Well I finally made it to the Philippines! We had a 36 hour travel day, but arrived safely on September 11th. We are staying right outside Manila with a contact until October 1st then we will head down to Tacloban and do ministry there for the rest of our time in the Philippines. My schedule is pretty packed, I have feedings, kids home, pool ministry, construction, devotions, all which push me physically and spiritually. My teams off day is Thursday and Sundays after church are pretty laid back. Internet is not easily accessible, which is certainly something to get used to. At the moment, I have a bed to sleep on. 3 incredible meals a day, and even a pool. God has blessed our beginning journey into his plan for us. And for that I am incredibly grateful.
This has without a doubt been the most challenging week of my life. My frustration, excitement. happiness, loneliness, and self doubt have all triggered an extremely difficult roller coaster of emotion. One minute you feel on top of the world, playing with kids that just radiate love, the next your heart gets broken when one of them calls you daddy. I’ve realized how blessed I’ve been my entire life, and wondered how I didn’t recognize it. We went to a feeding, where people have nothing, and still they love and serve the Lord. It is that obedience, that faith that I want to have. These people inspire me beyond words, and challenge me everyday.
I’ve been thinking about surrender, and what it means. I used to think surrender was about giving something up because you have too much. Stop playing those video games to engage in something else. But I look at these people, how little they have, and they surrender too. But instead of surrendering material possessions, they literally surrender their lives. And I realize that is what God is after. Not my video games, not my friends. He wants me. He wants a whole hearted devotion to him. And thats what these people give him. And thats what I want to give him. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, as I keep you all in mine. I hope all is well, God bless.
