A year ago today, I was in the Philippines. It was incredible, it was insane, it was worship-filled, it was filled with life, it was filled with love, it was filled with sloppy wet kisses, it was filled with Thanksgiving (had an actual American Turkey even) and it was filled with Christmas. To me it was simply one of the best birthday presents ever, returning to a place that stole my heart 6.5 years ago, never to be recovered.
Glory Reborn, Cebu, Philippines, June 2006
I fell in love yet again with the people, the children, the culture, the weather, the beach, the sunsets, the food, and 5.5 years later, God blessed me with a return trip, a trip of redemption. A trip where God’s grace and love poured out upon me and I was able to turn and pour His love on His people. The first time, my experience was cut short, but in that I learned and gained so much and my Papa, knew I would be returning, even if I didn’t.
These last 2 weeks, I have been reading all my blogs from the Philippines, and my heart was being broken yet again, for the little angels that were welcomed into this world during my time there; for my Bella, who I held in my lap and would fall asleep the instant she crawled in my lap, because she hadn’t been “home” in days (home being a cardboard covering); for the children that came to me with blood-covered feet who had stepped on glass, because they didn’t even own a pair of flip-flops; for the man who had walked on 2 sponges taped together, because he could no longer fit his foot into a shoe, because his toe had become so swollen with infection; for the children who came to me with plastic bags to collect their first warm meal in days, because their family didn’t own a container; for the 15 year old mother, who came to me at the clinic, because she was pregnant with her uncle’s child. The stories didn’t end here though. My Bella, became a princess when she was given a crown and a scepter, at a party where one squad-mate dreamed a dream, and prayed a prayer; and that dream became a reality. As feet were cleaned with warm water and soap, and bandaged and prayers were prayed, children returned the following week with healed feet and shoes to wear. A diabetic man had his surgery and medical treatment for his infected toe arranged and is now walking in full health. Children that came to feedings still need feedings, but nutritious, warm meals are able to be continually provided through supporters in America and they return again and again and receive love and hugs from the people of K.I.M. A “prenatal check-in” once a week for 15 women, had grown to 40 women, a little teaching, a little nutritious snack, a little word from scripture and the healthy arrival of 5 infants, by the time of our squads departure.
Now, fast-forward, just 2 days, and guess what happens?! Jeff Long, the director of Kids International Ministries, decides to show up, show up here in Gainesville, and meets up with several of us from Y squad. That “prenatal check-in” once 15 women, in a years time, has now grown to 80+, with the addition of 2 full-time midwives being brought on staff with KIM. The clinic has grown so much, that women from the community come in and have their needs met, 5 days a week. It is here they and their youngest children are provided a nutritious meal, teachings are given; and a Bible study where women are coming into a relationship with a Papa who sees them in their direst needs and meets them, and simply just loves them, for simply just being them. Lives are being changed. Generations are being changed, simply one life at a time.
(photo credit to Jess Gasperin)
(photo credit by Jess Gasperin)
My heart is awakened once again…
