Tom’s Philippines Trip - 2008 - First Update

Here’s the first email I received from Karen. It’s a bit scattered but I think you’ll get the gist about what’s going on over there, and little bit about my buddy Tom Randall. He may be my next book topic.

Dear Ones,

The following was sent to me from Tom by e-mail from the Philippines where he landed late on Christmas Eve (for him anyway). He was excited about how well his trip had gone and was so happy to be at Sankey Samaritan, our main orphanage in Lucena City. His shoulder made the trip with no problems so he was really happy. Anyway, enjoy reading about Tom’s trip to the Philippines and then a summary of a late phone call on Christmas Eve Michigan time (where I am).

Karen

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My Christmas Story

Sam Bradford always sits front row when I speak to the Oklahoma football team. To see him win the Heisman Trophy on national T.V. and Thank and Honor God first was a great start to my Christmas. God raises men up!

The day before I left for the Philippines my newly operated shoulder quit hurting for the first time since March! My surgeon, Carlin Yates and therapist Tammy have given me the okay for preforming my unicycle/ juggling act in the Philippines. The goal is to do 40 shows in two weeks with Emat, Randy, Roy and Gilbert from the orphanage performing with me. Another Christmas gift and God heals!

On my way to the Philippines, I flew through Denver and saw the burned fuselage from the Continental plane that crashed yesterday. Everybody survived leaving many of us in the terminal agreeing that God’s hands were involved. God Rescues!

Flying out of Denver the crash site started a conversation with 29 year old Julie on my right. It turns out she is adopted, living with her boyfriend, insecure and searching. Out come the photos of our orphans and by Los Angeles she comes to Christ! It’s really turning out to be a great Christmas. God saves!

My cab driver in LAX is sullen and angry because my hotel is only 3 minutes away from the airport, a short fare to line up for. During travel my suitcase exploded and the gifts for the kids are everywhere in the cab. I suggest that we head to Target for a new suitcase and he calms slightly. I find out Mohamed is from Bangladesh, has a wife and 3 daughters and is in the US 7 years. I speak the only two words I know in his language and finally got a smile. He asks who the gifts are for and out come the photos of the kids and orphanage. After a while he stops the cab, leans over and says, “Surely Allah will bless you and your orphans. Even though I am a Muslim I can see your Gods love in you.”!? This time I received a smile and a hug and a ride back to the airport in the morning!! God Loves the world! and I love Christmas!!

Tom

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Dear Ones,

Tom called Christmas Eve night from the Philippines and he sounded wonderful! In fact, there was a lot of noise in the background and when I asked where he was he said he was at the Mall at McDonald’s with all the kids for Christmas! In the morning he had a couple hours of fun in the gym with everyone. He was really excited to see how some of the boys have improved their unicycle skills! He plans on taking a couple of them with him to the south to travel with the basketball team.

Tom arrived late on Christmas Eve in the PI and had already heard some encouraging news about his case. Apparently, the governor wants to see him after Christmas. He was the one we originally thought would “take care” of this problem and he wasn’t able to. But he has gained some courage apparently and is more interested in doing something. One reason might be news of a public rally of local pastors that promise to make a scene in front of the court house should they try to arrest Tom! This would make the whole thing very public which I’m sure the prosecutor would not want. Tom and I both think they picked the wrong guy to pick on!

For now though Tom is being shadowed by one of the guards from the orphanage. He is being followed wherever he goes by a man with a shotgun! So with lots of eyes watching out for him he is content and feels reassured that his safety is good. He is still planning on going to the south for a couple of weeks to travel with a visiting basketball team.

Thank you for your prayers for him and for me. I am in Michigan with family for a few days and am enjoying the White Christmas! I’ll try to send out updates as I get them from Tom. Communication might be a bit more difficult this trip because he is going somewhere new. But he will call when he can I am sure.

And to just add to the fun here is a short note from Bebs, Toto’s wife, that I got just today.

Karen

HI MA’M KAREN,

HOW ARE YOU? HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS,,…

UNCLE TOM ASKED ME TO E-MAIL YOU, TO LET YOU KNOW THAT HE ‘S OKEY….AND TO LET YOU KNOW ALSO OF HIS INJURED DURING HIS PRACTICE OF UNICYCLE WITH THE BOY’S OF SANKEY…HE BUMP HIS ON THE FLOOR,HIS FINGER WAS SWOLLEN.,HIS KNEE WAS CUT A LITTLE BIT,…..

PRAISE GOD,!! HE’S STILL ALIVED……….BUT HE’S VERY HAPPY TO SEE THE KIDS HERE AND VERY INJOY TO WATCH THEM WHILE THEY ARE PLAYING GAMES.,DON’T WORRY WE TAKE CARE OF HIM………..

YOU AND TOM ,ARE GOD’S BLESSING’S TO US,,,THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE KINDNESS , WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU……GOD BLESS.,..

LOTS OF LOVE,

BEBS

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