The course costs $93.

Click this link to sign up online for the class.

Do you remember the Siar? We prayed from them back in November as missionaries finished up many weeks of teaching and presented the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. A church was born among them and they are now studying through the book of Acts as God continues to mature them. But just as exciting was the birth of the North Waghi church a few weeks ago! Another people group that was in darkness has seen a great light! But pray for them as the church is still very small and needs much nurturing. The North Waghi have a smattering of religious beliefs that contradict the weighty teaching that they heard and their hearts are heavy as they struggle through this and seek to clarify God’s truth.

We are well on our way into our Senior semester, and we’re feeling the semester’s responsibilities build. Payton’s a Student Work Program leader again. Both of us are working on the missions emphasis each week at church, and Payton also facilitates a Sunday School class. We’re both volunteering at The Resale Depot twice a month (sometimes more), which has been a good outlet into the community here in Jackson–as a bonus they let me organize things, which I find enjoyable. Plus they donate part of the money for that day to the Bible School here to help students and staff. Payton’s a team captain for intramural hockey, and I decided to try futsol out this semester. It’s more fun than volleyball, but I do end up more winded! As for our academics, we have some big classes coming up, like Daniel/Revelation, but thanks to Tim Dane’s Sunday School class at ABEFC a few years back, I’m not intimidated. I can draw that end times chart in my sleep (some of you know exactly what I’m talking about).

In the day to day, I’ve been finding time to read. And on weekends I’ve been trying to learn some helpful skills for the mission field, like beefing up my sewing abilities. I made my first t-shirt and undershirt. They definitely didn’t look like the store-bought ones from up close! But, I figured, I had better learn the art of putting clothes on our backs instead of sewing non-essentials like bags and pillow covers, which I guess we could wear if we had to. I like bags because they’re safe and they don’t have to “fit” exactly, clothes on the other hand are less forgiving. Another “new” for me was in the cooking realm. I tried my hand at Indian food the other day. It was delicious, but I made way too much–lentils go a loooong way. Then, having made my own garam masala (spice mix), I didn’t label it and ended up putting it on our taco meat yesterday! Indian seasoning on cow was pretty scandalous. I even tried to scrape most of it off and cover it with taco seasoning. It kind of worked. I could still taste the cardamom. We used a lot of taco sauce. (Payton just informed me that this is the second time I’ve mentioned tacos in an update)

There’s so much more happening in our lives right now, but hopefully this gives you just a little glimpse into our day to day. The blog also has a few more exciting stories about our car, Payton’s mess at the Red Cross, and a 6-year awaited dentist visit.

Blessings!
The Downings

Heading to the U.S.  I got to talk with Paul briefly a couple hours ago and he was over at the Birthing Home saying goodbye to our beloved team of missionaries and midwives. It was 11:00 p.m. and the place was filled with people. I guess there will be a lot of babies born at Shalom today! Paul is scheduled to leave Manila early in the morning his time (that will be Thursday afternoon in the U.S.). We look forward to attacking him with hugs and kisses late Friday afternoon when he flies into Denver. He has been working extremely long days over the past 2 months. Please be in prayer for him as he travels and adjusts to the time change, climate change, and culture change! Pray also that God would open doors for employment here in Denver.

2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Paul mentioned to me that he had a sweet time of saying goodbye to his construction team. They were able to spend extended time in prayer together earlier today. He then had some additional time with Egay and Mark, praying specifically for this project and ministry. Egay has been faithfully working with Paul over the last couple years. It has been a true joy to watch him come alive spiritually. Paul is confident in his ability to continue to lead the team. Mark came to us earlier this year from Second Mile (a ministry of ACTION which trains underprivileged teens in Bible, discipleship and a trade), and was trained by fellow ACTION missionary, Gary Root. He has a tender heart for Christ and strong work ethic. Paul has enjoyed the opportunity to continue the discipleship process with Mark, and is thankful that he will be stepping up to help lead the crew. Please be praying for these two men as they continue to move this project ahead. They, like Paul, have a passion for the ministry of Shalom and this construction project, and mostly for the spiritual growth of the guys they are working with.

Rejoice with us! By God’s grace, a large donation was given to the Shalom building project last month! Paul and the guys have accomplished several projects on the building and have strategized how the money will be used in the coming months. Another large donation has been pledged to be given in March. We are hopeful that the funds pledged will be enough to finish up the construction side of the building. We are tentatively planning for Paul to return to the Philippines for the month of April so that he can be of help with the finish work on the building. We are encouraged that by the end of 2012 the new Shalom Birthing Home could be operating out of their new facility! Please continue to be in prayer that the funds will come in quickly so this building can be used in countless ways for ministry in the coming year.

“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.” O Little Town of Bethlehem is one of my favorite Christmas hymns, especially when I reflect on this last line of the first verse, as it sums up the essence of Christmas. I have had the privilege of spending time with many women this year as they anticipated the birth of their babies at Shalom. I can’t even imagine the anticipation (and fear) Mary must have felt as she was giving birth to her firstborn son as well as her Savior and Redeemer! Despite the hardships and poverty the women we work with at Shalom face every day, what Hope we are assured of because of Christ’s birth and work on the cross. I pray that this will be a sweet Christmas season for you as you find your hope in our loving Savior. Thank you for partnering with us as we share this glorious message to those in need.

Rejoicing in our Savior’s birth,
Ruth (and Paul) Ortiz
Kai (10), Ryan (9) and Alana (6)
Action International Ministries

Until the 4-6 inches of snow arrived last week, I wasn’t quite convinced that the end of the year was even approaching! Just the week before it was in the 60’s and the sun was hot! That warm weather continued until Thanksgiving, which was full of family, a swamp adventure, stuffed giraffe pillow-making, and Ticket to Ride—even in the midst of homework from our new block of classes. Our new classes are all epistles, Galatians, Ephesians, and 1&2 Peter, which makes it hard to keep them all separate! Anyway, I’d almost forgotten that winter was coming. Don’t worry, I’m no longer living in that reality as more snow, which I happen to love, is falling tonight.

As to the past month, we’ve been able to volunteer at The Resale Depot, a thrift store that benefits organizations within the community. We take a group of 8-10 students from the school, sort donations, organize the store, run the register and help customers. Payton and I both joined with the intention of being able to interact with individuals in the community about the gospel. The neat part is that if our group does one of the two shifts in the day, we get a certain percentage of the till for our deacons fund here at school to help students and staff. They also have a café area, which we utilized the other day with some friends to study (in particular all of those classes I mentioned before—we did actually get some studying done although I did buy one book).

Well, I didn’t get my feet wet on Black Friday, but my sisters and I got crafty, and I haven’t really stopped since then. I’ve been baking, stitching, melting, gluing, cutting, Photoshop-ing, and all that jazz. The holiday season is upon us! I do miss hunting down a tree in the mountains and getting the car stuck in “feet” of snow, both of which are inseparably linked in my mind. I’m thinking we should probably put that “tradition” behind us and stick to something that involves family, paper, or food.

Amidst all of the preparations for the holiday, we’re starting to get excited about going to California for Christmas. I seem to inevitably catch a cold at the end of every semester once the pace slows down, so pray for health—or I guess you could just buy me a bottle of Vitamin C, right?!

I’m anticipating reflecting on what God has done throughout the past year as soon as our last homeworks have been typed, tests taken and assignments turned in. I am amazed at how fast this year has flown and how blessed we are. If I were to write down all of the behind-the-scenes blessings that we’ve been the recipients of, it would take many pages. God has used so many people and circumstances to encourage us and spur us on to trust Him this year. Don’t forget to remember what God has done and is doing even as the commercials and shimmery packages vie for your attention around every corner.

As a final note, I added pictures to the blog! Click here to see them.

Blessings!
The Downings