Kamusta from the Philippines! Tomorrow will make one week of living here, and it has already been so life changing.
I live on the upper level of a building dedicated to children’s ministry. My team has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. Sounds like a ton of space until I tell you I’m on a team of 15 women. I share a room of bunk beds with 3 lovely ladies. There is no air conditioning here, so it gets quite toasty. Outside of the building there is a basketball/volleyball court and a playground. Dozens of kids come every night to spend time and play with us before it’s time for dinner. Off of the porch, we have a view of the ocean and the surrounding islands. It’s about a 2 minute walk to the “beach” from the property. It’s quite beautiful. But in the midst of that, there is a TON of construction directly in front of our “house” where they are building a sea wall. We have a few ways to get around here. We either walk, take the ministry van, ride a “jeepee” or a trike (which is like a motorcycle with a cart attached to it). My team gets a lot of staring from the locals, but we just smile and wave and tell them “Jesus loves you!” And they smile right back!
Ministry is life. Life is ministry.
Ministry looks different each day of the week. Each day we do “feedings” at different parts of the community and at different schools. We do men’s and women’s prison ministry. We are renovating a HUGE room for kids to gather at for bible study in the building we live in. We’ve also done women’s bible studies and value classes at the local schools.
When I get free time, I am usually playing on the volleyball court playing with one of my new friends from the community. Her name is Cathleen. She has such a kind heart but has a killer hit on the court. If I’m not there, my team can usually find me up on the roof of our building, laying in my hammock, spending time with the Lord or talking to one of my new “sisters”.
God is doing amazing things here! The Holy Spirit has been walking with my team each and every day. The joy this community has is nothing like I’ve ever seen before. They have so much love for the Lord and hold on to His great faithfulness. Please keep me and my team in prayers as we continue to pour out to the Philippines Community.
Love you all!
