Journal entries from our first few days of ministry in the Philippines…
1/5/11
Yesterday I worked at the children’s home for the first time
and fell in love. I’m really excited to observe it and find out more about how
it’s run and where they get their funding from. I truly believe that could be
the vision God is giving me for the colegio in Honduras. A place where street
kids, orphans, and kids who have been abandoned can come to live and learn
about Jesus. I want to show these kids love like they have never experienced
before. It absolutely breaks my heart that these precious children were given
up by their parents and families. They all seem so joyful on the outside but I
know many of them are struggling with rejection and abandonment issues on the
inside. One little boy came up to me last night and put his arms up to motion
that he wanted to be picked up and held. He layed his head on my shoulder for
about an hour and just wanted to be loved-they are all so hungry for it. When
the school-aged boys got home, I met a 12 year old that reminds me of Luis in
Honduras-he’s smart and has a very quiet and sweet spirit. I’m excited to spend
more time with him and pour into his life and LOVE him.
“In you the orphan finds mercy.” -Hosea 14:3
1/6/11
So tonight I had the boys again and I absolutely love it! They
got home from school late so I was just hanging out, helping with the babies
and toddlers until they arrived. For the sake of privacy, I will call my 12
year old friend Daniel. When he got home from school, he saw me and immediately
came over and gave me a big hug. We headed upstairs and he was bummed that he
didn’t have any more Sudokus to do since he didn’t have homework to work on. We
went back downstairs and he decided he wanted to read so we went to the ‘library’ to pick out some books. He read one to me before picking out a few for me to
read to him. Dinner time was a little chaotic, but I love how the children take
their own portions and are able to share. One of the little boys spilled his
water and there wasn’t any left when I went to get him more so another boy
shared some of his. During devotions I sat between two of the kids-I held one
of their hands and rubbed the other one’s back. These kids love to be loved.
After devotions, we went upstairs and the boys took showers, did chores, and
played. Oh, how I love the chaos of naked, crazy boys running around, throwing
bouncy balls, screaming, and just being boys. I spent the whole evening with
Daniel J
He calls me Lola (which means grandma). Tonight he tried to teach me how to
play Chess. Epic fail. I love him.
1/7/11
Oh, I just love my life! I am so incredibly blessed to have
this opportunity to serve all over the world! God is so great!! J
We rode over on the trailer to get more sod today to plant in the field-another
glorious day driving through the beautiful, green, luscious, mountainous land
of the Philippines. It was hard work, but so rewarding. We got back just before
lunch, ate, and rested until 2pm when we started back up in the field. The sun
was blazing hot today-I couldn’t drink enough water to combat the dizziness I
was experiencing. After the field work was finished for the day, I headed in to
take a shower before the boys got home from school. When they got back it was
the usual dinnertime chaos. Mark did devotions, the kids ate (which is one of
my favorite times to just observe them sharing and interacting), then off to
homework and showers. The water was shut off tonight so Michael and I had to march them
all downstairs for bucket showers. It was hilarious!! I told them to wear their
towels like capes to be superheroes. They were all dancing and acting crazy as
they took their showers. These kids are so full of joy!! Daniel had made me a keychain.
I layed in bed with one of the other boys as I read to him and rubbed his back.
These boys rarely get individual attention. It was such a sweet time. J
