*** The first half of this was written on March 8 but I did not post earlier because I wanted pictures..sorry…”
 
So I am here in Rizal, Philippines and my mind thinks a million thoughts per minute.
1. I am in the Philippines!
2. Can I stop sweating for at least 5 minutes?
3. Why am I so scared to speak what little Tagalog I do know?
4. How is it that I feel at ease already?
5. Did I really wake up to sounds of roosters crowing and random bike horns?
6. Am I sellout because I don’t know the language?

We are at Kids International Ministries (KIM) at debrief. The most exciting news ever is that we as an entire squad are staying here for the entire month!!!! Ow Ow! It’s something I never expected because we are a bit of a larger squad but what a blessing! Each team will be doing a different ministry during the day and that is still to be determined.
 
     

Right outside of our little base is a squatter community. There are about 180 homes in these sheet metal made houses but about 5,000 individuals live there.

I was sitting doing my quiet time when God spoke to me and said to go outside to the front gate. To my left, I saw nothing but to my right I saw the most beautiful child ever, Diana. The same child that welcomed the entire squad upon arrival with her beautiful beaming smile and little hand waving and with more than enough love to share with 60ish strangers.

She ran into my arms and we started laughing. With my broken Tagalog (Filipino language) and her near to none knowledge of English we laughed, chased after dogs, joked about smelling bad and played on a rickety slide and rusted swing set.  Probably the best 2 hours of my life. She proceeded to play with my hair and just love me. When she was in my arms, she held tight. She welcomed me and loved me without any reason.

Diana  just wanted me to spend time with her-whether that was to watch her jump off the slide or just make silly faces with each other.  In a smile, she wiped away any insecurity of not being good enough or if I was really supposed to be here or if my broken Tag-lish would suffice.

God knew that I needed to not only feel his presence but feel his love physically… so we played on the monkey bars.
 
I don’t see Diana every day. I find it interesting that on days where I am struggling with my identity or struggling with the idea of being good enough.. she pops up unexpectedly and continues to love me. Much like my God who loves me so..she wipes away my sweat, calls me beautiful, makes sure that I am loved and then is on her little way again. God always makes sure that I know that I am HIS and I am loved. 😉
 
 
 “Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. ” Psalm 23:6 (The Message)