One of the great things about our ministry this month is the
large variety that is available for us.
large variety that is available for us.
It almost feels, in a way, like this is an ATL month again,
because every day has a new adventure of it’s own, and divine appointments to
experience. I love that we get to meet new people everyday. This place is full of beauty.
because every day has a new adventure of it’s own, and divine appointments to
experience. I love that we get to meet new people everyday. This place is full of beauty.
Walking through the village I hear people shouting my name (well how they say my name without the h)
and saying “Betsaida hello! Where are you going?�voices that range from squeak to
deep. At first it sounded so intrusive from a stranger. “Where are you going?� seems to be as common a question as “ How are you
doing?� for us back in the states. So many people here think that I’m
Filipino… I love it! I love that people in every continent can’t figure out what ethnicity I am. In Europe they thought I was black, in Africa they had no idea, and in Asia they think I’m Filipino…it’s pretty amusing.
Side note… when I walked into the village yesterday I was greeted by Mary Joy with a Valentine note that said “To: Pitsay”… that’s a first for wrong spellings of my name. And it made my entire day! I just realized that her name was Mary JOY.. and God knew I really needed a boost of it yesterday.
and saying “Betsaida hello! Where are you going?�voices that range from squeak to
deep. At first it sounded so intrusive from a stranger. “Where are you going?� seems to be as common a question as “ How are you
doing?� for us back in the states. So many people here think that I’m
Filipino… I love it! I love that people in every continent can’t figure out what ethnicity I am. In Europe they thought I was black, in Africa they had no idea, and in Asia they think I’m Filipino…it’s pretty amusing.
Side note… when I walked into the village yesterday I was greeted by Mary Joy with a Valentine note that said “To: Pitsay”… that’s a first for wrong spellings of my name. And it made my entire day! I just realized that her name was Mary JOY.. and God knew I really needed a boost of it yesterday.
Well I met Ayeth last week. We have become much better
friends.
friends.
I visit her quite often, and it’s always great speaking to her. She’s a 16 year old with a good head on her shoulders. We got
into a conversation about Jesus. And she mentioned that she is a member of
Church of Christ. I told her it would be great to see her at Kuya Al’s church
Wednesday night.
She was so excited to go, because she has not been able to
go to church for at least three months, since she is here in Puerto Galera
working, and away from her home town in near Manila. I told her I would be
there to pick her up Wednesday night at 7.
Me, Leah, and Derek arrived to pick her up and when we got
there, she asked me if I could ask her boss if she could leave. I was caught by
surprise, but told her of course. I said a quick prayer for favor from her
boss, and followed her to the house where she stays.
there, she asked me if I could ask her boss if she could leave. I was caught by
surprise, but told her of course. I said a quick prayer for favor from her
boss, and followed her to the house where she stays.
She lives with her boss, who is a woman, and her bosses
boyfriend and daughter. Her boss was a bit skeptical when she first saw me, but
when I started talking, I saw her warm up and give Ayeth the o.k. to close the
shop down an hour early.
boyfriend and daughter. Her boss was a bit skeptical when she first saw me, but
when I started talking, I saw her warm up and give Ayeth the o.k. to close the
shop down an hour early.
Ayeth thanked me over and over again. It was so sweet.
Before Derek, Leah, and I got to Ayeth, we walked by Bad
Boys. It is a restaurant that is owned by a man from Europe. There are some
young girls that work there, but there is no actual evidence that they are “bar
girls�.
Boys. It is a restaurant that is owned by a man from Europe. There are some
young girls that work there, but there is no actual evidence that they are “bar
girls�.
Jonah is a the girl to my left, that us racers have built a relationship with.
She stopped us as we were walking to Ayeth’s store. And we
told her we were picking up a friend to bring them to church that night. Jonah’s
eyes lit up.. I could tell she was interested. So we invited her. She said yes
almost immediately. She happened to be getting off of work at 7:00p p.m. that
night… so it all worked out perfectly!
told her we were picking up a friend to bring them to church that night. Jonah’s
eyes lit up.. I could tell she was interested. So we invited her. She said yes
almost immediately. She happened to be getting off of work at 7:00p p.m. that
night… so it all worked out perfectly!
Jonah and Ayeth enjoyed the service very much, and they met
some more people from the village. Jonah was rubbing her stomach, and they both looked tired. Leah saw her, and asked her what was wrong. Jonah said that she was very hungry, because she hadn’t eaten for several hours. Jojo immediately went to work fixing a sandwich for each girl. It was such a blessing to serve these girls who are on their feet serving others, 12 hours a day… 7 days a week.
some more people from the village. Jonah was rubbing her stomach, and they both looked tired. Leah saw her, and asked her what was wrong. Jonah said that she was very hungry, because she hadn’t eaten for several hours. Jojo immediately went to work fixing a sandwich for each girl. It was such a blessing to serve these girls who are on their feet serving others, 12 hours a day… 7 days a week.
I’ve also had a chance to meet several jewelry sellers , and
have some very great conversations with them, whom the majority of them are
Muslim.
have some very great conversations with them, whom the majority of them are
Muslim.
James, Osear, Abdul, Ali…all really interesting and kind
men, with lots of questions.
men, with lots of questions.
It’s great to live life among the Filipinos here. And to
connect the ones living here with the people from the church, so that they can be encouraged and grow in their
knowledge and love for the Lord. God has been setting us up with meeting people, and building
relationships with them, left and right…literally. It’s exciting to live life
like this. Being open to where God leads me, and hearing what He wants me to
say.
connect the ones living here with the people from the church, so that they can be encouraged and grow in their
knowledge and love for the Lord. God has been setting us up with meeting people, and building
relationships with them, left and right…literally. It’s exciting to live life
like this. Being open to where God leads me, and hearing what He wants me to
say.
I can’t say it enough… but LOVE IS AMAZING!
God, who is love, never ceases to amaze me.
Agenda: Love,
Bethsaida
