Hello friends,

I think it's time for an update. I'm still in the U.S.A, working hard at my fundraising, and starting to realize that I need to worry about doctors, shots, papers, and learning some Tagalog. The fundraising is going well, I'm getting close to 50% of my goal, $10,000. I have been so blessed by the kindnesses of the churches and individuals in my diocese, it makes me realize how much like a family the church is, full of aunts and uncles and cousins who want to help me share that love. I'm trying to start now, but I can't wait until I'm there.

Anyway way, where's there? what am I doing? I will be in Baguio City in the Philippines. Baguio is on Luzon, the largest island, about 6 hours north of Manila, in the mountains. In Baguio, I will be a teacher at Easter College, an Episcopalian run-secondary school, which is to say high school level. I taught Sunday School for a season, and I've had music students, but I really wouldn't say I've ever been a teacher. Still, there was a time when some of my friends called me "Professor", and I'll admit I enjoyed it. I enjoy telling people that I'm going to be a teacher. After all, the disciples called Jesus teacher, I figure it's a good thing to be. I can't wait to learn from my students. It seems to me that learning to teach someone is just learning how to communicate, learning all you can about their lives and minds. And isn't that the whole point?

Here's some pictures of Baguio from the internet.

In missionary training we did a daily bible study in the mornings. One day we tackled the story of Jesus walking on water. I don't have my bible handy, so I'll paraphrase,

"The disciples were in a boat, and a storm picked up. They looked out and saw Jesus walking on water, they were understandably freaked out, but Jesus said 'Don't be scared! I"m not a ghost'. So Peter got out of the boat to try walking on water, and it totally worked! But then he started to sink, so Jesus pulled him out and said 'if you hadn't doubted you wouldn't have sunk'."

I feel that I have a pretty good idea of how this story should go. Peter should have sunk, and swum back to the boat disgraced. The other disciples would have tried to see if they can do better, and whoever walked furthest would be Jesus's Next Top Disciple. That is not what happens. Jesus pulls Peter out, and says, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (I found my bible). So it was only Peter's doubt that sunk him, neither his worthiness or the power of Jesus are in question, only the strength of Peter's belief. 

I see myself in Peter, taking my first shaking steps out of the boat with my decision to serve with YASC, and feeling the support of the diocese and YASC under my feet. And then I start to sink, as doubts about whether or not I'll be able to meet my fundraising goal plague me. Sinking, I feel Jesus' hand in the form of donations from throughout the diocese, from old friends and from new friends and even from perfect strangers, all wanting to be a part of God's work.

We are all here to do God's work, and are given the power to do it. The only thing which can ever stop us is ourselves, our lack of faith. That is true and will always be true, but it is harder than it sounds. Jesus knows a platitude when he hears one, so he is always there to pull us out when we need it. You just have to get out of the boat. 

So I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far. Please understand that you are giving more than just money, you are extending a hand of support, and you are joining God's mission.

Also if you'd like to donate, contact me at davidholtonharp@gmail.com, or send checks to 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017, attention of Yanick Fourcand.
Thank you, and blessings