Three weeks ago I was sitting on a plane, waiting to take off from Atlanta, Georgia with 41 other squad mates, on our way to the Philippines. Now, as 14 of us start a 7 hour bus ride in Malaysia, after a 4 hour flight and another shorter bus ride, I am realizing I am entering my second month on my World Race. I’m no longer sitting on my bed with a tub of Nutella devouring the chocolatey goodness and reading blog after blog about other peoples’ adventures-this is my life now. I’m finally on the other side of the screen, trekking around the globe, getting to write the blogs that make others dream about making that leap of faith, trusting Jesus in the unknown.
I never thought I’d be here. As my dad told me before I left, “this just seems like one of those things “other people ” do.” He was right. I never could have imagined this for myself. That’s why it absolutely astonishes me that God would have so much love for me that He would have designed these adventures just for me, before time even began.
I know it has only been three weeks, but I feel like I have already experienced and learned and loved so much. As I’m processing through my month in the Philippines, I want to share 4 moments and people who changed my heart and my life. And taught me more than I could have ever taught them.
Charlene is 14. She doesn’t smile much, but when she does, she is beauty personified. Freckles dance around the right side of her face, bringing out the depth in eyes that have known too much pain. She is breath-taking, but I’m not sure she knows it. She is shy and bold at the same time and she speaks of the Lord as a friend. At 14, she knows exactly how He has changed her life and isn’t ashamed to share. Losing a brother and her mother too young, death has clouded her life, but Charlene has a hope and a future. She sings “Lead Me to the Cross” with her sisters, lighting up with joy. She is an encourager to the core and constantly made me feel loved. When I left, she gave me a bracelet and a note that said she is going to pray for me every night at the children’s home. I walked away with tears in my eyes, knowing I might never see my sweet friend again, but praising God I got the time with her I did to love, pray, and encourage her. Unexpectedly, I got the privilege to learn from her too. She taught me to embrace vulnerability and to love with my whole heart. Charlene will not be forgotten.
Angel was all it took to light up my day. She called out “Tita Emily!” at the gate, every time I passed and ran to give me a hug. Somehow, her presence made my tired heart light. Suddenly, I would be energized and ready to swim, color, laugh, and play. The note she wrote me saying how happy she was to meet me filled up my heart and I loved every moment I got with her. She is the sweetest girl-an angel with a spunky attitude and a contagious smile. Always the first to answer questions at Bible study, her eagerness and excitement to learn about Jesus is inspiring. She is only 8 years old, but she prays with a boldness that challenged me. Jesus is pursuing that little girl and I am so excited to see what He will do in her life.
The voices of the Jaz girls rising above the acoustic guitar was perhaps the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. They sang with passion and love for their Savior as they taught us their favorite songs. We spent the whole day singing, talking, and praying. I spent most of the afternoon cuddled up on the couch with Jenny and two of the sweetest girls- Dyana and Janice. One of them told me she met Jesus when she moved in and how her life is so much different now. She shared Jeremiah 29:11 with me and I got to explain Psalm 34:4-5 to her. Her eyes lit up as I told her their is no shame in Jesus and that she is absolutely radiant. We talked about silly things too, like how all Americans have pointy noses. It was the best day. They have been through a lot, but their hearts are pure and full of praise. Before we left, one of the girls closed in prayer. She thanked God for trials, because they give us strength. After every pain they have experienced, those words to our Father broke my heart. I teared up as she declared that the pain was worth it, because it taught me to trust Him all the more.
Anna latched on to me the moment she saw me. Honestly, it didn’t have to be me. I don’t say that to negate my value, but to convey the desperation for love and affection from anyone willing to give it. Her eyes begged for attention as she lifted her cigarette-burned arms and when she clung, she clung hard. As I held her, she squirmed and squeezed, trying to wiggle her way as close to me as possible. Her face was dirty and her hair, probably swarming with lice, but I held onto her as tight as I could, as she nuzzled into my neck. Later, when I came back, she sat on the sidewalk weeping. She doesn’t speak English, so all I could do was wrap her in my arms and repeat “mahal kita” (i love you) over and over and over again. As I rocked her in my arms, I cried out to Jesus that in this moment, she would know that someone cares, and maybe, through my love, she would feel the love of Jesus shining down on her. I learned divine love.
I absolutely adored the Philippines. These stories and more are reasons I will never forget my time there. I left part of my heart there and hope I can go back someday. I can’t wait to see what God does this month in this new country and the stories and people who will be just as near to my heart. Stay tuned.
(Swimming with sharks int he Philippines)
(Scavenger hunt with community girls)
(Ministry day with my team)
(Beach time)
…All photos by Lindy Hickman…
