I heard about Mark and Elle Hymes before I left the Philippines last September. Unfortunately, I was never able to run across them because they actually moved here around a week after I left. This couple comes from a church that is very well connected with Kids International Ministries and has already made the trip out here several times. After a season of God preparing their hearts, they have made the full time move across the globe to settle down in the Philippines.
My first few days of being back, we were all so busy with the World Race squad being here, but I was able to get a nice fly by introduction. It was one of those types of meetings where we talked about meeting and getting to know each other. It took a few days, but we were finally able to make it happen. I just so happened to be walking down his street as Mark was taking out the garbage and he asked me to join him for a cup of coffee. Good timing on my part.
Over the next hour or so, I was able to hear a good bit about Mark and Ell’s journey out here and how God had called them out to the mission field. The Hymes have now raised kids that are “grown ups” and have refused the idea of a retired life. Mark worked in the government for several years and was able to be the missionary type that lived by example in the world. After a couple of short term trips out to the Philippines, it was clear and evident that they were called to pick up and become Filipino.
When I showed up, I heard all about Tito Mark and Tita Elle and how great of an addition they were to Malaybalay. The locals had already adopted them. Elle has come out here to bring a reading program to our two bases in Manila and Malaybalay. When I flew through the Philippines, I was able to stop and see the new reading room in Manila that Mark, Elle, and their church essentially built. It is a place for the community to come and learn to read. Elle taught all the teachers there how to go through the lessons with students, and then picked up and moved south. She and Mark have been down here since.
It’s been fun to talk with Mark about the complete culture shock that comes with truly moving to a place. They don’t know the language and are extremely nervous about any expectation put on them to learn it. Mark has already been man enough to make drives back and forth all over the island (something I may never do) and is working at finding his place down here as well. It’s not hard to feel comfortable down here, but it can be tough to find out where to go and help because of how hospitable they truly are.
I really respect these two because this isn’t an easy thing to do by any means. They don’t really have a plan for how long they’ll be here or even a day to day idea. They’re just here to live the life that God opens up for them every day. Life is a journey, and God wants us to keep going the whole way through. There isn’t a time in life to stop and just wait for God to come pick us up. He still has so much more ahead no matter where you are in your career. I’m learning a ton from these two and enjoy having the voice of wisdom in my life…
