Perhaps a more accurate blog title would be Much To-Do About Manila. Unlike the famous Shakespearean play, Manila truly lives up to its fame of friendly, heartwarming people. And working with our kindhearted contacts Jeff and Colene Long at Kids International Ministries (alongside various other local ministries) our WR squad has so many options for ministry this month. Of course it helps that the entire June WR squad will be based in the same location this month.
Our contacts Jeff and Colene run a children’s home just yards from the team house where we are staying. I’ve already been up to the children’s home several times just to hang out with the abandoned, orphaned, etc kids who live there. They’re the cutiest. I especially fell head over heals for the little boys who just like to hang out. Nothing more required. Just a warm smile and a lap to sit in or hand to hold onto every once in a while.
The biggest cry of my heart right now is to pour into the women of the community. While we were celebrating Christmas, we were asked what our goals were for the month. God really placed on my heart to lead Bible studies for women, helping them getting to know God more intimately. When I was told a couple days before we came to Manila that our contacts ran a children’s home, I wasn’t sure if my heart’s cry would come to fruition. So I prayed about God’s direction for His greatest glory through me these next few weeks. When we arrived in Manila, my squadmate Elizabeth U. and I were chatting. God had placed that same purpose on her heart as well! She had told her team about that in Hong Kong. I whipped out the piece of paper where I had written down my heart’s cry. I knew God was confirming this direction for both of us. Just hours later, I talked to our contact Jeff about our vision. He was really excited to utilize our desire for his staff and within the local community. After a couple brief logistical meetings, it’s been set: Elizabeth and I will teach a children’s center staff women’s Bible study on Monday and Wednesday early afternoons. And the community Bible studies will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the local church here in the squatters’ camp area. (Reminder, we’re 13 hours ahead of EST, so if God wakes you up in the middle of the night or early in the morning, maybe it’s His way of encouraging you to pray for these studies 🙂 ). Please pray that many women will come to know the Lord more intimately, that this time will be filled with sweet fellowship, and that Elizabeth and I will boldly and lovingly speak the Word of God.
There are so many other ministry opportunities. Yesterday I went visiting ladies in the community with a couple ladies from church who live in the squatters’ camp. It was such a blessing, getting to know these women, encouraging them to press on, and praying over each one we met. I look forward to getting to know these ladies better. This afternoon I will be helping at a dentist clinic. The community church has a dentist chair where a local dentist regularly provides free dental care. I think my job will be to round up the people and help with logistics. Maybe I’ll even get to encourage people to brush and floss :). On Thursday I will go to a local prison to befriend, encourage, and teach the inmates.
As a squad, we have been practicing a 24-hour prayer room. Everyday I have been praying for an hour, praising Him for His character, thanking Him for His past faithfulness, seeking God’s direction and guidance for me and the squad, petitioning for our Philipino community and friends/family worldwide. It’s been such a blessing to be able to do this as a squad this month. Please pray that we will continue in this powerful spiritual weapon of prayer (Ephesians 6:18-20; II Cor 10:3-5).
We’re spoiled at the team house. We have twin mattresses on bunk beds. We don’t even have to share the mattress with anyone. We have closets so that we can lay out our belongings rather than digging in our backpacks many times during the day. And to top it off, our friends who cook for us are amazing, in personality and in cooking ability, providing us with some good home cooking! Good thing I’m training for a 1/2 marathon to be held on January 20– thanks for your prayers for even the “fun stuf”! Check out the race website: Subic Marathon. I wish yal could experience it with me! But remember your prayers and encouragement are powerful — Thank you so much!
PS – It takes a LONG time to get mail in the Philippines, I am noticing. I would advise not sending anything more to the Philippines at this point. I have received several of your letters, etc!! Thank you for your love and encouragement!
