- Calapa: A Journey Back to My Roots

- From Grief to Belonging — An Unexpected Gift from God

- 1. My First Taste of the Philippines

 SLIDE 1  CALAPA — A beautiful, peaceful photograph of the village by the sea, with mountains and islands in the distance. Ideally at sunrise or sunset. Optional: a fishing boat, simple seaside houses or a wide coastal panorama.

Good morning, church family!

Today I want to take you on a little journey.

A journey to a remote community in the Philippines called Calapa.

A place surrounded by beautiful sea, islands, rivers, mountains and rainforest.

But what makes this place so special is not only its beauty.

It's the people.

And the wonderful way they live together, with their families, their church and their school at the centre of their lives.

I went there during one of the most difficult times of my life.

And I came back with something I wasn't expecting.

A new sense of happiness, hope and belonging.

But let me tell you how it all started.

 SLIDE 2  MY FIRST VISIT — A photograph of you with Pastor Jejun Duroy and his wife. Optional: Roger and Xandra, churches, schools, mission projects or photographs from your first visit.

Earlier this year, I visited the Philippines for the first time.

I was only there for about a week.

And I had two reasons for going.

One was to meet a lady I had been getting to know.

Well, that turned out to be a very short relationship — but a very long flight!

[PAUSE]

The other reason was to meet a pastor.

Some of you know Roger and Xandra from Lakeside.

They had told me about Pastor Jejun Duroy — Pastor Jun — and his wife, who had shown them such wonderful hospitality in the Philippines.

And they did the same for me.

Pastor Jun took me to visit churches, schools and mission projects.

And he was so enthusiastic about showing me everything!

Sometimes he would point somewhere and say:

"That's the river where Roger went swimming!"

And another time:

"That's the fruit that made Roger so fertile!"

Now, Roger is eighty and has two young daughters approaching ten years old.

So naturally, I became very interested in that fruit!

[PAUSE]

But something wonderful happened during that first visit.

I fell in love!

Not with the lady.

With the Philippines!

 SLIDE 3  PASTOR JUN'S AMAZING DRIVING — A busy Filipino road with jeepneys, tricycles, motorcycles and cars. Optional: Pastor Jun driving, mountain roads, overtaking scenes or photographs from your twelve-hour journey.

And I certainly got to see a lot of the country.

I spent about twelve hours on the road with Pastor Jun.

And I have to tell you — his driving certainly brought me much closer to Jesus!

Sometimes I felt I might even meet Him personally!

[PAUSE]

He loved telling me that the Philippines was a "free country".

And I began to understand what he meant.

If a sign said twenty kilometres an hour, I wondered whether that meant one hundred and twenty!

And those double solid lines in the middle of the road?

Apparently, they were only suggestions!

Even around blind corners!

But I loved the people.

I loved the scenery.

I loved the freedom and the simple way of life.

And before I left, I was already dreaming of returning.

- 2. Meeting Jenebel and Discovering Calapa

 SLIDE 4  MEETING JENEBEL — A beautiful, natural photograph of Jonathan and Jenebel together, preferably smiling and relaxed. Optional: a photograph of the two enjoying time together in Calapa.

At the time, life back in Australia was very difficult.

I was dealing with family challenges and a great deal of sadness.

And I was very grateful for the love and support I received from my Spanish-speaking Adventist church family and from Lakeside.

But I was also missing companionship.

After all, the Bible tells us that it is not good for man to be alone!

I had been talking with several lovely Adventist ladies from the Philippines.

But between caring for my children, looking after the home and dealing with court matters, I was a very busy man.

And one day I prayed something like this:

"Lord, thank You for allowing me to meet these lovely Christian ladies. But please, I am a very busy man! Help me find the right one, and save me all this time!"

And about two hours later, I met Jenebel.

I thought, "Lord, that was quick!"

[Smile.]

 SLIDE 5  JENEBEL AND HER FAITH — Jenebel preaching, singing in a choir or leading a church programme. Optional: a photograph of both of you preaching or participating in ministry together.

Jenebel grew up in a loving Seventh-day Adventist family.

She loves singing in choirs, taking part in church activities and sharing her faith.

And I thought she was beautiful!

"Lord, You have been very generous!"

[Smile.]

But one of the first things she asked me was:

"Would you worship with me every night?"

Now, I already had family worship in the morning and evening.

So this meant a second evening family worship — this time with Jenebel, while my children were asleep in Australia!

And those times of worship and prayer became very special to us.

From the beginning, we talked about dedicating our lives to ministry together.

We even had opportunities to preach together.

Jenebel helped translate one of my sermons, and I heard her preach twice.

Now, she may be small, but when she preaches, she is full of energy!

She reminds me of those wonderfully animated African preachers.

I thought, "I have finally met my match!"

[PAUSE]

And Jenebel kept telling me about her home village.

Calapa.

A little coastal community of around eight hundred people.

Most of them Seventh-day Adventists.

And many of them her relatives!

She told me about the church, the school, the sea, the islands, the rivers, the mountains and the rainforest.

It sounded beautiful.

Naturally, I tried to explore it on Google Street View.

But there was no Street View coverage!

Apparently, even Google hasn't managed to find its way there yet!

[Smile.]

And I discovered something else about the Philippines.

There are words in Tagalog that come from Spanish.

So every now and then, I would recognise a word.

Unfortunately, that didn't mean I understood the conversation!

And for a man who loves to talk, I was about to spend eight weeks learning to listen.

- 3. Two Weeks Became Eight

 SLIDE 6  THE JOURNEY TO CALAPA — A photograph of your flight, airport or luggage. Optional: a road, boat or beautiful view from the journey to the village.

Now, I had already planned to return to the Philippines.

This time, to visit Jenebel and finally see Calapa for myself.

I had booked a two-week holiday.

Just two weeks!

But something happened that changed everything.

As many of you know, I had been going through a long and difficult family court process.

And in July, the final outcome was very painful.

After years of caring for my children, I suddenly found myself facing life without them living with me.

And for eight weeks, I wasn't allowed to contact them.

I cannot begin to tell you how difficult that was.

My home, which had been so full of life, suddenly felt terribly empty.

But I still had my trip to the Philippines.

And then, something unexpected happened.

 SLIDE 7  AN UNEXPECTED EIGHT WEEKS — A photograph of your arrival in the Philippines or your first days with Jenebel. Optional: a calendar, a welcoming family photograph or a peaceful view of Calapa.

The airline contacted me.

My return flight had been cancelled!

Normally, that would have been rather inconvenient.

But this time, I could choose another return date.

And I thought...

"Well, if I cannot see my children for eight weeks, why not stay in the Philippines for those eight weeks?"

And that's exactly what I did!

My two-week holiday became eight weeks.

Of course, I didn't have the money for a normal eight-week holiday!

But by embracing their simple way of life, I managed to make my money last.

Just enough to get me safely home to Australia!

And instead of returning to an empty home, I had the opportunity to spend those weeks with Jenebel, her family and the people of Calapa.

I couldn't help wondering whether God had opened this door for me at just the right time.

 SLIDE 8  LEARNING TO LIVE SIMPLY — A photograph of your simple accommodation, everyday village life or somewhere you charged your devices. Optional: a broken phone, a basic charging arrangement or a village home without electricity.

Of course, I wasn't exactly prepared for an eight-week holiday!

And things became rather interesting.

My phone had broken before I travelled.

Then another phone got wet.

And even my underwater camera drowned!

Imagine that!

An underwater camera that couldn't survive underwater!

[PAUSE]

And in Calapa, where electricity is limited, charging your phone can be an adventure in itself.

Little by little, my electronic comforts were disappearing.

And so was my money!

Now, from the very beginning, I kept telling everyone:

"I'm a simple man, just like you!"

Of course, I meant the Australian version of simple!

But they didn't seem convinced.

For weeks I tried to explain that I didn't need special treatment.

I didn't need the best chair, the best food or the best of everything.

I just wanted to live like everyone else.

And finally, towards the end of my stay, I think they believed me!

Especially when I had almost no money left!

As Jenebel's papa would say...

"Very poor!"

[PAUSE]

But something wonderful was happening.

I was learning to live with less.

And I was discovering that some of the most beautiful things in life don't cost anything at all.

The friendship.

The laughter.

The hospitality.

The beauty of nature.

And the joy of simply being together.

I had arrived carrying a great deal of sadness.

But I was about to discover a place that would help me find happiness again.

- 4. Discovering the Beauty of Calapa

 SLIDE 9  WELCOME TO CALAPA — Your most spectacular panoramic photograph of Calapa, showing the sea, islands, mountains and village. Ideally a wide landscape photograph. Let the photograph fill the screen.

Now, let me show you Calapa!

[Pause. Let everyone enjoy the photograph.]

Isn't that beautiful?

Imagine waking up every morning surrounded by all this.

The sea, the islands, the mountains and the rainforest.

And the wonderful tropical weather!

As an artist, I was in heaven!

Well, not quite heaven.

But perhaps a little preview!

 SLIDE 10  THE SEA AND ISLANDS — A beautiful photograph of the sea, islands, fishing boats or shoreline. Optional: clouds over the mountains, reflections in the water or a tropical sunset.

I never got tired of looking at the scenery.

The beautiful colours of the sea.

The islands in the distance.

The mountains covered in green.

The clouds, the sunsets and the lovely sea breeze.

Everywhere I looked, there was something beautiful.

And I loved walking everywhere.

In Calapa, walking was our main transport!

Every little walk became an adventure.

There was always someone to greet, something to see or somewhere to visit.

And sometimes, I just wanted to stop and look.

 SLIDE 11  RIVERS AND RAINFOREST — A beautiful river surrounded by tropical rainforest, mountains or lush vegetation. Optional: a waterfall, walking trail or family enjoying the river.

There were beautiful rivers flowing from the mountains.

Rainforest everywhere.

And so much green!

One of my favourite activities was walking with Jenebel and her family to the nearby river.

Sometimes the whole extended family came along.

And we would enjoy a traditional Filipino bath.

Fully clothed, of course!

Using a little water scoop called a tabo.

It was such a lovely experience.

And I was amazed at how much pride people took in being clean and well presented.

Many people bathed two or three times a day!

Even in such simple living conditions, their clothes were beautifully clean.

I began thinking that perhaps I needed to improve my own standards!

[Smile.]

 SLIDE 12  THE VILLAGE AND ITS PEOPLE — Simple village houses, narrow paths, gardens, fences and everyday life. Optional: children walking, neighbours chatting, handmade structures or colourful village details.

But the beauty of Calapa was not only in the sea and mountains.

I loved the village itself.

The simple houses.

The little paths.

The gardens.

The handmade fences.

The colours and textures.

Even the things people repaired or reused.

As an artist, I found beauty in things that others might not even notice.

And there was something else.

People were everywhere!

Walking.

Visiting.

Talking.

Sharing food.

Children playing.

It was a living, breathing community.

And there was always someone ready to smile and say hello.

 SLIDE 13  THE ANIMALS OF CALAPA — Chickens and roosters roaming freely around the village. Optional: goats, cows, oxen, cats, dogs, squirrels or a tokay gecko.

And did I mention the animals?

Animals everywhere!

Chickens, cats, dogs, goats, cows, oxen and all sorts of little creatures.

And the roosters!

Oh, the roosters!

Every morning felt like waking up to a great orchestra of animals.

Unfortunately, nobody had taught the orchestra what time the concert was supposed to start!

They usually began before sunrise!

And then there was the tokay lizard.

Have you ever heard one?

What a voice!

For such a little creature, it certainly knows how to make itself heard!

Between the roosters, the dogs and the tokay lizards, I don't think anyone in Calapa needs an alarm clock!

[PAUSE]

 SLIDE 14  BACK TO MY ROOTS — A peaceful photograph of Calapa's mountains, simple homes or rural scenery. Optional: a childhood photograph from southern Chile, your extended family, church activities or Pathfinders.

But there was something about Calapa that touched me very deeply.

It reminded me of my childhood.

In my early years, I lived south of Santiago, the capital of Chile, near the foot of majestic mountains.

And for many years in Chile, I enjoyed a simple and practical way of life.

I grew up surrounded by a large extended family.

And a wonderful church family.

There were always people around.

Family gatherings.

Church activities.

Worship.

Friendships.

And Pathfinders!

Pathfinders was a very important part of growing up.

We even had Pathfinder activities on Sundays!

Our church wasn't simply somewhere we went on Sabbath.

It was a big part of our everyday lives.

And that's exactly what I began discovering in Calapa.

Different country.

Different language.

Different culture.

But something very familiar.

The closeness of families.

The joy of being together.

The children growing up surrounded by church activities.

And that wonderful feeling of belonging.

Later, here in Australia, I experienced something similar when I lived at Freemans Waterhole Caravan Park.

I used to call it the Free State of Freemans Waterhole!

Not exactly a five-star resort!

But it was a place where people knew one another.

And now, decades later, here I was in a little village on the other side of the world.

And somehow, I felt like I had travelled back to my childhood.

Not because everything was the same.

But because it brought back something I had missed.

A simpler way of living.

A closeness to nature.

And a wonderful feeling of community.

And I began to understand why Calapa was becoming so special to me.

- 5. Food, Family and Daily Adventures

 SLIDE 15  FOOD EVERYWHERE — A colourful photograph of vegetable gardens, fresh produce or a family meal. Optional: local farms, fruit trees, fishing boats, food growing in the forest or people sharing food.

Now, let me tell you about the food!

Oh, the food!

There seemed to be food everywhere.

Vegetable gardens all around the village.

Fruit and other food growing nearby.

Local farms.

And even food growing in the forest.

And, of course, the sea!

For those who eat fish, there seemed to be an almost unlimited supply!

Not for me, thank you!

But I was very happy with all the vegetables.

And people were so generous.

There was always someone inviting us to eat.

Or offering us something.

Sometimes food was simply given away.

And there was always rice.

Rice for breakfast.

Rice for lunch.

Rice for dinner.

I began wondering whether they might eventually serve rice with the rice!

[PAUSE]

Now, for about three years, I had been eating only one meal a day to help manage my weight.

But in Calapa?

Three meals a day!

Sometimes four!

Sometimes five!

And people kept offering me more!

I even started drinking hot drinks in that tropical heat.

Something I would hardly ever do at home.

But here is the amazing part.

After eight weeks of all that eating, I came back to Australia seven kilos lighter!

Seven kilos!

I think I may have discovered a new weight-loss programme.

Eat five times a day and walk everywhere!

[PAUSE]

 SLIDE 16  THE DIRTY KITCHEN — A traditional Filipino outdoor wood-fired kitchen, with pots, firewood and someone preparing food. Optional: smoke rising from a cooking fire, fresh meals or a simple family cooking area.

Now, there was something else I had to learn.

The dirty kitchen.

When I first heard that, I thought...

"Why would anyone want a dirty kitchen?"

But that's what they call the cooking area where families use wood fires.

Because electricity is limited, and fuel can be expensive, many people cook this way.

The smoke makes the cooking area black.

But the food!

There is something special about a meal cooked over a wood fire.

A wonderful flavour you don't quite get from an electric or gas stove.

And because there are very few refrigerators, food is generally prepared fresh each day.

There is no KFC around the corner.

No McDonald's.

And very little fast food.

Most of the few refrigerators I saw were being used to provide ice for the community.

So people grow, collect, prepare, cook and share their food.

And I loved it!

 SLIDE 17  FILIPINO STYLE — People sitting comfortably on the ground, squatting or sharing a meal on a mat. Optional: a family gathering on the floor, people relaxing outside or a simple seating area.

But I discovered one little problem with this simple way of life.

Finding somewhere to sit!

Filipinos seem to have an amazing ability to sit on the ground.

They squat.

They fold their legs.

They sit comfortably in positions that I can only dream of!

I tried.

But my knees had other ideas!

I kept thinking, I wish I had grown up with that kind of flexibility!

Sometimes I wasn't looking for food.

I was just looking for a chair!

[PAUSE]

 SLIDE 18  SIMPLE LIVING AND CREATIVE RECYCLING — Clever repairs, reused containers, handmade furniture or everyday village inventions. Optional: a simple home, repaired equipment, recycled materials or people working together.

And I was fascinated by how creative people were.

Almost nothing went to waste.

Old containers were reused.

Broken things were repaired.

And materials that we might throw away became something useful.

Some of the things they made were wonderful!

I called them little masterpieces made from junk.

As an artist, I loved seeing that creativity.

Of course, life was not always easy.

Many families had very little money.

But they made the most of what they had.

And as the weeks passed, I found myself enjoying that simple life more and more.

I had arrived from Australia with all my ideas about living simply.

But Calapa was teaching me what simple living could really mean.

And I was beginning to understand that having less doesn't necessarily mean enjoying life less.

Sometimes it leaves more room for the things that matter most.

Family.

Friendship.

Faith.

And time together.

- 6. Montemar Adventist Elementary School

 SLIDE 19  MONTEMAR SCHOOL — A beautiful photograph of Montemar Adventist Elementary School with its children and teachers. Optional: the school entrance, classrooms or a cheerful group photograph of the pupils.

Now, there was one place in Calapa that particularly touched my heart.

Montemar Adventist Elementary School.

A little school with around seventy children.

And what wonderful children!

So full of life.

So enthusiastic.

And so eager to learn!

Everywhere I went, there were beautiful smiles.

And I was reminded again of just how precious our children are.

But what impressed me most was what this little school was accomplishing with so few resources.

 SLIDE 20  DEDICATED TEACHERS — The three main teachers with their pupils, teaching in classrooms or preparing lessons. Optional: volunteers helping children, classroom activities or pupils doing schoolwork.

The school has three main teachers, with help from volunteers.

And these teachers are doing a remarkable job.

They don't have the facilities or equipment that we might expect here in Australia.

In fact, last December, a typhoon caused serious damage to the school.

And recovery has been slow.

There are not enough classrooms.

There is no proper library.

Electricity and equipment are limited.

And yet, every school day, the children come to learn.

And the teachers come to teach.

Not simply reading, writing and mathematics.

But Christian values.

Faith.

Character.

And a love for Jesus.

It reminded me that a school is much more than its buildings.

It's the people inside them.

 SLIDE 21  PATHFINDERS AT MONTEMAR — Children participating in Wednesday Pathfinder activities at Montemar School. Optional: outdoor activities, uniforms, games, practical skills or group learning.

And something else made me smile.

Montemar even has Pathfinder activities at school on Wednesdays!

Now, when I was growing up in Chile, Pathfinders was a very important part of my life.

We had Pathfinder activities on Sundays.

And here, on the other side of the world, these children were enjoying that same wonderful Adventist tradition.

Not just sitting in classrooms all day.

But learning practical skills.

Working together.

Making friends.

And enjoying activities that help them grow physically, socially and spiritually.

I loved that!

Because it reminded me so much of my own childhood.

And it showed me that, despite their limited resources, this little school was giving its children something very valuable.

 SLIDE 22  THE TWO CHAIRS — A photograph of the two chairs you purchased for the teachers, preferably during their little celebration or dedication. Optional: teachers sitting on the chairs, the school staff together or a photograph of you with the teachers.

But there was one little experience I will never forget.

I discovered that some of the teachers didn't even have chairs.

They were sitting on the ground to do their work.

Now, you remember what I told you about my knees!

Well, I couldn't imagine spending the whole day teaching like that!

So I decided to buy them two chairs.

Just two chairs.

They cost me a little under fifty Australian dollars altogether.

Not a huge amount by Australian standards.

But you should have seen their reaction!

They were so happy!

They even had a little celebration and dedication for those chairs.

[Pause. Let the photograph tell the story.]

And I was deeply moved.

Because something so small to me meant so much to them.

It made me think about how easily we take things for granted.

The chairs we sit on.

The classrooms our children enjoy.

The libraries.

The electricity.

All the equipment we hardly even notice.

And here was a little school, doing its very best with so little.

I began wondering what a beautiful thing it would be if, one day, our church family here at Lakeside could develop a friendship with the church and school in Calapa.

Perhaps even become sister churches.

Not because we have everything and they have nothing.

We have much to learn from them too.

But because we are part of the same Adventist family.

And sometimes, even a small act of kindness can make a wonderful difference.

- 7. The Church That Never Seems to Sleep!

 SLIDE 23  CALAPA ADVENTIST CHURCH — A beautiful photograph of the church filled with people during Sabbath worship. Optional: the congregation singing, the church building or a warm photograph of the church family.

Now, let me tell you about the heart of Calapa.

The Seventh-day Adventist church.

Remember, this is a little community of around eight hundred people.

And most of them are Adventists!

So the church is not simply a building where people gather once a week.

It's at the centre of community life.

And I loved it!

There was Friday evening worship.

Sabbath School.

Divine service.

A wonderful weekly potluck.

And then the afternoon programmes!

Sometimes the Adventist Youth programmes would go for three or four hours!

And people were still enjoying themselves!

I kept thinking...

"This is like Big Camp!"

Except at Big Camp, eventually everyone packs up their tents and goes home.

In Calapa, the camp meeting just keeps going!

[PAUSE]

 SLIDE 24  CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE LEADING — Children or teenagers singing, preaching, reading Scripture or leading an Adventist Youth programme. Optional: group games, Bible activities or a lively church gathering.

And one of the things that impressed me most was the participation of the children and young people.

They weren't simply sitting quietly, watching the adults do everything.

They were involved!

Singing.

Praying.

Reading Scripture.

Leading programmes.

And even preaching little sermons!

Some of these young people were so confident and enthusiastic.

I thought...

"Watch out, pastors! Your replacements are coming!"

[Smile.]

There were games, Bible activities, music and plenty of laughter.

It was wonderful to see children growing up with church as a natural, joyful part of their lives.

Just as I had experienced growing up in Chile.

And it reminded me how important it is to give our children opportunities to participate, not simply attend.

 SLIDE 25  CHURCH LIFE AND THE GENERATOR — An evening church gathering, lights powered by a generator or people socialising outside the church. Optional: young people gathered after worship or a night-time community photograph.

Of course, living in a village with limited electricity brings some interesting situations.

Sometimes, when the church generator was switched on, people would begin arriving.

And I thought...

"Wonderful! Everyone is coming to worship!"

Well...

Perhaps some were also coming to charge their phones!

[PAUSE]

But that's what I loved about the place.

The church was a gathering point.

People came to worship, to talk, to help one another and simply to spend time together.

And the friendships didn't end when the programme finished.

People stayed.

They talked.

They laughed.

They shared food.

Sometimes there were games and volleyball late into the evening.

Although I discovered that the losing volleyball team might have to pay for the generator fuel!

And fuel wasn't cheap!

So, by then, having become a very simple man...

I suddenly found plenty of good reasons not to play!

[PAUSE]

 SLIDE 26  FAITH IN ACTION — A photograph of an evangelistic meeting, church gathering or baptism in Calapa. Optional: OneVoice27 activities, people studying the Bible, a baptismal service or a joyful church celebration.

But beyond all the activities, I saw something much deeper.

A community that takes its faith seriously.

During my stay, there were evangelistic meetings connected with the worldwide Adventist mission movement.

And I witnessed the excitement of people making decisions for Christ.

More than twenty-five people were baptised.

Others were returning to church.

And the whole community shared in that joy.

There was also a wonderful emphasis on marriage and family life.

In October, shortly after my time there, more than ten couples celebrated their marriages.

People who had been living together were making a public commitment to marriage.

It was lovely to see the church encouraging and celebrating those families.

And I began thinking about how much we can learn from one another as Adventists.

We may live in very different circumstances.

We may worship in very different buildings.

But we belong to the same family in Christ.

And in Calapa, I felt that family connection everywhere.

Not just on Sabbath.

But every day.

- 8. From Grief to Belonging

 SLIDE 27  JENEBEL AND HER FAMILY — A warm, natural photograph of Jenebel with her parents and two brothers. Optional: a family meal, a relaxed gathering at home or a photograph of you with the family.

Now, I want to tell you what made those eight weeks truly special.

It wasn't only the scenery.

Or the food.

Or even the wonderful church activities.

It was the people.

Especially Jenebel and her family.

Her mama, her papa and her two brothers welcomed me into their home and their lives.

They shared what they had.

They looked after me.

And they made me feel that I belonged.

Of course, at first, everyone treated me like a special visitor.

"Sir Jonathan!"

I was given the best seat.

The best food.

And all sorts of special attention.

Very kind of them!

But remember, I kept telling everyone...

"I'm a simple man!"

And I think, eventually, they realised that I really did want to live like them.

I didn't want to be treated like royalty.

I wanted to be part of the family.

And little by little, that's what happened.

 SLIDE 28  FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY — A photograph of you enjoying time with Calapa families, neighbours or friends. Optional: people laughing together, visiting homes, sharing food or enjoying an ordinary afternoon.

As the weeks passed, I got to know more and more people.

We visited homes.

Shared meals.

Went for walks.

Attended church programmes.

And spent time together.

Sometimes I didn't understand what everyone was saying!

But I was learning that you don't always need to understand every word to feel welcome.

A smile.

A laugh.

A shared meal.

A kind gesture.

These things speak their own language.

And for someone like me, who usually enjoys talking...

I was also learning the wonderful art of listening!

[Smile.]

 SLIDE 29  THE CHILDREN OF CALAPA — A joyful, natural photograph of children smiling, playing or spending time with you. Optional: children at church, school or a family gathering.

And then there were the children.

Oh, the children!

Their smiles.

Their laughter.

Their enthusiasm.

They brought so much joy into my days.

And that meant more to me than I can explain.

Because, as you know, I was missing my own children terribly.

I thought about them every day.

And nothing could replace them.

Nothing.

But being surrounded by families and children helped me through those difficult weeks.

It reminded me that there was still love, laughter and happiness in the world.

And that, even in the middle of grief, life can still hold beautiful moments.

 SLIDE 30  FINDING BELONGING — A peaceful photograph of you and Jenebel overlooking Calapa, or a warm gathering with her family and the community. Optional: a sunset over the sea or a quiet photograph of the village.

I arrived in the Philippines carrying a great deal of sadness.

And I certainly didn't come back with all my problems solved.

I still miss my children.

Very much.

But something had changed.

I had discovered a wonderful community.

I had experienced extraordinary kindness.

I had made new friends.

And through Jenebel and her family, I had found a new sense of companionship and belonging.

I began to feel happy again.

Not because I had forgotten what I had lost.

But because I was discovering that God could still bring something beautiful into my life.

And the remarkable thing was...

I had travelled halfway around the world.

To a little village I had never heard of before.

And somehow...

I felt like I had come home.

- 9. An Unexpected Gift from God

 SLIDE 31  A FAMILY REUNION — A warm photograph of you with your children, if you feel comfortable sharing one. Optional: a peaceful family photograph or a beautiful sunset over Calapa.

Now, before I finish, I want to share something else with you.

When I returned to Australia, I was still looking forward to the day when I could spend time with my children again.

And unexpectedly, I was given the opportunity to have them with me for ten wonderful days.

Earlier than I had expected!

What a blessing that was!

And something else made me very happy.

My children have also had the opportunity to get to know Jenebel.

And they have been developing a lovely friendship with her.

For me, that means so much.

Because although Calapa has become very special to me, my children will always have a very special place in my heart.

And my hope is that these different parts of my life can grow together in love and understanding.

Psalm 68:6

KJV 6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

NLT 6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

displayed.' class='my-slide-trigger' href='#my-slides---list---32'> SLIDE 32 

There is a beautiful verse in the Bible that has taken on a very special meaning for me.

Psalm 68

KJV 1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. 2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. 4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him. 5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. 6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. 7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: 8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. 10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor. 11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. 12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. 13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. 14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. 15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. 16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever. 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. 18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. 20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. 21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses. 22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea: 23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. 24 They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. 25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels. 26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. 27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. 28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. 29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee. 30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war. 31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. 32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: 33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. 34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. 35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

NLT For the choir director: A song. A psalm of David. 1 Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. 2 Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God. 3 But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. 4 Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord — rejoice in his presence! 5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. 6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. 7 O God, when you led your people out from Egypt, when you marched through the dry wasteland, Interlude 8 the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain before you, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9 You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land. 10 There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people. 11 The Lord gives the word, and a great army brings the good news. 12 Enemy kings and their armies flee, while the women of Israel divide the plunder. 13 Even those who lived among the sheepfolds found treasures — doves with wings of silver and feathers of gold. 14 The Almighty scattered the enemy kings like a blowing snowstorm on Mount Zalmon. 15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic, with many peaks stretching high into the sky. 16 Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains, at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live, where the Lord himself will live forever? 17 Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots, the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary. 18 When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us there. 19 Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude 20 Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death. 21 But God will smash the heads of his enemies, crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways. 22 The Lord says, “I will bring my enemies down from Bashan; I will bring them up from the depths of the sea. 23 You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!” 24 Your procession has come into view, O God — the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary. 25 Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines. 26 Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life. 27 Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way. Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali. 28 Summon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past. 29 The kings of the earth are bringing tribute to your Temple in Jerusalem. 30 Rebuke these enemy nations — these wild animals lurking in the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute. Scatter the nations that delight in war. 31 Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals; let Ethiopia bring tribute to God. 32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the Lord. Interlude 33 Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky. 34 Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in the heavens. 35 God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! Footnotes: 68: 4 Or rides through the deserts. 68: 11 Or a host of women. 68: 23 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads shatter. 68: 28 As in some Hebrew manuscripts and Greek and Syriac versions; most Hebrew manuscripts read Your God has commanded your strength. 68: 31a Or of rich cloth. 68: 31b Hebrew Cush.

, verse 6.

"God setteth the solitary in families."

Isn't that beautiful?

When I arrived in the Philippines, I was going through one of the loneliest periods of my life.

But I found myself surrounded by people who welcomed me.

Who shared their homes.

Their food.

Their faith.

And their love.

And through all of this, I was reminded that God had not forgotten me.

I am also very thankful for my church families here in Australia.

For the love, prayers and support I have received from Lakeside and from my Spanish-speaking Adventist church family.

You have been part of my journey too.

And I thank God for every one of you.

 SLIDE 33  FROM CALAPA TO LAKESIDE — A beautiful group photograph of the Calapa church family, preferably outside their church. Optional: Calapa's church and school together, or a panoramic photograph of the village and its people.

And now, having experienced the wonderful Christian community in Calapa, I have a little dream.

Wouldn't it be lovely if, one day, our church family here at Lakeside could develop a special friendship with the church and school in Calapa?

Perhaps even become sister churches!

Two communities.

On opposite sides of the world.

But united by the same faith.

The same love for Jesus.

And the same desire to help our children grow in Him.

I don't know what that might look like yet.

But sometimes beautiful things begin with something very small.

A friendship.

A conversation.

Or perhaps...

Two chairs!

[Smile and pause.]

When I left Australia, I was carrying a great deal of grief.

I travelled to a little village I had never heard of before.

And I discovered beauty, friendship, faith and a wonderful sense of belonging.

I travelled halfway around the world.

And somehow, I found myself back at home.

Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you.

And now, before I finish, I have a little surprise.

The church family in Calapa has sent a special greeting to their brothers and sisters here at Lakeside.

Let's hear from them!

 SLIDE 34  GREETINGS FROM CALAPA — Display the photograph or video of the Calapa church family and play their recorded greeting to Lakeside. Keep this as the final projected item.

[PLAY THE CALAPA GREETING.]