One of my favorite lovey dovey songs is “Stolen” by Dashboard Confessional (main chorus “you have stolen my heart”). It’s the first song that comes to mind when I think about this boy I met here in Mindanao. His name is “Alex”, he’s six months old, a chunker, adorable as all get out! This month the I-squad is serving at New Faith Family Chilren’s Home in Malaybalay, Philippines!
We have several different opportunities to pursue but our main ministry is providing extra hands in the nursery at the children’s home. There are 3 infants and 5 toddlers that live at this home, in addition to the 15 or so older kids that live in this one heavenly place. There were previously four house parents to take care of them 24/7 but now they are down to just 2. Thanks to the 26 of us being here, we’ve broken down the 24 hours into different shifts each day. So everyone has a chance to change stinky diapers, give baths, feed bottles and put the little ones down to sleep.
I must say that when I discovered we were working with really young children, including a one-week old infant, I was apprehensive. The last infant I really helped out with was my youngest sister, Diana, and that was back in high school. I just assume that little kids don’t like me…I have no idea where that thinking got started. But can I just tell you know…I grab as many shifts as my body can handle. As I mentioned earlier, one of the infants is named “Alex”. He’s a beautiful bundle of joy and I can’t explain how much I care for him. He fits perfectly into my arms and it’s a pain to let him go each day. I’ll go up to the nursery just to visit him before I got to bed. Often when I’m lying down for a nap or for bed at night, I can almost feel or imagine him there on my chest falling to sleep too. He’s so precious and I feel so blessed to love on him as much as I can while I’m here.
I don’t know how the house parents have the strength to care and love not just one, but so many children at one time. Sometimes it’s a challenge for all of us. We have to have at least 3-4 racers in the room at one time just to handle all of the running around that goes on. Please pray that while we are here this month, that the 2 house parents get some much needed rest and time off as they can get.
Also, another prayer request, the infants have gotten colds/illnesses quickly and one-by-one the racers are catching them as well. This means less hands available and we have to keep away from the little ones. Pray that our bodies are healed quickly and remain protected from such illnesses the rest of the time we’re here. I currently have a sinus infection/cold and it’s wearing me out because I can’t breath or sleep well at night. I’m missing Alex terribly and it’s not fun at all. Also, two of our racers (though nothing has been confirmed just yet) most likely have dengue. They are completely wiped out and could really use prayer right now. God is the great physician and has His eye on them! Thanks for your prayers for all of us!
The next blog will go into more detail about the other outreaches we’re involved in. 🙂
Let’s Race!
