We are in the Philippines this month, and it’s been a bit different than other months. I mean, every month is different, but we are eating mashed potatoes, chicken enchiladas, and tacos over here, so I guess you could say I’m pleased about that, and it’s definitely different than what I’ve eaten other months. But actually, this month is just a bit different because of the ministry we are partnered with. We have been working with Kids International Ministries just outside of Manila, and I have LOVED it so far. Our host is from Texas and has a huge heart for the community here and for missions in general. He loves to see people’s passions lined up with Kingdom work, and I think the vast amount of options for ministry each day is what makes this month different.
In Africa, we had hosts every month, but we usually just did one or two different types of ministry. For the first three months in Asia, we did ATL (Ask the Lord) months where we did not have a host and were able to make up our own ministry or partner with someone, but it tended to still be only a few options for things to do. Not so in the Philippines.
Here are some of the options for things we can do each day:
- help in the pregnancy clinic doing ultrasounds and check-ups and even delivering babies
- hang out with kids ages 0-16 in the children’s home
- go to the elementary school and read with a few kids or help them with math
- organize and label books in the library
- sort through boxes of donations
- help the cooks
- go to feedings in many different communities
- paint murals
- do construction work
- give swimming lessons
- give music lessons
- work on a census for the local communities
And that’s not even all of it. That’s because our host emphasizes how much he wants us to keep our eyes open for other ministries and projects that could be started based on the needs WE see. So we basically have the freedom to do whatever here, and it’s been pretty cool. This is the type of place I would totally encourage anyone to come to because you have a lot of ministry options, and the host is truly passionate about the Lord and this community.
The main thing I have focused on is working in the library with another teammate. I worked in a public library back home every summer during college and loved it, and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my time spent in the library here as well. Remember all that joy I had in Ghana when I kept remembering kids church songs from my childhood? Turns out memory is just a huge driver for me because the library has brought me much of that same joy and excitement as I discover books I read as a kid that were my absolute favorite. I’ve officially added a new list: Books I want to own someday. And you can be sure I’ve also added a few more lists to my collection even after my blog about it!!
Though the World Race is meant to stretch you by putting you in ministries that maybe aren’t your favorite, it’s also nice to have a month where I have felt content and happy doing something I really enjoy and also know is helping the librarian here in big ways. That library was a MESS when we found it!
The funny thing? Some people don’t see that as missions. I went to church last week and had an interesting conversation with a lady who straight-up asked if I was a missionary before even saying hello. In her defense, I fit the part WAYYYY too well. I was wearing a long skirt, Chacos since I broke my other shoes and had yet to find replacements, a Kavu bag, a watch, and I’m pretty sure my hair was braided. That just kind of immediately gives off the vibes of ‘missionary’. I should have stuck to my jeans that day…
Anyway, she asked what we were doing, and I told her I was spending most of my time in the library organizing books. According to her, that wasn’t mission work. To her, missions can only mean evangelizing. Yike. I’m sorry to inform you that is not our primary focus for the month. Evangelizing may be what we do in other months depending on what our hosts ask us to do or if God leads us to certain people, but I suppose I disagree with this view that missions can only mean evangelizing. The woman had to run off almost right after she said that, but I couldn’t help but think she was completely wrong.
Missions can look like so many things. For me this year, sometimes missions has meant God is changing something in ME that will produce fruit later on. Sometimes it’s meant me preaching in a new church every week. Sometimes it’s meant pouring into our hosts and encouraging them in what they are already doing. Sometimes it’s helping a teammate who is struggling, and sometimes it’s evangelizing. This month, missions for me has been helping a librarian who felt really overwhelmed establish some order in the library. He already knows Jesus, and that’s awesome! We can’t forget to encourage those who already know Christ because what if that one encouraging thing you did or said causes them to have the courage to share Christ with someone else?!?! I don’t believe you have to evangelize every day in order to do missions. You can show the love of Jesus in so many ways. That being said, I still think evangelism is super important, but just not the only way to do missions. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don’t have to change what I’m doing just because someone doesn’t agree with it!
On a different note, we leave for Argentina on July 24 and have quite an extended travel day… We will have a total of four layovers in South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Chile totaling 31 hours and 38 minutes, and 5 different flights totaling 30 hours and 44 minutes, not to mention the 15-hour bus ride once we land in Buenos Aires to get to where our host is. If you could pray I maybe can actually fall asleep on public transportation for once, that would be amazing. And also prayers that our hosts will be understanding and give us lots of rest with the time zone changes and days of travel. I’m very excited for South America!!!
