Philippines:
First thing is I want to apologize for taking so long to write and post this blog. These past three months it has been a challenge for me to steward my time well, and I do desire to write and tell you about the things God is doing in the countries I have been in and in my life as well . I love Gods grace , because He has allowed me yet another month with Internet and this month I want to steward this time better, so this means more blogs yayy !!!
The Interviewing was the hardest part for me for a couple different reasons . Reason 1. I absolutely love children , but when we interviewed them they were so intimidated , this is something I am NOT used to , it felt like pulling teeth to get some of the children to open up . 2. The questions we asked were personal questions and often made the children burst to tears as they tell us about the abuse they are experiencing , and the heartbreak they have from their parents abandoning them . After hearing this horrific news it was sometimes impossible to keep my composure . My only desire was to comfort,protect and wrap them in my arms as long as possible, unfortunately this was not something I was able to do , as there were many interviews to get through. 3. The interviews seemed unpersonal , I love making relationships with people on a genuine basis , but this made it impossible as we had an agenda we needed to accomplish . 4. The amount of interviews we needed to do were overwhelming and sometimes mundane .
What I love about God is that not matter how easy or difficult the task , He always uses it to teach and grow us . I learned so much from these children, parents, teachers and our pastor and his family. I learned how joyful these kids are in the midst of their circumstances , when you meet them you would have no idea what is going on behind the scenes . It reminded me that we cant look at people and expect that everything is ok , that we truly need to invest in one another and ask God for discernment about whats truly going on behind the scenes . When people are rude , angry or treat you wrongly they may have awful circumstances and the love you show them in the midst of their rudeness may be the change they need ! Although it was hard to learn so much about these children , He taught me how to trust Him . Knowing that He loves these children a million time more than I do , and that He will take care of the, and bring justice to them . This was hard to do as every ounce of my being wanted to go and fix these children's circumstances , God called me to pray for them and to trust Him as He holds them in His hands . He taught me to take Him at His word and to truly believe the promises He has given us in His word, for these children . Also these children, thanks to food for the hungry are getting taught about the bible and Jesus and bring it home to their parents . God kept telling me that these children are the revival of the Philippines and are going to change this country .
Being in the Philippines was beautiful, green , sandy, and filled with rain . My team and I were in Labo, Philippines and we partnered with Food For the Hungry .
This was an amazing opportunity to make wonderful relationships with the local churches .Bethany and I worked with an amazing pastor and his family , they honestly treated us like their own children and took amazing care of us , and fed us amazing food and lots of it .
Everyday they would pick us up in their tut tut at 8:00 a.m. , we had our briefcases in hand and off to work we would go.
The transportation Bethany and I would get picked up by everyday, and the girls and I all ready for our first day of work woo woo !!
Our job was to interview children who have been sponsored so we can send their sponsors updates on their lives . As we visit the schools , the children would at first be a little shy , but after they warmed up to us they would surround us with laughter as they mocked and impersonated our accents and mannerisms.
The sweet kids who would swarm around us on our way to lunch !!
The Interviewing was the hardest part for me for a couple different reasons . Reason 1. I absolutely love children , but when we interviewed them they were so intimidated , this is something I am NOT used to , it felt like pulling teeth to get some of the children to open up . 2. The questions we asked were personal questions and often made the children burst to tears as they tell us about the abuse they are experiencing , and the heartbreak they have from their parents abandoning them . After hearing this horrific news it was sometimes impossible to keep my composure . My only desire was to comfort,protect and wrap them in my arms as long as possible, unfortunately this was not something I was able to do , as there were many interviews to get through. 3. The interviews seemed unpersonal , I love making relationships with people on a genuine basis , but this made it impossible as we had an agenda we needed to accomplish . 4. The amount of interviews we needed to do were overwhelming and sometimes mundane .
Ater the interviews we got the chance to pray for each kid :)!
What I love about God is that not matter how easy or difficult the task , He always uses it to teach and grow us . I learned so much from these children, parents, teachers and our pastor and his family. I learned how joyful these kids are in the midst of their circumstances , when you meet them you would have no idea what is going on behind the scenes . It reminded me that we cant look at people and expect that everything is ok , that we truly need to invest in one another and ask God for discernment about whats truly going on behind the scenes . When people are rude , angry or treat you wrongly they may have awful circumstances and the love you show them in the midst of their rudeness may be the change they need ! Although it was hard to learn so much about these children , He taught me how to trust Him . Knowing that He loves these children a million time more than I do , and that He will take care of the, and bring justice to them . This was hard to do as every ounce of my being wanted to go and fix these children's circumstances , God called me to pray for them and to trust Him as He holds them in His hands . He taught me to take Him at His word and to truly believe the promises He has given us in His word, for these children . Also these children, thanks to food for the hungry are getting taught about the bible and Jesus and bring it home to their parents . God kept telling me that these children are the revival of the Philippines and are going to change this country .
Most importantly He revealed to me the true definition of poverty. As an American my initial definition of poverty was those who were without food, water, shelter , and clothes , but God opened my eyes to something different . True poverty is living without the realization and understanding of how much we need Christ. The people we met who are in physical poverty understand their need for Christ, they have to depend on Him , because without Him they would have no hope and no joy . With this they have so many incredible stories of how God has provided and the ways He has moved in their lives . They are filled with the richness of Christ, they truly have faith that can move the mountains , a hunger and thirst for God, the wealth they encompass is everlasting . Now when I think of poverty I think about those who do not depend on the Lord, the ones that don't know Him, and have never heard His name , and my heart truly breaks for them . If we were all rich in Christ there would be no poverty , because we truly would share everything we have and realize that the only true wealth is kept in heaven !!
Here is a verse to ponder as you finish reading this blog :)) love you all so very much hope you enjoyed !
2 Corinthians 8
2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."
And lastly I want to thank EVERYONE who has supported me , I am amazed at how God has provided through all of you ! My last deadline is March 31 stand I am only in need of $900 AMAZINNGG !!
XOXOXO
Amie Gallegos
