Wow, one week with several tough goodbyes. Yet again today, we had to go through the constant challenge that is sending off volunteer teams. It’s always such a blessing when they arrive, but the problem with that is when they actually have to leave. These four girls were actually here already for a few days before I arrived in mid June, and they have been working constantly since then and have been an incredible help and addition to our home.
Kaitlin, Chelsea, Lydia, and Liz are four college students that gave up their summer break to come and serve us in Malaybalay. The program they are a part of is called Nehemiah Teams and is run through the BCM at their colleges. Each of them signed up for this program, I don’t think fully expecting what all they had signed up for. Sure, living at our home was a little nicer condition wise than what some of their other teams faced, but being on duty with 26 kids 24/7 is a whole different story. You learn to “love” the kids very quickly and begin to respect your parents even quicker. They have truly sacrificed their summer break to see what it truly means to serve.
Kaitlin was a nice surprise because she actually goes to THE University of Alabama, so it was nice for me to have a voice from home. I loved talking about Summer Snow, Old Bryce, and the greatest football team in the nation. I’m excited to have a friend waiting on me when I return. Chelsea is from southern Mississippi and it was so much fun to see her momma side come out. She quickly attached herself to one of our infants and for at least those two months, Kenneth knew what it was like to have a momma. Lydia goes to school at East Tennessee and was the official leader of this team. She was actually the one (with Jodi and a couple of fun loving Filipinos) that went to the hospital with me a few weeks ago and made sure I was alright. Liz is from Mississippi College (my other school) and she has just been such a servant. I feel like she’s always willing to do whatever is needed (from dishes to stirring the cookie dough) and those people are just always a blessing. I feel like I could say so much about each of these girls, but this is already getting a little long.
Over the last couple months, these girls have pretty much been on lock down at the home, constantly with the kids. For the last week, I got the ok to start doing some outreach with them, and it truly ignited a spark in them. I took them with me to our college and gang Bible studies as well as the jail and they were so willing to share their stories and invest in the lives of the people. After this past Sunday, they were challenged to meet with the students they connected with at some point. Needless to say, we were on campus all day the last few days. I would’ve loved the opportunity to have them do this a little more, but we’ll know better for next time. They made a huge impact on the lives of the students in their short time, by just being with them. I even heard one of the students say, “Whenever I thought of Americans, I thought of them as rich and stuck up. But now that I’m with you, I see you are just like us.”
They were a true blessing to our ministry and will be welcomed back with open arms if they chose to return. They made an impact not only in the lives of our kids, but the students, the gangs, and even the men and women in the jail. Lots of lives were touched by theirs and I pray God continues to do a mighty work in each of them. Thank you girls…
