Saturday the kids got and decorated a cup to keep at our house so they can stay hydrated while playing here. I think we need to buy more cups!
For Our Chickens
First stage of raising free range chickens done. We bought 5 young chickens and put them in a pen so they could get used to us and their new home. This is only for a few weeks and then we will set them free and call them back every evening with a snack before bedtime roosting. At least that's our plan and the normal way of doing it here.
Dinner is Served
Dried fish is a normal source of protein in our neighborhood. You can eat the whole thing if you fry it or you can take the head and bones out also. Kind of like jerky because you don't need to keep it refrigerated.
Update
Building things here isn't a problem it getting supplies that is. Since we lived here last the make shift motorcycle trail we used to use has disappeared so we have to carry our sand in to make our cement. Oh well that's life in the fast lane.
Afternoon's Project
This was one of yesterday afternoon's projects, fixing the wall/path between rice fields. This particular one leads back to our house so we needed permission to do this since they aren't our rice fields.
Farming Begins
Farming began right after we arrived since it has rained everyday since we made into our house here. Sorry that we didn't get a picture of the first stage, plowing with the water buffalo. We will get some soon I'm sure.
A Look Back at the Journey
As my family and I prepared to move countries for the second time in our 12 year history I have been blessed with a couple insights. One that it's not about me and two it's a good thing. Before I get into the details of the first steps in our new adventure though let me share with you some things that you may or may not know about me.
My name is Adam and I am the third child in a family of four and I am a perfectionist by nature. I like to have every little detail planned out and taken care of before I move on to something new. I detest feeling out of control and unable to complete my own expectations especially when they affect others. I am a pleaser and desire not to be a burden to anyone. I like things my way!
Okay, so with that out of the way lets start the preparation part of this journey. As many of you know we have been planning on starting this new adventure for at least 3 years and have been praying, planning, and preparing for it. Even with all this time and planning we left without everything done and wrapped up in a nice bow. The house was almost ready to rent or sell but there was much left to move to storage alone with cleanup and some packing. Although I knew that it was near impossible to get everything done we still stuck with the June departure date. We knew that was what God wanted for us even if we weren't clear why and still aren't. This was so very hard for me knowing that I would leave things undone and for someone else. Even as I write this now I am crying.
Tired and worn out physically and emotionally my family and I headed for Chicago for the first leg of our flights. After a 3 hour car ride (thank you Lambs for the use of your vehicle) we arrived at O'Hare airport and started the check in process. This first flight was a 16 hour flight taking off at 12:30 am and although boring and tiring went well. The boy watched movies and slept on and off the whole flight. We then landed in Taipei we got off the plane and had a 2 hour layover then boarded a flight to Cebu in the Philippines. This flight was only 3 hours long and had some amazing views of islands and ocean.
After landing in Cebu at 10:30 am we collected all our baggage without a hiccup and found Joy's brother and sister in law wait for us. Then we loaded all of our luggage into a taxi who drove us to our hotel 45 minutes away. We spent half of the next 24 hours sleeping and the rest getting supplies for our final destination. Ezra was so tired that he slept for 16 hours. After running around buying a phone, fan and a few other items we caught a taxi at 10:30 am and made the short 15 minute drive to the pier.
We then unloaded the 16 pieces of luggage from the taxi and began the check in for the 4 hour boat ride to our Island. It is very similar to the airport with luggage scanning and the whole nine yards. Once on the boat we ate lunch, rested, and enjoyed the scenery. Upon arrival we moved our luggage from the boat to a truck for the final 30 minute leg of our trip. We were pleasantly surprised to find over half of the road paved now instead of the pothole riddled dirt road that was there before.
Arriving in our village we could see that there was rain coming and now no road for vehicles to get back to our house about a quarter mile off the road in the middle of rice fields. A quick prayer and some help enabled us to get all our luggage to the house and sort of settled (everything under a roof) before it came. It turns out that this was the first rain of the rainy season and it has rained everyday since.
Much has happened since then but this is the first steps in this new adventure that we are on. We have been amazingly blessed by people who helped work on the house, visited with us in those final weeks in the US and helped us start our journey. Thank you dad and mom for all you have done so far and are still doing to finish what we weren't able to!
With much love and joy
Adam and The Folkertsma 4
Adding to the Crew
We have been doing well adjusting to the new diet, weather, work and language. With that being said we know that this is only a start in our journey here. The struggles we have been facing are colds, fevers, the heat, mosquitoes and not understanding everything people say (Joy does though). The things we are encouraged by is the fresh fruit, flowers, new friends, family, a puppy, a kitten and progress in work (slow as it may be).
Updates from the Folkertsma Four
Updates from the Folkerstma Four:
We were going to post more about a week ago and then the electricity went out. Turns out there was an earthquake on the island that provides electricity to ours so we have been without electricity for about a week so far. We are not sure when it will be restored but considering what the people are dealing with where the earthquake hit we are great. Another earthquake hit another island a couple days later as well, please join us in praying for those affected by these earthquakes.
We have been doing well adjusting to the new diet, weather, work and language. With that being said we know that this is only a start in our journey here. The struggles we have been facing are colds, fevers, the heat, mosquitoes and not understanding everything people say (Joy does though). The things we are encouraged by is the fresh fruit, flowers, new friends, family, a puppy, a kitten and progress in work (slow as it may be).
Unpacking and fixing electrical issues is and was a top priority, we are starting to fell like we are on top of it finally. Not done mind you but able to feel settled a little bit.
Saturdays are hang out day with many games and some coloring. Kids come over everyday to play tag and other games so far but Saturday was an all day deal, so glad that people feel comfortable hanging out with the boys.
Working with MailChimp to keep you up-to-date
Sign up to stay connected with Adam and the Folkertsmas as the start their next adventure. With this, we'll be able to send out things such as pictures and prayer requests. Again, just a way to keep in touch with all the work of Jakin Ministry. Click on the link to go to the updated "Take Action" Page with a Sign up.
Collaboration with eGiving.com
Looking to support Jakin Ministry? Now you can safely and easily. We have partnered with eGiving.com to setup a safe and secure portal through which you can donate. With this you'll be able to setup a recurrent gift and even specify which of the projects you would like to support. Click on the "Take Action" button for resources and connections to our eGiving.com site. And as always, thank you for all the prayers, love, and support each and every one of you has given us.
May 21, 2017 A Thank You from the Folkerstma 4
Thank you everyone who was able to make it last night! We feel so loved and encouraged that we are overwhelmed with joy. We also know that those in attendance are only a fraction of those who love us and are praying for us. Words cannot express how blessed we feel. Thank you for joining us in our journey each and everyone of you have impacted our lives in a multitude of ways and we thank God for you!
- Adam