Right outside the gates of K.I.M. (Kids International Ministries) you can always find community. Kids from all around the area are drawn to the friendship, laughter, games, ministries, and new faces that can be found there. If you stand outside for more than 1 minute, you are guaranteed to attract a gathering of girls. These girls are sweet, kind, helpful, curious, and are already dear to my heart.
One morning, my team and I went out to participate in a youth ministry with the kids. Girls aged 9-14 were outside the gates waiting for us. Because the leadership was about 1 &1/2 hours late due to traffic, we quickly became their entertainment. They were filled with questions, and knowledge, and laughter. They braided my hair, taught me how to say words in their native language (Tagalog) and told me jokes. We sang songs and did a short bible lesson, but for most of the time they circled around outnumbering us 7 to 1.
Amongst all their Tagalog teachings (literally they taught me about 100 words) they began asking questions about me. “What’s your name again?” “How old are you?” “Are you from a broken family?
Wait…what?
The third question, her first, and they all stared awaiting my answer just like all the others. So I told them about my family. How I had two older sisters and a mom that I love, and how my dad has passed away. “How?” “When?” What kind of cancer?” “What stage of cancer?”.
They weren’t afraid to talk about hard things…and in many ways expected it.
One of the girls came up to me later and told me about her life. About her hardships. About her family. The things she was sad about and things she wished were different. She talked with her head held high like she had to prove she was strong; and she is.
But the cool thing is, with Jesus, we don’t have to be strong. In Him we are free. Free to cry, to feel sorrow, to struggle. Because in Christ, it’s not about being freed from pain and suffering, but being made new in Him. Yes, we ARE guaranteed a hope for a future life with Christ where we WILL be freed from all pain and all suffering, and where the perfect creation and the life with God that He intended will be restored. One day that will come and it will be the most beautiful. But until then, we are living in a world broken by sin. And because of that my life is going to be broken. Until then, there will continue to be sadness and trying times in my life.
BUT.
We can still have joy even though we experience pain. And what an example it is with those girls. Because even though one girl’s father is going away for many years, she still has a father in Heaven that loves her, will protect her, comfort her, and guide her. They are not defined by their circumstances, but by their identity with Christ. And with God, we have a hope for the future. We have a joy rooted deep within us that can’t be taken away.
At church on Sunday, we sang an older song that seems fitting to quote right now.
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.”
(Also the rest of the song is really great too)
I could confidently tell those girls that yes, that was really hard and really sad but God healed me from the pain. It doesn’t mean that I miss my dad any less, but I can find rest and comfort in God through it all. And I know that when hard things happen in the future, God will be with me then too. I can always count on Him to heal me and to give me Joy.
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Pray:
Yesterday (10/20/18), my team and I went to one of the poorest areas of the Philippines. A blog will come soon to unpack a lot of what we saw, did, and experienced there, but prayers would be greatly appreciated for my team and I to be able to process through it all.
Financial Update:
I am currently sitting at 76% funded! Thank you to everyone who has graciously given! I have already made my November deadline, and now just have $4,544 left to raise out of $18,700. This season of raising support has been trying at times but so so encouraging. I am thankful to be able to partner along with each one of you. God is using you to provide in amazing and abundant ways. Thank you.
