“This is real life. This morning at 3am a rat crawled across Jake’s face then proceeded to get into Christin’s pocket…”
The rats. The smells. The heat. Even with this reality written on the pages of my journal the Philippines still remains a favorite from my Race. It was there God dropped the desire in my heart for my family and I to return the following year. Upon arriving home this summer, with the move and wedding in sight, I let that desire go.
But God…
Don’t you love the “but God’s” in our lives? He didn’t let it go. My friend Liz called early November and after experiencing her own “but God” moment bought a ticket to the Philippines two weeks out. God spoke; she obeyed; “I can, too.”
Liz in the Philippines right now
I couldn’t stop thinking about it a few days later: “Lord, if you want to do this you are going to have to do some pretty crazy things…If this is you, I trust you will do it all.” At church that same night, the second person I met “just happened” to be a Filipino woman. It also “just happened” to be “Missions Sunday.” The kicker: the theme of the final song was “Who will go” and with my parents I yelled, “We will go.”
And so it began…
I called my dad the next day “What would it take for you to go dad?” Was it a heart issue- no desire to go, was it a financial issue- no money to go or was it a timing issue- can’t get off work? It was clear all of the above played a factor in going or not. He was willing but could hardly think about it with all the recent changes, the move and wedding drained the bank account, and he was already taking off work to see grandma, how could he go?
Bummer. “Lord I called, I asked and now I know. But you can do anything. I have seen it in the past.”
Minutes later my dad called back, “well we asked for God to show us and I think He is doing it”. I chuckled as my dad explained how he had walked into Wal-mart and the first person he saw resembled a Filipino women. As he looked at her he heard the Holy Spirit say, “You say you are willing but are you really willing?” Taken back a bit, he contemplated whether or not he was really willing. His willingness proved true as he hunted the women down amongst Wally-worlds endless isles. Sure enough she confirmed she was Filipino and their conversation ended with my dad inviting her to church.
Days later one of the worst Typhoon's in history hit the Philippines. It stormed the news and flooded my heart. If there was ever a time to go it is now!
Pastor Ramilo, who I worked with last year, helping with relief efforts
My dad was asked to gather and pray for some of the Filipino’s in our area and my mom “just happened” to be attending a Filipino bible study that week. Truthfully I have never seen so many Filipino’s at the gym before… haha the “but God” moments only strengthened from there.
I moved in with my sister three months ago. After two months Molly informed me that one of her roommates was moving out (after a year and a half together). With an advantageous housing market her wheels began to turn; "Should I sell my house?" She wasn’t going to sell unless it was the Lord’s idea, plus she had another roommate to consider. As she prayed, He told her to wait. Sure enough a couple days later her second roommate approached her about moving out as well. “God is that you?” Molly asked. Yup, two roommates within two weeks, that was Him alright. So we cleaned, organized and staged the house to sell. Wednesday the pictures were up and a price tag listed it online. Ok Lord, we trust you. Let’s go!
At this point I had made the decision to go back to the Philippines. The Lord made it quite clear to me. However, that wasn’t the deal. The deal was for my family to go. Sure I could decide myself to go but getting my whole family there…? Well that is a story only the Lord could write.
As I was processing the Philippines with my family and attempting to convince them to go with me, Molly took the first plunge. We agreed that if her house sold in a week she would be joining me in the Philippines.
Oh did I pray.
Wednesday and Thursday went by, and nothing. Friday we received our first showing. Saturday came a second one. We were pumped. On Tuesday we were told the other half of a family was coming again and they would most likely be placing an offer. Whaaat? It was Tuesday the day before the week deadline. We were so excited and I was freaking out just a little bit.
Unfortunately, they had completely low-balled it- $24,000 lower than our asking price… Man. Seriously. Whyyy?
As I talked with the Lord I was pretty upset… “God I feel like I have fought for my family to come to the Philippines- this house not selling isn’t going to help our case…” In that moment I had a decision to make, waver or praise? I decided to praise Him and trust what He was seeing regardless of what I was.
The next day, exactly a week from listing, our realtor explained that the potential buyer probably didn’t have the money and to expect them to walk. As I told the story to Meghan and Ben there was disappointment in my voice… today was supposed to be the day.
Hours passed and Molly called…. “They really want the house, we came to an agreement and it is sold.”
WHAT?!?! The house is SOLD? We both couldn’t believe it. To the day He had come through. JESUS! Man. He is so good.
That was it. We were now going no if's, and's, or butt’s about it. The following day was Thanksgiving and boy did we give thanks.
We have decided to go at the end of this month. Yes only a few short weeks to prepare. But He can do it.
My parents are still waiting for their green light.
Michael is trying to finish finals.
Meghan and Ben are getting married next week.
And Molly and I have to be moved out in 20+ days…
No biggie right?
I have full assurance the majority of my family will be on a flight to the Philippines this year! I wouldn’t ask for anything else this Christmas.
I can’t believe it yet I absolutely can. Dare to dream with Jesus and He will dare to do more than our little dreams could ever take us.
One of the biggest lessons this season is how to believe even when I don’t see. Faith. We wouldn’t call it faith if we saw… it would be called knowledge. Faith isn’t when we see but when we don’t see and believe anyway. I want to not only believe but praise Him like I am praising Him now when He has done the miraculous. Why do I have to wait till I see to praise Him? Oh may my rejoicing be constant and never wavering in shifting circumstances. Last time I checked He is the solid rock, never changing, shelter from the storm. His love is steadfast and His word is true.
Today I choose to praise Him even though we don’t have all the money to go, the plane tickets in hand, or a place secured to stay. I will praise Him because I know who He is. He is a “but God” moment maker who will surely come through. Regardless of the seen He is worthy of all my praise.
I can't wait see my friends, smell the smells and feel the Philippines warm embrace.
I'm going back.
