Where do I begin? This month has been so busy, and such a blessing! The girls and guys are separated for this month of ministry. The guys are doing a lot of manual labor, while the girls are working in the Red Light Districts in different cities. I actually enjoy it a lot. It’s ridiculously hot though. But we’re used to the heat by now.
For our “manistry” we have divided into two groups. Each group is working at an all girls orphanage. These girls are amazing, and extremely intelligent. By living in these orphanages, they are kept safe from falling victim to human trafficking and prostitution.
Caleb, Matt, David, and I are adding on two bathrooms, and some showers to their home. Our mornings begin 
early in an attempt to beat the heat. We’re served breakfast as soon as we arrive, work until lunch, work a bit more, head home for showers, then come back and spend the evening having dinner, playing games, and leading worship services with about 40 girls. Before each meal, the girls quote a Bible verse and then one girl will pray. I have to be honest, it’s humbling for some reason to hear these little girls reciting the Scriptures.
On our day off, we took the girls to the zoo. It didn’t take long for the girls to tug on our heart strings. As we walked through the aquarium and zoo, each guy had a girl or two, or even three who wanted to hold his hand. The girls held our hands the entire day. We quickly realized that we were somewhat of a father figure to them, and that they needed that and were seeking that from us. What an honor. To represent a father figure for these girls. 
This past Sunday, about an hour after we had all come home from church, we received word that a fire had broken out at the church where we had just come from (the girls also live there on that land). So we all loaded up and crammed in the back of a truck and went back to the church. As we were getting closer, we could see the smoke from a five acre fire. For about a minute we had a hose, but the water quickly ran out. The girls helped us by filling buckets of water up from a well while we all ran as fast as we could back and forth doing all we could to put this fire out. We were all praying for God to help us. We were helpless. On our own, it was impossible to put the fire out. We prayed to remain calm, to listen to one another, for the safety of the girls, and for the protection of their property.
There was a muddy pound where the guys filled up some buckets, however, the fire was just a few feet away from that area. Ashes were raining on us, burning pieces of wood were falling from the trees and landing on our backs and necks. It was wild. It was dangerous. I thought it was quite appropriate for “manistry!”
We noticed though, that no one came out to help with the fire. We were the only ones who were there. Who else would have helped these girls? It’s obvious now that God has us here for many reasons, and this was just another one of them.
The property that was on fire belonged to the neighbors. The fire came up to the fence line of the church property (where the girls live) but came no further. As we started to leave, clouds covered the sky and the rain prepared to water the land, promising that it was finished.
This month has been incredible. The guys are unified, having Bible studies as often as possible, holding each other accountable in our walk with the Lord. We’re challenging each other to grow stronger in many areas, as well as providing support along the way. There are so many things happening I can’t even begin to blog about them all.
