[This is one of my journal entries that I typed out to give you an inside look into the Christmas season here in the Philippines]
Day 96- December 13, 2015
So exhausted from yesterday. My whole body is sore. We started the day at 8:00 a.m., going into the villages and handing out gifts to adults…1 mug, 2 things of hotel soap, and 1 blanket. I kept wondering if these were the only gifts some of the people would receive for Christmas. It seemed very likely.
When each person received their gift, they were so happy, and kept saying “Thank you” and “Merry Christmas.” One lady looked me in the eyes and said it was a gift from God. I couldn’t help but feel like I needed to do more. It was barely any soap…surely I could be doing more for them.
We had to walk across a bridge made of a log and a handrail on one side…scary!! At least there was water underneath, but also some jagged rocks. Yikes. I walked with my feet angled for balance. We delivered gifts to 3 houses on the other side of the bridge. The last house had a beautiful dark-skinned lady and a TON of kids, most of them crying. Broke my heart. She was SO friendly and excited when she saw us coming. I doubt she has many visitors since it’s such a treacherous path to get to her house. It was painful to leave her…I wanted to stay longer and hear her story. But we only had a couple hours to deliver lots of gifts, so back across the bridge we went.
There was an older lady by the main road who received a gift, and then she patted herself on the arm to show me a huge tumor-looking thing on her elbow. Looked so painful. God, can’t you heal her? It makes me hurt just to look at it. Another lady sitting in her dark house, trying to hide from us, with a huge swollen neck. When I asked about it, they said the doctors told her there was nothing they could do. Ugh. Lord? Can you do something for her?
A lot of the same kids from yesterday found me again when we were walking through the village, pulling at my arms and hands. Some new girls came, Daphni and Shanelle, and they played with my braid, and managed to say in broken English “you look like Barbie.” More kids surrounded me, touching my bracelet, watch, and necklace. Wanting to sit in my lap and for me to give them piggy-back rides. My arms were breaking (and shaking) from carrying 2 boxes with 8 mugs in each, and later on a box of heavy blankets. Definitely got my upper-body workout for the day. I got really sunburnt…the sun was BLAZING. Victoria’s back was lobster-red.
We delivered gifts for about 4 hours and then came back for lunch. Thinking we had an hour to relax before the Christmas party for the kids began, each of my teammates started to lay down for a nap…but then the kids started coming to the party early…I guess they couldn’t contain their excitement. The kids poured into the property…the line of kids to register for the party was all the way to the main road. Once all the kids were registered and received their cotton candy/ice cream, they heard the Christmas story and sang Christmas songs like “Joy to the World.” The birth of Jesus and the hope he brings to the world was emphasized to all the kids. When it was time for games, I helped with the 4-7 age group. We played “pin the tail on the donkey,” except it was “pin the baby Jesus in the manger” which was hilarious. A couple kids started to cry once they realized they didn’t win the game. I calmed them down as best as I could. The big paper snowflakes I made yesterday were hung up around the property for decoration. Awesome. They looked fabulous I must say.
After the story, songs, and games, each of the kids received their own cupcake and dipped it in Hershey’s chocolate, and then put 4 “Nips” (like M&M’s) on top for decoration. Oh wow, their faces when they did this. So precious. Pure joy. Genuine amazement. Then we passed out a meal in a to-go box to each child. When we were passing out their meal and drink, a song was playing over the loudspeaker that says “Thank you” over and over again…all the kids were singing it in their language…it was so magical…I got emotional, along with some other girls on my team. The kids were so appreciative, and so filled with joy when they got their food. Let the tears fall I guess.
Then came the time they were all waiting for…the PRESENTS!!! Little kids first, they lined up and came through the receiving area. I handed out quite a few presents, making sure to look each child in the eyes and give a warm smile and a “Merry Christmas.” It was so cute to see the tiny kids trying to hold their big shoebox present plus their food box.
The whole day was really joyful and heartbreaking at the same time. We had more than 500 kids with about 30 staff/helpers, so it was very chaotic…but it was all worth it because the kids heard the story of the birth of Jesus. That’s hope right there. I pray they always remember that as the best Christmas gift in the world. Thank you Lord for all the staff, who had most of the activities already planned…my team and I mainly just helped with the execution of the plan. With a splitting headache, I took an early shower, popped some Tylenol PM, and was out by 8:30. That’s what you call a successful day.
[END JOURNAL ENTRY]
Reflecting on this day brings a big smile to my face. Exhausting, yes. Rewarding, extremely yes. Back home my Sunday School class purchases items and puts together shoebox presents together. I never imagined I would be on the other side, to be able to hand-deliver the presents to the actual children who would open the gifts and enjoy the goodies inside.
Something that God has revealed to me this week is from 1 Corinthians 3:7-9 (NLT)- It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
What does this mean? In this situation, it means that the one who puts together the shoebox back in the US will be rewarded just as much as the person who is in the foreign country handing out the presents. Neither is greater than the other. Both are necessary to grow the Kingdom. Both bring glory to God. God is pleased with both when they are done with humble hearts. Also, it’s a good reminder that God is the only one who can make the seed grow. I can’t save people…only God can do that. I can help people and show them Christ’s love, but I can’t force anyone to do anything.
I’m very thankful that God gave me the opportunity to be on the other side of the Christmas shoebox presents. I don’t know where I’ll be next Christmas season, but I’m excited to see what God has in store for us.
