Though we didn’t get a full month here it was so amazing and fulfilling. I’ve really fallen in love with the place and the people. I’ve also eaten more pasta than I probably ever have in my life. Momma J knows how to keep us well fed that’s for sure. I did get to enjoy some traditional Filipino dishes like adobo which is either pork or chicken marinated in some sort of brown sauce (kinda like teriyaki) and bay leaves stewed with chunks of potatoes and carrots served over rice -drool face-. For the more exotic eating experience I did naw on rooster leg which we watched get caught, killed, and cooked. Texture was a bit chewy, but whatever they cooked it in I’m pretty sure can make anything taste acceptable.
As a brief review of our trip to Samar it was stressful, hot, long, exhausting, and so so worth it, but it wouldn’t be the world race without us getting stuck somehow. The windy mountain roads would be paved then all of a sudden turn into muddy paths which is where we got stuck. We were super behind schedule so the first couple provision drops had to be at night. It was pushing midnight as we made our way to a house that promised us beds and a warm meal. With only about 10 miles to go the driver of the truck full of the supplies just suddenly stops and refuses to drive any further. The 14 of us crammed in an 8 passenger van were dumbfounded. Seriously, just 10 miles to a comfy bed and fresh food and you quit? Are you kidding me?!
We could’ve complained. We could’ve lamented at the “woe is me” factor, but our contacts got out to try and speak with him leaving the 7 of us to just sit there in the stale, humid night air as stray dogs wandered by. Amidst the quiet we could hear someone belting out passionately the lyrics to a corny love song from one of the videoke bars. The frustrated silence was broken with laughter. How could we not? Welcome to the world race. We’ve been initiated.
I’ve had a tricky time trying to peg what it was I took away from this month. After pouring back through my journal entries “beauty” seems to be a reoccurring theme. This country is so full of it between the landscape, the people, and their hearts. Something I’ve heard a lot here is “you are so beautiful!” I couldn’t help but smile. Through these people God is constantly speaking to my heart. There have been so many postcard moments being caught in the surrounding landscape that my pictures could never do it justice. I’m constantly in awe.
Our team has been blessed to have one of our squad leaders with us this month, Erika, and she challenged us with a listening prayer exercise for our team. We drew names from a bowl, but weren’t allowed to look. Instead, we took 10 minutes to quietly sit and pray asking Holy Spirit to reveal something that would be of encouragement to them and then we all took turns sharing. Guess what my word was: lovely. She also get a verse that says “You are altogether beautiful, my darling, and there is no blemish in you. (?Song of Solomon? ?4?:?7? NASB)” Could God be any more clear?
He has given my heart so much joy and peace this past month despite seeing such poverty and lack. As I lay on my bed here in Manila prepping for our next month in Thailand he reminds me of yet another thing. Romans 8: 28 says “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” I wrote in my last blog how these are a resilient people, and they walk out this verse well. There are subtle hints of revival coming, they understand what it means to live life with open hands knowing it can all be snatched away in a second and still choose joy. I did not look on these people with pity or sadness, but with respect and reverence. I will carry their smiles and warm laughs with me, and continue to discover the beauty within that he sees. What’s funny is when I started the race, my only real prayer was “to see as he sees, and love as he loves.” I said it intending for the people I would encounter, but I was not thinking it would even apply to myself.
I’m very much looking forward to Thailand and digging into what God is already doing there. Please be praying for our squad and contacts. Thailand is one of if not the mail hub for sex trafficking. It will be a heavy month, but one in which I believe God will do and reveal more than any of us have experienced before. Until then, catch you on the flip side.
