Since it is raining really hard and most of the ministries are cancelled today, I thought I would take this opportunity to write my very first blog post actually ON the World Race Gap Year! (and when I say raining really hard, I mean we are under part of typhoon Marco, the second typhoon that has hit since I have been here). This will be a very random and long blog, just so you know.
I have so much to say about the last 2 weeks, but I have no idea where to start. I will start by telling you where I am and what I am doing.
I am in Manila right now, and I will stay here for the first month. While I am here I will be staying at Kids International Ministries (KIM). Our entire squad is here, and that has been awesome to still be together. We are staying as a full squad until October 3rd when 4 teams, including mine, will make a 25 hour road trip and ferry ride to Tacloban. Tacloban was hit by a typhoon last year that killed 500 people. I’m not sure exactly what we will be doing there yet, but Shad my squad leader is there right now exploring ministry opportunities. We will be there for 2 months before we come back to Manila and then on to Swaziland!
Right now I have a set schedule every week. There are many ministries that KIM runs. On average, I am a part of 2 ministries a day. We have individual schedules, we don’t do it as a team. These are all of the ministries we have the opportunity to serve in…
- Pool- cooling down with the kids and helping them feel confidence in the water despite the flooding that happens here. We swim with street kids and children’s home kids
- Children’s Home- playing with the kids that are in the orphanage run by KIM
- Pregnancy Center- helping women in various stages of pregnancy with everything from counseling to exercise.
- Construction- Odd jobs, ex. destroying termite mounds, remodeling future missionary’s houses
- Nursery- round the clock taking care of 6 babies and many toddlers
- Community feedings- providing breakfast and dinner in different communities
- Jaz home- home for abused girls (none of the men can minister here)
- Devotions- nightly devotions with the kids at the Children’s Home
- Tutoring- Reading books with the kids in the school
- Leading Church Service- We are responsible for leading one service every Sunday
Throughout the week, I am scheduled for construction, devotions, tutoring, children’s home, community feedings, and the pool. I have also been a part nursery, visiting people in the hospital, team leader responsibilities, and some other ministries. I have been busy to say the least. As a team we have Monday off every week. I also have most evenings after dinner free. I have explored Manila by trike and jeepne. Look them up, they are awesome. I’m sorry this post is so random, I am having a hard time telling your about everything I want to tell you. I have so many stories about the Philippines. I think I will stick to just 2 in this post though.
The first story I want to tell you is about a boy named John. (I cant put his real name because he is still in the home) He is a 6 year old boy at the Children’s home. He is always hanging around me whenever I am there. He is very easy to love and is always on my shoulders or holding my hand. He is a great kid that I am starting to know really well. He showed me around his room this morning that he and 4 other little boys share. I love being over there with him. The problem is that he is very controlling. I was swinging on swings with him one day this week and he wouldn’t let another boy have a turn swinging with me. He started saying things that I couldn’t understand but I could tell they were very mean. The other boy just hung his head and walked away. I didn’t know how to handle the situation. That has not been the only time that he has pushed the other children out of the way and been vicious with his words in order to spend time with just me. I see how much he needs love and attention, but the other kids need it too. I don’t see an end to this problem coming any time soon. God has taught me a lot through John about my own walk with God. He still loves me even when I am acting in even uglier ways then John. I don’t know what God will continue to teach me through John, but I know he will.
The other story I have for you is much shorter. One day after dinner, many of the guys on my squad decided to go see Guardians of the Galaxy. There was only one theater still playing it, and so we ran around Manila after dark getting on random trikes and jeepnes and taking ever changing advice from strangers on the street. We almost gave up, but we found a taxi driver that knew where to take us and we were only 10 minutes late. It was so much fun, and I will always remember it.
Blessings from the Philippines!
