Sharpe Update July 2010

Summer this year was a blast! Of course many of you know that my mother and siblings were in Cebu for a reunion of sorts. What a wonderful addition to our scrapbook of memories! Another highlight was the trip to Kota Kinabalu where we met the other missionaries of International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), the denomination which oversees our local church, Church of Our King. Although it was our first time to meet many of them, we felt very welcome and loved. The kids and Doug had a chance to visit Siargao (in Mindanao Island) just before the classes started. They tried surfing and did well on the long boards, including Mandee! My cousins from Manila and Davao also visited us for a few days. It was lots of fun catching up on what has happened since we last saw each other a decade ago!

Summer is over and we are back to life as usual. John (3rd year high school) and Mandee (grade 5) are still in PCGS. John wanted to join the Homemakers Club because he is interested in cooking. Unfortunately about 100 other boys applied for the same club and the teacher has limited the membership. If he can't cook, then he decided to try out for the next thing he likes to do: sing. He auditioned and was accepted into the glee club. Mandee is also with the elementary glee club and is an assistant scout leader.

Jonina decided to shift courses and schools to Mass Communications in the University of San Jose Recolletos. She has been thinking about doing this since last year as she was not quite satisfied with the Special Education program in the other university. We feel that this course is more in line with her giftings. She enjoys writing and is thinking about going into film making.

Some of you may have been aware that Ben had hoped to do a YWAM Discipleship Training School in YWAM Maui, Hawaii this September with his cousin. Unfortunately, he was not accepted for that school because he is underage (he turns 17 this Oct. and YWAM would prefer to accept 18 year olds and older). We wrote the registrar to reconsider their decision and made this a "fleece." When they decided not to reconsider, Ben immediately enrolled as an engineering student at the University of San Carlos. Except for his long travel to the campus, he seems to adjust well to college life since he has a couple of high school and church friends in the same university.

Doug is busy as the church has relaunched small groups this month of July. He has been preaching on the importance of community. We had a formal launching last Sunday with an "I Love COOK (Church of Our King)" campaign. We sold t-shirts, had balloons, set up the sanctuary like a cozy home, sang a special ditty for the campaign, had a game, snacks and time to sign up for the different age cell groups. It was a fun time and we were happy with the results of the sign ups.

He has been traveling as well for meetings with regards to YWAM. He is part of the national leadership Team of 4 and is in charge of pastoral care. He recently finished teaching at our DTS last week and is considering an invitation to Cambodia in January.. In June, YWAM Visayas gathered together to celebrate YWAM International's 50 years. We had a great time remembering the past, celebrating the present and praying in new bases and staff for the future. I had not seen many of our staff since April 2009 so it was a great time for me to reconnect and to thank them for all their prayers.

Many have written to ask how I am doing health-wise. Well, I am so happy to inform you that the oral chemo meds have been working! My large tumors have shrunk and the smaller tumors are getting softer and are also shrinking. The Lord is good! I am still experiencing some side effects but it has not been traumatic at all. I have to keep tabs on my blood counts just to make sure that my immune system is not so compromised. On July 7, I had a blood transfusion to put my numbers up.

Another good news is that I have now gained some weight! I am 48K (a little over 105 lbs) and am always hungry! I hope I can gain more. I now also have more hair than Doug! Doug said it was weird for him to wake up and see another bald head in bed! I hope that in a month or two, I will be able to go without a wig or a head scarf. The boys can't wait until its long enough to spike!

My energy level is good and I am able to do some errands or do the groceries. I try to pace my activities and give myself lots of time to rest. I certainly feel like I have my life back and am so thankful to the Lord for his grace, mercy and loving kindness! I am always thankful for you all who have been so faithful in prayer and giving!

Something to pray for:

The expenses for the oral chemo meds and a monthly biphosphate infusions for the bone metastasis have been draining our limited resources. There are also other expenses such as lab. tests, supplements, injections, doctors fees, blood transfusions, etc. We are thankful for how the Lord has been faithfully meeting our needs and we continue to look to him.

Doug usually returns to Canada every two years to reconnect with family, supporters and our home church. In our present situation he says it looks doubtful. As always we will leave it in God's hands, He knows the best timing for all things.

With much gratitude for God's goodness,

Love

Doug, Marla and family