Dear Reader,
Today marks 2 months of ministry in Tacloban.Even though only a short time has past, many tales have been told and new relationships built. It is clear God is doing something beautiful through the simplistic love of Filipino hearts.
As our team is being intertwined into the culture, we are also experiencing the depth of the poverty surrounding us.
Because of the economy being so poor, men and women work twice as hard for half the money workers get back in the states. Filipino people are very creative with food, often using every part of a chicken (yes everything) or adding more water to soup simply to stretch a meal for multiple people for days. A common home in this area is made from an assortment of recycled metal sheets and thin planks of wood. They live in little suburbs of these houses clumped together. Many children can often be seen through the cracks in the walls playing with whatever they can. Every year, usually September-October is the major typhoon season. Usually 4-8 major storms occur during this time,often leaving homes and small businesses in ruin.
Yet, these Filipino are some of the most joyful people I have come across in my 19 years. Despite all that they go through everyday, they are quick to wave and flash a bright smile. They are SO full of love. I have received so many hugs from people I just met. Hugs are my favorite,so this works out! Kids LOVE to give you sweet notes or a gift such as a bracelet. Filipino people are all about community and serving others. If someone is need, no matter how out of the way it is for them, they don’t hesitate to help. Over and over again, from open friendliness to acts of service I am blown away by how Christ is shown through them constantly.
The reality that these people live with so little and yet have so much joy is both wonderful to see but also convicting to my heart. In 34 days I am going back to the U.S where my family is healthy, I have constant access to food,clothes on my body and a beautiful home to stay in. Yet, I still find a reason to complain. There have been so many times where I want or I feel like I don’t have enough of something. Often times I will have extra money that I will put towards my “needs.” My mindset was “What is best for me and what I need this moment?”
By taking away all the comforts of home: family,friends and connection, the Lord has broken me down and flipped my mindset from “me” to “Him.” Questions instead are: “How can best can the Lord use me in this moment?” Or “How can I love and serve others better?”.
I am not perfect in this though. I will still struggle with selfishness and having a sinful heart. But isn’t that why Jesus came? To cover those times when we fall in sin, so that He will was us clean? So that we can give praise to God for giving us the grace we don’t deserve? The answer is YES. Jesus suffered for all unclean hearts to make us worthy of relationship with the Father so that He may have eternal praise. All that He asks of us is to repent, turn from our sin and walk in obedience to Him.
So a closing remark:
While the Lord called me to the Philippines, it’s clear that He called me to not only serve and share the Gospel to Filipino people but to also witness their selfless hearts as an example to break me down so that I may be built back up for Him.
