As I am preparing for my missions trip, and hopeful eventual move to the Philippines (we will see what God does--but that's the plan), I realize the need to appreciate what I have around me now, and who I have around me now. The little things that God is doing right now are an important part of the journey, and something to look back upon later. I am sure going to miss my amazing church family while I am in the Philippines. I wish I could pack them up and take them along. Hopefully some of them can visit...but the truth is, I am going to miss these people.
One of the older ladies came up to me before church. She was there last night when everyone prayed for me. She said that she is putting me on her prayer list and wants to stand with me. She has been to the Philippines and loves the Filipino people. What an encouragement to have others who understand why I am doing what I am doing.
Then during the announcements, we were very saddened to learn that a lady at church had gone into the hospital for a stress test. Her unborn baby wasn't moving. Several people prayed, and the service continued. Then, towards the end of the service, the wife of one of the pastors announced she had just gotten a text and the baby has a good strong heartbeat. I let out a cheer, and we went on to sing and to worship the Lord. We do serve a God Who heals. He breathed life into this little baby. Praising Him today for the gift of this little one to my friends. Today we saw God work. He always works, but He can and does continue to perform miracles today. His eye is on that precious little life...this little one whom He is continuing to knit together inside his or her mother's womb. In the same way, He sees each of us. No, He doesn't always answer prayers according to what we want...but today He said yes...and this child will live and God will be glorified through this life.
We take for granted the little things in life. Even the fact that I am here, breathing...I expect that. Years ago the doctors were not sure I would survive to be born, and here I am. I don't want to ever take for granted even being here...having the abilities to walk and talk...even in a body that isn't perfect, I can bring Him glory in what I do. Anything you see in me...it's all Him. He just chose to use me...He decided that before He even formed the world...He said, "I want her." And that makes me realize how fortunate I am. I may not have everything...but I do have Him. And with what I do have, I want to be used to change the lives of some precious little ones in the Philippines. But until then, I don't want to lose sight of how God is working and the miracles He is performing today.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Saturday, March 22, 2014
The ties that bind us
Reminded yet again of how small our world really is. I was in bed most of the day with a headache. Yet I managed to chat with friends in Africa and work on my Portuguese all from my little apartment in the good old USA. Thanks to technology, I can talk to anyone, anywhere in the world...for free.
Then I go to a prayer meeting...where we mix the liturgical with music, prayer, and getting in groups and sharing how God is working, to prayers for healing. While we aren't going to agree on every single little issue...we can pray for one another and listen to the concerns that each one brings to the group. And I see that some of my struggles are ones that the others in the room have as well. None of us is perfect...and we unite in our imperfections...and challenge one another forward.
Jesus is bigger than this world. He is the glue that holds everyone together...not a denominational label (my church is non-denominational--for the record)...and this isn't a place for theological debates. Just for proclaiming HIM and how HE works. And that mutual agreement on every single thing isn't necessary for fellowship and love. We serve a God who heals, who forgives,and who gives courage to do what is right,forgiveness when we sin...forgiveness to give those who sin against us...and who brings the hurting to a place of peace. He gives us love for one another. I had a card with the word "love" on it. Was supposed to share how I had experienced love. I mentioned how my homegroup has been there for me through a difficult trial...and said they would be there for me. They want to know how I am feeling--for me to be honest...not say what I think they want to hear...and they aren't telling me to get over it. I said that I didn't know what I did to deserve that kind of love--I just show up. The wife of one of the pastors said Jesus is like that...we just show up.
Some days, I do just "show up". To church...to praying or reading His Word...but then most often I come away with something that He wanted me to know and hear. Sometimes even when we don't feel like it,we can always show up...and He can take care of the rest.
And today I showed up. I knew I should ask for prayer for healing. And someone asked if there was another person who needed prayer. So I shared my story. I had just gone to my sleep doctor yesterday. He was very pleased with how I am doing. My sleep disorder is under control by medication. The doctor is going to prescribe enough medication for my trip and so I don't have to worry about that...but I do need a long term solution. I can't take a years worth of medicine with me next time. I don't know if it's God's will to heal me completely, or for me to be an example of His strength made perfect in weakness. Only time will tell. But I was challenged today that God is sovereign. I am taking the step to pursue this trip and starting this children's home...God is big enough to help me figure out a long term solution for my sleep issue. And for now though,I have a doctor who listens to me, does most meetings over the phone, and doesn't need to see me again til right before I leave. And most of all I have a God who cares for me and who gave me this heart to love...and who planted me in a community of beautifully encouraging people....and for today, that is enough.
Then I go to a prayer meeting...where we mix the liturgical with music, prayer, and getting in groups and sharing how God is working, to prayers for healing. While we aren't going to agree on every single little issue...we can pray for one another and listen to the concerns that each one brings to the group. And I see that some of my struggles are ones that the others in the room have as well. None of us is perfect...and we unite in our imperfections...and challenge one another forward.
Jesus is bigger than this world. He is the glue that holds everyone together...not a denominational label (my church is non-denominational--for the record)...and this isn't a place for theological debates. Just for proclaiming HIM and how HE works. And that mutual agreement on every single thing isn't necessary for fellowship and love. We serve a God who heals, who forgives,and who gives courage to do what is right,forgiveness when we sin...forgiveness to give those who sin against us...and who brings the hurting to a place of peace. He gives us love for one another. I had a card with the word "love" on it. Was supposed to share how I had experienced love. I mentioned how my homegroup has been there for me through a difficult trial...and said they would be there for me. They want to know how I am feeling--for me to be honest...not say what I think they want to hear...and they aren't telling me to get over it. I said that I didn't know what I did to deserve that kind of love--I just show up. The wife of one of the pastors said Jesus is like that...we just show up.
Some days, I do just "show up". To church...to praying or reading His Word...but then most often I come away with something that He wanted me to know and hear. Sometimes even when we don't feel like it,we can always show up...and He can take care of the rest.
And today I showed up. I knew I should ask for prayer for healing. And someone asked if there was another person who needed prayer. So I shared my story. I had just gone to my sleep doctor yesterday. He was very pleased with how I am doing. My sleep disorder is under control by medication. The doctor is going to prescribe enough medication for my trip and so I don't have to worry about that...but I do need a long term solution. I can't take a years worth of medicine with me next time. I don't know if it's God's will to heal me completely, or for me to be an example of His strength made perfect in weakness. Only time will tell. But I was challenged today that God is sovereign. I am taking the step to pursue this trip and starting this children's home...God is big enough to help me figure out a long term solution for my sleep issue. And for now though,I have a doctor who listens to me, does most meetings over the phone, and doesn't need to see me again til right before I leave. And most of all I have a God who cares for me and who gave me this heart to love...and who planted me in a community of beautifully encouraging people....and for today, that is enough.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
The Eyes Have It
One thing you may or may not know about me. I love photography. When I take a missions trip, you can always count on me to have both a camera and a seemingly endless stream of photos. Pictures are a way of taking what I experienced and sharing it with you, and of keeping a little part of each person I meet forever. They keep memories...frozen in time. A good photo will capture the amazing beauty of the subject. And sometimes I will zoom in to focus on the face, especially the eyes. Filipino children have big brown eyes...and I think you will agree that these are some of the biggest and most beautiful eyes that you have seen.
This is Daniel. This picture makes me think of Daniel in the Bible...praying by the window. I know little Daniel wasn't really praying...but he has his hands folded.
This is Daniel. This picture makes me think of Daniel in the Bible...praying by the window. I know little Daniel wasn't really praying...but he has his hands folded.
And this little girl is Diane. I think she looks like Dora the Explorer in this picture.
I will share more photos and more of my travel experiences with you later on. If any of you have questions for me, or something you would like to know about life in the Philippines, please ask.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
I guess I have to start somewhere
This blog will chronicle my 3rd trip to the Philippines. In a nutshell, I will use this trip to research starting my own children's home, as well as to visit my two god-daughters, and to serve the people of the Philippines, especially the children.
Frequently Asked Questions (or just a few things you are probably wondering)
1. Why the Philippines?
Well, my dear reader, I should probably ask you a similar question. Why are you in the United States? Or if overseas, why did you choose that country?
Yes, there are needs in the United States, and while I am here, I am happy to help meet those needs, but God has specifically been tugging at my heart to return to the Philippines. The first time I was there, I fell in love with the people and the culture. Since that trip, I have two god daughters who live there. I would love to get to spend more time with them. I have had some random encounters with Filipino people, and the Lord has not removed the desire to go back. I felt like there I was really doing what He created me to do. I can't argue with that. God sends people to different locations...and this is where He is leading me.
2. Why start a children's home? Can't you just help meet the needs of the kids so they can stay with their families?
In an ideal world, every child would be able to remain in their family/country of origin. We live in a fallen world. There are children who for one reason or another simply cannot stay with their families. When that is the case, I would like to provide a safe and loving place for them to live.
3. When will you start your home? Will it be this fall?
This fall I will do a lot of research while I am there. I will have to raise full time support and then will return in the next couple years to establish the home.
4. How old will the children be that live at the home?
They will be newborn through age 8 at intake. I want to be able to take sibling groups. Siblings should remain together whenever possible. My vision is a family style home, and in most families, all the siblings are not the same age.
5. Shouldn't you get married first?
Do you know any single Christian men who are passionate about serving the people of the Philippines? If so, I would be happy to consider meeting them and seeing what God does. If not, moving on to the next question.
6. What language do they speak there? In Manila, the people speak Tagalog and most speak some English. If I end up in another part of the Philippines, they may speak a different national language.
Well, that wraps up my first post. I will try to blog frequently as I raise support, and regularly while abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions (or just a few things you are probably wondering)
1. Why the Philippines?
Well, my dear reader, I should probably ask you a similar question. Why are you in the United States? Or if overseas, why did you choose that country?
Yes, there are needs in the United States, and while I am here, I am happy to help meet those needs, but God has specifically been tugging at my heart to return to the Philippines. The first time I was there, I fell in love with the people and the culture. Since that trip, I have two god daughters who live there. I would love to get to spend more time with them. I have had some random encounters with Filipino people, and the Lord has not removed the desire to go back. I felt like there I was really doing what He created me to do. I can't argue with that. God sends people to different locations...and this is where He is leading me.
2. Why start a children's home? Can't you just help meet the needs of the kids so they can stay with their families?
In an ideal world, every child would be able to remain in their family/country of origin. We live in a fallen world. There are children who for one reason or another simply cannot stay with their families. When that is the case, I would like to provide a safe and loving place for them to live.
3. When will you start your home? Will it be this fall?
This fall I will do a lot of research while I am there. I will have to raise full time support and then will return in the next couple years to establish the home.
4. How old will the children be that live at the home?
They will be newborn through age 8 at intake. I want to be able to take sibling groups. Siblings should remain together whenever possible. My vision is a family style home, and in most families, all the siblings are not the same age.
5. Shouldn't you get married first?
Do you know any single Christian men who are passionate about serving the people of the Philippines? If so, I would be happy to consider meeting them and seeing what God does. If not, moving on to the next question.
6. What language do they speak there? In Manila, the people speak Tagalog and most speak some English. If I end up in another part of the Philippines, they may speak a different national language.
Well, that wraps up my first post. I will try to blog frequently as I raise support, and regularly while abroad.
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