Don't eat the Grizzly Bear they said

Satan is attacking the project right now with everything he's got.  I 
believe we are on the verge of something big that he doesn't like and he's 
just a-workin to discourage.  The particular focus is on the school right 
now.  Ever since the close of last term right before Christmas, until even 
now, there has nothing but road blocks and obstacles getting in the way of 
the new term.

First, at the annual Christmas program that marks the last day of school, 
the 2 cooks that we had employed all year long, stole some of the food for 
that particular day.  It was through a hairy messy ordeal that we finally 
found out and had to dismiss them as our cooks, so we have no cooks at this 
time.

Not only are the cooks both gone, one of them is a fairly influential person 
in this culture and she has proceeded to bring the entire community into the 
affair in attempts to make herself appear innocent.  Since there were 
several witnesses that testified against the cooks, justice was served and 
the Georges good name was cleared but she continues to go behind backs and 
make very difficult the work of the project.

Then, just about the time we were all getting ready for school, we had a 
whole work bee the week before the opening of the new term, it is brought to 
our attention that 2 of the teachers were seen drinking earlier that month.  
Upon questioning they admitted to this being true and since the standards of 
the school are quite clear they had to be disciplined accordingly.  They 
were both put on probation until further notice and they subsequently both 
decided they didn't want to come back.  These two boys were not only our 
most educated teachers, they were also the most talented and effective in 
their classrooms, so that leaves only 3 other teachers for the 5 grades and 
me.  We learned this Sunday afternoon before the first day of the new term 
that Monday.

We sighed, said, "OK, God with your help we're still gonna have school 
tomorrow."  The remaining teachers were troopers and agreed to shift around 
their lesson plans and pick up extra grades where needed.  The first week of 
school was to be Math week, lead by me anyways so there shouldn't be too 
much adjusting that first week anyways right?

Well, this would have been true however that very night I came down with an 
attack of Giardia.  (for those of you who don't know, that is a illness 
caused by drinking unfiltered water and eating meat from animals that have 
it?)  This was of course my own fault since it's true that a week before I 
had drank some river water in a moment of desperation on the trail.  (I had 
given away all my filtered water to some people that were thirsty)  However, 
after vomiting and diarrhea all night long I was hardly in any position to 
go to school that day and teach.

Also, upon further talking to the nurse, she advised that I get a blood 
smear to check for Malaria as some of the symptoms I was experiencing were 
indicative of that as well.  I agreed along with three other missionaries, 
and Mrs. George to get a blood smear.  Well, every single one of them came 
up positive for Falciparem 2?.so, in addition to Giardia medicine, added to 
the cocktail was Fansidar, Chloroquine,  and Primaquine, and ORS.  The side 
affects of each of those are more annoying than the actual illness so I was 
pretty much stuck in bed the entire week.  I Guess Math week didn't happen.

I found out that the first day of school another one of the remaining 
teachers was out of commission because of malaria too so that meant that the 
first day of school when there were supposed to be 6 abled bodies as 
teachers, there were only 2.  Bless their hearts.

Also, as of right now, the school is sadly short on funds.  Because of 
various reasons, the school is supported entirely by the outside donations 
of people and the Georges.  There is only enough money right now to stay 
open 2 months.  After that, God will provide.

Moral has been surprisingly strong even though the entire week the only 
people that were not sick was pastor and the nurse.  Practically no work was 
done but nothing was closed down.  The clinic remained open, the school 
opened, and church was not affected.

As for me personally, I am physically well now, to my knowledge, but there 
are personal concerns of mine that are weighing heavy on my mind and heart 
and have been ever since the first of the year when everything else began 
happening.  Also, several of the other missionaries on the team have 
reported personal struggles arising recently as well.

Of course all of these things are completely out of our hands and everything 
has to be given over to God.  The school is His to begin with and He has a 
plan.  If he wants the food program to be re-instated he will provide the 
cooks.  If he wants more teachers to facilitate the many grades, he will 
provide them.  If he wants me to teach a classroom, He will provide the 
language skills for me (I'm still far from fluent).   All of this seems very 
discouraging and has caused many sleepless nights and long prayer sessions 
of the team but I now entreat you all to remember us in your prayers as 
well.  I'm calling all prayer warriors to break out your prayer mats for us.

I believe God's timing is perfect and His Holy Spirit will work a miracle 
here.  Please join us in petitioning God to show us where to walk.

So as not to leave on a completely discouraging note I am pleased to report 
about a couple things.   The two babies that I wrote about before that came 
to the clinic are both doing MUCH better and home now.  The baby with 
meningitis has been treated and is now well, and the baby that was suffering 
from near starvation is now 2.4 Kilos from the original 1.7 when he came in. 
  His mom is also doing much better and able to be home as well.

Also we have a new addition to our team, Napthali, who is employed as an 
agriculturist and is set about to improve our school field and the various 
gardens we have around here that are in dire need of attention.  He is 
native Filipino from another island and has his degree in agriculture.  He 
works from sun-up to sun down and he's barely been here 2 weeks (not to 
mention he's already come down with Malaria since being here).  It's nice to 
have a fresh face but most important he's a hard worker, good cook, and he 
is interested in developing good relations with the Palawans.  We are happy 
he's here.

So not is all discouraging, really spirits are high and we are committed to 
working hard when everyone gets well.  (the boys are still sick)  Again, I 
assure you, (especially my family who's reading this) I am fine and God is 
blessing enormously.   He has a plan, we have only to leave it with Him.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills and their Creator-where does my help 
come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He 
will not let your foot slip he watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he 
who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."  Psalm 121

I am indebted to you all for your support, letters, packages, and most 
importantly your prayers.  Many blessings,

Kiana