My first couple days in the philippines were amazing; it was filled with getting to know the ministry, the people, and the community. I decided to go for a run with two other people in the slums of Cainta Rizal (the location of Kids International Ministry and where we would be staying). So we woke up, put our running clothes on and left. Shack after shack. Chickens in the street and children running around with no shoes. Homes that didn’t really qualify as homes in our eyes. Conditions of living that I had only seen on tv. But the smiles on there faces, after seeing all of this, were priceless. After 10-15 minutes of running something unfortunate happened. I got bit by a dog. It was super painful but I sucked it up. The owner came out and felt so bad. She offered to take me to the hospital and pay for it, but I insisted that the bite wasn’t bad enough to be brought to the hospital. I was fine, plus I did not want her to spend all her savings on a hospital visit. I walked back to the house thinking, man this sucks. I mentioned it to the founder of K.I.M (Kids International Ministry) and his reaction stirred up concern within me. I started freaking out. I need to go to the hospital?! Rabies Shots?! No no no. This can’t be happening on my 3rd day of the philippines. I barely started my 11 month journey.
Well I went to the hospital. Received my rabies and tetanus shots (which probably hurt more than the dog bite itself) I still have a couple more injections of anti-rabies to take and thankfully there is a nurse on my squad who can administer them to me.
So I learned my lesson, Run with a stick. 🙂
Praise the Father that I’m fine and now it’s just turned into a joke amongst the racers.
Thank you all for your prayers.
Another lesson to be learned…
We woke up that day, put on our running gear and just left. We hadn’t prayed. We didn’t ask for God’s covering over our lives before stepping one foot onto the dirt road. Wherever I am, whatever time of day, I need to ask my father to fill me and protect me. I need to ask Him to even be used while running in the slums of Cainta Rizal, or getting my wound cleaned up by a kind-hearted Filipina.
Always Invite Our Heavenly Father to Dwell in Our Hearts.
