I'm spending my last bit of time at Open Door- the place that invaded my heart 3 years ago. These kids still invade my heart- with every smile, with ever hug, with every word. It doesn't take much. I was blown away just last night when we got the surprise the older girls had been promising us for days. We were led up to the third floor, blindfolded. When allowed to take off the blindfolds we were amazed to see a beautiful tea party made for us. It was exquisite. We drank tea, ate goodies, danced and sang, shared and cried, and had one of the most memorable nights of the summer. It reminded me of why I come back year after year, it reminded me of why God called me to the Philippines. Everytime I look into the eyes of beautiful Ate Tess or sweet Joana or sassy Juday I see Christ's love. I see my heart, and I can't help but desire for the next time I come back, I can't wait to be here with these people again sharing God's love with the hungry, the lonely, the brokenhearted, the abandoned, the lost.
It's hard to believe I will leave to go home in just a few days. To me, this summer was a blink of an eye. I don't know if is because I traveled so much or if it is because of the peace I have when I am in this country. Everything is natural here, even when I am stared at. My skin may be white, and my nose my be long, and my hair may be light brown, but Pinoy Ako I am. :)
Thank you God for the amazing opportunity you have given me to serve you here again in the Philippines. Continue to use your children, of every race, to minister around the world and lead others to You and make disciplese of all nations.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Back at New Faith Family
Whoo Wee! What a place to be for my second to last stop. They will keep you going here at New Faith. While I've gotten the chance to make tons of new friends this time around, it's been so great to minister more to the kids and now also to the Angels of Josie's Angels. If you don't know who the Angels are then you need to visit our team website http://www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com/ and find New Faith Family and look for the blog on Josie's Angels. It's been fun spending time with the Angels and one of their "moms" Cindi who is in fact American. She's a great role model for the girls and has also been someone for the team to go to for spiritual advice. I've also gotten to hang out with the older kids who live in the YMC. These guys and girls are the teenagers and really need the "ate"/ "kuya" influence. It's need to watch the nannies with them and it's been awesome to jump right in there and just how excepting they were to me, especially as teenagers.
Of course the children in the nursery always touch my heart. In fact everytime I sit down and Unis plops down in it and ask me to do "Chubby Bunny" with her it brightens my day. I pray that she will remember things like that. I know I will. I can't forget precious John and his beautiful smile and six toes. I can't forget 5 bonding youngins on the couch watching colorful pictures on the TV that would never amuse an American child. I can't forget bath time and the way I get more wet than the kids.
I will never forget the way Shelby lights up when she meets a new person and gets the opportunity to share with them why she is so happy or how she can be super tired but walk into a room full of kids and you'd never know she was even tired! I will never forget Heather and the way she is able to dig into the word and God instantly speaks to her or how she can hold two big babies at one time- super Tita! I will never forget Kaitlyn and her cheerleader self giggling with the kids as if she were one herself or how when it's time to go somewhere she is dead set and nothing gets in her way.
New Faith is a great place full of ministry opportunities! Please keep them in your prayers!!!
Of course the children in the nursery always touch my heart. In fact everytime I sit down and Unis plops down in it and ask me to do "Chubby Bunny" with her it brightens my day. I pray that she will remember things like that. I know I will. I can't forget precious John and his beautiful smile and six toes. I can't forget 5 bonding youngins on the couch watching colorful pictures on the TV that would never amuse an American child. I can't forget bath time and the way I get more wet than the kids.
I will never forget the way Shelby lights up when she meets a new person and gets the opportunity to share with them why she is so happy or how she can be super tired but walk into a room full of kids and you'd never know she was even tired! I will never forget Heather and the way she is able to dig into the word and God instantly speaks to her or how she can hold two big babies at one time- super Tita! I will never forget Kaitlyn and her cheerleader self giggling with the kids as if she were one herself or how when it's time to go somewhere she is dead set and nothing gets in her way.
New Faith is a great place full of ministry opportunities! Please keep them in your prayers!!!
It is Merely an Adventure?
Do you like adventure? Do you enjoy being out of your comfort zone? Do you enjoy having to rely on strangers, foreign strangers? Do you like having to trust God fully? Do you enjoy traveling on foot, then on public transportation- crowded transportation? Do you enjoy having to maybe get sweaty, really sweaty? Do you enjoy having to smell because of the places you might have to walk through? Do you look forward to sharing your testimony, your faith, with random strangers that have no hope?
If any of this appeals to you than you are fit to join God in the over important task of testifying to the gospel of His grace. There are still over 2,000 unreached people groups left and none of them are easy. He said he will have representatives from every group at Judgement Day. Will you join Him in getting the task done or are you going to sit back and live out the "American Dream"? "Let someone else go- I'm not called." Just imagine them burning in hell for a few minutes and thing again... What's more important- our comfort zone or people's eternal destiny?
If any of this appeals to you than you are fit to join God in the over important task of testifying to the gospel of His grace. There are still over 2,000 unreached people groups left and none of them are easy. He said he will have representatives from every group at Judgement Day. Will you join Him in getting the task done or are you going to sit back and live out the "American Dream"? "Let someone else go- I'm not called." Just imagine them burning in hell for a few minutes and thing again... What's more important- our comfort zone or people's eternal destiny?
Gentle Hands
1 boy + 3 girls united together to serve 80+ orphans ranging from tiny babies to 23 years old. Does this task seem hard? Well of course, but this team isn't faint of heart.
Spending time at Gentle Hands was quite an experience. It's the biggest in quantity that I have worked with but equal in loving children and ministering to the needs of the people.
While at Gentle Hands, I got to be a part of the ministry the team participates in daily. Cory is normally the "manly man" and ministers by working construction and such with the Filipino men. Meanwhile, I jumped in with the girls in the nursery rooms- babies; ones; and twos- fours. I also hung out with the older kids. It was really neat to see Maddie work with Merville who has severe Cerebral Palsy. He has come so far just this summer because of her devotion, love, and commitment. It was fun watching Becky toss kids up in the air and do acrobatic moves with them. Micah looked so maternal holding babies, she made it look easy.
While the team is an array of personalities, there are most certainly fun to serve with in ministry.
Two events stick out to me the most during my time with Gentle Hands. I'd been eying an adorable little light skinned boy named Lex and I remember when he randomly ran into my arms for no apparent reason. I felt "worth a million" because it was a long, long time before he let go. We were buddies from that moment on.
The other thing was when we went to Malabong. It's a city with seven sub areas- non in great condition- we went to the worst of the slums where Ate Cher (the lady who runs the orphanage) has an outreach. As I walked on layers of dirty garbage and cloths it made me sad, but then I saw smiles as I greeted people "Magandang Umaga po." These people are settled in their arrangements. They know where they live. They are happy as long as they have relationship and are healthy. Here it's not about what you have, here it can't be. What they need it health and relationships- with each other and with Jesus.
As we played with the kids and painted the basketball court, I couldn't help but fell a little joy knowing I'd just greated a little fun for them. They deserve that. I prayed that it lifted their spirits. The team will go back on Sunday and they will set up a medical clinic and they will have a worship type servic. My prayer is that as they minister to the physical needs, their spiritual needs will also be met. Pray with me please for the people of Malabong.
Spending time at Gentle Hands was quite an experience. It's the biggest in quantity that I have worked with but equal in loving children and ministering to the needs of the people.
While at Gentle Hands, I got to be a part of the ministry the team participates in daily. Cory is normally the "manly man" and ministers by working construction and such with the Filipino men. Meanwhile, I jumped in with the girls in the nursery rooms- babies; ones; and twos- fours. I also hung out with the older kids. It was really neat to see Maddie work with Merville who has severe Cerebral Palsy. He has come so far just this summer because of her devotion, love, and commitment. It was fun watching Becky toss kids up in the air and do acrobatic moves with them. Micah looked so maternal holding babies, she made it look easy.
While the team is an array of personalities, there are most certainly fun to serve with in ministry.
Two events stick out to me the most during my time with Gentle Hands. I'd been eying an adorable little light skinned boy named Lex and I remember when he randomly ran into my arms for no apparent reason. I felt "worth a million" because it was a long, long time before he let go. We were buddies from that moment on.
The other thing was when we went to Malabong. It's a city with seven sub areas- non in great condition- we went to the worst of the slums where Ate Cher (the lady who runs the orphanage) has an outreach. As I walked on layers of dirty garbage and cloths it made me sad, but then I saw smiles as I greeted people "Magandang Umaga po." These people are settled in their arrangements. They know where they live. They are happy as long as they have relationship and are healthy. Here it's not about what you have, here it can't be. What they need it health and relationships- with each other and with Jesus.
As we played with the kids and painted the basketball court, I couldn't help but fell a little joy knowing I'd just greated a little fun for them. They deserve that. I prayed that it lifted their spirits. The team will go back on Sunday and they will set up a medical clinic and they will have a worship type servic. My prayer is that as they minister to the physical needs, their spiritual needs will also be met. Pray with me please for the people of Malabong.
When Will I Learn
July and August are considered to be the rainiest months of the year in the Philippines. Those months plus June and a couple of others are part of typhoon season. I have been to the Philippines 4 times. I know the rain patterns. I can't even count how many times this summer I have gotten rained on because I refuse to buy an umbrella and I forget to bring my rain jacket. When will I learn my lesson?!?!?!
**** Word of advise- When traveling to the Philippines- always remember to pack an umbrella and/or rain jacket!!*
**** Word of advise- When traveling to the Philippines- always remember to pack an umbrella and/or rain jacket!!*
Dedicated 2 Sophie
Coming to the Philippines you expect to get bicultural but this year I go a bit tricultural. I mentioned in an earlier blog that the people that run Ruel Foundation are New Zealanders. Well as it turned out they have had an 18 year old recent graduate staying with them to do volunteer work. She's one of those people you fall in love with in about 1/2 a second. I told her she was the sweetest person I'd ever met (and I know some sweet people). :) Sophie is a true servant- she would work for free her whole life if it were really possible. Her faith reminds me of George Mueller- a missionary who literally relied on prayer to get him the very basics in life. Sophie is humble. She is kind. She is so selfless. I think of her like a little sister but I have a lot of respect and admiration for her. She wasn't a part of Nehemiah Teams but she was a part of the Ruel Team. In fact all my nannies/mannies met her and fell in love with her spirit immediately.
Sophie and I got to have 2 1/2 days bonding in Manila before she headed home and let me just say New Zealanders are so much fun. :) Plus I think if all Christians had "Sophie spirits" we wouldn't push people away as much. So- so much for me being bicultrural this summer. Thanks to Sophie I'm tri! :)
Sophie and I got to have 2 1/2 days bonding in Manila before she headed home and let me just say New Zealanders are so much fun. :) Plus I think if all Christians had "Sophie spirits" we wouldn't push people away as much. So- so much for me being bicultrural this summer. Thanks to Sophie I'm tri! :)
Again @ Ruel
I was really excited to be back at Ruel. My time there expanded over two different weeks because of our 4th of July break falling in the middle. That was okay though because it's easy to have fun at Ruel.
I got to know the kids more personally this time. Now remember these 20ish kids only span from a month and a half old to 9 years old. Between walks, painting, water play in the swimming pool, birthday parties, giving bottles, and tickle time- I was able to join Mabry, Hannah, Candace, and Katerine in showing these kids love.
A child that really spoke volumes to me was J. She;s a nine year old little girl who gets it, she knows she's an orphan and she understands what's going on. One night we had taken the kids to Jollybee for another child's birthday party and there was a family- a mom, dad, and little girl (about J's age) sitting near us. I couldn't help notice J's constant glances to their table, the longing in her eyes. It broke my heart because she's a smart, beautiful little girl and all she wants is a family to love her.
Though a lot of my time has been serious work, I do fit in a bit of fun! I don't want you to think ALL we do is work. You know I love to have fun! Whether it's eating pork on a stick of a side walk vendor, trapsing through the rain without a jacket or umbrella, taking "Sophiewalks" (long walks) everywhere to save money and get some excercise, playing "futbol" with Tyler and trying to include Candace but she was being the responsible one, team bonding on tricyles, in vans, and over the healing of Mabry's arm- which worked (Thank you God)- there was all kinds of fun at Ruel.
God definitely was using the team there as well. I often found Katherine juggling a baby on one hip while making a bottle with her free hand. I would find Candace sitting with a little one laid over her lap, her gently patting his/her bottom until they fell asleep. She was a pro at that. Hannah knew where every child's clothes went along with their medicine schedules and everything else it seemed, that girl had it going on. And then I'd walk downstairs where I'd find Mabry and the older ones singing a song or playing in the water or talking a walk or playing with paint. She had a way- that Elementary Education major. ;) Though they were all different- their talents worked together and molded perfectly to make the team work. I was impressed.
I am thankful for God using our New Zealand friends to run and mantain the Ruel Foundation- Warren and Pauline and Sandra. Please pray for their ministry. They don't want the need of orphanages- do you? Let's join in prayer for forever families for orphans everywhere.
I got to know the kids more personally this time. Now remember these 20ish kids only span from a month and a half old to 9 years old. Between walks, painting, water play in the swimming pool, birthday parties, giving bottles, and tickle time- I was able to join Mabry, Hannah, Candace, and Katerine in showing these kids love.
A child that really spoke volumes to me was J. She;s a nine year old little girl who gets it, she knows she's an orphan and she understands what's going on. One night we had taken the kids to Jollybee for another child's birthday party and there was a family- a mom, dad, and little girl (about J's age) sitting near us. I couldn't help notice J's constant glances to their table, the longing in her eyes. It broke my heart because she's a smart, beautiful little girl and all she wants is a family to love her.
Though a lot of my time has been serious work, I do fit in a bit of fun! I don't want you to think ALL we do is work. You know I love to have fun! Whether it's eating pork on a stick of a side walk vendor, trapsing through the rain without a jacket or umbrella, taking "Sophiewalks" (long walks) everywhere to save money and get some excercise, playing "futbol" with Tyler and trying to include Candace but she was being the responsible one, team bonding on tricyles, in vans, and over the healing of Mabry's arm- which worked (Thank you God)- there was all kinds of fun at Ruel.
God definitely was using the team there as well. I often found Katherine juggling a baby on one hip while making a bottle with her free hand. I would find Candace sitting with a little one laid over her lap, her gently patting his/her bottom until they fell asleep. She was a pro at that. Hannah knew where every child's clothes went along with their medicine schedules and everything else it seemed, that girl had it going on. And then I'd walk downstairs where I'd find Mabry and the older ones singing a song or playing in the water or talking a walk or playing with paint. She had a way- that Elementary Education major. ;) Though they were all different- their talents worked together and molded perfectly to make the team work. I was impressed.
I am thankful for God using our New Zealand friends to run and mantain the Ruel Foundation- Warren and Pauline and Sandra. Please pray for their ministry. They don't want the need of orphanages- do you? Let's join in prayer for forever families for orphans everywhere.
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