I’m in the Philippines!!!! I absolutely love this country and everything about it. From the friendly locals who wave and say “Hi, M’am” to the adorable children who cling onto your legs and waist to the breathtaking views of volcanoes touching lakes and oceans, this place is full of warmth, wonder and love. But even still, brokenness lurks around every corner. Behind those beautiful smiles, there’s a pain in the eyes that tells of a story full of struggles and desperation.
This month we are partnering with Kids International Ministries in the capital city of Manila. KIM has multiple ministries and outreaches and my team and I have the wonderful privilege of choosing one or two ministries and investing the entire month into serving in that area.
On our second day here, a wonderful lady named Miles came to talk to my team about her ministry, Journey of Hope. Through the partnership of KIM, Miles started this ministry to serve the community of Fortuna, which is located near her house. Fortuna is a community in deep need. Set alongside the river, these people find themselves in a constant state of worry during the rainy season (June-January). Stagnant water full of trash, dead animals, and growing bacteria consumes the streets and alleyways of Fortuna. The families are forced out of their homes at least 3 months of the year due to high flooding (we’re talking 15 feet!!) and are shoved into an evacuation center (a basketball court) with 1,000 other people and only ONE bathroom for all 1,000 people. Talk about cramped and uncomfortable.
Miles’ heart and mission is to bring the light of Christ into this desperate community. This is accomplished through daily morning and afternoon tutoring sessions for the children and teenagers, meeting and befriending families in the community, praying with the families, nighttime worship, devotions and dinner, and one-on-one discipling of teenage girls.
This community has stolen my heart. There’s something absolutely incredible about these people. They have nothing, but yet they have everything. I’ve never felt so connected to another community and my heart aches when I’m not with them. They’ve become family. Every time it starts to rain my thoughts immediately go to the people of Fortuna and I hurt for them. I hurt for them because I know that rain means fear– fear of their houses flooding and having to evacuate.
The Lord has already started to do amazing things in this place and I cannot wait to share with yall the many wonderful stories of Christ’s love invading this community.
Please pray with me for the people of Fortuna. Pray for safety and health. Pray for job opportunities. Pray for hope to abound. Pray that I’ll yield to the Lord and His will for these people. Pray for my heart as I love on these people– that I won’t take on their burdens, but rather surrender them to our Father. Pray that the Lord works a miracle and makes a way for these children and teenagers to stay in school and continue their education. Above all else, pray that God’s will be done and for Heaven to invade this place.
I’m grateful that the Lord has blessed me with opportunities to see the Body of Christ at work in the world. To see pain and suffering, and to be able to carry a Light that outshines all the darkness. I’m thankful, but I’m also struggling. I find myself in a constant state of brokenness and hurting for God’s people and questioning “Why them? Why not me?” Why was I chosen to be born into a loving family that is able to provide all of my physical and emotional needs? Why was I born into a life with so many opportunities? Why haven’t I ever experienced not being able to sleep at night for fear of my house flooding? It doesn’t make sense.
These are hard questions and ones that are impossible to be answered the way I wish they could. Right now, I’m trusting in God’s goodness and faithfulness and His steadfast love. It’s hard, but I’m trying to trust that God works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed (Psalm 103:6) and that he really does have a plan to prosper His people, not to harm them, and to give them a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
God, I know you’re taking care of these people’s needs. I know there’s a reason why my story is written the way it is and that theirs is written the way theirs is. Thank you for leading me to this point of brokenness and questioning what is really important in life. Thank you for changing my perspective and for giving me eyes and ears to see and hear the way You do. I pray for more of that. I pray for deeper revelations of your goodness and your love. Continue to use me as a vessel and as Your servant. Help me to see your goodness and love despite all the hurt and suffering. Pour out your favor on these people and let Your love change the atmosphere.
