Dear Reader,
Today is Saturday February 9, over two weeks since this new adventure began. 16 days may not seem like a long time, but for me it feels like a lifetime ago since I enjoyed the Tennessee air.However, and for your sake, I will split up these past 16 days, so that you do not get overwhelmed with my ramblings.
January 24th, my family of 8 dropped me off at the World Race training camp. Lets just say that saying goodbye to my sister’s beautiful faces, Jojo’s big eyes, my mom’s tear filled eyes and my father’s equally tearful but proud smile was not easy for me. I wish I could say that I didn’t cry that day( or everyday after), but alas, that is not the case.
Spirit lead worship, teaching and team building filled the next four days. I am so grateful for the way that God used that time to connect this team of 15 women in a deeper way that would prepare us for the coming months.
Then, on January 28th, we began our 23hrs+ journey over seas. It was a 16 hr. flight from Atlanta,Georgia to Seoul, South Korea. From there we flew to Manila,Philippines and stayed the night. That morning we had a culture debrief
and then we flew into Tacloban,Leyte, Philippines arriving late tuesday evening.
After about a 10min drive,we arrived to our home,known as the lighthouse. 3 levels high, with an exterior made of concrete.Picture a white fortress, ready to stand against the attacks of the enemy. ( or Helms Deep for you LOTR fans) Our team lives on the middle floor that includes: a full kitchen,dining and living areas, two full baths, and 4 bedrooms. Most bedrooms have two sets of bunk beds plus some shelving which fits 3-5 girls per room. My favorite part of the house is the the roof. Its high enough so that we can hang hammocks and enjoy the view of the ocean( love to see the sunrise in the morning) right across the street. Sometimes, when the nights are really clear a couple girls from the team and I will enjoy praising Jesus under the stars.
Now I know what your thinking: ” Wow, these girls got it good.” Honestly, you’re right. We do have it good. Too good. All I have to do is take a look outside to witness poverty. I can see several homes from my window, made from scrap metal or rotten wood or look across the street at all the men endlessly working on the sea wall to prevent the devastation that happened from Yolanda,a typhoon that hit in 2013. When we go to a local school and give out food to the most beautiful, big eyed children who’s homes, families, and lively hoods were destroyed by Yolanda.
But the reality is this : God provided much for us, so that we could provide much for others.No doubt in my mind “We have it good.” As I reflect on my time in the states I can easily recall times where I forgot how good my life is. Where I was so focused inwardly, I forgot to look out to others. God is convicting and working through my heart that when we give our lives to Him, we are called to give more than just 2% of our lives to spreading His kingdom. We are called to 100% . Whether that be over seas, in school or in our day to day lives, we are told to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
I will talk more about ministry and what that looks like in the following blog, but for now, here is the closing statement(s): God has brought this team of 15 women to Tacloban to pour ourselves out to this community. To give all we have to God and to His ministry. To use every moment we are given to further His kingdom,whether that be as a team we come together and point each other back to the Lord in our exhaustion or are out in the community loving and serving on them. God has called us,as christians, deeper and all we need to do is say “Yes.”
