I would really like this blog to bring some unity into what the Lord is doing here and the directions He is moving in. This has been a year defined by change and changes that are all gifts of God.[...]

I am traveling to another island with Pastor Gerry and his wife to see them off and to talk to the head lady in Tacloban concerning an orphanage. It looks like the Lord will be starting a real, legitimate orphanage and it will be mine to build and run with no other authority besides ptr. Gerry himself. This is great news and we have the hearts for the orphans the Lord has put within us. So my wife and I are on our way to begin a new orphanage.[...]

The Philippines is a very religious country. There is no separation of Church and State like the US. On the contrary, religion, Catholicism and Christianity, is at the centre of all government institutions in this country. Mass is held every Friday on the high school campuses, as well as the college campuses. The priests from the local church will visit their local elementary schools every week to teach the children about the Bible. I was taken by surprise the first time I went to the Municipal government building Friday morning and saw the government workers outside participating in Mass and communion. Catholicism is by far the dominant religion but because of the similarities with Christianity it is hard to tell which one has the greater influence. Because of the cultural place religion holds in this country being a Priest or Pastor is a respected and desirable position. Because of the great respect shown towards religious matters, the religious leaders have been put on a pedestal. As a result, the title Pastor is worn proudly by those who have achieved it. I have talked with young men who have never wanted to be anything but a Pastor. Most American children dream about being a heroic Police officer or fantasies about saving lives as a fireman. Both of these careers represent power, respect and admiration. But the young men I talked to would fantasies about being a Pastor and no doubt for the same reason American children fantasies about being a police officer, power, respect and admiration.[...]

Cris Ann and I are doing very well. She is really amazing in many ways but most of all she is able and willing to apply Gospel truth to her life and our marriage. [...]

Today Cris Ann and me got really good news from Ashley, the blind widows daughter in-law. Ashley is 24 years old and will be having a baby sometime this month. Her situation has been really bad since Cris Ann and I first met her and her husband, Tangkoy. They have absolutely no money and Tangkoy has been seriously disturbed since his father passed away last year, leaving behind his blind wife and three blind sons. Tangkoy got drunk and beat up the local priest because he would not allow them to bury his father in the local cemetery because he was a Christian. Just last month he got drunk again and beat up Ashley, his pregnant wife. He really is one of the most unstable people I have ever known. [...]

Cris Ann and I are looking to start an Internet shop here at the house. There is a college right up the road and many of the students live here in boarding houses because they can't travel home. In order to use the Internet they have to make the long and expensive trip into town. So we are going to provide Internet service here. We are looking to turn the back room into the Internet shop. It needs some work to make the room sealed, ready for a wall air condition unit. If this is not done the salt from the ocean and the humidity will destroy the computers. We have everything in place ready to go. The Internet Company gave the ok after a 30min debate, we have a place ready to sell the computers and they will be our technicians for a year free of charge. Now we are praying for the finances to complete this project. Having this business could make us completely independent of any outside support and allow Cris Ann and me to really make a new life for ourselves. This does not interfere with the plans for an orphanage it really could be the financial support for the orphanage and Jr currently. We just don't have enough to take care of Jr and the bank account is running low. We are praying and it is our hearts desire to have this business and be a self sufficient ministry. Please pray for the financial support needed to start the business and that the Lord will make a way.[...]

We had a much unexpected visit this morning from the DSWD, a government agency that deals with children. I guess it is similar to our social services in the states. Cris Ann and I did not know what to expect, we knew they were here to talk about Jr, but we did not know what their reaction would be. I started to think the worst right away, but I took a deep breath and put it in the Lord's hands. The agent was very nice and had a real genuine care for JR. She has known him for five years, which means he has been homeless and living in the streets since he was eight years old. She was able to explain his situation to us because she has been the agent assigned to Jr. She told us how she has contacted Jr's father and mother several times and they want nothing to do with him. His mother came one time to a meeting at the DSWD office but only to blame and condemn Jr for her miserable situation and left him in town for good. What a painful experience that must have been. The excitement of seeing your mother for the first time in a while and she only shows up to blame and condemn and to make sure Jr knew she did not want him. The Agent said she contacted his grandparents, as well, who took him in, but they would severally beat him and he chose to live on the streets rather than being someone's punching bag. There is absolutely no one who wants this boy; he is alone in the world. She, the Agent, tried to get him into other government ran programs but they would not accept him because of his age. Jr would end up in her office often, over the last five years, escorted by the police because he was stealing food or other items. They could not press charges until he is of age because there is no juvenile system here. So everyone was just waiting till Jr is old enough to throw him in jail. The agent asked him about a week ago what his plan for the future is and he told her that when he grows up he will go home because they won't be able to beat him anymore and they will accept him; that is sad.[...]

I can see that the Lord may be moving Cris Ann and me, in the direction of an orphanage. We have one orphan, who was out of his mind some days, but has been restored and we are finding a lot of success in rehabilitating him into society. Even when he was in his right mind, he was seriously antisocial to the point where he would run from any children who came over and he would put his face on the wall. We have him helping with chores and attending class every day with Cris Ann. He has made friends with many other children and he has no problem being around a group of kids anymore.[...]

I am so in love with the newest Mrs. Barton. This is not just an emotional honeymoon type of love but it is grounded in the Lord and built to last. Her willingness to learn and grow in every situation is so amazing and a breath of fresh air. We both understand that we are far from perfect and we will often disagree and even fight, but every time we look to the Lord in His Word and allow it to change and mould us into a better partner. Now that I have her I wonder how I ever lived without her. She challenges me to walk what I talk and cares enough to bring up wrongs and not just stay silent in fear. She does it in such a way that could melt my heart and open my eyes to the places I am lacking. She is perfect because she knows she’s not perfect and does not expect me to be either. Without the Lord in the centre, where would we go? Where would we go and humble ourselves and hear word's that will last for eternity and have the power to change our hearts. We are connected by Him and we will last because of Him. I love her most however because she makes me a better person. She does not crush me for my many faults but humbly fills in the gab. She does not try to take the lead because she sees weakness in me, but she uses her gifts and talents to make me a stronger leader and husband. To say I am thankful to the Lord would just not capture the way I feel about Cris Ann. The Lord must have been thinking about me when He formed her. Thank You Lord!
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Things with the neighbours seem to have smoothed over for now, so thank you everyone for the prayers. Everyday Jr is getting more and more accepted by the people here as they get over their fear of him and observe the change in his life. [...]