I was wondering what the Philippines would be like in December during Christmas, this is my first experience celebrating the birth of our Christ out side of the States. Honestly, in late November I forgot December and Christmas was drawing near. With absolutely no season change I was surprised when I heard Christmas music blaring from the few houses with a CD player. As the days went on people started putting up Christmas decorations on the front of their houses. Just as a note, in the town I live in there is about five actual houses, similar to a house in the states.[...]

I wish I could tell you all the things Caleb told us while we talked to him on Skype last night , I wish I could communicate to you all, each one, how I am ministered to by my son, Caleb. This is the son that almost four years ago you each petitioned the Lord to spare his life. I know you were banging on the door of heaven, together, brothers and sisters in the Lord. We continue to have hearts full of gratitude.[...]

I just received a text from Caleb asking for prayer as he is going to give a message at the prison. Thanks in advance, Blessings ~ Dawn

 [...]

"Grace offers what every human desperately needs, but what God alone can offer"


It's funny how I can spend hours, and have full on conversations with some of the kids and only understand a small amount out of what they are saying, but the love of Christ goes beyond even the language barrier. There is this little Filipino girl who is one of the first kids I got to know, I absolutely adore this girl! One day she came by the school with a huge attitude, which is not rare for this little six year old. She was walking towards us with hands on her hips and speaking Tagolog nonstop the whole way to us. I hoped off the counter, put my hand on my hips, cocked my head and began to respond in gibberish. O, she was not having it! We began to argue for several minutes, her a six year old Filipina, standing no more than 4 foot, speaking Tagolog and me, a 28 year old American standing 6'3 speaking gibberish, what a scene. Finally after going back and forth she puckered up and motioned to spit at me. Ha ha ha, so funny, I've never seen a youngster with so much attitude, she was smiling and laughing the whole time, even when she was going to spit at me! After I told her no spitting sternly, she ended the scene by clinging to my leg.

Rodel and Rodnnick
Rodel and Rodnnick are two brothers that I have become very, very close to. Rodel and Rodnick would come over a few times a week and we would hang out for hours. We would read, practice my Tagolog and their English, and play the I-pad. I found out that the boys and their older sister lost their mom and dad. Their dad was murdered and I am not sure what happened to their mom. They are not totally orphaned, they are taken care of by their uncle and his family; however I can see the pain of not having a mom or dad in their eyes. It touched my heart when Sarah, the Sunday school teacher came up to me on Saturday and said, "I found some of the kids writing 'I love Caleb' during Sunday school." I found that two of them were Rodnnick and Rodel.

"Double Trouble"
Ronalyn and Rynalin, two sisters I love very much and have grown very fond of. Rynalin is eight and Ronalyn is ten. The first time I met them Rynalin was hiding and popping out trying to scare us one night at the side car station. I immediately started calling her trouble in a joking way. Then her sister started in, and the name "double trouble" started. They love the name and most everyone calls them it now. It always make me smile when I hear them outside or see them walking towards me. A couple Saturdays ago I was feeling kind of down because I was exhausted from hopping around on one foot for three weeks and I couldn't interact with the kids like I wanted to. While I was sitting on the counter I saw Double Trouble walking towards me and I immediately began to smile, to myself and at them. As usual they smiled and said "hi koya Caleb", from across the yard. As they got to me they both said simultaneously, "We miss you Caleb!" Ah, my heart was filled, I responded, "I miss you too double trouble."

The Lord is allowing bonds to be built, that to be completely honest I am kind of scared of; knowing that I will be leaving them fairly soon. One of the new American boys said to me one day, "the kids are going to cry when you leave" and immediately my eyes started to water and I said, "I'm going to be the one crying." For the last few years I forgot how to love, I became numb to life and people. I can remember times when there were people I wanted to love, but I couldn't, I just didn't know how anymore. Truly, I never thought I would be able to love anyone again. When I rededicated my life to the Lord He supplied me with His love towards His people once again. This is an unconditional, sacrificial love that only the Lord could restore to my life. Over the last few months the Lord has completely broken a heart that was rock hard, using the love of these children. Love, it all starts and ends with love.[...]

Last night - Thanksgiving ~ Caleb posted some beautiful picture on his posthope web site. Sometimes pictures tell the whole story. We would like to thank each one of your for your prayers and continued support of Caleb's ministry > he is bleaased by each post you write, each check you send and each prayer your pray.[...]

Yesterday afternoon I recived a text from Caleb. He was at the little internet cafe. He wrote - "I can't believe what people are writing ! Can I respond back on my site? My foot is much better and seems to be healing very good, thank you for getting the word out. Mom my heart really hurts for our family and the Drummond family. " For we know that ALL things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8;28.[...]

 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" (James 5:16).

The other night I was laying on my bed feeling spiritually hurt. My heart was heavy from the condition of our dear friend and sister in Christ, Connie. Also, I was not mobile enough to leave the property, or walk on the beach, or go to church for two weeks and I was weighed down. As I began to pray and read James chapter five, the Lord made verse 16 jump off the page. The "healing" spoke of here by James is a spiritual healing, the Amplified version puts it this way.

"Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]."

At the prompting of the Holy Spirit I hobbled outside and read the verse to Brandon and asked if he would join me in a time of confession and prayer before our Lord. As he responded saying, "t

That is a good idea" I could see the burdens he was carrying, as shame covered his face. I made it clear, as it was made clear to me, that we were to confess the things we want nobody to know, and even deny in ourselves. We prayed for the Lord to reveal our hearts and give us the boldness to confess these things. As we confessed these things to each other before the Lord, a freedom came over both of us and we began to praise Jesus in all humility, for who we are and what He has done for us. To say the least, we were both shocked and grateful for what was confessed that night. We spent much time praying for each other and praising God in song as our Spirits were "restored". I don't know why I get amazed when God's living Word does exactly what it says it will do, confess to one another and pray for each other and be spiritually restored. Brandon and I are now accountability partners, we meet every evening to confess, encourage, counsel and pray.[...]

I just spoke with Caleb - he as asked that we would pray for the following things. The box we sent would arrive NOW as it is full of medications for his foot, no more physical ailments and for complete healing of his foot. Caleb is asking for provision as he is in need of financial support to meet his medical needs. He sounded well in spite of his circumstances.  Caleb is so grateful for your continued love and your posts of encouragement; he says it makes him feel loved and closer to home.[...]

Last week was amazing! For the last three months, every day, we have been gaining the trust of the kids in the town we live in. At first the kids would star, some would yell "hey Joe", and some would even flip us off. As time went on we began to gain enough trust to give the kids high fives and they loved it. At first the kids would be a bit hesitant, but all we had to do was put up our hand and look at them and their faces would light up as they gave us high fives. In a couple of weeks we couldn't stop the high fives, the kids would mob use in the street as we tried to walk by.[...]