Did you ever stop to think....

What is old..? What is modern..?  This Philippine Carabao (water buffalo), caught my attention just standing in a field near Santo Tomas.  The water buffalo is all over Southeast Asia.  Interesting how old toiling methods and today's toiling methods.... still work.

Hmmm.... oh wait.... What is wrong with this picture according to our MODERN MEDIA....? It seems as if Media would have us believe labor, toil, and ethics are passe'....

In fact... the TV screen confirms... Modern Media does NOT want us to live in the REAL WORLD. Oh no... they want us in the VIRTUAL WORLD--- THIS IS CRAZY IT HAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

We need to get back to basics:

“For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.”

1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV

Friday Night Memories - NOT..!

It is time. It is time. It is time. Friday night High School Football is here....! I love it...! I remember Viking Stadium in Bristol, TN... the Stone Castle... The Band... The Cheer Leaders.. The Players.. The friends in the seats....! According to Wikipedia.. there are well over 20,000 schools participating tonight... Wow... over 77 of them have played each other for over 100 years... what a wonder we have in America...!!

But wait...wait...wait... none of my missionary friends... are going to be sitting under the lights... hmm... perhaps around the village fire... perhaps... just perhaps.. they will be remembering their youth... in another venue...

Oh, how blessed we are in the U.S. of A. Thank you all... for my memories.

Only One Life to Give

“Only one life 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.”

The life of Phyllis Rine continues to influence people. She lived the motto that hung on the living room wall in her home in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She made the ultimate sacrifice in Africa on Nov. 24, 1964.

I shared her story with the students at International Christian College of Manila, Philippines because I believe, that as dedicated as these students are, they may also make that ultimate sacrifice. Some of the students are from Mindanao, the part of the Philippines known to be hostile to Christians. The major world religion there does not share the love of the same Jesus we serve. As I interviewed the Seniors I asked if they were willing to serve no matter the cost and they each were very adamant they would serve to the end.

In my article for the Christian Standard (11.23.2008), I wrote

“..we must remember Phyllis Rine and why she was martyred—an unwavering faith that was willing to go and serve wherever she was called, even in the face of grave danger. Her life is to be remembered as a testimony and example for others to step out in faith and take risks necessary to serve the Master.”

Pray for strength to face the ultimate sacrifice and hear the final words, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant...”

China Listening Post

"Be still and know that I am God..."

It was March of 2011. Charliece and I were on the highest mountain within the official Hong Kong area. We came upon this old dilapidated concrete building. To me it was large for all the work done constructing a concrete building in a remote place. The building was obviously totally abandoned.  It had been constructed years and years ago at some great expense. I wondered if men had carried the concrete up here step by step.

Inquires to our Chinese host soon exposed the purpose of the building. It seems it had been built when Hong Kong was under British control. The building was a "listening post" into mainland China.  "Yes," I said to myself, "... up here in the quiet and looking over into the mainland..." 
Hmm... sort of reminds me of Psalm 46:10 when the Lord God of the Universe says,

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God..." 

Today,  I wonder if the 1.3 billion in China ever get an opportunity to actually read... "Be still, and know that I am God..."

Hmm...  I guess that is our job. Thank you Lord that we may sereve.

The American Cemetery - Manila

Manila, Philippines

17000 American World War II casualties buried here. Crosses second only to Arlington.

Our airport driver picked us up and brought us by here on way to our host.

24 hours in air. Tired is not the word. Yea.. jet lag.
God blessed us.

Bill and Charliece - Flying to Manila and Hong Kong

It is a big world when you are actually moving across the surface of the world.  You might try walking to church sometime.   Our instant electronic communications of today have "dumbed down" our realization of the size of our world.

Emails this week from some of the places we will be in March say, "... we are only a 15 or 20 minute walk from...."

Note the "walk"... hmmm. I think Charliece and I need to review our shoe selection for this trip.  We continue to request your prayer and your financial help as we approach our March trip to SEA.

This trip is so important. God is opening doors. Thus, we know Satan will seek to derail. Please please lift this trip up in prayer.

Pray for our wisdom and humility...!

Ecclesiastes 12:9 NIV

 ⁹ Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.

South East Asia

Charliece and I are going to be traveling during March 2011 into South East Asia. We have meetings in Manila and now.. in China.

We seldom put out a plea for prayer and finances but, this time some new things have opened up and that add to our cost.

God is amazing. Our needs are small. He is sooo large. Please cover this trip with prayer.



Matthew 28:16-20  ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV

More Travel Tips

Bill and I continue to bring you travel tips gleamed from our association with missionaries. Today, International Travel is both exciting and affordable. Travel also makes mission work available to young people as well as adults. Don't forget, being an American citizen brings privileges as well as responsibilities.

There are things we can do to better ensure our travel safety, and the peace of mind for family and friends left behind while we travel. Most critical is to under gird every trip with prayer for travel safety.  Try to make sure you are traveling to a safe country—not always possible if you are mission minded.

Sooo... here are  our two IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS FOR THIS WEEK:

The United States Government works to protect us as much as they can when we set foot on foreign soil. I strongly urge everyone traveling outside the US to ask for their protection. Signing up for this service is free and secure but they have to know you are traveling, and like good parents ask, “Where are you going, when will you be home, AND who will you be with?”

1.  Registering with the State Dept is relatively easy. Before you travel check out this website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/

The web site has much valuable information to make your travels easier. It gives guidelines such as what is expected of you—you are a guest in a foreign place—REMEMBER THAT!! It also will tell you what immunizations and shots are required, sometimes appropriate dress, details about money and extremely important VISA information. It also lets you know what you can take with you and what you can bring back. Just because you can purchase an item in a foreign country does not mean that country will let your trinket leave the country or the US will allow it, no matter how beautiful or expensive to enter our country.

Good advice includes:

2.  Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.

Please, if you are traveling, take the time to do this or contact me—I will do it for you and even be the contact between the US State Dept and your family!! Oh, and please keep our personal South East Asia travel in prayer.

- Love you all, Charliece

Travel Tips

Happy New Year...!

Here comes 2011.... ready or not....the world awaits... awaits answers...!

and 

Jesus is the answer...!

Charliece and I have been discussing how we can share travel tips and travel safety ideas with you. Missionaries are by definition travelers.  Jesus gave very explicate travel instructions to His disciples as He sent them on their mission.Travel today is different but we still need to be prepared and cautious  We must be considerate of the countries in which we desire to be guests. The two of us travel, but more importantly we are involved with the comings-and-goings of a couple hundred fellow Pioneer Bible Translators Missionaries. 

Charliece is the person to whom everyone turns for answers like, "Do I need some sort of insurance if I go to Africa ?" And, "....what is a letter of invite..?" Or maybe, "...what is a visa..?"

Bill worries about who is in the air, where they are landing, 'correct flight numbers' and when are they landing.   

Sooo... here are our most important two travel tips to begin new year travel:

1. Have a specific contact person back home who has your complete itinerary.

If you are driving across the U.S., leave with your contact person - your vehicle color, the year, make and model of car, and tag number. 

If you are flying, make sure the contact person has a copy of your e-ticket. 

2. Get a passport. Keep  it renewed. Check your passport dates well before travel. Many countries require you to have more than 6 months left on your passport before they allow entry. Therefore many US Airlines will not let you board if you walk up to the gate with a passport that expires in less than 6 months. 

Summary: Make sure people back home know your schedule and make sure your passport is up to date.

We will post this to our Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-and-Charliece-Fierbaugh-Missionaries/

We will keep you in the loop on our personal travels to the South Pacific Areas. Please help us out financially for our trip to Manila in March.

We will keep you in the loop with weekly travel tips.  If you or anyone you know is getting ready to do a "short term mission trip" this year.... get them on our mailing list... you could save their trip....!!!

We love you all and appreciate your financial support and cherish your prayers,

In His service,

Bill and Charliece