Definitely!

The complete set of Phase 1 beads!

New make-over and a new color!
The orange beads represent Phase 2.

Our HTR Language Jar got a little make over AND a new bead color was added! That means we are now in phase 2 of our language journey in Tagalog. Phase 2 is just a fancy way of saying that we are learning new techniques for how to acquire language, and we are advancing in our ability to speak.







Even though the jar is slowly filling up we still have a looooong way to go! Here is a good story to demonstrate. Our little friend John stays over for lunch sometimes. When we are finished eating it's time for our language session so John gets ready to go home. As he is leaving he usually asks, "Papasok ba ako a las tres?"("Can I come back at 3?") In the best Tagalog we can muster we respond with a smile, "Puede, ingat po.' ("Maybe, be careful as you go.") We never really know how we'll feel after language or if we'll be busy with something else.

There is only one problem with this interaction. When we said "maybe," we used puede. Not knowing that when using puede in a response to question it actually means yes or sure.  So, for three months when John asked to come over we told him yes and thought we had told him maybe. 

You can imagine his disappointment and confusion when he came back and we said sorry not this afternoon. Eventually he did catch on and realized that we didn't understand what we were saying. Just a couple of weeks ago we learned the actual word for maybe - baka, (which means something similiar to a 50/50 chance. Not to be confused with baka, which means cow). The next time we saw him this was our conversation.

After chatting for a bit...

John: "Can I come over tomorrow?"

Me: "Maybe (baka instead of pwede).

John: "Good one!"

When he responded like that, I knew he understood what we were trying to say for 3 Months...

Thank goodness for a little grace from a 10 year old.

Speaking of that 10 year old, here he is with Alex at a little swimming hole that's not to far from our house. These pics are from a day that we spent out at a local believer's house. They invited all the kids to come out and swim because it was ridiculously hot :)

For those of you who are curious...

1. What has it been like to live in the Philippines for six months?

• We often feel as if it's the first day in a new high school. We don't know where things are, who to ask, what to expect, or who we can trust. Plus everyone at this new school speaks Tagalog. There is a huge language barrier where even if they speak English communication is difficult or doesn't happen. We are beginning to feel more comfortable now that we know some people in town and in our neighborhood.

     2. Do you feel safe?

• Yes! We feel very safe where we live and when we travel around. 

     3. What can you say in Tagalog?

• We can comfortably greet people, buy things at the market, ask if they have certain items at the market, introduce ourselves, get to know someone a bit with questions like how many kids do you have, compare and contrast things based on their appearance, and understand much more but can't quite produce it yet. 

     4. What is your favorite thing about living there?

• Alex: My favorite thing is how kind and generous everyone is. At the same time, because we only understand a little of the culture and language, I am often really cautious when someone we just met is being overly generous. I always feel like there is an ulterior motive so far we haven't found that to be the case.
• Erin: For me, all the fun culture things are really enjoyable to learn. Like how family units celebrate holidays and take care of each other. The slower pace of life is like a double edged sword... it's so nice not to have be in a hurry all the time, but it's a real pain when you show up an hour early to things.

     5. What is your least favorite thing about living there?

• Alex: The HEAT! It has been really hot the last 3 months and it looks like it will stay that way for a bit longer. It has been in the low 90's every day but the heat index is often over 100. It makes you feel like not doing anything outside...
• Erin: Probably the way people drive around here. You have to be really aggressive to get where you're going. It has it's perks because there aren't as many rules if you really need to get somewhere fast, but it's just a little scary sometimes :)

Another thing about Pinoy culture that we love...

Alex asked, "What are you doing?"

Our friend responded very matter-of-factly, "I'm watering him."

Turns out it's just as important to water your Carabao as it is to water your garden.

     Prayer requests:

• We have several sets of visitors and mini-conference coming up in July. It's going to be crazy busy. Pray that everyone will have safe travels and a good time of fellowship.

• Language is moving along at what sometimes feels like a painfully slow pace, but in reality we are still learning a ton, very quickly. We still sound like two year olds, but hey... you gotta start somewhere ;)

      Praise: 

• We think we found a church that we will be attending regularly! Praise God! Pray that we can make some great connections there.