Tag Archives: Adventure

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Extension Class Adventures

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Extension Classes have started again! We have several teams going out every Saturday to teach kids about Christ. It’s exciting because this year it’s not just staff and college students, but church members are volunteering to lead classes too! Sometimes getting to the class is an adventure all on its own.  Chris warned me, “Come prepared because we’re going to cross a river.” My husband enjoys teasing me so I didn’t think he was serious; not until I saw the river. :) There are easy places to cross but some days we can’t because the hard rains raise the water levels.  On one such day a teen from our group fell and was completely soaked!  On those days I look at my husband and say, “Why are we doing this?” :) But truly, there is a reason because just across that river is a little town full of people that need Christ! And when they see a foreign family cross that river, they want to know why!  That gives us a great opportunity to share the Gospel with them. 

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Six Years Ago

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6 years? Is it really true? :) I don’t feel that much older. But yes, March 29, marked our sixth year serving in the Philippines. Six years ago, our family moved across the world full of plans, goals, and excitement to see God work. And He certainly did! Just not in all the ways we planned. :)  Why? So He could get the glory, and not Chris Baran. Yes, it is good to be prudent and make plans… but don’t be surprised when the Lord moves those plans aside to accomplish His own will.  Right now, I’m in a place I never envisioned but I know God orchestrated. Six years ago, I would never have thought that North Cebu Baptist Church would be nationalized. Six years ago, I would never have thought I would be assisting nationals plant new churches! But here we are and God gets all the glory!  I’m thankful to serve a wonderful Savior Who knows much better than I. 

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Fun Times

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our-ranchers

 

The Lord has blessed us with some fun times as we travel. Last week, we were at the Friedman Ranch!  Our kids were beyond excited when they saw the horse!  They squealed with delight as they rode the beautiful animal; I even got in on the action! I know what you’re thinking ,”There’s Bro. Chris, horsing around AGAIN!” :) It is a blessing to see our friends care for our kids; Abigail and Micah will have some wonderful memories of the USA and we are so thankful.  

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Kids & Culture Shock

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4th of July

Culture shock. It’s something our kids are experiencing right now. :) When we arrived at the house where we are staying, Abigail, dropped to the floor and said, “The ground is so soft mom!” Micah quickly followed his sister’s example and laid beside her, “Can we sleep here???” In Cebu, everything is concrete so these carpeted floors became the new big thing in our family. :) Another significant difference the kids noticed was the drinking water. Drinking water from the faucet is a big NO-NO in the Philippines. It can make you terribly sick, so we taught our children not to drink it. So when I filled our glasses with water from the sink, Micah started to cry. “Please, mom! You told us not to drink the yucky water!” His genuine concern for us almost made me cry.  Overall, the kids are loving their time in the States. They have a million questions about everything they see and it is so much fun to introduce them to our homeland.

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