Kementian News 04-20-08 Edition

Howdy everyone!

David had an idea while he and Tammy were on vacation a couple weeks ago. The idea was to come up with some flashlights that could be loaned to the local people so that evening meetings could be held at the church. At present no one would come to a evening meeting unless there is going to be a sleep-over or someone loans them a light as most people don't have flashlights at all.

The title applied to this project is Let There Be Light.

So the first question is, where are we going to find flashlights that fit the requirements (cheap, simple to operate, few parts for the people to take apart, long battery life, durable)?

To answer this question, strap on your time machine and we'll jump back to early February at SWAU where they are packing the Valentine's packages for the SMs. Many goodies were included in these packages, but the item we are looking for is a Pak-Lite. Its a flashlight that was designed and created by a class-mate of my brothers that is quite simply, two LEDs attached to the top of a 9volt battery. Simple, durable, cheap.

Fast forward the three weeks it takes for a small package to arrive via USPS and that flashlight (as well as all the tasty food items) was a hit. Everyone on the project was quite fascinated with the little light. So when David had this idea for the Let There Be Light project, this flashlight was the first thing that popped into his head. On poking around the website for Pak-Lite's <http://www.9voltlight.com> he found the basic model running just shy of $13 each. Multiplying that $13 times the approximately 30 that David feels we need to properly start this project and you come up with a number thats awfully close to $400. Where is $400 going to come from?

On Monday evening of last week, David mentioned this idea to the rest of the team as we were enjoying some yummy food. He mentioned that he wasn't sure where the money was going to come from. As I sat there and listened to his story and the amount needed, I was reminded of an email I'd received the week prior.

Apparently, after I'd already arrive here on Palawan, my church had some additional funds donated towards the fund raising that I was doing to allow me to come over here. The email asked what I wanted to do with this money. I replied that I would ask and see what was needed on the project. I was expecting the George's to come in the following day, but as it turned out, they didn't end up coming back in from the lowlands at all. So I didn't get to ask them. I was intending to reply again with instructions to sit on the money and I'd purchase a few items that I felt were needed when I got home and send them over, but I forgot to send that email three days in a row.

Oh, I guess you're probably wondering about how much money was donated "late". It was $400.

So here we have God answering prayers months prior to the idea even being formed, both in the case of the flashlight itself and the money to make the purchase. Just a little reminder of Isaiah 65:24 "...Before they call, I will answer..." Yup, God is still alive and working for his children, even before we know what He's doing for us!

I'll be leaving the mountains next Sunday (Apr 27). Will arrive in Manila on April 30^th where I'll spend a few days then arrive at DFW on the evening of May 5^th.

A little good news from home to pass along, my "little" brother found his Miss Right and she's agreed to marry him. If you want all the juicy details, you'll have to talk to him, or even better, talk with her.

A big congrats to Larry and Alex!

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers!

Nathan

Kementian News. 04-06-08 Edition

04-06-08

Howdy folks,

Things have been staying fairly busy here in Kementian. Not nearly to the point where we are swamped, but enough to keep me mostly out of trouble.

The number of people on the project has been varying with supervisors coming, families coming in, people going on vacation, obligations out of the mountains etc.

I've been doing more computer work. Never exactly what one expects to find in the mountains, but necessary none the less.

Audio recording/editing has eaten most of my time with a few other things thrown in for good measure

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The dry season has pretty well set in full force and as a result the water to turn the hydro is nearly gone. Which leaves us relying on solar power.

Thursday saw a reprieve of this as it rained for about 4hrs straight then off and on for the rest of the day. Allowed us to get full power out of the hydro again which was much needed to get those batteries back up to par.

Our demoniac friend hasn't caused any more trouble that I've heard of. The couple times I've seen him he hasn't changed since he left here. He acts as though he's mentally not as old as he is physically. His mannerism are that of a young child. I hear that he's still prone to anger out bursts and this leads me to continue in the belief that he wasn't free of the spirit when he left here nor is he now. Where God is going with this I don't have a clue, but I do know that all things work together for good, so we need to sit back and trust him will continuing to pray. Course, thats what we need to do for every situation isn't it?

In trying to track down the package that contains, among other things, and upgraded alternator for the hydro, I found that it *should* be delivered within the next week or so. Seeing as its taken nearly three months to this point, I'm not going to hold my breath. It would be very nice to see that package prior to my departure.

Speaking of departure, I received my tickets for the return trip on Thursday. I've just 22 days till I leave the project and 10 more till I land in at DFW on the evening of May 5th.

Am I looking forward to leaving? Yes, but not cause I dislike this place. I've had a great experience here, though a challenge at times, and don't for a second regret coming out. I do miss my family a lot and am very much looking forward to seeing them again.

Ok, thats enough rambling from me.

Thanks for y'alls prayers, they are much appreciated.

Nathan