We’ve left Manila and are now preparing to enter a new phase of the World Race. Leaving the Philippines was not easy. I felt like just as we were beginning to develop relationships with the community and the kids in the orphanage, we were torn away. Choosing to live in the present does that.
I did enjoy having the opportunity to work on several construction projects while in the Philippines. And yet the times that meant the most were those where we focused on developing relationships. The theme that resonated with me the most with everyone that we worked was an incredible need for love. I had tears in my eyes every time I put the boys in the orphanage to bed; they were so hungry to be loved, tickled, punched, thrown on shoulders, read to at night, and hugged. I could feel God giving me a love for these guys even in the short time we had.
And yet even more significant during our final two weeks in Manila, some of the men in our squad were able to teach English and Math to about 20 guys voluntarily pulled off of the streets into a rehabilitation program. Many of them had been abused, rejected, and hardened by a life of fending for themselves while using drugs and alcohol — all before the age of 18. And although these guys have come to know God, they still desperately need other men to spend time with and love them. Many of them were shy and yet tender — this program was the first time for many of these guys to really see real love. I was able to see a small glimpse of the pain they’ve gone through in the times we had together. Leaving these guys angered me — I wished we had more time.
For those of you who are praying, I would ask that you pray for unity in our team. Life’s getting tough and where we all want to go — sharing the real love of Jesus — requires us to love one another first. As much as I thought it would never happen, I’ve struggled with jealousy, comparison, and my expectations. I wouldn’t have chosen the people on my team, and yet I know God has me with these amazing people for a reason. I’m learning even more humility and learning more about truly loving and choosing to spend time with these people that God has placed together. The end result will be amazing, but the process requires me to give up much more of myself than I feel like. Yet this is what we all desire, and I choose to trust that God is good.
This next month we’ll be heading into East Asia. I’m excited about the opportunity that we have, and yet the next time I’ll probably be able to write and talk to you will be a month later in Africa. I miss you all and hope to talk to more of you later!
Overlooking our home in Manila a few days before leaving.
Top Picture: Flying over Philippine rice fields on our flight out of Manila.
