If you missed part 1 please read here Part 1: Girls Trip
After a 2 hour bus ride and passing through 2 security gates we had arrived at Wipe Every Tear, nestled within a quaint subdivision. We unloaded and were greeted by Ate (ah-tay) Jane who gave us a run down of the organization and got us moved into our residence for the month, the Faith house. This was one of 3 houses where 40 women who had courageously stepped out of the red light district in Angeles City live. 23 girls, 2 children, 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. We were in for a treat.
When we found out our ministry in the Philippines I wasn’t flooded with a million thoughts, I didn’t have an abundance of expectations, the only thing that came to mind was “how do I relate to these women, we come from 2 completely different worlds with entirely different past experiences.”
Once we got settled in we spent time hanging out with some of the girls. “Analyn” was one of the first ones I connected with. We sat outside making small talk while she worked on a school project. She casually mentioned that her birthday was in a week and I asked what she had planned. “Spending time praying,” she said. “I am so thankful for a new life.” This was one of many reality checks I had this month that caused me to appreciate my life with new perspective.
As days passed by, my team and I learned to adjust to their daily schedules. Girls waking up at 4:30am to head to school, the precious 2 year old waking up screaming at the top of his lungs. Random karaoke parties that lasted hours, playful wrestling between “Lea” and “Zhaira” and the thick aroma of roasted garlic in the air as they prepared lunch.
Never in my life have I lived in a constant community such as this and never have I been so exhausted. Not the “I just need a few more hours of sleep” exhausted but “I literally have nothing more to give and Jesus I need you to come through” exhausted. Who knew love could wear you out this much? This is exactly where God wants us. At the end of ourselves so that He can take over and do more than we could have on our own. I experienced a level of dependance on Christ like never before. At the end of a long day I had these amazing women craving love that I couldn’t give and giving love I didn’t have room to receive. God showed up in those moments and it was amazing!
They opened their hearts up to us and my heart broke when I heard their stories. Stories of pain and abuse, vulnerability taken advantage of and childhoods stripped away. I found myself faced with a dilemma; whether to mourn or to rejoice. My heart hurt for them and the things they’ve had to endure yet when I was with them there was nothing but laughter and thanksgiving. Who was I to stop and mourn for something when the person who actually lived through it was filled with abundant joy for life? Yes, I acknowledged what they’d been through but I chose to join them in laughter and dance and praise. I think back to our first nightly devotion when my eyes scanned the room as over 40 women were crammed in a tiny living room singing their hearts out to Jesus. Not once was I able to see these woman and the past they had endured. I saw women who were redeemed, given a second chance at life and had taken it by the horns.
These woman have dreams of finishing school, opening up restaurants, building schools that can help kids get the proper education they need, being missionaries and offering other girls the freedom they received.
God is teaching me to be one of few words and to listen more. To let go of my expectations but to expect Him to show up big. I think back to Nicaragua and my hesitation with moving to a completely different culture after spending 2 months in Central America. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to it. But God knows what we need and desire. I never would have thought I would fall in love with the Philippines like I did and I would walk away with 40 new sisters who would completely wreck my world, open my heart in new ways and teach me so much.
I learned that when two worlds collide the love that can manifest is incredible; if you are willing to let it.
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-Please continue to pray for the work that is being done at Wipe Every Tear. -Please pray for those being affected by the typhoon.
-Also, I am only have $2,492 left until I am fully funded. Please consider donating!!
