Day 10 - Thoughts from my Journal

Dear friends and family,

Today was a wonderful day of fellowship and shopping and relaxation. I am so blessed to know the Nichols family, and I've really enjoyed getting to spend time with them these past ten days. Looking ahead, I'm mainly going to be helping in Redemptio before I leave on Thursday, and on Tuesday, I'm visiting the street girls' camp for half a day.

I can't believe my time here has gone by so quickly. On one hand, I miss you all back at home, but on the other hand, I know I'll really miss this place. Whether it's the colorful jeepneys or the friendly honking during traffic or the little cockroaches and mosquitoes (mosquitoes 15: me 2) or the vibrantly painted buildings or the little kittens on the street or the fried chicken and rice or just the friendliness and respect of the culture here, I know the Philippines will always be dear to my heart.

Even today, while we were in the car, we passed a group of teens who live on the streets under a bridge at night. Only a few feet away sat a tall SM, which is basically a mall/shopping complex. Here I see the poorest of the poor living among the wealthy, and I think I'm learning more that on one hand, it's okay not to feel guilty for what I have and to glorify God with my possessions while also learning to balance being open and willing to give sacrificially. But it really is heartbreaking to see people living with so little but having so much joy.

One issue God has really been putting on my heart is the command to be still and to wait before Him.

Psalm 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 46:10

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Today, while I was journaling, I was asking myself: How can I be still when people are suffering, when the world is broken and hurting? How can I be still in an uncertain world when I have hopes and dreams not yet fulfilled? How can I be still when there's so much to fear and worry about and there's so much in the world that is dark and evil and painful?

And then this question popped into my mind: If I live with worry and doubt, not living as if God is sovereign and He holds my life in His hands, if I don't truly live as if God is enough for me, then I won't be still. Too often I live life wanting to make my own plans, not wanting to be patient or wait but wanting to make my own friends, find my own future, plan my own dreams. But I am reminded that maybe I just need to wait and let God move, let God work and change my heart and bring things to pass instead of taking matters into my own hands.

These past ten days I've seen God work. I've seen Him use men and women to reach children and communities, men and women suffering from physical illnesses or financial needs or emotional struggles. I've heard testimonies of God changing and shaping lives, and I've seen God provide financially and spiritually. Not only has He been active all around me, but He's also shown Himself trustworthy in my own life, providing for my physical and spiritual needs during this whole time.

And seeing God move and work really makes me long to be still and wait before God. I now feel a deep desire to trust God more, to wait for Him, to be still before Him. We have a God who is the Starmaker, who created the universe, who plans everything, every event, every timing, every day perfectly. I don't need to worry or stress or try to take control of my own life, but I can wait for Him who is my Storywriter because He is a God who is mighty and who acts on our behalf for His glory and our good. 

I'm excited to learn more how to be still, how to wait. God is doing wonderful things in the lives of His children, and this trip has deepened my trust for Him and also increased my desire to trust and depend on Him more. He is trustworthy. He is faithful. He doesn't need us to try and act on our own accord or to try and figure out our lives. He will act for us. 

Psalm 126:3

The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad

Day 7, 8, and 9 - Home of Joy Orphanage

Dear friends and family,

The last couple days have been tiring but also really good for me, and I'm excited to share with you!! Thankfully my stomach virus was gone just in time for our trip to the orphanage (praise God),  and I'm so thankful for that.

On Thursday morning, Ellie and I took a very adrenaline packed 3 hour car ride to the Home of Joy orphanage in a province outside of Manila. When we arrived, the staff had a two hour long prayer meeting and luncheon that we were invited to participate in, and afterwards we got some groceries at an SM (supermarket/mall) close by. We were also shown a little guest house which was cute and rustic right across from the orphanage, and we got our stuff settled.

By that time Ellie and I were pretty excited to finally see the kids. There were three babies, three toddlers at around 2, two girls with some disabilities, and one six-year-old boy Francis who is getting adopted in the fall. Princess is the sweetest little girl ever, and although she's one of the most independent toddlers I've seen, she really warmed up to us near the end and gave us a hug before we left. Prince and Moses are also really cute and affectionate, and the babies are really adorable. It was a huge privilege to be able to spend time with them all and show them God's love.

We got to spend most of our time on Friday with the kids. They wake up at 6am, so we were up early on Friday morning to spend time with them. Another family was visiting briefly and they brought toys and candy for all the kids, which was special. Francis is learning English so I enjoyed getting to talk to him and teach him how to write words like "cat" and "car". Mostly we just played with the children with their toys, carried them around and let them sit in our laps, and  helped them color and eat meals. During the afternoon, they take a short nap, so Ellie and I were able to rest up.

I'll be honest and say that the time at the orphanage was probably the most draining part of my trip so far, just because we had to be fully present and engaged with the children to make sure they didn't hurt themselves or the other kids and to show care and gentleness to them all. We also had to be patient with them if they were whiny or tired, which was physically tiring. But today it was hard to say goodbye and to give last hugs and kisses to each child. The children are so sweet and even though it wasn't easy to help in the orphanage, God gave me His strength and love for the children. I'll miss them all so much, and I really hope I'll get to see them some day.

Please pray with me for their adoption and for Francis as he transitions to a new family in the fall. Pray that these little ones will someday get to know Jesus and to love Him. Pray also for them physically as some of them suffer from seizures that the Lord would keep them safe.

While writing this, God is reminding me about how beautiful adoption is. How we spiritually were once orphans, without a family. But God, being rich in mercy, has adopted us into His family and we can know call Him Abba Father, our closest Friend. And that to me is just wonderful and mindblowing. That I was able to physically love children without families who care for them in an imperfect way of how God loves us. I pray one day Princess, Prince, Moses, April, Gian, JM, Francis, Dorcas, and Honey will be able to call God their Heavenly Father and recognize the wonderful family they have in Christ.

Adoption is a wonderful thing and I am reminded of how blessed I am to have the God who created the stars and who has written each of our life stories as my Abba Father and to be part of His family. This trip stretched me and taught me to depend on God and to fall more in love with His design of adoption, and I'm glad I was able to share this experience with Ellie and to share stories and life lessons and laugh and serve together. It's been a real blessing and I'm learning more and growing closer to the Lord each day, and I'm so full of memories made and thankfulness for what Christ is doing in me and in the Philippines.

Amanda

Day 6 - Sorting Books and Spa Day

Dear friends and family,

PRAYER REQUEST - I have a little stomach bug from something I ate. Pray it will go away so I can still visit the orphanage this weekend, God willing.

I'm not really an emotional person but today I almost broke down. We were at Pastor Bong's church in Floodway near Redemptio, and they have a daily feeding for 50-60 kids who are malnourished in the community. Once they get on the list, they are regularly evaluated until they reach a healthy weight before taken off the feeding program.

Anyway, they have a worship session where the kids sing with hand motions, and you should've heard dozens of kids shouting of God's love for them and how they want to live for Him. Again these are the very poorest of the poor and to hear them shout, literally shout, of their love for God, it just broke me emotionally because it was so powerful.

Many have little to no food, clothes, running water, electricity. Many of them have never left the squatter community and some come from broken families where siblings as young as 6 or 7 take care of their baby siblings. They live in shacks with tin roofs and sides, and they really have nothing compared to what we have back at home. Yet their smiles when they were singing, their excitement, it just was contagious. I know back at home, once kids get older and reach a certain age, they don't really want to sing and do hand motions, but these kids were just unashamedly belting their hearts out and they knew all the lyrics and all the motions. Their excitement and passion for God was just tangible.

I was trying not to break down just because in that moment, I not only saw but felt God moving and working and drawing that community close to His heart. It was just so apparent though the smile of each child and the wonderful program in the church that God is using that church to bless the community and change lives. Through the church and Redemptio, God is bringing His people to Him in mighty ways, and it was humbling and encouraging to see their worship.

Today I also sorted books at Redemptio since school was cancelled and I was treated to a foot massage and pedicure. Tomorrow Ellie and I are heading to the orphanage for two nights. It's about half a day's drive away. Pray for us as neither of us have been there before and have no idea what to expect. Pray that we can be a blessing to whomever we meet and that God will go before us and give us peace.

Being here makes me excited to pursue long term missions, God willing, and it has really helped me trust God when I see tangibly what He is doing. I can see with my own eyes that God is good and sovereign, and not only that, but He cares and answers prayer. I'm thankful that I have a relationship with a God who is near to me and who is faithful throughout every emotional and physical up and down of my life, and being here makes me excited to serve Him.

God is so good.

Blessings,
Amanda

Day 5 - Second Day at Redemptio

Dear family and friends,

Today was such a special day. I used some of the money from Living Hope to buy Happy Meals for all 40 of the kids at Redemptio and you should've seen their faces when they opened up the boxes and saw fried chicken and rice and gravy. Their faces literally lit up, and the teachers said that for some of the students, they had never had McDonlds before.

I had such a great time today, serving them food, watching them open their Happy Meal toys, helping  them make their craft which they loved, reading them stories, and playing "tag" and catch with them. The kids are so precious and so sweet. It's impossible not to smile when you're with them because they each have such beautiful smiles and it really is heartwarming to spend time with them. Even though I'm very excited to see the other ministries here, I will miss them all so much. Time really flies while I'm there! The teachers there (Teacher Lisa and Teacher Olive) are doing a phenomenal job loving and teaching the pre-k and kinder students. Please keep the students at Redemptio in our prayers as well as the staff!!

Tomorrow the president announced a national holiday due to Ramadan, I believe, so there won't be school. I might help resort books at Redemptio and spend a relaxing afternoon with some of the girls here. On Thursday through Saturday, I will be staying at an orphanage 3-4 hours from here, and on Monday-Tuesday, I will be staying at a street girls camp. I think out of everything,

I could use the most prayer for the street girls' camp just because the girls will be older, in their teens. It's a lot easier  to work with little ones and make them laugh, but it's a little harder to reach across the language barrier to those who are slightly older. Please pray that God will give me the right words to say when I'm with them, and that I will be able to share God's love with them, despite a little apprehension. I am excited though to see what God is doing through both ministries, and I am thankful to be here.

Happy 4th to those back home,
Amanda

Day 4 - First Day at Redemptio

Dear family and friends,

I promise you that even if you don't like kids, you will fall in love with the children at Redemptio. They are so precious and so adorable and so funny and so cheerful, and they keep talking to me in Tagalog and I have no idea what they're saying but it's the sweetest thing ever. The little girls have cute little plaid skirts to go with their white blouses, and the boys have shorts and a white shirt, and they are so so cute.

Redemptio has three sessions, two pre-k classes and one kindergarten class in the afternoon that Teacher Lisa and Teacher Olive teach throughout the day. There are 40 kids in total. They start class with a pledge of allegiance to the flag of the Philippines, the Christian flag, and the Bible, and the kindergarteners also recite Scripture before singing two songs. It is the most adorable thing ever to hear twenty little four and five-year-olds shouting "Jesus You're my number one!" They also are learning phonetics and vowel sounds and simple English words. Afterwards, they also have a small snack/meal provided by the parents of the children that go to Redemptio.

In the States I had bought little gummy candies that look like hamburgers, and we gave them out to all the kids and the teachers today and the kids LOVED them. Tomorrow we are planning to use some of the money provided by Living Hope and other generous supporters to buy Happy Meals for all the kids and the teachers as a special treat for their snack time. These are kids who have probably never been to McDonald's in their lifetime, imagine that. Ellie and I also are planning a craft (basically a moon cut out of a paper plate that the kids can hang up) to go along with the children's story "Goodnight Moon."

The children at Redemptio are literally so sweet, I can go on and on about them. They'll listen  to me read books, even though I'm pretty sure they have no idea what I'm reading, but they'll be super engaged and point out things like "bird," "dog," or "flower" in the pictures.

Other than that, I had a wonderful time meeting and getting to spend time with various other missionaries and Christians, hearing from one young lady who taught inner city kindergarteners back in the States and getting to spend Fourth of July with other believers. I had a great time as well as great food. Even though how we celebrate Fourth of July at home is different, I'm thankful I got to be here and spend today with really hospitable families.

Please continue to pray for Redemptio and the teachers who work there each day, as well as each individual child, that they might one day come to know the Lord. These children come from the poorest of the poor in the Floodway community in Taytay, which is basically a squatter community where people live in shacks built from tin. Many don't have running water or electricity. Pray for the families the children live in, as some families are battling health issues or th loss of parents. And please pray for the Nichols family as they are in the process of expanding Redemptio into a new building in Floodway and for the lengthy and complex battle of trying to work around the red tape.

So far I've barely had much jetlag (praise God) and am doing well health-wise. I think being here really confirms my passion for working with kids and my desire to go into missions someday. Continue to pray for me as I continue to venture out of my comfort zone, whether it's by meeting new people or by trying to interact with kids despite a language barrier. God is really drawing me closer to Him, and for that I am thankful! Being here is such a privilege and I am constantly reminded of that.

Goodnight,
Amanda

Day 2 and 3 - Tondo and Sunday

Dear friends and family,

Last night I was too exhausted to blog, so I'm typing this on a beautiful Sunday morning. 85 degrees already at 7am. So excuse me if I'm still kind of groggy.

Yesterday we woke up with the sun for the feeding at Tondo. I got to ride a trike for the first time, which is basically a motorcycle attached to a little cart/carriage, and it was a cool experience! We started off by handing out hard candies to the children around the church, sorting piles of rags turned into little pot holders into stacks, and talking and praying with Pastor Ramilo. Please continue to pray for his battle with cancer and for his amazing ministry there in Tondo. They have feedings there 3 times a week and a school and church there as well. He has a huge heart for the poorest of the poor, and God is doing amazing things through his ministry!

We hiked up Smokey Mountain, a "mountain" made by years of landfill and waste. I thought it was beautiful how among the scraps of plastic and bits of glass in the soil, there were leafy banana plants growing, almost as a reminder how God can bring life to even the most impoverished of places. It is unbelievable how the Christian workers there serve, loving the children with such big hearts and serving with so much sacrifice.

There are a hundred or two hundred individuals living on top of Smokey Mountain, without running water, electricity, and daily meals. They have literally nothing except the tattered clothes on their backs, and even then, many of them showed up half-naked or completely naked. Yet the children there, probably among the world's poorest, are the most precious kids I've seen with their large eyes and beautiful smiles. They are so joyful and welcoming and happy, despite the conditions they live in. It really is humbling and provides a perspective on joy and contentment, and it was a privilege to love them and to help Pastor Ramilo's ministry and to see how God is using him.

We were able to fill about 100 bowls with rice, spam, and banana ketchup, which is "ketchup" made from bananas and dyed red with food coloring. A week ago, some short term missionaries brought metal bowls for each of the kids, and so it was neat to see all the kids holding up their individual metal bowls!  It was also one of the older ladies' 65th birthday, and it was pretty neat to see a group of youth celebrating and singing on top of Smokey Mountain.

After Smokey Mountain, we went back to the Nichols' and rested before dinner. We were invited by a  sweet couple who ministers to missionaries  to one of the cutest and most amazing restaurants I have ever been in! The owner of the restaurant was a humble, sweet, and welcoming Christian lady who also has the most amazing, crystal-clear voice and she sang a few songs for us. The food was amazing (liquid chocolate for dessert), and it was nice to fellowship with other missionaries and Christian families living in Manila.

The main question running through my mind is: If God is good and if He is sovereign here in such poverty, isn't He also good and sovereign in my own life as well? To be perfectly honest, the last six months to a year have been really hard for me with a lot of friendship/relationship issues, but yet here I see that God truly is sovereign and He is present and working in this community for our good and His glory, changing lives and hearts. And if He is good and sovereign despite challenges like Pastor Ramilo's cancer and extreme poverty, if He is working and using these difficulties to bring others closer to Him, then He is also good and active and working in my own life as well, using trials and difficulties for my good. Even though my own struggles are so small compared to the weight of what I've seen, I give thanks, for I know the God I serve loves me and does indeed have a good plan in mind for me. He is good and does good, and this trip is a beautiful reminder of that.

Today the plan is for me to attend the Nichols' church and maybe visit Shalom Birthing Clinic. Ellie and I are also leading a craft/story time at Redemptio on Tuesday or Wednesday, so we'll be getting supplies for our craft too.

Thank you,
Amanda

Day 1: I'M IN MANLA

Dear friends and family,

I cannot describe the emotions I felt when I looked out of the window from my plane and I could see Manila with its maroon-ish cloud of smog and pollution hovering above, the tin roofs glistening up at me, the turquoise and salmon colored houses/shacks, the rivers interlacing the city, and the abundance of traffic and cars and jeepneys and people. I don't think I stopped smiling from then on until my plane landed to be perfectly honest. I am so so happy to be here!

I love it here, and while visiting Manila for the first time two years ago was exciting and wonderful, getting to come back here really is even better. Everything is familiar in a way, but exhilaratingly new and fresh and ready for me to explore and fall in love with all over again. The Philippines is such a warm, friendly, inviting country, and everyone here is so full of smiles and laughter. Even the men at customs were kind and warm and friendly, and wow, I just keep discovering more new things to love about this city. From the decorative jeepneys to the cutest kids at the side of the road, this country just blows my mind.

My flights were super uneventful, and I was able to find everything okay! One thing that really jumped out at me was one moment during my flight to Manila. The gentleman next to me had just woken me up for the complimentary lunch, and I was still kind of groggy and half-asleep. Then I looked out the window and I saw the most perfect, vivid, intense rainbow I had ever seen. I wish I'm able to upload pictures, otherwise I would, but what a reminder and what an encouragement! To know that God is faithful and that He will be with me, each step of the way. I'm pretty positive that it wasn't a coincidence, but that the Lord sent it to encourage me and give me peace, and I know I'll remember it throughout this trip.

But other than that, I spent a lovely 4-5 hours in.traffic traveling about 18 miles, but  I really enjoyed getting to fellowship with the Nichols family and friends! You will not believe the incredible view I have here from their house and their hospitality is a blessing. I'm surprisingly not tired at all, which is probably because I'm so excited and thrilled to be here and I want to absorb everything around me and take in all the sights and smells and sounds that I've missed.

Tomorrow I'm waking up before 6am for the feeding at Tondo, one of the largest slums in Manila and in the world, I believe. Keep me and the Nichols family in your prayers, as well as the children who will receive food and Pastor Ramilo, who leads the feeding program in Tondo.

Again, if you can't tell already, I am so so so excited to be here. I love this country more and more, and it is such a huge blessing and a privilege to be able to come back here.

Much love,
Amanda