Its more fun in the Philippines! The saying is true. Ive been here for a month and a half and I love it! Im staying in Rizal Province in Manila. I’m not a city girl at all but I’ve really enjoyed living here! We are partnering with an organization called KIM (Kids International Ministry) and staying at their base on this island which they call the YMC. The YMC is like a hostel/community center. All the teams that come down here to partner with them stay here, but people just passing through or people that are working with a different organization can stay here too. This organization was started and run by the Long family. They are incredible and have such a heart for kids. They opened a kids home right down the street from the YMC which is where we spend a lot of our time.
There is so much opportunity here. Community kids are always waiting at the gate to come swim and play so we can bring them in to use the pool or color or watch movies. We can bring the kids home kids over to play too or just hang out there. Every morning and evening there are feedings that go on as well. For feedings we just drive to a certain location (different place every day of the week) and we give the people there bowls of a very nutrient rich soup, clean up any wounds, and play with children there.Josie, one of the Longs daughters, started a home for abused girls and they come to the YMC a lot so we’ve been able to build relationships with those girls.
Its been so good to feel apart of a community, and to feel needed by a ministry. Another great thing about the ministry is that is doesn’t really even feel like ministry. It feels like life. It feels like just building relationships and loving people. The Philippines is preparing me for home so much. My life here is just life. And when I go home my life will just be life. I’m not a missionary doing ministry in the Philippines. Im just a broken girl thats living for God in the Philippines.
Thank you so sosososo much again to all of you who have supported me and allowed me to do this. I am so extremely thankful! Also, I meant to send thank you letters to you all before I left 7 months ago but didn’t finish them in time so Ive had them with me all year and have been meaning to send them. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to send them in El Salvador because of shipping, and Malawi didn’t have a place to send them where I was. BUT know that you are all so loved and you will get your thank you letters eventually!
