I have been in the Philippines for 5 days. Only 5 days and my team and another team have already gotten to see how the Lord is moving in Manila. We are partnering with Kids International Ministries this month. A ministry that works with kids of all ages in the city.
We got to hear the vision for what KIM wants for their community.
They are currently in the process of breaking ground to build a school. A school that will look set apart for this community. A school that will provide children with so much opportunity. KIM wants to see a school built that purely shows the extravagant love that Jesus has for His people.
Apart from the school being built, KIM has a childrens home, a birthing clinic, they have bible studies and devotionals for middle school aged students through college aged students, they make thousands of meals to feed the community per week, they work with street kids, etc.
These past 5 days I have gotten the incredible opportunity to serve in some of these things.
I have gotten the opportunity to play with the kiddos in the childrens home, which is an actual dream. I walked in and got to watch some of the 3-6 year olds sitting and singing worship songs. One little boy specifically had moved away from everyone else and was just sitting on a table worshiping Jesus. So simple and so beautiful. Jesus just wants us to sit with Him in His presence. I also got to play with the 2 year olds and man was my heart so full. One of the little boys and I played with a string for at least 10 minutes and it was purely joyful. The laughter just from the string flying out of his hands made me incredible happy. A sweet reminder to see the joy in the simple things.
I got to help paint the birthing center one night, which was so fun. I have never painted walls before but I really enjoyed doing that with some of my squad mates.
We also have gotten to provide food for thousands of people. KIM does two feedings per day and on Saturdays they provide food for at least 2,000 people. We got to bring about 1,000 meals to one community, feed the kids, and hear the vision that the pastor has for this community. We got to pray with and for this community of people that the Lord provides in abundance. It was beautiful to see and hear how much the Lord has already done and is doing in this village.
Today I GOT TO HELP BIRTH A CHILD…. W H A T ? ! I never expected to do anything like that. 5 of my squad mates and I assisted Rona, the midwife, in birthing a child. The Lord used each of our strengths to walk alongside one another in this process. I got the amazing opportunity to clean the baby off, clothe her, and hold her after she was born. It was a little terrifying but also one of the most amazing things I’ve gotten to experience. W O W.
I am so stoked to see what else we will get to participate in while we are here this month.
I am also pumped to continue to see God’s vision and beauty unfold in this place.
We have had rest days and have survived jet lag. No longer waking up at 3am! Wahoooooo
