Back in our village home

    We were incredibly blessed to arrive back to our home in great condition. After having very little use for nearly 2.5 years we were nervous. We're grateful to our co-works who kept an eye on our place, fixed some issues that happened, and had it cleaned when it needed it. Another missionary couple also stayed in our house for a few days just before our return. They turned the power on and used everything which was a huge help. 

    Alex rode his motorcycle in a few days before the rest of the family to get our new batteries hooked up, the water filter working, and do a quick once over to make sure the house was ready for us. Since then we've been busy getting ready for language study. We wanted to get all of the big projects out of way so we could focus on the language. Here's a couple of pictures from the many projects completed in the last 2 months. 

Beau's bed - built with posts for the bug net

The guest/kids bathroom - I had to do everything
from setting the tub to laying the tiles. This is
way above my comfort level, but it turned out well.

    Erin has been busy unpacking all of our stored stuff, and making our home feel like a home again. She's even assembled the furniture for the school room, and also made her own little office space up stairs. 

Every few weeks it's time to order supplies and groceries again for the helicopter to bring in. It's a huge task that Erin is doing an awesome job at.

    There has been a lot going on in our little area as summer arrives. Alex has been able to reconnect with the pastors in the surrounding area, attend the high school graduation next door, and most excitingly attend the first baptism service of the church to the west of us. It was such a blessing to experience this time with the church. 

About 25 people were baptized

Food preparation for the meal after the baptisms

    Alex had his first week of language study! He is working with a language helper that Cole has been using for a while now. It made starting language so much easier with someone who is already comfortable with us. After just 4 days, Alex can recognize about 150 words. In hopes of reducing mispronunciation, he won't speak for a week or two more so the sounds of the new language are cemented a bit in his mind. Erin is hoping to start studying this week. 

Alex's first day of language study

    The kids are loving it here. It feels like it's always summer so they're always outside playing (or asking to go outside:). There are a few neighbor kids that Hinley is excited to see and enjoys playing with. Her favorite though is playing with our coworkers kids who are her age and speak english. We're so thankful that they're getting along so well. Hinley is really starting to feel more comfortable here. She loves hoping on the motorcycle with Dad to visit the little store across the river.  Beau is getting big fast and has more personality every day.

If you'd like to see more frequent updates of our everyday lives here, find our instagram @williamsinthephilippines