumets family – Aili (20 yrs), Koit (19 yrs) and Kaido (18 yrs). We met them just a year ago when their sister Kaidi, the first to become a Christian in her family in spring 2010, took us to the family farm to meet her mother and seven siblings still living at home. The children all came to camp and heard the gospel taught for the first time. Mother and the seven children each received a Bible in the Estonian language which they have faithfully read through the long dark evenings of winter. Contributions that we received have assured that the children and mother could attend the Spring Retreat and other church activities such as youth rallies in both Tallinn and Tartu.
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 16:25
Larry has worked full time with Lifeline of Hope International Orphan Aid and Adoption Ministry since 2006. Lifeline of Hope provides aid to almost 20,000 orphans in eleven countries; mostly Russia where 15,000 orphans are cared for in children's homes and hospitals. Before that he served as the pulpit minister for the Richfield Church of Christ in Minneapolis for 14 years, The Waukesha Church of Christ in Wisconsin for 17 years, and also worked with churches in Virginia and New Mexico.
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 14:43
October 2008
"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop
and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains."
James 5:7
Dear Family & Friends
We send our autumn greetings to each of you! We are having a beautiful and colorful autumn here in Estonia. The view through our windshield during our two and a half hour drive between Tallinn and Tartu changes dramatically each week. It gives us time to reflect upon our Creator and all He has given for our enjoyment. If every digital photo we have taken of an autumn leaved landscape is indicative of our thanksgiving, our God is abundantly thanked.
OUR AUTUMN GUESTS from outside Estonia have blessed our lives. Each one has been an encouragement to us, and we hope we have encouraged them as well.
