Who knew that I would ever have had a birthday in the Philippines?! Not this girl, that’s for sure! Now, I am not one to shove my birthday in people’s faces or to make a big deal about it because that’s just how I roll…BUT my team did a pretty incredible job doing it for me!
To start off the big shabang, my team along with team PLJ, went to a John Mayer concert in Manila. The concert cost a whopping $13; now that’s what i’m talking about! It was an amazing opportunity to bring along our ministry contacts especially since they pour and pour themselves into the PCF community and never have a chance to do things for themselves. What a blessing! During the concert, it rained practically the entire time. That night, I felt like a little girl enthrawed by the love of her Papa as I danced around in the pouring rain. Innocent. Untainted. Captivating.
John Mayer Concert Ron and Joanna
To continue the day of my birth, I got to take part in kids club and a feeding program at the Tondo dumpsite. As we all walked in, my birthday buddy Jessell found me. She turned 14 on the day that i turned 26. The cool thing about Jessell was that we were building her and her family a new home. The house that her mother, stepfather, and sister were living in flooded all the time and was not fit for any human to ever live in. I had connected with her and her little sister from day 1, so it was an honor, a privilege to be a part of blessing her with a new home.
Jessell my birthday bud!
One of my best birthday presents came in the gift of a little girl. She was about 3 or 4 years old. She began crying unctrolably because her sister pushed her down in the wet, toxic filled water. I picked this little child up and held her tightly in my arms. As her wet clothes pressed against mine, I began to notice her arms and legs. Scabs, open soars, rough skin, this child was a mess. I realized that the children around would look at her with disgust. Holding this child tightly despite all of her skin problems, paints a clear picture of the love that Papa has for me. No matter how many tears I cry after being pushed down in the toxic sludge, how bad I smell, or how “disgusting” people think I am, HE will hold me tighter and tighter all the while whispering “I love you my beautiful child. There is nothing that can EVER change that.”
precious gift
I am blessed! Thank you all for the birthday wishes and thanks so much for all your supp
ort while on the field! None of this would be possible without your prayers and financial support! Keep them coming!
ort while on the field! None of this would be possible without your prayers and financial support! Keep them coming!
