Having a culture shock in the same country is a strange experience. I started off this journey in Manila, a bustling city that literally never sleeps. The skyline and noise seemed to put NYC to shame. I had McDonalds about two minutes from where I stayed, and internet was always available. Then I took a 31 hour bus ride down to the city of Tacloban. At first I was upset about leaving Manila. I loved it there, it was exciting, it was comfy, it was where I thought I needed to be. Having to pack up and leave my little buddies, 2 other teams, and everyday comforts, made me actually angry. Little did I realize how quickly my Spirit would change.
Tacloban was the worst hit area in the Philippines from typhoon Yolanda which struck November 8th 2013. Yolanda was the worst typhoon to ever hit the Philippines in history. Thousands of people lost everything they had. Family, friends, homes, jobs. Back in Manila, we stayed with an organization called Kids International Ministries or KIM. After this event took place, KIM responded with a team to help provide water and food to thousands of people needing help. After several weeks, it was decided that KIM needed to stay down in Tacloban and help rebuild the community and peoples lives. They bought a property with a large building already built. They spent the entire year reconstructing the building and surrounding land. They decided to call the building “the lighthouse”. It is a place where kids can come, feel safe, feel loved. We built a basketball court, planted grass, finished a huge stone wall. It truly is a light to the people of Tacloban. When arriving on October 2nd it was decided that construction needed to be a priority. With that in mind, KIM wanted to do a commemoration event on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of November to remember the lost, and start a new beginning. That gave us a little over a month to get this place ready. My team had construction scheduled Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each day was an 8 hour work day. With construction a priority, we also cleaned the house on Tuesdays and Saturdays and attended feedings on Thursdays. We lost our off day, and only had Sunday to rest and relax.
The event went off very smoothly. On Friday the 7th, we had a movie night(frozen) for the kids, followed by a staff dinner. All the racers, staff, and top members of KIM came and had a big family dinner. Saturday was a crazy day. In the morning we sent teams to the mass graves to be there for people in mourning. We had activities all day for kids and fed the community that night. It was estimated that we fed over 1000 people. We had a lantern lighting and fireworks that night as well. Sunday was a all day basketball tournament that brought people from all over the community.
This last week here in Tacloban has been the hardest. Its been a very powerful and exciting week, however knowing we have to leave is terrible. Deep down I know that our mission has been accomplished. We moved mountains and really helped shape the lighthouse into what it is today. It is a great feeling, knowing we are leaving behind a legacy for thousands of people for years and years. People keep asking me what I will miss the most, and it is without a doubt the staff. The staff here have made such a positive impact on my life. They are some of the most loving, compassionate, hard working people I have ever met. A family only works when both sides pour into one another, and these people are the epitome of that. In these last days I have been working with Aaron, a social worker. He goes out and finds the poor, the families that are suffering. He really reminds me of Jesus’s ministry, living out Luke 19:10 “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost”. He is such an inspiration to love those who have none, and serve the people we are called to serve.
I am overjoyed that God has taken me to the Philippines, especially Tacloban. It has taught me to really trust the Lord, and walk with him. This place has really opened my heart up to others, reaching out and connecting with everybody. Ive been able to listen and hear what God tells me. Prayers have been answered quicker than I ever thought possible. I remember going on a feeding one morning and we ran out of food. I had to tell 8 little kids that we had no more food and I sent them away with nothing. I remember driving home and being so frustrated. I was mad in my bones. How could we not have enough. During lunch I went off by myself and yelled at God. I was furious and I didn’t understand why that had happened. Once I relaxed a bit, I prayed that there would be enough food. I begged that we would be able to fill all the kids bowls and send them off happy and full. During that afternoon feeding God answered my prayer. We ended with 4 little kids, the last of the group, and they each got a full bowl. I had never had a prayer answered so quickly and it blew my mind.
Swaziland is approaching very quickly. I fly out on December 2nd for Qatar, then jump on another flight down to Johannesburg. From there I will drive over to Swaziland. I am crazy excited and cant wait to share it with all you. Hope you are all doing well. I love emails, so continue to send them. Keep safe, I pray for you all the time. God bless
