Someone asked me today, if I could sum up the month in the Philippines with one word what would it be? I stopped to think for a minute, and then the word ‘intense’ came out of my mouth. I think that’s a pretty good word to describe how I feel about this past month.
It started thinking about our first day in Bacolod. We went to a TB clinic to visit with children and adults that are suffering with this disease. It was a very surreal time. We didn’t know these people at all, yet I felt such a strong connection and burden for each one of them. As we heard the testimonies I could feel the broken hearts and sadness flow out of each of them. But then afterwards we walked around the campus and got to see where they all stayed, and they were so happy to show us around and show us their ‘homes’. They were all full of joy, and happy to have us there.
Then after we left there I had my first experience, of many to come, of the slum communities around Bacolod. We visited a pastor that has a vision of building a church in the middle of the community. We talked with him about finances to build the church, and got some setup information for future World Race teams to help him. We prayed over him, and walked through the community and covered it in prayer and blessings. I knew at this point that this month was going to be a tough one. If this was just our first day, what will the other ones be like??
Starting the next day all the way until yesterday every two to three days my team and I were in different villages serving, encouraging, and praying over the pastors and their communities. We did construction on churches, house visits to pray over the local congregation, various children’s programs, and attended a couple of celebration times.
These are some things that touched me the most this month-just to name a few:
First, there was our time with Marvin, the young boy that passed away from meningitis. I’m sure many of you have read and heard about our experience with him. He and his family touched all of our lives very much, and they will always be engraved on my heart. This was the point that the Lord allowed me to experience true brokenness within myself, and for others. My team and I have spent our time grieving with one another through this, and in that we have grown closer as a family.
Second, is the time I spent with Rhea. She is the sweetest, most beautiful 12 year old girl I have ever met. She has been through so much more than many, many people will be able to say they have. She has suffered for about 7 months with her diagnosis of leukemia. Even though she is sick with a fever most of the time; she is just a young girl wanting to be a young girl. She loves to dance, draw, read, watch T.V., and play sports (when she wasn’t sick), she’s so funny, and loves her family very much. Her mother works very hard taking care of her four children, and she loves them all dearly. Her father works just as hard earning an income to support his family at the same time trying to pay for Rhea’s treatments. He owes a huge debt to the company he works for, because he has to borrow money each month for the doctor visits. But day by day her and her family lives by faith that God will provide for all their needs. The last time I saw her she told me that her blood platelet level has gone up to 30. When she was diagnosed 7 months ago it was at 14. Praise God! She is getting better every day!
Third, was our Christmas/Thank You celebration with the ICM staff. We cooked chicken enchilada soup and rice, and amazing no bake cookies for them. Then we sang some Christmas songs and played games. It was a great time of fellowship and fun!
Fourth, is our time spent with Pastor Auggerie and his wife Girly, serving in their village. You can read my blog about it. But what I have yet to blog about is the night that he and his wife came to the ICM base and shared their full testimonies with us. This couple has touched my heart more than anyone this entire trip. They are true, living examples of what is means to love, have faith, and trust that God will not only provide, but will use your hardships to grow you and use you as a living testimony of His desire for sacrificial living; for the purpose of furthering His Kingdom.
So the reason why I say that this month has been intense is because, through all of this and so much more, God has revealed Himself to me more than I have ever experienced. I know God on more of a personal level than I have ever known Him. I can say with confidence that God is my friend, and He loves me and wants only the best for me-even if that means taking me through hardships to get there. I don’t understand why a lot of the things that happened this month had to happen, and I don’t understand why all these young children have to suffer through something that isn’t their fault. BUT I know that the Lord’s plan is more magnificent and beautiful that I can ever imagine. I will probably never know the answers to all my questions about this month, but one day I pray to somehow see the fruit of it.
