This month my team and I are volunteering in The Philippines at a home for children that have been removed from their homes due to varying adverse circumstances.
There are four homes on the compound, each divided by the age and sex of the children. Several animals roam the grounds, including: goats, ducks, dogs, and cats. The tropical landscape bursts with bright reds, oranges, greens, and yellows. The beautiful scenery, however, pales in comparison to the vibrancy of the Filipino people. Joy seems to be the very air that they breathe. I have been so blessed by the warmth and hospitality of my new family.
Each night we are able to individually spend the evening at one of the homes. Last night I ate dinner with the older boys and I have to say that it was a time I will never forget.
Our dinner consisted of chicken, noodles, watermelon, rice, rice, and more rice. Dinner was followed by a nice cup of coffee and an ear full of teenage-boy banter. Afterwards, the boys ran into their room and blasted the soundtrack to Disney’s Frozen. I joined them and we began singing and dancing wildly throughout the house. Soon, the boys had sheets around their necks and were strutting down our make believe catwalk, throwing down their capes quite passionately as they reached the end of the runway. Laughter filled the house as these Filipino boys fearlessly belted out the lyrics to “Let It Go” while the star of the show, their little sister, twirled around in her white and red sundress. All I could think as I soaked it all in was:
THIS is what I was made for.
I’ve felt it since we arrived on Sunday. It’s the same feeling I get when my pen hits the page or when I’m holding a paintbrush. It’s the same feeling I get when I’m sharing Jesus with the lost or reminding my brothers and sisters of their identity as sons and daughters of The Most High King. In those moments I am so full of His love that I often feel as if I’m about to explode. His presence comes flooding in as I feel the accomplishment of my purpose–to bring Him glory.
It might seem insignificant to be dancing around the house with a bunch of teenage boys, but I believe it’s in those simple moments of holy chaos that glory is brought. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I would spend the rest of my life doing such if that’s what it took. Because the beautiful thing about bringing Him glory is that He doesn’t keep it, He pours it back out on you!!!
Here I stand, basking in the light of His glory!!!
