I've given this blog the title "the 11th Challenge" because quite honestly, day in and day out, the World Race is a challenge. Whether its the fact that sometimes it gets hard on the field, or maybe your challenging yourself to give it your all. Or perhaps someone is challenging you in a frog hunting contest (this actually did happen) or you're challenging kids who've never spoken english to read. Maybe you're scheduled to leave the country in 3 days, and you have a mural to finnish painting, or all the goodbyes you have to say… It's always somehow related to a challenge. But really, if it wasn't challenging, then I don't think we here on the World Race are doing our job. So here's what this months challenges have in store for me. Enjoy:
Wow, 11 in 11 almost up. I can’t believe there are only 18 more days left here on the field, and then poof it’s all done!
This month I’ve made it to the Philippines, and I’m loving it here. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the incredible amount of heat, and my already purchased ticket to return to America, I would just stay here for an extra couple months! I love the people, the Ministry, the possibilities for involvement, and the food! I hope to someday return back here, but for now, I’m gunna’ focus on the fact that I AM here and I’m gunna’ give it my all.
Often times during transition from one country to another, I’ll take a few moments in the airport to escape from all the people. Or maybe just sit quiet in the airplane and take a few moments to myself to make some goals for myself for the upcoming month. Well, this month was difficult for me. It’s really a bittersweet thing. I started to realize that on one hand I’ll be leaving everything I’ve known for the last 11 months. I’ll be leaving my new found friends, and family here on the race. I’ll be leaving tropical climates, and incredible foods. I’ll be leaving the oversea’s missions fields. But on the other hand I’ll be reunited with friends and family back home. I’ll have my own bed, reliable internet, electricity and running water… and I’m really looking forward to having my independence and a vehicle 🙂
As I sat there I just wondered ‘what do I want out of this last month’? After coming out of Cambodia, which I clearly struggled with, I was a bit at a loss for what to start focusing on. But I found myself not wanting to hold back, and it scared me at first because i was tired!
But in truth, I want to give my all this month, so that I can look back and say “I poured everything into the last month”. I want to bless others by serving them, and being joyful. I want to be a blessing by using my talents to help out around here. I don’t really want to take time to have long off days and sleep in. I want to push hard, I mean I can rest when I get home right? haha.
So with this new found ‘zeal’, I’ve taken on a lot of responsibility. Here’s a little of what I’ve been up to while here:
- I’ve been a cook (celebrating the early send off of a fellow squad mate – we had mexican *YUM*)
- I’ve been a pharmacist (I was able to help with a doctor who’s from the philippines, but lives in the DR, and has returned to help out. Well he saw over 400 people this last week, and I helped fill prescriptions, including vitamins, antibiotics, and pain killers)
- I’ve been a food and clothing distributor (We visited 4 different garbage dump communities this last week and helped hand out food and clothing to anyone who wanted it. Mostly women and children came to see the doctor or receive food).
- I’ve been a designer/carpenter/decorator (the organization I’m at this month has a need for a secure place where they can have items, that people from the community have made, be displayed and sold. So we’re putting up a wall, painting the room, building shelves, and merchandizing everything. I hope to have that finished this week, so wish me luck!)
- I’ve helped drive people to their ministry sites… traffic is absolutely nuts here! you just go wherever there’s an open spot (collectively I drove about 12 hours last week and I can’t wait to get home and drive!)
- I’ve built and painted basketball backboards, and I hope to get those up this coming week.
So it’s been a busy first week, but like I wanted to, I can honestly say I gave it my all. I sure hope to maintain my energy and joy as the weeks progress, and that I can continue to be a blessing here at Kids International Ministries in the Philippines.
Thanks for reading!
