So I only got to spend a few minutes with the minors today, so I will pick back up with their stories tomorrow because this one was just too incredible to pass up.
Princess is one of our student volunteers and just does a ton around the house as well as with the camp. Anything we need to have done involving the kids, if she’s around, she’ll do it. I’m thankful for the example she sets for our kids, especially since her life is very similar to theirs. She is a blessing to our home and will be missed because of the following events…
I heard a little about her story this past weekend when I spent some time with the workers, and it’s just such a blessing she’s found a home here. Without getting into too much of her history, Princess has found herself in Malaybalay, away from her biological family, but thankfully she has a great community here. As far as her biological family goes, as of yesterday, she knew nothing about them. She only had a hope that they were out there somewhere.
Yesterday, I was sitting at my computer at my Filipino family’s home when an incoming call came on our American phone line. I didn’t recognize the area code that popped up and was curious who else would be getting calls from the States on this line. About that time, Princess ran up to the phone to answer, very excited. Since she was talking in Tagalog, I couldn’t understand the reason for excitement, but I just assumed one of her friends was calling her to tell her all about the States. It wasn’t until a few hours later I found out she was on the phone with her mother!
Princess’ mother made her way to the States with the hopes of making enough money to provide for her children that were still in the Philippines. However, since she left when Princess was still a baby, she had no idea how to ever track her down again.After nearly 20 years, her mother got the advice that most students Princess’ age, even overseas, are on Facebook, so that’s where she should start. It wasn’t long before she was talking with her daughter on an international phone line for the first time. Several hours later, Princess had a plan and a mission to reconnect with a family that was now a reality and no longer just wishful thinking.
In the conversation, Princess discovered that she had siblings in Davoa, about 5 hours from Malaybalay; so we helped her pack everything she needed to make the journey. She took off yesterday with all the hopes and excitement to meet her brothers and sisters, and hopefully meet her mother soon after. While she was blessed to be taken care of by a family, she is now off to find her own family. I’m sure this will be a bittersweet time, but we’re praying for her and this incredible opportunity.
Who knew Facebook could bring such an incredible blessing and reunite a mother to her daughter? My prayers are with them as at long last, a family is reunited…
