Throughout the past three weeks
we’ve had the opportunity to work with several different people and ministries
and even created a few outreaches of our own. A typical week consists of
morning shifts spent at the children’s home with the kids or helping to build
their new home here at the campsite. Afternoons are more construction,
children’s home, or going into town where there are several options available
and also our only internet connections. We’ve met several children at the
school connected to the church we’ve been going to and many have started
outreaches with them. We also got to go to one of their Youth Group sessions
and get to know the students better and pray with them.
The first time we went to town a
few of us went to the hospital right next door to the school to visit people
and sing to them and pray with them. The very first time we went, we met a 51year
old woman named Rosario who is dying of stage 4 breast cancer. The first day we
went she was not doing so well physically. She could barely speak and her whole
left arm and shoulder were swollen and numb. She loved our singing, however,
and she was smiling the whole time. We also met her 19 year old daughter Hera
that day and after singing a few songs and talking with them a little we asked
if we could pray with them. By the time we were done Rosario had tears in her
eyes and Hera was crying as well. It was nothing less than the presence of God
in that room that touched them so deeply and we saw it every time we returned.
We’ve made sure that a few people went to visit her each time we’ve gone into
town and every time we enter her room both of their faces light up when they
see us. We brought them flowers
one time and it brought so much joy to see them realize that they were loved
and cared for by complete strangers. They may not have known why we first visited
them but I have no doubt they know now. Rosario seemed to be doing and looking
better each time we saw her for the first few follow up visits.
Hera
has quit school to take care of her mother full time and stays at the hospital
with her every night and her father is out trying to find random work to be
able to pay for their hospital bills. Kelly and I returned one last time on
Monday and found out that she had been discharged and would be leaving that day
or the next. We were able to somewhat say goodbye for good and got Hera’s email
so we could get updates on Rosario and also to continue to encourage and pray
for them and their family. We
found out from her doctors after leaving that she most likely doesn’t have much
time left. By the time they brought her in the cancer was already full-blown and
the surgery they did was not sufficient to get all the cancer out. Rosario
doesn’t want to try any treatments and they are not very confident they would
even work if she did. Please pray for this family and many others that are
suffering here in Malaybalay. Pray for strength for Hera and the rest of the
family and for Rosario to be free from pain and surrounded by those she loves
in her last days. As encouraging as our presence and prayers were to them, they
also taught us a lot and showed us how to find value in the important things in
the midst of suffering. I also realized that we were Christ with skin on to
them and it has made me much more aware of my actions and even thoughts,
knowing that I represent Christ in so many ways. Pray that we would glorify His
name in all we do, even the little things, and be a blessing to those we meet.
