Philippines was definitely another country of breakthroughs and new beginnings for our team. We discovered something new about the beauty in creation, the Word of God and ourselves, while also growing closer to one another and the Lord!
One of our host Pastors in Cebu was a quiet man but a great spiritual leader who is very passionate about sharing the love of Jesus. He came, shook and broke some of our ideas of what a life of ministry looks like. While on Olango Island we experienced God at work in everyday life. We saw how He sustains us when we are weak and tired after digging trenches into coral everyday. We saw Him in the innocent laughter of children singing songs and playing games. He is in the sharing of stories with complete strangers and how He gives the wisdom of what to share. The language barrier just kind of falls away and we are all left amazed by our Creator.
As for some funny or strange things that have happened here in the Philippines, there are many. At times we run around with our backpacks on at night, in the pouring rain, squashing ourselves into jeepneys (small public transport trucks) like sardines. Personal space is not even a thing anymore. We’ve become experts at taking naps in any place you could imagine. On boats, chairs, sidewalks, backpacks, team members, sitting up, standing up...name it. Half of the team has mysterious looking sores on their legs but by grace, some ladies in the team have diplomas in improvised medicine. Now and then strange stenches arise from the streets of the Philippines or the team, its hard to tell. We rescued a small dog that almost became our journey dog. We named her Smasher, but her owner wanted her back and we found out her real name is in fact, Chloe.
During our time in Malapascua, some of us jumped off a cliff. Some went down in the perfect stick formation, but sadly, some landed in what one of our team members calls “toilet position”. Ouch.
We laughed, we cried and we worked hard. We stuck together, celebrating each individuals victories and shared our struggles. We are a family, we take care of each other and encourage one another. A community has formed, we see Jesus more when we discover and seek Him together. He shows is love to us not only in our personal quiet time but also in the testimonies about the good work He has done in the lives of our teammates.
We are on a crazy adventure with Jesus, taking it one day at a time.
Comments