On April 3rd I woke up in the Philippines. That night I ate
dinner and slept in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. The
next day I caught a plane; that night and the night of the 5th I
laid my head down in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia. Then
the morning of the 6th I caught a six hour bus ride to where I will
be spending the next three weeks, Siem
Reap, Cambodia.
It’s during those times on the World Race when I have to manually hit the pause
button, step back and ask myself, is this
really my life?! I am sure those
back home would say, That is awesome!
And it is. I mean, how many people can say a statement like that, but sometimes
I get overwhelmed. I mean, I have not spoken to my family in more than a week,
I have barely processed through my time in the Philippines and now I am whisked
away to something else, somewhere else. But that is how life with God is
sometimes; one huge mysterious adventure after another. Life with God in the
driver’s seat is crazy, and He is teaching me to embrace and love the crazies.
So here are the updates and highlights as I process through
my last week of the Philippines.
We went to the dump under the over pass in Marikina one last time on Tuesday March 30th. It was bitter sweet. Pastor Bong and Pastor
Mike came with us that day and spoke to the people as we all gathered around a
50+ gallon drum. They were explaining the meaning of water baptism to those who
had previously professed to putting their faith in Christ the week of our skit
outreach. After they spoke the 25 new believers eagerly lined up, professing
their faith once again to everyone who was around and our Baptism service
began! I personally baptized two of the kids that I had become close with.
Afterwards I pulled two of the girl aside and two ladies joined. I began
speaking to them about how “Today, your lives have changed.” As I spoke they
began to cry. I told them they were dearly loved by a God who has given them
the power to live a life free of addiction and abundant. To me their tears were
such a testimony to the sincerity of their commitment to Jesus. It was
beautiful. I prayed the power of the Holy Spirit over them and they received
it.
After our last visit to the dump we went to the Children’s
Garden for a goodbye dinner and time of games, laughter and music! Again this
was another bittersweet time. The boys had changed so much. They went from
quiet, timid, distant strangers to joyful, loving, boys that have grown so much
in their relationship with Christ. They have grown so so so dear to our hearts!
This night there was a wonderful feast. Then each boy had written letters to us
and some of the boys read them out loud to show us how much they loved us and
would miss us. They spoke blessings over us, and each person in our group
received a small hand-made book that either a boy or a staff member had made
for us. Inside the book was a group picture of the boys and blank pages that we
could use as a journal. It is probably the most special gift I have received on
the World Race. After this we broke into our small groups and once again we had
the opportunity prophesy and speak life over each boy and then pray for them.
God’s words to them were powerful. I could identify with Paul as he spurred on
his “children in Christ” to walk in a way worthy of their call and to keep running
the race, or fighting the good fight.
Then after all the sappy, feel-good moments they decided that
if we were to be considered true Pilipinas we needed to have a special
initiation. All those who stay in the Philippines for at least month have
to undergo this special initiation to complete the process of becoming true
Pilipina. Balut. They asked for 10 volunteers. Unknowingly I volunteered,
quickly regretting the decision. They had bought 10 balut for us. Balut (pronounced
Bah-loot) for those who do not know is a fertilized duck egg that is then
boiled. So if you will please imagine hard-boiled egg complete with beak, feet,
feathers, eyes, and embryonic fluid which is called the “soup” that you must
first drink out of the top of the egg before continuing to crack it, and then
shoving the whole thing in your mouth, chew diligently before you choke it
down. Amanda Glenn, one of my most beloved teammates and I decided we would
undergo this challenge together. This was the night that our friendship absolutely
solidified. (You know when you were little before you knew anything about
disease, and you and your best friend pricked your fingers, put them together
and therefore made a pact that you were “blood brothers”?! Well, Balut brought
us even closer than this!) Balut sisters!
I have left a large
portion of my heart in the Philippines.
Please continue to pray for the boys at the CG, our friends in Marikina, and precious little Sara, who God continues to protect and provide for.
