This is about Sept. 11th and 12th mostly.
We arrived in the Philippines at 3 something in the morning on September 11th. It was hot and humid even early in the am. After waiting just a short while we loaded up our stuff and ourselves into buses, got to the place we’re staying, and got situated.
We had breakfast at 8:00 am. Jeff talked to us after breakfast. The squad organized it, so one team is in charge of cleaning after meals on a certain day and one team is in charge of devotions with the children on a different specific day. Team Selah cleans on Saturdays and does devos on Tuesdays. Our off day is Monday.
Then one team went to do a feeding, and the rest of the squad got orientated at the children’s home. We took a tour and learned important things. We got to hang out with the nursery kids and the children.
I was having a tough time, because I wasn’t really connecting with any kids. I love all the children, but something just hadn’t clicked yet. Then Morgan, one of the squad leaders, handed me a lil toddler boy. And connection happened! We had a good time together. And I had the amazing opportunity to feed him 2 meals that day.
Behind where we’re staying, some kids made signs that said I <3 you. It was heartwarming. They’ll shout and wave and get excited when they see us.
My team got to go to the JAZ home, a home for girls and young women, after dinner. We were so jetlagged and worn out, but it was a good time.
Then we all rested.
September 12th was mostly a day of rest and freedom and working on the schedule.
I met 2 women who were using sewing machines to make aprons and pillows in an office where we’re staying. They had 2 little girls with them, one was school age and one was younger. I spent hours hanging out with them. Then they left when the one girl had to go to school.
It was so wonderful just spending time with them and running around and playing. Seeing them smile was magic. One of the ladies told me they come here every day, so I am psyched to spend more time with them.
This cool encounter got me thinking about how I live when I’m at home. I talk about living a missional life wherever I am, but I don’t always actually live it. Here I’m focused on being intentional and making the most of every opportunity and interaction with people. But back home I get busy and maybe a little lazy and kinda just forget that people near me need help, love, and Jesus. I do volunteer and fundraise to help people, but I am not all that intentional outside of these things. I want to come home ready to plan on loving people to the best of my ability every single day. And I need people to hold me accountable to this when I’m back in the States, because it’s easy to say but tough to follow through. I just encourage you to work on being intentional and stepping out of your comfort zone for the sake of the Kingdom and the humans around you, especially if it’s something you haven’t really done before. It is far from easy, but it is good. A cool thing that can help you get started is to do an ATL (Ask the Lord). To do an ATL you just ask the Lord to lead you. It’s great to do at the beginning of your day or during free time. It’ll likely feel a bit awkward at first, but if you keep at it I am so sure there will be dramatic change in your life and lives and you. A big issue we often have is talking to God much more than we listen, so when we do try to listen we don’t always know God’s voice. So ATL-ing is a great way to grow closer to God, grow as a person, and take opportunities you might not have even thought about before. I pray discernment, radical boldness, and crazy love for you.
So we’re getting off to a great start here. I am so excited about our time in Manila and then in Tacloban. Kids International Ministries (KIM) is awesome.
Here’s my schedule ish:
Sunday: Church
Find Ministry (I’ll probably go to the children’s home)
Monday: Off Day!
Tuesday:
6-10 am nursery
2-6 children’s home
Wednesday: 8-12 children’s home
4-8:30 JAZ home
Thursday:
6-10 am nursery
12-4 children’s home
Friday: 8-12 childrens home
6-10 pm JAZ home
Saturday: 9-1 childrens home
2-6 JAZ home
Team Selah does devos with the kids on Tuesdays at 7:00pm, and cleans up after our squads meals on Saturdays.
As always I am so thankful for you and your support!
Much love!
