The September 2013 Race routes are closing soon. So we thought we'd make sure you know just how special they are. Each of the three remaining routes feature countries where past World Racers have seen God do amazing things. They've left pieces of their hearts in these nations, and their prayer is always the same – for someone else to follow God's call to go continue the work where they left off.
Today's featured country is the Philippines. The Philippines is a World Race favorite, and many Racers who've been there say it was the country that most impacted them. We hear stories like this one from Emily Chant, of the September 2012 L Squad – stories of how God can use one person giving one month to save a life.
She's nine months old and only weighs nine pounds.
The one-month-old baby next to her weighs far more than her. I met her just over a week ago at Tondo Medical Center. Her name is, Ayesha.
When I met Ayesha, it seemed as if my world was transformed. I couldn't take my eyes off this beautiful baby, God's creation, who was dying of malnutrition.
As I held her, she writhed and whimpered in pain. She had no strength to her. I could see every bone in her very fragile body.
I left that night in solitude with silent tears streaming down my face. Knowing this little girl was being set up for death. Yes, she was in the hospital. But she's been left there to die, because her family is unable to afford any of the prescriptions or treatments to aid in her recovery.
I posted her picture on Facebook, and a few days later I had a message waiting from a friend back home. She said that she wanted to sponsor Ayesha's recovery. I quickly told our pastor, and we went to visit Ayesha the next morning.
I met Ayesha's mother and father, and told them we were there to help. I told them a friend of mine is willing to help their daughter. Ayesha's mom, Geraldine, told me she had been in the chapel of the hospital for over a week begging God for help for her daughter. I assured her this was his answer to her prayer. I was overwhelmed that God was using me to answer the prayers and cries of this Filipino woman.
We quickly got the needed prescriptions for Ayesha and discovered that the next step in her recovery would be a blood transfusion. A procedure that most likely costs thousands in the States, can be done for $40 in the Philippines. After some tests and lab work, we got news the next day that the doctors were ready for Ayesha to get the blood transfusion.
And that is when I broke.
It was at that realization, I felt that the life of this little girl was in my hands. I was terrified. I was scared that if the transfusion did not go well, she would die.
As I cried talking to the pastor and his wife about what to do, they encouraged me that this was the right step for her and that the procedure needed to happen as quickly as possible.
So only minutes later, we were heading to the hospital to pay for the transfusion. After reassurance from the doctors, we gave them the go ahead for the transfusion and left.
We left not knowing what could happen, putting our fear into the very hands of God.
The next day, I went back to the hospital to visit Ayesha. As I walked in her room, she was smiling – the first smile I've seen on her face. The procedure went well, and she is doing much better than when I first met her.
God is changing my life through the story of Ayesha. I do not feel adequate to be his hands and feet to this little one, but he has asked me to. It has brought me to my knees in dependence on him. It has caused great brokenness as I am too weak to care for this girl on my own.
But the joy of seeing that first smile of hers surpasses all brokenness and pain. Every time I visit her, I still walk into her room afraid she may not be there. But she's been there every time. God has her in the palm of His hands.
I will never be the same. I have so much love for this little one that I will leave this country different from when I came. I will be leaving a bit of my heart in this country.
In the months since she met Ayesha, Emily has continued to post updates on her story. Ayesha is now a healthy, thriving baby because Emily answered God's call to reach out and help her.
Ayesha in December 2012 and March 2013
There are so many other children like Ayesha in the Philippines, dying of simple illnesses that could be cured by an intervention like Emily's. We've heard many Racers' stories of how there is a child alive today because they followed God to the Philippines.
And you could be next.
The September 2013 Route 2 begins in the Philippines, and you can start your Race confronting poverty and illness with the miraculous love of God. If you feel like God is calling you to pick up where Emily left off, you can apply here.
