Well everyone I am back with an overdue blog. It’s midway through February, and I am just now posting my final blog about the Philippines. My time there was one I will never forget. Not everyone gets the pleasure of living in a container on top of a mountain with 6 other people. When I was told I was going to get to camp for two weeks, I was stoked; a feeling not shared by most of my teammates. Although half of my team had never really been camping, they did a tremendous job. I could blog all day about my time there, but I will try to keep this as short as possible. Although our time spent on the mountain was rough at times, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sometimes I miss the container and all the time I got to spend with my team. Without it, I don’t think we would have bonded and became so close. Working for hours in the field hauling rock with Josh and Isaac was exhausting but enjoyable (The girls helped on occasion). Through all of our conversations from theology to which superhero we would be our bond grew. The long drives up the mountain every night jamming out to music were relieving. Also, playing card games as it poured or taking Ate Evangeline(the lady who cooked all our breakfasts and lunches) out to eat for the first time in her life are memories I will always cherish. Loving the ministry we served and working with all the wonderful people at Streetlight was also a bonus.
When I came on the race one of the ministries I didn’t want was children’s ministry. Streetlight ministry was started to bring Jesus to the street children of Cagayan De Oro. They work with street kids to try and get them off the street and to stop sniffing. The children do drugs and sniff to take away the hunger pains. Last month God worked wonders in me, and I went from slightly dreading it to not wanting to leave. I fell in love with the people and children of Streetlight and can’t wait for the day I get to return to see how it has progressed. What I think is even more cool about Streetlight is that it is run by two former world racers, Leah and Megan. The ministry is still in its infancy and has already done so much for the street kids; I believe God will continue to use it to do great things. Knowing that the work we were doing on the mountain was helping to build the future home of Streetlight was good motivation when we were hot and tired. It can be discouraging hauling rock for hours a day and not really seeing the progress. In the new facility they will be able to accommodate more children and provide them with education and have a better place to minister to them. I can’t wait to return in 5 or so years and witness the progress they have made.
During my stay in the Philippines God grew me in ways I never could have imagined. I went from continually dreading leadership to thanking God for the opportunity to grow as a man in Christ. The Lord ignited a hunger to discover who I am in Christ; one that I hope never vacates my heart. My days feel incomplete and lack focus if I don’t spend time with the Lord. Over the course of last month my eyes have been opened to the power of prayer. Through my daily interaction with God, I have found a new comfort and strength in Him. Please keep me in your prayers and add the wild children and wonderful women (and Aaron) of Streetlight to your prayers.
