Author: Bill & Donna Davis

Palawano Patient

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POOR LITTLE GUY
We spent today taking a Palawano family to the hospital. They are from another area (not our village down south) but went to our partners for help who then sent them up here for us to take to the doctor.

Their little 4 year-old son has this huge growth so that one of his buttocks is enlarged (larger than a softball but not quite a volleyball). It’s gotten painful recently and is causing problems for him.

The doctor requested a CT scan to determine what kind of growth it is, whether or not it is cancer, and where (and how large) it might be internally. He needs to know if it is attached to the spine or pelvis.

So today we took them for blood work and the CT scan. The nurses were very kind to this Palawano family who are not only far from home, but who feel so out of place here in “the big city” that they might as well have been dropped on Mars. They don’t even speak the national language, Tagalog, much at all. So Nili’s husband Odi accompanied them and helped us interface with the doctors and nurses. Because of various delays it took all morning and Lomi and his parents were really ready to leave the hospital… we were, too, actually, but at least we’re healthy and used to living in town.

The lab work showed very low red blood counts and a high white blood count (possible infection?)

Now we’re waiting for the results of the CT scan and then we’ll have the doctor look at him and decide what can be done surgically.

Please pray for little Lomi and his parents Malmagan and Salmida. They’re scared, uncomfortable and feeling out of place here in town. Pray for healing or that something can be done medically. But most of all, they need to know the Lord. So pray also that this time of getting medical help will be a way for them to see Jesus’ love demonstrated in a way that will make them receptive to the gospel.

SO PLEASE PRAY WITH US…

  • for Lomi and his family
  • wisdom for the doctor
  • for us as we help them
  • as we also continue the translation work

Reaching Palawanos together with you,

-Bill and Donna

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Davis Update Apr 18

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OVER FORTY
We’re glad to be back in our home in Puerto Princesa. Another family housesat for us and took really good care of the house, the dog and the cat. But it’s taken us a few days to move in and get settled. This time it’s more than just unpacking our luggage, as we’re unpacking all the boxes we filled when we packed up the house to give the house sitters empty shelves and drawers.

But “why Over Forty?” you might ask. Yes, it’s not news that we’re over forty. Mid-fifties, to be more precise. And sure, we’ve been grandparents now for well over 40 days. But…

…we’re referring to how hot it is here now in the peak of dry season. Actually, to how hot it feels. The temperature in the house during the day is in the low-to-mid 90s and the humidity is around 65%. That means an apparent temperature (or “heat index”) of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that while it’s 92, it actually feels like it’s 105. And 104 degrees Fahrenheit is 40 degrees Celsius, so we’re over forty. And it’s not just us. Even our Filipino friends are telling us this is the hottest summer anyone remembers.

Also, we noted that this means that the difference in temperature for us since we left cool San Diego with its pleasant mid-60s temperatures, is again, over forty. We went almost instantly from 65 degrees to 105. That’s a big gap… over forty, in fact. And meanwhile the air conditioning in our truck is going out, so we’ll be getting that looked at a.s.a.p.!

We’re not complaining, mind you. We’re just melting. And we’re trying to help you understand what we mean when we say “it’s hot.” We appreciate your prayers as we adjust so that we can be energetic and efficient in our translation ministry here in spite of the heat.

And God is gracious. Just this morning it rained. That’s the first rain of the year and a welcome relief for us. More importantly, the Palawanos and other farmers need the rain for their recently-planted rice. And here in town, the water district needs rain. So we’re all thankful.

SPEAKING OF TRANSLATION…
In this case, we’re under forty. It’s also actually less than forty days until the translation check of the entire book of Luke begins on May 15. Please be praying with us about that. Our desire is for the check to go smoothly, but that if anything needs to be changed to make the book communicate better, that we will discover it and easily find the way to best rephrase it.

Just like that newly-planted rice, the Word of God will be sown in the hearts of Palawanos, watered by the Spirit and bear fruit for eternal life! Thank you for your partnership in this ministry.

SO PLEASE PRAY WITH US…

  • for adjustment to the intense heat this time of year
  • to quickly get settled and fully back into translation
  • for the upcoming check of Luke

    • Reaching Palawanos together with you,
    -Bill and Donna
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    Davis Update Apr 2

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    SAFELY ARRIVED…
    We’re thankful to have arrived safely back in the Philippines. The plane trip was long, but uneventful. Now we’re here, already over jet lag, but still readjusting to the heat. Bill will attend some field leadership meetings this next week before we head to Palawan and get going on translation again

    WHILE IN THE USA…
    While we were in the USA for these past two months, God totally amazed us with his provision for us and so many encouragements. We want to pause to look back and thank him for everything. Airfare, housing, a car and cell phones to use, generous gifts to cover all Bill’s medical expense deductibles, dental care, meals and fellowship… all were graciously provided. Several church groups and one of our doctors laid hands on us an prayed for us, our health and the Palawanos. The home fellowship that provided the phones even brought dinner and helped us clean our apartment the night before we left. Wow.

    And then, Bill was able to get in to see doctors on very short notice, and to get tests and procedures scheduled, all within a two-month time frame! The best news of all being two biopsies came back benign, his heart was pronounced healthy, and his kidney stones… vanished. Yep, the CT scan showed the stones to be gone. We feel God simply dissolved them in answer to everyone’s prayers. Again, wow.

    And of course, we got to experience the life-changing and indescribable joy of becoming grandparents. We’re thankful for Max’s healthy arrival and how he’s growing and developing. Now we’ll miss him terribly, but he’s well cared for there with his Mommy and Daddy!

    We also got to spend some time with Bethy and Ricky and be a part of the initial planning for their wedding.

    PLEASE PRAY WITH US…

    • for adjustment to the intense heat this time of year
    • to quickly get settled and fully back into translation
    • for God’s wisdom and guidance every day

    Reaching Palawanos together with you,

    -Bill and Donna

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    Davis Travel Plans

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    PLEASE PRAY WITH US
    We have been planning to travel to California to be there for the birth of our first grandchild (due Jan 22) and would appreciate prayer about the travel plans

    We are thankful how things are coming together for this trip. God has already provided:

    • a place to stay in San Diego
    • one (or maybe two) cars to use while we are there
    • someone to housesit for us in Puerto
    • some special gifts so that now have nearly all we need for airfare


    However, we were waiting to see what we could afford before booking tickets and now most of the dates are fully booked and waitlisted. Please pray with us for wisdom in making the right decisions here as to booking and pray that dates would open up with a confirmed booking that is within our budget or that God would provide, to give us more options.

    Besides the potential inconvenience, another issue with waitlisted flights is that they often open up at the last minute and our mission office in Manila needs about a week’s notice to process our immigration exit permits. So please pray about the timing issues, too.

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    Reaching Palawanos together with you,

    -Bill and Donna

    Checking of Luke …done!

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    TRANSLATION UPDATE…
    Thanks to the Lord, we were able to finish the comprehension check of the book of Luke with even a little time to spare! God graciously got Bill over his respiratory infection, and our two translation helpers, Nursalyn and Arlyn really put in the effort with hours of mentally taxing work so we could finish after losing two days due to sickness. We even had electricity all week long… praise God.
     
    The book checked out well, too. No major understanding problems found.
     
    Now we can relax a bit and think about Christmas, and joyfully ponder the Christ of Luke who in the space of those 24 chapters went from eternity past, to the manger, to the streets of the poor and needy, to the cross, to the tomb, to the right hand of the Father and the hearts of those who love him.
     
    Looking ahead, please keep us and the Palawanos in your prayers as we partner together Reaching Palawanos in 2010.