We stepped off the plane on to a small runway, we had come to a stop just 20 yds before the strip turned back in to field- one airstrip in the middle of fields, trees and shacks, a large group of locals stand at the fence watching us land. Flights come in and out only 4 times/week, so it’s still a novelty to watch the planes…I realize many probably have never been on a plane and wonder what it would be like, they stare probably wondering who these people are who come on and off their island.
Mindanao island is inhabited by many Muslims and Catholics (primary religion in Philippines). Rebel groups have for years (and continue to this day) wiped out villages and their own people. The gov’t is very corrupt and we were told that this year already 38 people have been murdered t/o the Philippines for running against the current gov’t leaders. It’s a democracy, but votes are skewed and people are paid off (desperate for money) to vote in favor of more corrupt leaders. Ozamiz City is the drug and gang capital of the Philippines, with lots of murders and prostitution going on here as well. 4 terrorists from 9/11 were trained here by Muslim extremists. We are hit once again with great poverty, slums, and the effects of it all- hearing once again the ongoing theme t/o the world of a huge missing link- fathers! We have seen so much sexual confusion here in Asia (though I know it’s a worldwide problem)…prostitution abounds, human trafficking, homosexuals, transvestites, etc. All of it stemming back to 1- not knowing their heavenly Father and their identity in Him 2- not having earthly fathers to teach them who they are. Pray for men to walk in who they were created to be and for this generation to put an end to the fatherlessness and all of the confusion that causes.
As we drive away from the airport, I’m in awe of the beautiful mountains, lush green land, palm trees, and some of the most warm and welcoming people. The ministry we (Rusty, Lynette and I) are here with is “The Sanctuary” and ATWOC (All The World Outreach Church). Tommy Smith and his wife Ging, along with all the staff here, are incredible! They welcomed us at the airport with corsages and warm greetings! We are staying on a compound along with all the staff and Bible school students. Our first night here we were able to attend the youth meeting where we had an awesome time of worship and praise with the young people, who are just in love with Jesus! This ministry has planted 1600 churches on the island (ya, it’s a big island- 2nd in size to Luzon, where Manila is).
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There are outreaches to the children (and parents who come as well) 6
days a week. It’s like a big party! We had so much fun participating as
the Bible students led games, praise songs, gave out prizes, etc. I had the
privilege of sharing with the kids about trust. As I thought later
about one of the analogies the Lord had given me to share, I realized
just how much I needed to hear and reflect on what had come out of my own mouth.
Prov. 3:5 ~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
I remember as a little girl many times jumping in to my father’s arms,
some times from great heights and some times little ones. In the
beginning it was harder to jump because I thought about what would
happen if I fell, I would look around and see the hard ground or
whatever I would land on, realizing falling would hurt. Looking in to
my daddy’s eyes, however, and at his arms outstretched, I knew he would
catch me. I knew that he loved me and would not let me fall. So, I
would take the jump and laugh as he would catch me and swing me around.
Then, having taken that first jump I would say “More, daddy!” “Catch me
again!” The first jump was the hardest, but once I knew I was safe, I
enjoyed the thrill of jumping and flying through the air for a brief
second before being caught safely below.
I had a young girl
illustrate this for us and jump in to Rusty’s arms, and thought about
how beautiful of a picture this is of trusting our heavenly Father! He
doesn’t stand behind us and force us to jump, we have to believe that
He really will catch us and have to trust that He won’t let us fall. We
have to take the step, but He is always there to catch us. Once we
learn that He really will catch us, jumping becomes much easier- even
fun- because we know that as we jump, we get to land in His arms and
experience both the thrill and warmth that comes after the trust jump,
as He swings us around, proud of our jump and holds us close in delight!
As Rusty said about the Bible students, “These kids come from all over the island. And while Ozamiz City might
be safe, the rest of this island ain’t. Most of these students have
Muslims in their families or came from Muslim communities. And yet
their love for Jesus is unwavering. The faith and trust of the students
has grown my faith and trust in the Lord more than you’ll ever know.
These young warriors are following Christ NO MATTER THE COST. And they
do it with such passion, such hunger. Again, they do it in a place
where it’s VERY dangerous to be a Christian. These people know about
the darkness that’s in the mountains, they’ve seen it, they’ve lived in
it – yet the young men and women continue to follow hard after Him. “
The Love of Christ!! Words honestly can’t even described the love of this group of young people! Their love for us was unconditional and immediate, from the moment we met them they would speak encouraging words of life over us! Their hunger for more of the Lord and the joy that radiated from them was so beautiful! They awakened us our last morning at 515am with a serenade (traditional Filipino farewell) of worship to the Lord, then they had a time to share with us encouragement and to pray over us! Wow! I was SO touched by their love and genuineness! Being there for only a few days, I know I had the wrong mindset and that I didn’t give them as much time and love as I could have and really wish I would have. I felt so undeserving of all of their love and kind words (knowing they had given so much more than I had), but the Lord used that to speak to me about how deep and unconditional and pure His love is for us even though we don’t deserve it! They taught me more in those few days then they will ever know! 
As the Lord continues to draw me to Himself and give me more of His heart and mind, I realize how much I still need to die to myself! This year is revealing to me more selfishness than I realized was in me, and how much I need to continue to surrender…EVERY day…every thought, every desire, every motive, every word…EVERYthing to Him. It’s a continual decision! I remember during our training a year ago, we were told that just when we’d think we had surrendered everything we possibly could, the Lord would pull back yet another layer of selfishness that we had never before seen or would show us another area we had not yet fully surrendered. I have found this to be so true! He is such a GOOD God and His love for us I really can’t even fathom! I love that He is ever transforming us and molding us in to the beautiful creations He designed us to be- in to more of His image!
| Ozamiz City Sunset |
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2 more photos- Lynette and I got to swim with the dolphins one afternoon! I couldn’t even believe it! I am reminded by God every single day of how amazing life is- He shows me in both small and big ways how precious each day is. I have asked myself many times this year, “Is this for real!?” Every day is a gift from God and I will rejoice and be glad in it!!
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