Untold Stories

    Untold Stories            

            I was standing in a typical “home”…at least thats what they called it but it was anything but that.  Tarps covered the hole ridden roof in hopes of keeping the rain out but nothing was working anymore.  A family of five lives in this home.  Woke in the middle of the night by constant rain drops falling on them..Where can they go?  They are already “home”.   Only one 4×4 square area stays free from rain so the family gathers to this area to sleep.  With no room to lay down they must sleep sitting up.  “How  can this be healthy for a young baby?  How can they live like this?”  This is the story of  an untold amount of people here.

            Thirteen families live under an overpass.  Children running everywhere with only hole ridden t-shirts to cover them.  Flies everywhere.  A child lays half naked on a mat on the ground.  My eye behold this.  “How can this be?  This is just not right!  This is not fair”  These are many of the thoughts that flow through my head.  We arrived at this location to bring them food for the day but even more then that to spend time with them.  To let them know they are not forgotten and that there are people who do care for them.  I was honored when I had the opportunity to use some of my nursing skill to help bandage some wounds that might otherwise become greatly infected due to the extremely dirty environment they lived in along with the lack of soap and clean water.  A people still filled with hope and joy though despite the extreme difficulties they face daily.
 

 

            Childrens Garden….eighteen boys, ages 14-21,  have found a home in this place that provides them with education and a loving, safe environment.  Many of these boys lived on the street.  Many of them from the very early age.  Childrens Garden is where I spent the majority of my afternoons here in the Philippines.  Along with 5 other guys we made it our purpose to invest our lives and time into these young men. Each one carried a story of pain and difficulties they had suffered and they trusted us with them.  This type of ministry is the core of who I am.  Taking time to pray, teach, laugh, cry, play and worship.  This is true discipleship.  I loved these boys….they made my heart beat.  They still do.

            Endless amazing ministry….feedings in areas covered by flood waters, street ministry to street kids, supporting another kid to run alongside me in a 5k to help raise support for a school, digging…more digging…MORE digging to help remove dirt so that the foundation can be laid to a birthing center for woman, and one of my favorites…..having the opportunity to visit my Compassion child I have been sponsoring for the past 7 years. 

I never thought a day would come that I would seriously be sitting in her home with her family praying and speaking life over her.  It was an amazing day!!!! 
            God has been good to me.  Even as I write this blog and look over my time in the Philippines I see so many amazing experiences that I have been privileged to be part of.  There are SO MANY more stories….people who I have meet that I am honored to now call friends. 
            Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and for your constant support and encouragment.  Already I am feeling more refreshed and energized to walk into this next month…Thailand here I come!!
 
Updates: 

• Have my next support deadline quickly approaching.  Do you feel a tugging on your heart to help??  If so be obedient…be a vessel that God can pour thorough.  Don't feel a tugging….no problem…please don't give!!  The important this is not giving but rather being obedience to God's leading. 
• Childrens Garden could really used you help – they can help twice as many children if they can get the funding to purchase a plot of land.  They could use your help.  Please read my fellow team mates blog to learn more:  http://laceepeloquin.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-house-for-christmas  
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A home for a family…under the bridge…us doing ministry in the background