Hello from Manila, Philippines!
Wow, I can’t believe I am finally on The World Race and able to say that. I’ve been living here for a week and I already love this place and these people so much. It’s incredible how quickly a place can steal your heart.
Within an hour of stepping off our plane (which we had been on for 14 hours… phew) I was able to minister to someone. While my squad was waiting outside the airport for our host to pick us up, I noticed that we had accidentally surrounded an elderly Filipino man (which isn’t hard to do since theres 38 of us). I smiled and apologized to which he said was fine and welcomed us to the Philippines. Thankfully he spoke English and the conversation continued. His name was Manuel, he had been living in California with his daughter, and this was his first time home in 8 years. His excitement was visible when he said “there is no place like home.” He said he came back to help take care of his 12 children, 18 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren (wow!) and because he was sick. Of course I asked Manuel what he was sick with and it turns out that he has COPD and because of it he is too weak and in too much pain to work or travel. Earlier that night while journaling on the plane I had asked The Lord to give me divine opportunities… I knew my first opportunity was to pray for Manuel. I asked him if I could, and he very willingly said yes. When I finished he was so incredibly grateful and through tears said “you make my eyes wet.” That touched my heart deeply. He went on to tell me that he also loves and serves Jesus Christ and that he prays daily for renewed health, but knows that The Lord will always provide even if he is never healed of his condition. I wish I could say that he was miraculously healed right then and there, but he was not. Thankfully, we serve a sovereign God and I know he worked through my encounter with this man regardless of his physical health.
We arrived at our host home around 5 AM and ministry started right away. We are staying in a beautiful missionary complex in the middle of a Filipino village and working with Kids International Ministries. This organization is amazing and we have multiple opportunities to bless the people of Manila.
Most days I work in the orphanage with kids ranging from 5 to 12-years-old. I also work in the orphanage nursery (with 6 babies and 9 crazy toddlers) some mornings and also some night shifts. Currently most of the babies are very sick (two are at the hospital), so please keep them in your prayers. I already love those kids so much, I wish I could give them all a forever family.
4 days a week I serve at the JAZ home, which is a ministry that houses 35 young girls (Angles) who have been abused sexually, physically, and emotionally. They get to live there free of charge and are taught about their heavenly Father and the meaning of family. Josie, the 24-year-old who started and runs JAZ, is one of the most kind-hearted and passionate women I have ever met and loves these girls so well and so deeply, its inspiring. I am thrilled that I get to be apart of what she is doing in the lives of the Angles and am so grateful to pour into them… whether that be dancing around the living room or spending time with one of the girls that had to be hospitalized for a few days. I couldn’t be happier to have 35 new Filipino sisters!
On Tuesdays I serve at the Pregnancy Clinic where women can come to get free weekly check ups. Typically I record the women’s blood pressure, weight, the babies heart beat and age of gestation, etc. But yesterday I was able to be apart of one of God’s many miracles… I helped deliver a sweet baby boy! Knowing that The Lord had ordained this little babies life since before time began and that I was able to be a part of his first moments was incredible and humbling. It is definitely something that I will never forget. Please join me in praying for PJ and his mama, Anne!
Once a week my team leads devotions at the children’s home and then at the JAZ house. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we take part in feedings, which happen twice a day at 9 AM and 4 PM in various communities in Manila. We take food to one of the poverty stricken communities and feed 200+ people, give them medical care, and spend time with them to let them know that they are loved and that they matter. Feedings are one of my favorite ministries so I often tag along with other teams even on my off days just because I love it so much.
Even when I am not at one of my assigned ministries, there is always opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Right outside the gate of our host home there are hundreds of people longing to be loved and to be known. Prayer walks through the village are a regular thing. No matter the time of day, there are always tons of little Filipino kids who are ecstatic to see us, jumping on us as soon as they can reach us. And they love to play for hours and hours. Walking through the village I often here little voices yelling from across the street “Ate (sister)/Tita (Aunt) Alissa!” It makes my heart so happy.
I am so humbled and amazed by what my life looks like right now. I am in a breathtakingly beautiful country, on the other side of the world, serving with an incredible organization, and living amongst 38 great friends and an entire community of Filipinos. The Lord is working in incredible ways here and I am so thankful that He chose me to be apart of it. He is a good good Father! Thank you for your continual support and prayers for me, my team, and the wonderful people of the Philippines.
