The Philippines
In a world so seemingly western, and yet Spanish, and somehow also Chinese, the Philippines has a unique vibe, so thoroughly rooted in its identity as a blend, a vibrant swirl of all things mixed together. it’s culture caught me off guard. When we first arrived I was in awe of how western Manila and the metro areas are, with chain restraunts like Starbucks, and Krispy Creme, and yet I was missing the soft, distinctly Filipino undertones to it all. Like the Philippino “yes” which could mean no, maybe, but could also truly mean yes. I didn’t notice the Philippino smile and laugh, if you don’t understand, nod, laugh, and smile. However I did notice the warm welcome we received from everyone we’ve met. Since being here I’ve gotten to form friendships. Yes there’s a huge language barrier but teens are teens and can bond over literally anything. There’s something special about friendships formed with locals because they are the ones who choose to let me in their friend group. They didn’t have to let me into their hearts and lives, and yet they did, and my heart will be forever tied to this place. Just the thought of saying goodbye in a few short weeks brings tears to my eyes. The only thing I have in common with my friends who’s nicknames are Dhel, Dhave, and Dhen, (I’m Ehll) is that we’re believers, saved by the Lord’s grace. Their stories of coming to the Lord inspire me and encourage me. To know that they have such a strong foundation in the Lord reminds me that even when I leave, their faith will stand firm, it’s not a faith that will waver with time. The Lord’s relentless pursuit of their life is a beautiful thing.
And since being here the Lord had taught me a lot about my identity. That it’s a mixture: a mess of past/ present experiences, of places I’ve been, people I’ve met, moments with the Lord that I’ve had. We’re humans: a collection every moment in our lives that leads to this present moment. And who I am in Christ. I’m a new creation, a saint who sins, bought with a price, I am redeemed, and so many other powerful revelations what come from standing upon this knowledge.
I love the Philippines. With a passion. I love the people, the places, and the culture. I am and have loved so hard that I feel as though I never want to leave this place, and these people. I’ve fallen in love with “late”(by the races standards) mornings where kids camp starts at 9 and goes until 11. I’ve fallen in love with starting every morning praying on the armor of God because that’s our theme for camp this summer. I’ve fallen in love with our kids, whom I get to love on for just a few hours a day, And once they go home to pray for their hearts and homes because many come from rough houses. Today at camp was water day and each kid went down the slip in slide but then with a fury they all rushed in the soapy mess and made angels, smiled, and laughed, and at the center of it all were secretly getting clean. After we played drip drip drip the kids were covered from head to toe with soap, grass, and mud. And so everyone headed to the shower getting nice and clean. It’s just a little thing: just a shower: that we all in the United States take forgranted, and yet it was many of the kids first in a few days and so we blessed them that way. The way they smiled after being showered and put into clean clothes made the chaos of it all so worth it. It’s not easy to get 40 kids showered and changed haha it made my heart happy. Being here makes my heart happy. And then in the afternoons we have a sports league. Basketball is run by Jared and teams play 3 on 3 against each other. I run volleyball. What started out as a women’s volleyball tournament (no one signed up) turned into a bakla or homosexual men’s tournament. They are absolutely hilarious! My heart loves them so much. They’re also incredible volleyball players. And they’ve been welcoming enough to let me join their little group, a society that not many people, yet alone missionaries, are welcomed into.
And that’s life here. I love every chaotic moment of it.
