I’ve been in Manila, Philippines since September 11th (or really the 12th since we lost an entire day crossing the dateline) launching Q and R Squads. 74 more World Racers hit the ground a little jet-lagged but hungry for the Kingdom.
I’ve been running around like crazy this week spending time picking people up from the airport, training finance and logistics people as a group and as individuals, briefing teams on ministries and how the office works out logistics, plane tickets, budgets, etc. But its all a joy.
Andi, Allison and I are the three staff that have come to do this launch and we fall into our beds every night (literally) exhausted from the day but fulfilled.
This launch has been special for me because we are at the same ministry that I began my World Race journey two years ago this month. I got to play with some of the same street kids, visit the orphanage where my team spent many days changing diapers and stand over the sink where I washed dishes night after night. Seeing familiar faces and touching familiar places has been a blessing but the best part is celebrating the growth that has happened in the ministry here and knowing that the World Race squads that have come through these doors have been doing some small part to make an impact in this slum community in Manila.
One such story is Baby Jason.
Back in March some racers from the M squad on team Malachi discovered baby Jason in the slum community that they were doing ministry in. He was severely mal-nourished from a cleft palate. After blogging about Jason the racers were connected to Operation Smile who offered to operate on baby Jason to correct his cleft lip and palate. Baby Jason has been awaiting surgery since March because he is too underweight to undergo surgery safely. But now that his mother and siblings are part of a church they are receiving assistance and Jason is gaining weight and making progress!
One connection. One life. Small changes that add up to big impact.
I am so grateful that this is what I have the honor and privilege of doing right now. Traveling around the world training and launching people that are being salt and bringing light to dark places.
The jet lag is a small price to pay.
