A week ago, we packed our bags once again and bid a teary farewell to the kids at New Faith Family Children’s Home in Malaybalay, Mindanao. We headed back to Manila to say yet another farewell, this time to our beloved Squad Leaders, Lucas Tillman and Sarah Schrack, as they prepared to return to the US. It was an emotional, bitter-sweet weekend indeed, for while it was great to reconnect with the rest of the squad, I’m sure we were all feeling heartbroken at the goodbyes we had to say.
Since we’ve been back in Manila, though, we have been trying to get plugged into the various opportunities here at Kid’s International Ministries. While we were serving in Mindanao, the rest of our squad was hard at work in Manila, doing daily feeding programs at local squatter villages, working at three different children’s homes, leading Bible studies for young women at Josie’s Angels, spending time with street children, and getting their hands dirty with nine different construction projects. Admittedly, our first day back was absolutely overwhelming, as the rest of the squad was a flurry of activity and well into their routines while we looked around, hopelessly lost in the hubbub. However, after a couple of days, we have been able to dive in and embrace the life-filled, life-giving chaos that exists here.
I have especially enjoyed being a part of the feeding programs, although it is always so hard to get to the last bowlful of food only to look into the expectant, disappointed eyes of those who still hold empty bowls. Yesterday, I saw two small sisters who both warmed and broke my heart all at once. The younger sister was barely big enough to hold her bowl securely in her hands. When she accidentally tipped out half of her food onto the pavement, the older sister, herself barely more than three years old, promptly poured half of her meager portion into her little sister’s bowl. Talk about selfless love that breaks your heart.
Last Sunday, Team CLP trekked across the city to Paco Baptist Church, where I used to volunteer with their feeding program a couple of times each month when I lived in Manila. The two squatter villages that were once there have since been relocated, but now the church buses in about 70 children from another squatter village to feed both physically and spiritually every Sunday morning. It was such a blessing to lead a Sunday School class with the pre-teens, reminding them how much God loves them, and how His perfect love casts out all fear and insecurity in their life. As we spoke with different members of the church, we heard stories of how a recent typhoon had sent some of the neighborhood under 9-feet of flood water, yet the testimonies of God’s providence in the midst of destruction were very powerful. I am truly awed by the awesome God we serve.
I have also loved spending time with Josie’s Angels. Josie is the daughter of Jeff Long, our ministry contact here in the Philippines, and several years ago, she felt led to create a safe haven for the girls in the community. Each morning, the girls have a Bible Study fellowship before they go to school; their faith and joy are truly such an encouragement. One girl in particular has grabbed my heart; I love hearing her angelic voice sing praises in the morning, and her sweet spirit defies her heart-breaking past. She has a fiery passion that I believe God is going to use in a mighty way, and I have been so blessed even during my short time with her.
There is never a dull moment around here. I’m sure we will each have many stories worth telling when we pack up (yet again) next Saturday and head off to Thailand. Stay tuned for more to come!
