Symanzik Family Update

The church we attend here in Davao has 161 children in their Compassion program.
Kurt and I visited the program yesterday morning to get a better understanding about what all the Compassion program does and what our church provides for our kids we sponsor. We came away awed by all that goes on, the powerful ministry, and thankful for this outreach.

Praise and worship time for the parents while the children are in Bible
class and educational instruction. The parents are also taught
weekly, parenting skills and information on keeping kids healthy.

Kids not only learn about Jesus, they learn reading and writing
skills as well.

Preparing food for 161 children + their Moms!

The church is also launching 5 livelihood projects in the areas where these children and families live so that the moms can learn skills for making some income - they are launching rug making, herbal farming, pressed flower card making, massage therapy training and tailoring/sewing.

For those of you living in the USA, trying to explain the smell and taste of durian to you is an adventure.
Think of garlic and rotten onions mixed together and you might have a general idea of the smell.

hotels, hospitals and many businesses have signs that say, "no
bringing in durian
Think of snail slime and you might have a general idea of the texture.

Think of eating rotten onions and garlic in the snail slime texture and burping it up for the next 24 hours or so and you'll have a general idea what the taste is like.


People here either usually love durian or don't like it at all.
Some people say it smells like hell but tastes like heaven.

Personally, I've tried it three times and do not like it in any form - fresh, pie, ice cream, candy....
Holding one is like holding a porcupine with sharp, sharp quills!
You'd never want one of these to drop on your head or try to catch it while it falls!

Kurt doesn't mind it.

Mikayla is not a big fan of it.

Neither are Kirsten, Ben and James.



Our friend, Ruth, tho, loves the stuff! So when our neighbor gave us a fresh durian off their tree, we invited her over for supper and durian!

Durian really isn't that good for you, either. It can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels!!!

I prefer to eat Marong!

Ben has his blue belt!

In November he will test for his purple belt.
Then there is brown and black!
He is doing really well!

At NCCC yesterday his karate club held a self-defense show.
It was really enjoyable to watch!

1 Corinthians 9:25-26
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.
They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control,
lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Mikayla is playing high school volleyball this sports season!
They had their first game yesterday.

While watching the girls play, the verse from Psalm 100
was going through my head. And I was praying for the team
to learn not only the skills of playing the game of volleyball,
but also the skills of how the discipline, hardwork, etc.,
of the sport can be carried over to the dailyness of living,
serving the Lord with joy and gladness in all of life....

Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Ben started the process of testing for his blue belt in karate on Saturday August 11. He performed a kada, sparred 4 two-minute rounds with one opponent, sparred one two minute round with two opponents, and sparred one two minute round with four opponents.
He also broke four boards. Check out the video at youtube.
http://youtu.be/5WPfJIOECOE
His Bible memory testing and self defense are this coming weekend.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (NIV)
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating
the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave
so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

(ESV)
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it
to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I
do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.