After a brief weekend back in Bangkok we hopped on a flight to Hong Kong where we prepared for our next month of ministry. When Squad C reached Hong Kong we were weary spiritually, physically, and emotionally. We needed teaching, we needed rest, and we needed a listening ear. Our debrief in Hong Kong proved to be one where those needs were met. We also got to say final farewells to our friends from Squads A & B as they prepared to head home. It was a wonderful time of rest and challenge before heading into a difficult month of ministry. While in China we made relationships with local university students and spent a couple of weeks in an Ask the Lord exercise as a team. We celebrated Thanksgiving as a family, we met and ministered to a homeless child, we saw a new convert and planted many more seeds among our new friends, and we even got to climb the Great Wall together. For me, China proved to be a place of increased intimacy with God. By the end of our time on the Mainland I was experiencing moments with God that made Him feel like He was tangible; right there in the room with me all the time, not just when I “needed” Him.
Christmas found us landing in Manila, Philippines then spending the holiday and debrief in Puerto Galera. My mom was able to join me during that very special time of year. My mother is such an extraordinary woman of God that I was excited to share this experience with her, my friend. I was proud to introduce her to my World Race family. I was glad to share a little of her mother’s love with my brothers and sisters and I was thankful for the time, though short, that we had to spend together. My mother is a breath of fresh air for me; she is always quick to remind me of her love and pride in me. She encourages and challenges me in ways she may never know. I pray that one day I can be as much of a blessing to my own children as she has been to my siblings and me. She is an amazing woman of God who doubles as the best Christmas gift ever! After debrief and much needed rest we sent our Squad D friends off to Hong Kong and we began ministry in Manila. There were a multitude of ministry opportunities here; working with the children’s home or community center, working at the school, prison ministry, prostitute ministry, homeless ministry, and so much more. The Lord led me to focus on helping get the Guesthouse, where we stayed all month, organized and ready to function as a ministry to mission groups that come to serve. Beth and I labeled cabinets & pantries, we had days of “spring cleaning” and room prep, and we focused on creating literature to make a stay here as easy as possible. I got to help take care of the infants who live here also. I would spend one night a week with Daniel, Jacob, & Andrew. I think those nights may have been my favorite part of this ministry. I loved being able to speak over them as I fulfilled the most mundane of tasks. As I changed diapers I would remind each of them what their names meant and the responsibility that came with such a strong name. As I would give them their bottles in the middle of the night I would speak to the men they will become. I was able to speak my prayers for their strength as men of God and as leaders in their homes, neighborhoods, and country. Those moments were the most special and spiritual moments of my time in Manila.
I have loved the time we have been able to spend in Asia. These past months have been some of the most challenging and difficult of my time on the race and possibly even my life. Through it all God showed up. He wooed me, He spoke truth and love over me, He held my hand, He read with me, He touched my life in ways I never knew possible. He became the lover of my soul in Asia and, praise God, I will never be the same!
