The Taylor Family

Last weekend, tropical typhoon Ketsana slammed the Philippines and dumped nearly 17″ of rain in six hours across the metropolis of Manila.  The areas hit hardest by the massive flooding seemed to be concentrated in close to our home community. Our local church, Taytay First, suffered greatly with 80% if their members being affected, while APNTS (Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary) served as a refugee center for almost 300 neighbors living along the creek bordering the property.  One home belonging to a Nazarene missionary family was completed flooded with over 5′ of water, and their losses were severe.  We do praise God for sparing our home and family from the rising flood waters that swept over so many of our close friends and neighbors.

"Filipino's scramble to their rooftops for safety"

Relief efforts are under way and our district leadership has worked tirelessly with the many volunteers to reach those affected in our Nazarene churches across this massive city.  District Superintendent, Pastor Bonifacio “Oni” Plantilla, stated that “27 churches were serving as relief centers and ministering to over 300 families”.  Crisis Care Kits have been distributed to these families along with basic food and clothing.  Pastor Oni and his team have developed a “Three Phase” approach to meeting the needs of those suffering and affected families being helped by the Church of the Nazarene.  Phase 1 consists of offering cooked food and medicine as an immediate “first response”.  Phase 2 provides basic food and clothing needs to allow those affected to begin getting back on their feet.  Phase 3 wishes to meet longer term needs of providing basic shelter / construction supplies to help rebuild homes.  Please pray with us as we continue working through Phase 2 and as we finalize strategy for implementing Phase 3 to our Nazarene families.

"Flood victims receive food and comfort"

Many of you have asked “how can we help” and have a desire to assist in the massive relief effort to help rebuild lives and homes swept away by the flood waters of Ketsana.  We want to give you a couple of options to consider when choosing how your heart wishes to partner in a compassionate way to help the Filipino people.

• Nazarene Compassionate Ministries:  If you wish to go to this website you will find continuous updates about this crisis and online giving options. The funds received through NCM will be sent to our Philippine Field Office and used to meet the various needs of those affected by this disaster.
• Work of Greg & Terri Taylor: If you wish your donation to be specifically used to meet individual needs or certain aspects of the relief work efforts, you can use this online donation format for giving.  We would also ask that you communicate with us at gtaylor@apnaz.org or terri@apnaz.org to discuss your specific desire in partnering to meet these needs.  Or, you can send your donation by mail to:  General Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
• We know that many of you would love to donate food or clothing or medicine, because of your generous and compassionate hearts.  However, we suggest that these types of donations would be best if purchased locally to ensure no delays in shipping or customs fees.  (i.e.  $20 = 40 pairs of flip-flops | $50 = 110 lbs. rice)
• If you have a desire to Volunteer to help with the many needs that exist in the Philippines, please contact us by using our email gtaylor@apnaz.org or by mobile +63.918.801.5423 to learn more about available opportunities.

Returning home to Manila after our five month trip to the States was fabulous.  It is wonderful to be back in our cozy house in the tropics.  We had a delightful young family staying here while we were away.  It was a perfect situation for them as well as us, they were in need of a place to stay and we needed someone to look after the house and take care of our dogs, Sam & Lucy.

In spite of all the great care that had been given to our dogs, Sam, our golden retriever, was quite sick when we returned.  He died just days after we arrived.  He has been a trusted member of our family for eight years, he had a watchful eye as he privately carried the responsibility of helping us raise our children.  He loved them very, very much as we also loved him.

We have been on the mission field for almost twelve years now, and saying goodbye continues to be one of the hardest parts of our lives.  It started with our first trip out of the country, our church back home threw a big going away party and one of my dear friends whispered in my ear that it felt like she was attending our funeral.  Although it was also hard for us to say goodbye, we were still excited for the new “hello” of the mission field.

After arriving on the field the goodbyes didn’t seem to get any easier.  We have made friends that we have really connected with and deeply loved them as much as they have loved us. We have known some of the most amazing people in the world, people who are truly making a difference in the lives of others. Much too often, we have had to say goodbye as they have been called to other mission fields or have returned to their home countries for some reason or another.  It’s not limited to Greg and I feeling the pain of saying goodbye, our children, Jordan & Zack have had to say goodbye more often than should be allowed to.  They have some of their closest friends now living in Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, South Africa, U.S. & Canada.

Returning to the States this spring & summer has been a time of reconnecting. It’s good for the soul to be around family and life long friends. While we were in Kansas City, we met up with some old friends and made some wonderful new ones.  We were privileged to go to General Assembly in Orlando, Florida.  While we were there, it was awesome to see and connect with many, many wonderful people that we have known from all over the world. Our home church in Salem, Oregon welcomed us with open arms.  I was even able to get together with some friends from high school. I’m pretty sure it’s what heaven will be like, people we have loved from everywhere having a grand reunion.

We had our short two week vacation in Oregon, where we grew up. Quickly being reminded of the quirks of family life and adjusting back to our positions in the tribe, and oh, how good it felt to be part of it again. It was with the deepest pain that we said goodbye to them, knowing that we won’t be part of their daily lives and missing the great love from the aunties, uncles and grandparents that they so freely extend to us.

It was with heartache that I boarded the plane, as we crossed over fifteen time zones, our hearts became contented with the peace that passes all understanding and we safely arrived home.  We have rejoined our missionary family again, have been warmly welcomed home by our beloved Filipino friends and watched our son get absorbed back into his barkada (Filipino for “his close group of friends”).

Now that we are home and our beloved pet is gone, the constant companion among the too many goodbyes.  My heart aches to have him gone, I’m left wondering how much is a person supposed to grieve over the loss of a dog.  Sam was a good dog.  A very good dog.  In the meantime, I will put my arms around Lucy and together look forward to saying “hello” to our next four-legged family member.

Several weeks ago, a good friend wrote an email to me with this subject line “Time To Post”.  That was all he said…oh yea, and he also offered a quick link to my editing page just to make it easier.  I thought about writing for many days, which turned into weeks, which has now turned into months…and I still am not sure what to say.  I suppose this may be one of those “silent times” in my life when I am not hearing all that is being said, or in this case whispered.  Maybe I have been in a “slump” and just not feeling the groove of writing my personal thoughts and sharing my feelings with the world, or at least those few who actually read our blogs.  I have often wondered if this blog site / web site would actually work for us, or if it would be a flaming fire for the firs few months and then slowly burn out.  That is actually how I have been feeling lately…a fire that has almost gone out.  Kind of dry, kind of unenergetic, kind of wandering around – just waiting for the a slight breeze to come along and reignite the fire that lies within the coals.  These are the times in my life when I definitely don’t feel like sharing about “anything going on in my life”.  Who would want to read about it anyway?  Okay, now that you are all thoroughly depressed by these ramblings…just wait and listen.

Can you hear it?  No, it is not anything that I am saying (or writing), but it is the breeze – or in this case, the wind that is blowing the fire of my life back into flames.  Many refer to this as the Holy Spirit fanning the flames and igniting the coals of our lives, I believe that is also what God is doing in my life.  Suddenly, things seem focused again.  Recently, I have been communicating better with Him again.  How does this happen?  How does our life go through valleys and back up to the tops of mountains, and then back down in the valleys again?  I wish I knew the answer to this question that has alluded me all my life, but I know it happens.  At least it happens to me.  Maybe it happens to you also.  One thing I have noticed is this – when it happens…it will end.  I just need to hang on and not give up.  Wow!  Pretty deep and theological sounding I am sure, but that is what God is teaching me…just don’t give up.  I know that He has not given up on me when I am walking through the valleys and going through the dry times in my life, in fact, that is probably the time when He is closer to me than I realize.  I just need to listen. I just need to rest in Him.  I just need to keep walking and talking and being with Him.

These past few months have been very interesting for our family as we have begun the adjustment of our family being separated.  All of you know that we are back in Manila embarking on a new ministry assignment for the church.  Most of you know that Jordan is in the states now attending college at Trevecca in Nashville.  Some of you know we are separated by over 8,500 miles which creates a problem with keeping in touch.  Not sure how many know that we have a very close family and this separation has caused a great challenge for us to “stay close”.  

Thank God for modern technology and a great internet program called Skype.  Skype is an amazing web program that allows you to make telephone calls via the internet to another Skype user for FREE.  We were introduced to this concept a few years ago and have been a consistent user since.  

When we knew that Jordan would be staying in the states this summer to begin her college studies, we knew that we would need Skype accounts for everyone to stay in touch more frequently.  Another very cool feature of Skype is the video webcam feature that allows us to see Jordan and her to see us during our conversation.  I know this is not new technology for many people, but now we can truly appreciate how this feature is keeping our family together.  We have set up weekly calls with Jordan and during the calls we get to see our sweet daughter just as if she were sitting down next to us…technology is so awesome.  

So how does this all fit with our family and ministry?  I am not 100% sure this post has a summary or a good ministry story, except to say that we believe that God has provided for our family to be connected even though several thousand miles separate us.  It is very special to be talking to our daughter and see her expressions or the “look in her eyes” or a cute smile or even the tiredness of college life…we even got a tour of her dorm room – these are the “bonuses” that God gives that usually don’t get discussed.  These are the simple ways that a mom and a brother and a dad get to feel connected to Sissy.  We are happy when we see the “computer or Skype phone ring” and notice that is is Jordan calling!  

Wow!!!  Now that just makes my day, and it is always more than a phone call.

Since arriving back from home assignment on September 3rd, I have been working through many obstacles that were standing in my way and preventing me from writing another update.  Well, it has now officially been “too long” and today is the day to write our friends and family with an update on our lives…so here we go.

All is well.  Yea, that seems like a simple statement that does not really explain what is all or what is well, but trust me in saying, “All is well…with ____.”  You see, as we look back at where we have come and see what has happened in our lives, how can we not simply say that everything is well?  What do we really have to complain about in our lives?  What could possibly be wrong?  Some might say that there are always things in your life that need prayer, but does that mean that anything is wrong.  I want to live my life in a state of “being well” and God is showing me each day the need for walking with Him as a “well man”.  

Sure, we always ask for prayer for our daughter who is a freshman at Trevecca in Nashville; sure, we need prayer for our new ministry assignment of developing partners; sure, we need prayer for Zach as he continues his high school studies at Faith in Manila; sure, Terri and I always appreciate prayers for our safety, our marriage, our families and our walk with our Lord…but, that does not mean that anything is wrong.  On the contrary, as we continue seeking God in our lives and grow with Him each day, He continues to show us that He is always there and always with us – no matter what may come.  Therefore, as I said earlier, “All is well.”  I look at this simple statement to mean simply that, I am fine…we are fine. 

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10 (NIV)

This week our family traveled to Nashville, Tennessee where Jordan will be starting her college career at Trevecca Nazarene University.  We have been staying on the Trevecca Campus at the Mark’s Guest House and enjoying the southern hospitality.  It will be a very big change for our family when we all return to Manila and Jordan stays here in the states.  Of course this adventure for Jordan will be an exciting journey, and one that all of our children must make – it will be difficult on our family.  Terri and Zach will be leaving the states and returning to Manila on August 9th.  I will be staying in the states until my return date of September 2nd.  Your prayers during our travel are always welcome and needed…however, these trips will be different for us.  Sitting on a plane for over 15 hours is hard enough, much less the thought of Jordan staying here in the states.

As for Jordan, she is already to move into her dorm room…start her soccer pre-season camp…and get busy with making her mark on the Trevecca community.  We believe in this amazing woman and thank God for what He has given us these past 18+ years.  She is going to do amazing things and we will do our best to keep you posted on her life as she takes these first steps in adulthood.  If you feel the desire to email or text or mail her some words of encouragement…just ask for her contact information and we will be glad to send it on to you.  Most of all, please remember our precious “sissy” in your prayers during these first few weeks and months during and especially when life settles into a routine.  That always seems to be the time that the ‘bumps” start to occur.  

We look forward to sending more updates about our family and the exciting life we live.  This website is brand new and still in the development stages, please bear with us as we work out the kinks.