Sugar Camp

Ragnar was pleased to have the opportunity to go back in the woods, with his good friend, George, to his 'Sugar Camp'.  This is the time of year that the sap is running from the Maple Trees, and George has set up a system to collect the syrup.  

I actually would have loved to have gone too - but I was lacking the needed footwear to make that track - maybe next time!!

What a beautiful walk to get there!  One morning the scenery alone was worth the 45 min hike.  

Once they were back at the camp they began checking the trees where the sap was running into the plastic jars.

Wood needed to be cut to build a fire so they could boil the syrup down - a ratio of 40-1.

After a few hours, it was poured into large plastic jugs to take home.

There it was divided into small bottles.  

That is it in a nutshell. 

Maple syrup ready to be used on pancakes, waffles etc.

A challenge at the end of the day.

One day when the men were in the woods, Sheryl and I enjoyed a tea party with 2 of her sweet little granddaughters.  

Our last day with the Bergmans was Sheryl's birthday.  Her daughter invited us all over for a great roast beef dinner with all the trimmings.  I think our taste buds thought they were in heaven when the dinner ended with her birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Sheryl!!

Our few days on that beautiful peninsula went by so quickly.  

- view from the kitchen window -

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- the dining room window - 

- the living room window!!

Country Calvary Baptist

These dear wonderful people at Country Calvary, which is our home church, have been behind us since we were first married in 1976. 

We have so many wonderful memories - both during our assignments abroad and with them during our Home Assignments over the years - from mailing us a Christmas tree our 1st year overseas, to faithful correspondence over the years (letters, tapes, parcels, pictures and then email) to joining them on their S.S. picnics to them helping us get our home ready for furlough to weekly challenging RISK games to knitting sweaters and mitts for our family, to seeing us off at the airport to eating a Filipino dinner with their fingers while sitting on the church floor - such willing troopers - and a HUGE part of our team!!

We love being back with them in their lovely country homes, sipping on a cup of coffee while hearing how God has been leading in their lives, seeing how much their children have grown, looking at pictures of weddings we have missed, sharing prayer requests; meeting new members and enjoying pot luck suppers at the church.

We know we couldn't have been in the Philippines without them during our 1st 29 year period. Yet at the same time we also know that they were the group that God choose to keep us on the field - to encourage us, pray for us and financially be behind us.

Thank you Lord for bringing such a wonderful, supportive group of people into our lives and allowing us to be the blessed recipients of their love and kindness.

11 Churches

Our month in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. allowed us the joy of sharing our future plans of returning to the Philippines with 11 churches.  We really appreciate seeing so many people continue to pray for us and the work we are involved in - even when so miles separate us.  Everyone was so welcoming - going out of their way to make us feel as if we had never left.

This bird's eye view of where we have been will take you from Halifax down the Eastern Shore and across the bridge to Charlottetown.     

  

Living Water

We began our round of sharing the night after we arrived in N.S., with a group of believers in Sheet Harbour.  

Their building was framed  when we were on our last 'year long' Home Assignment.  It has been motivating to see how this group has grow.

Country Calvary

A few days later found us in our home church - Country Calvary!  What a wonderful group of country folk, as the name implies!!  Their steadfastness over the years is astounding.  I'll share more in the next blog.

Goshen Gospel Church

Although the numbers were way down that night,  (had they heard the rumor that we would be there??) with a small group it is easier to have a chat with each one afterwards.  

Charlottetown Bible Chapel

It has been quite some time since we shared in this church, but amazing the number of people who remembered us and assured us they have been praying for our ministry and will continue to.  The large number out was also encouraging.

Moser River Baptist Church

Next came an enjoyable morning with a small group the following Sunday morning in Moser River (should I be including them asking me to play the piano for the service in that sentence?!)  Ragnar shared in both S.S. and church.

Gospel Light

Each time we are blessed to be back at this church in Port Bickerton, we are always reminded of our special day in 1976 when we said our wedding vows.  Although the numbers are dwindling in this group, the love shown sure isn't.

Calvary Faith

In the midst of friends from my teen years and incredible singing of the old hymns  - it only takes a few seconds to feel we have never left.  Lots of fond memories keep popping back of fun times especially during our 1st furlough.

Maranantha Bible Church

Our friends at Munroe Ave. have moved to a newer, bigger building since our last trip to N.S.  How phenomenal to see a group outgrow their facilities!!    The thoughtful Gerrior family spoiled us by bringing a meal right to the church to share with us. 

Northbrook Bible Chapel

A friendly group of believers in Dartmouth who have been so kind to us.

Catch up chats with friends followed our meeting, plus a fun add-on of being  invited out for a Timmy's afterward!

Port Hilford Baptist Church

Lots of memories flooded over me as I walked into the church in Port Hilford - S.S. and Christmas concerts as a young girl and various services throughout my growing up years.  

What a joy to share our future plans with a special group from Port Hilford and the surrounding villages.

Fall River Chapel

These dear faithful believers have been meeting in a school house for over 25 years.  What dedication to setting up and putting away each Sunday!   

It was great to meet Pam again - one of our sons' High School teachers in Manila.

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What a privilege to share over and over again of our vision of being involved in helping to spread God's Word among the Kankana-ey in the Philippines!!

Isn't it amazing how we all work together to get this job done?  We couldn't be there without their faithful prayers and support.  We appreciate each one dearly and are so thankful for this month of visiting all these dear folk in the churches in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. which mean so much to us.

Downtown Port Hilford

Ragnar and I often joke about me being from 'Downtown Port Hilford'.  

I love my roots and have lots of fond memories as a young girl skating on the brook or spending hours on the beach with my childhood friends; going through the woods looking for our Christmas tree or hauling in the smelt through a hole on the frozen lake with my Dad.  

Many times when we have been so far from home I often wondered how a country girl from a small fishing village on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia ended up wandering down the cobblestone streets in Rome, hiking the trail that leads to the hidden city of Machu Picchu in Peru, swimming in the Dead Sea in Israel, speeding up the Amazon River in Brazil or planting rice in the mountains in the Philippines!!  Growing up in 'Downtown Port Hilford' was the wonderful beginning to an adventurous life!!

We enjoyed our recent visit - driving by our childhood home and popping in and out of our friends and relatives homes.  We wished we could have stayed longer in each home, but with only 2 days to fit in 18 visits, we felt like we were gulping down each cup of coffee very quickly.  

We love coming back and enjoying the view while listening to the waves rolling in on the beach, and of course spending hours catching up with family and friends.  

Our Furlong cousins help keep Port Hilford the way it has always been.  Yet at the same time there have been lots of changes since my days in High School.  People have come and gone, new houses have been built and others have been torn down.  Yet water keeps trickling down the brook; the woods are filled with rabbits, fox and deer; birds sing in the trees and lobster traps are still set each spring. 

Cousin David and wife.

Cousin Roy

Cousin Joe

Cousin Betty

My childhood home of Port Hilford still does and always will hold a very special place in my heart.  

Friends in Prince Edward Island

The Confederation Bridge which joins New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island sure makes traveling to that beautiful island a breeze.  I have only been on it a few times since it opened in 1997, so I still take note of it, remembering the days of waiting for a ferry to take us  across.   

MacKenzies

Sylvia was the first Filipino we met in Canada - we were on our 1st furlough in 1984.  Meeting Filipinos on this side of the world 30 years ago was a rare occasion, so different from today when we meet them frequently.  

We have enjoyed lots of fun times together throughout the years  when we are in Canada or she and George are in the Philippines.  'Taglish' conversations are great in any country.

Canfields

Shelly has been a ray of sunshine in our lives since we first met her.  If only I could be as relaxed!!  I have never seen her ruffled no matter what the circumstances.  I wonder if I was able to hang out with her more often, if some of her calmness and kindness would rub of on me? Although Grant was away at work, our evening with her and 2 of her grown children was most enjoyable.

Simmonds
I am sure 'Rocky Do-nut'  is what Jessica really thought Ragnar's name was.   One day when she was 2 years old,  Ragnar took some donuts to Jessica's family.  From then on when she saw him she called him 'Rocky Do-nut '  When we were back in Durham during our first furlough, he made sure he gave her one - and she hadn't forgotten him or his name.  

Guess what they served us with our tea?

Now nearly 30 years later, it was Jessica's turn to give 'Rocky Donut' one.

Since then Jessica has married, lived in Europe for many years, and is now making her home in P.E.I. with her British husband, Jonathan.  Shelly took us to meet them and their 5 sweet children.  What a fun evening with Jessica and her musical family. 

Simms  
When we were very new at Partnership Developing, David and Sandra Simms were one of the first families that we stayed with.  Since then we have been in their home many times during our visits in Charlottetown.  We'll never forget David's cute remark the first time he met Ryan when he was 5 - "It looks like Rocky shrunk!"

The last time we were with David, his dear wife, Sandra was very ill.  Just a few months later, she went home to be with her Saviour.  Of course that was followed by several lonely years, but it was with joy in his heart that he was able to introduce his new bride to us - Elaine.  (Elaine's husband passed away around the same time as Sandra.  4 years later David and Elaine begin their lives together.)  What a charmer - Elaine is full of energy and always so excited to share her faith with everyone she meets.   

Congratulations David and Elaine!