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. [...]

I have some good news and some seemingly bad news. I'll start with the good news because the bad news just flows out of the good. [...]

It has been a really wonderful week. I have the Rosetta Stone Language program and I am so encouraged by it. I have no problem studying with it for four hours a day and I am progressing at a much faster rate because every minute put into the program counts. Cris Ann has started school with Jr, the orphan boy and he is really enjoying learning. She works with him every day on his English and he works on his homework in the evening. I really am starting to see the Lord move in the direction of an orphanage for future ministry here. I have heard about the difficulties in starting an orphanage witch make it nearly impossible to do. The government requires several nurse's on staff, 50 thousand dollars in the bank and many other requirements that detour the opening of orphanages here. I guess this is why there are almost no orphanages in a place that really needs them; I don't know of any on this island. I figured I would just start moving in that direction and if the Lord willed it He would take care of any requirements. I got some good news today from a knowledgeable man who said it should be much easier opening an orphanage because I am married to a Filipina. That was really good news and further conformation on our new direction. It has been hard but a really amazing experience to observe the love of the Lord change the life of a boy with no one in this world. Jr used to cover his face with ashes and run around the streets like a crazy person. I used to think he was on drugs when I would see him dancing wildly in the street with his face covered in white ashes. It really looked like someone possessed or lost on LSD. Everyone knows Jr because everyone has to go to town to get supplies and food. Being a very small city Jr is infamous to thousands of people in every direction. What an amazing testimony he has when people see a changed boy. People here in our village are all amazed at the crazy kid living at our house, playing with the other kids and learning English. This morning I ask Jr when his birthday is and he had no idea. We will give him a special date and give him his first birthday party with the other kids. He is becoming part of the family, helping with chores, eating together and hanging out. As I write I can hear him laughing and joking with one of the high school boys, Fernando. As we begin to move in this new direction I want to ask for prayer. Surely there will be many obstacles that will need to be prayed away.[...]

I have a burning desire to tell people the Good News about Jesus. This desire is to spread the Gospel throughout the Philippines and raise up the young men and women here in my Borongy and send them out. This desire is aimed at the church here in the PI as well. The church needs to get back to the Gospel of grace and free believers from a life of trying to earn God's favour and love. True revile will start within the church as believers respond to the goodness of God by extending that goodness to those around them; love in action.[...]

I want to thank everyone again for the prayers. I don't get shaken up very easily but this was scary enough to change the way I battle the evil one in prayer. No longer will I take the Lord's protection for granted, but I am now actively asking for it.[...]

Thank you everyone for your prayers. Last night I had a lump just to the right of my adams apple. It was about the size of a golf ball and really hard. This morning it was much smaller, no doubt because of your prayers, and as of right now it is completely gone. The doctor didn't have much of an explanation about what happened because I had no prior symptoms and the condition showed its self very rapidly and aggressively. He prescribed some antibiotics and sent me on my way. The medicine was way to expensive so I didn't get it but it seems like there is no need now. I am feeling much better, my stomach and the fatigue are better and my throat no longer has the growth on it. I am about to head to the bascket ball court and coach our local team for the up coming tournament. Because of your prayers I am able to do this. Please continue to pray for my protection, I have never really felt the need because the Lord is in control, but after this I see the need...[...]