You read the thoughts I struggled through at the beginning of this month in my last blog. As I look back on the month I am not sure I made myself as vulnerable as I would have liked, but I am not at all disappointed. The Philippines was so great. As I mentioned last time, everything must be compelled by love. I asked God to give me a love for the people here and He answered. That was the only way I could do anything this month. Things are always better when He gives me His heart for the people.
I ended up spending the majority of my time with women in the community. Esther and Elizabeth led a women’s bible study and I met many women there. I didn’t do anything powerful, I just loved them and spoke truth to them whenever I could. I also went to the prisons a couple times. The women there were so precious. It was amazing the way they opened up to us. They were so hungry for love and for the Word. We went in their cells and climbed up on their beds to talk with them. They said it was different with us. Usually groups would not come in the cells, but we got in there and engaged with these women. We sung and danced and prayed. It was beautiful.
Some other amazing things that took place was a huge community Block Party. There were hundreds of children there. It was a perfect way to continue the relationship of the Longs and their mission with the local community. We shared the gospel through a DRIME (drama to music), after which Sean spoke. We also hosted a party to honor and thank all the Filipino staff that work at the children’s home, the school and the house where we
lived.
So, as the month went on, I realized that it is really just about honoring and glorifying Christ in everything you do. It is not about doing some amazing, exciting thing. That is definitely great. But it is about having a heart posture of glorifying Him in the little things, the big things and everything in between.
I prayed for many people to be healed. We hugged and loved hundreds of children. We spoke the truth of the gospel to men, women and children. We simply spent time with the community. I did not see huge, instantaneous miracles, but they did take place. I didn’t open my eyes after praying to see someone healed. But there were healings – not what I had in mind, but that is not what it is about. God does it in His timing, in His way – I just had to open my eyes and see that.
Thank you Jesus, for every prayer of healing that was answered, regardless of whether I saw it with my own eyes. Thank you for every heart that surrendered to you, regardless of what our physical eyes could see. Thank you for every seed that was planted and every heart that was changed. Thank you that people experienced your love this month. Thank you that people were changed. Thank you that you are not leaving the Philippines and that your love and presence will continue to change people. Thank you for miracles. All glory to you.
