Oh the places you go and the people you meet
If you ever want to feel loved, needed, or huggable come to paradise street. You will soon find a little friend with a big smile and open hands. He’s smile will capture you heart in a blink of an eye. The overflow of joy seeps into your bones. Without an ounce of verbal communication you connect instantly. Quickly you begin to see the Father’s love for his children. You can feel his presence and see him in the most beautiful way. No pictures, words, videos, or stories could ever describe the wonders of this world. God made no mistake in putting this friend on earth. He was created to confirm my Father’s love for me and his people. He did it to encourage me that my hearts passions are for his glory and not my own. He showed me that I am needed in this world and I can make a difference in the life of those with disabilities. He did it to teach me a lesson and to show me how glories he is. He did it for you to see his people in all the nations radiating his light. We are blessed by the most high. Soak that in.
My beautiful life is too blessed for words. However I want to share with you a story of blessings I received from a lady at church. June is a women of God so strong you could never see the pain buried deep in her heart. However I was the one she opened up to, to hear a part of her story. June is a single mother of 6 children. The two oldest girls are in a home called Jessie’s Angels. This home is for rescued prostitutes and trafficked women. The girls are only 14 and 16, yet have seen the evils of this world so vastly. June’s two youngest children are in Hannah’s home. This is a places for children undernourished and sick. I was honored to met one of the middle children who was 6 years old. She is to shy to speak or even look in my direction. The fear in her eyes of people overwhelmed me with pain. The family is desperate and in need of many things. I quickly begin realizing the need for love and understanding. All June wanted was to be reunited with her family, the strength to be a single mother, and to see the love her Father has for her family. I was able to pray with her and her daughter and the presence of the Lord captured my heart. Yet when the pray was over the Lord was not finished. By my surprise she asked if she could pray for me and she did. Wow the Lord is powerful. The words she spoke were in Tagalog but yet I could feel her heartfelt cry to him in thanksgiving of me and the love she poured out over me. I have never wanted to savor a moment so much as I did at that time. Our God is an awesome God he reigns forever and ever.
Want to know what is feels like to be overcome with selfishness and greed? Go on a feeding, walk the streets and see the emptiness in hearts of the people you pass by. Look in the eyes of the hungry and starving. You see the hunger is so much more than from food. They are starving for love and affection. Going on a feeding is so much more than giving food, its giving life. God didn’t say if you feed the hungry, he said when you feed the hungry. This is a commandment not a choice. I have been blessed with the opportunity to feed these people with food and knowledge. I’ve have gotten to share my Father’s love for me and his people. I have gotten to bring the word to the nations. I have been blessed way more than I could ever have done for these people. I am the one that is hungry and in need of my Father. Just when I don’t think it is possible to be humbled and blessed anymore, God breaks me. I need this trip to see my God face to face and to see his love for me. I need this trip to share with you and to express our desperate need for the Lord. For we are all hungry and in need of him. I pray your hunger for the Lord takes off in new directions and you begin to search for him in every single situation you are in.
Stumbling into greatness. As I began walking the path in a small village I was greatly surprise to meet 4 excellent beauties. Two of which were 11 years old and followed me around like I was a rock star only to find out that they were the famous ones. I had the pleasure of walking with them as they seemed to know ever person we passed. Although it was a small town I felt at welcomed and at home. It was a pleasure but yet it got even better. I came upon a small house built out of scrap metal and wood, built high enough to withstand any flooding. As simple and small as it was, the place seemed beautiful. The family made it a home. This is when I was welcomed in by a lady named Evelyn. She talked with me about her family and her 3 children. Her husband was off at work but is nervous because any day he could come home and never have a job to go back to. The things they had were dear to them because it might be there last. Living in fear but not even knowing it. Yet the joy in their hearts exceeded any doubt of having nothing. The one thing they love most about the Philippines, their life, and their community….the church. The CHURCH! Praise God that in the Philippines people don’t just go to church but they are being the church! He is our safe haven. He has rescued us and he will always rescue us! What a beautiful blessing to see. John 3:16 and John 16:6 are Evelyn and her beautiful daughter Jennifer’s favorite scriptures. What a beautiful day seeing Christ at work. His kingdom is coming and his will be done! Praise him for these beautiful souls.
Do you know what its like to meet a group of college age people on fire for the Lord? Do you know that feeling when you get to play a game of UNO that makes no sense? Or worship the one and only with them? I do, and I must say its breathtaking. For starts they put a spin on everything. UNO has new rules: if you play a 0 you may switch cards with anyone; if you play a 7 you must slap the card before everyone else, the last one must pick up 3 cards; if you play an 8 they can just slap you; if you play a double of any card you can just throw it down and skip everyone; and if you American then they can just do sneaky tricks to try and beat you. Shame on them though, I have mad UNO skills and still won! I was able to play UNO with about 6 girls who I know will be forever friends, sisters in Christ . The time talking and getting to know each of them was humbling and beautiful. They get to be his hands and feet everyday and never back down. They began to sing songs for us and with us. We began to worship together and feel the love our Father has for us. It was most likely the highlight of my trip so far. I find peace that the nations are rising up disciples. I honestly believe they do it better, they stick to the root, they stick to Jesus. No distractions, no fears, no shame, but full on joy from the Lord. They pursue him and live for him. They reminded me that my damaged body can never take away from the soul he gave me. I am alive and well.
Names may be changed due to privacy or safety
