(Disclaimer: The names in this blog have been changed for the protection of the girls identity. The names I will use are not their real names)
I have no idea how to start this blog, my emotions are still so raw. But I’ll do my best. My time in the Philippines is going to be something I will remember forever!
I will always remember sleeping on a bunk bed in the living room of a two bedroom house, where 17 girls lived! I will always remember waking up to the beautiful music of 17 voices bouncing around the room. I will always remember the random karoke sessions, the spontanious dance parties. I will always remember taking 27 people to go see Mockingjay part 1! I will always remember teaching the girls “You Make Me Brave” and listening to them singing it every minute of every day! I will always remember the devotion time every night as the girls worshiped their king who truly saved their lives! I will always remember the love I felt in just one short month. I will always remember my family in the Philippines who taught me about sacrifice, brokenness, redemption, true unconditional love, pure joy, perseverance, selflessness, and how to truly open up my heart. I will never forget my girls at Wipe Every Tear.
Last blog I wrote about my time in Angeles City doing bar ministry. I now want to introduce you to my beautiful new family members and the ways they impacted me, and what they taught me.
So introducing Margaret!
Oh Margaret, Margaret, Margaret. She stole my heart from day one. When we went to Angeles City to do ministry, just 4 days after arriving, she and I struck up a bond right away. She was paired up with me to help me do the bar ministry and she instantly went into mother hen mode. She would walk on the outside of the sidewalk just so I wouldn’t get in the way of cars. She would pull me away from anything I could fall into or run into, even if I saw it and would be able to get around it fine by myself. She would constantly look back to make sure everyone was with us and safe. She would hold my hand while we ran across the street of death (the four lane freeway we had to cross every day!!!!) and she was always looking out for me. When I wasn’t feeling well she would be there asking how I am, where I was, and what I needed. I felt so taken care of by Margaret. She was truly the hands and feet of Jesus, and had such a servants heart. She was so goofy too. She had the funniest dance moves, always wore whatever what comfortable not worrying about her looks. She talked in funny voices and was so full of laughter. Margaret was my mother this month, and she called me her daughter. She took such good care of me, and sometimes I wonder if I deserved it.
But thats what Jesus did right? That’s what love is all about right? It doesn’t matter how good we are, it doesn’t matter if we really deserve it. Love and service are not given to those who deserve it, but to those who need it, which is everyone. Margaret taught me about complete unconditional love, and she was the face of Jesus for me! I will remember her forever!
