Most of you know I flew home two weeks before the rest of my squad for my best friend's wedding. I knew this was no doubt what I was supposed to do; I wouldn't have missed it for the world (literally.) With that said, I was not prepared for how difficult the transition would be. Since I was only in the Philippines for two weeks, I didn't have enough time to get my thoughts together for a blog about what was going on there, but I'm finally taking the time to sit with Jesus and reflect on the things he showed me.
It hit me like a ton of bricks. I made deeper connections with the people in the Philippines than any other month. I fell quickly, deeply, madly in love with Jesus and his people at our ministry in Manila. Of all months to be cut short, why did it have to be this one? Maybe because now I have no choice but to go back as soon as financially possible. There were moments when I thought the end of this 11 month journey would never come, and then at the 11th hour, I almost needed someone to drag me onto the plane. As I read sweet goodbye letters from some of the precious girls below, I literally felt my heart breaking into pieces. I felt like I was going to throw up, but at the same time I felt so much joy and so close to God knowing that I could love strangers that much. God rocked my world, broke my heart (and mended it to be even bigger than before) in Manila.
While in Manila for month 11 of the World Race we worked with Kids' International Ministries, and I focused my time at the children's home, nursery, and the girls' home. Our ministry host Jeff and his family are from the states, so they know how to cater to the Westerner. I felt so at home at his ministry, and actually I felt like I could make it my home if that's what God has in mind. I bonded quickly with Jeff's daughter Josie (pictured below) who is my age and started a home for at-risk and abused girls in the neighborhood. There are now 28 Filipino girls known as "Josie's Angels" who are learning to walk in the love and redemption of Christ. Since I only had a short amount of time, I decided to pour everything I had into relationships with a few of these girls. Rather than coast through my last short month, I wanted to put 4 weeks worth of love and joy into half the time… and as I poured out, God and the sweet girls of Manila poured in. I went to help them, to love them, to be there for them… and yet, I'm the one who walked away feeling more loved than I ever have.
"Josie's Angels"
These precious girls changed my heart. I only knew them for a matter of days, but I know God did something powerful in all of us. It's like when people meet "the one" and they just know. I met these girls and I just knew I was supposed to be a part of their lives. I await the day when the Lord lets me reunite with them. I await the day when He shows me just how I'm supposed to be involved and to what degree. They might think they miss me, but I assure you I miss them and need them more. I long for the purpose and completeness I felt when I had the opportunity to be their friend, confidant, and encourager.
