My heart is overflowing with joy and my eyes are filled with years as I write these words. TODAY I got to see Rein, a year later from our first meeting. For those of you who have been following this story, you know what this means to me. For all you new kids, I will give you a quick update.
I met Rein in Smokey Mountain in the Philippines nearly one year ago today exactly, month 9 on the World Race. He lived in a dirty and hopeless place. Where hungry children roam through the trash piles to find food, all the while their lungs filling with smoke causing healthy problems that limited the length of their life. Honestly, if you say this place it would break your heart. A year ago, I was there and my heart was truly shattered by what I saw. During the feeding, I noticed this little boy who had dirt all over his face, was crying and naked. As I helped it get food I noticed he had a testicular hernia. After finding the family he belonged to and talking with them, I came to know that the hernia continued to grow and could burst at any second, ending this precious boys life. The parents didn’t have the money to pay for his surgery. I left the mountain that day burdened and broken. As I laid in my bed praying, the Lord spoke to me so clearly saying “let you heart break to action”. The next day I contacted the Pastor telling him I wanted to fund Rein’s surgery. I knew God had led me to this boy for a reason, and I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to go after the one. However, I wasn’t alone. I posted about Rein and MANY people’s hearts were touched and they wanted to get involved. Together, we raised enough money to fund Rein’s surgery and have left over to help their family out. I could see this miracle in the works, but it was nearly a year before it all came together.
After having to leave Rein and a chunk on my heart Philippines to head to Africa, I had to trust that the Lord would bring this story to a close. Because of the horrible living conditions Rein had been exposed to, he had many health problems that had to be cleared up before he could undergo surgery. Months and months passed as we (myself, with the pastor and doctors) worked through infections, worms, and all other sorts of complications. There were times I was worried this little boy wouldn’t make it to surgery. BUT GOD. Man, my favorite phrase ever. Nothing is too hard for Him. All along, Jesus was holding onto Rein and took care of Him when I couldn’t.
Last fall, Rein FINALLY received his surgery! He recovered well and is now a healthy and growing little boy. However, it’s not only the physical that God was interested in this child’s life…he wanted to do something different. Since meeting the family, his parents have come to know Christ, moved to a healthier location, gotten married, found better jobs to support their family and started a noodle business to help get other families out of smokey mountain. WOW! God did a 180 on this family and I am beyond honored He chose me to be a part of it. And honestly, He chose all of us who have been involved.
So here I am a year later, flying out to the Philippines to debrief the Passport team that is here. I asked Pastor if he could possibly bring Rein and his mother to the airport to see me before I began my journey to Cambodia to debrief the team there.
When I arrived at the airport, I saw Pastor, Rein and his mother waiting for me. My eyes filled with tears. To think what a privilege it is to be able to invest in someone’s life, but to be able to see them again is a rarity with mission work. The smile on his mother’s face touched my heart beyond words. Over and over she kept thanking me for helping their family. I kept telling her it was Jesus that led me to Rein and He wanted her to know how much He loves her. Tears filled her eyes as well. Rein looked like a different kid! I hardly recognized him! He was healthy, clean, taller and looked like a normal 4-year-old boy. I gave him a hug and some candy. His mother informed me that she was going to be putting Rein into school next year, along with his sister! A privilege most kids from smokey mountain don’t get to have. We chatted for a while before I had to board my plane. Before leaving, I got to pray over her and Rein…I couldn’t make it through the prayer without tears. How awesome is the Lord?! He has done a life changing work in this family’s life and let me play a part in it. There truly is NO greater honor I could ask for. But the part that blessed me more than anything is they asked to pray over me as well. My heart was overflowing with gratitude, humility and love for this moment and this story.
Rein (March 2014)
Rein (March 2015)
Thank you for every person who has prayed for Rein, given towards his medical needs and supported me in my efforts to make a lasting difference in his life. This story is far from over though; God has so much more in store for this precious family. It will cost money to send their kids to school, and I have agreed to sponsor both their children in getting their education. When I told his mom this, she began to weep. Her gratitude was enormous.
This is what life is about. Going after the ONE God places in our paths. For me, that ONE was Rein. Maybe for you it’s a co-worker, family member, friend, neighbor, cashier at your local grocery store or that person who rubs you the wrong way. No matter what path we walk on, God will place people on our journey who need Him. Just by stopping and looking around, we can see hopeless people in need of the LIGHT of Jesus. Don’t miss opportunities! There’s a life waiting to be rescued and God wants to use YOU to do it.
YOU saved a life. Your support, your prayers and your encouragement is what made a difference. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me to be the hands and feet to walk this story out. I am forever grateful, and so are they.
Stay tuned…this story will continue to be updated as Rein’s family presses on into the new life God has for them.
