Cagyan De Oro, Philippines.
3 weeks.
I joined the mega-outreach team, which was the April DTS's outreach plus anyone else who wanted to go! And I'm glad I did! There were about 130 of us from 20 different nations in total throughout 2 months, which included DTS outreach teams from England and Hawaii, extra people from The Kings Lodge (like me!), volunteer Filipino translators, and a few randomers from all around the world!
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| YWAM Jeepney |
We were put into 6 different teams and were assigned a location. I was assigned to a near community called Gusa. Most days, we would have worship, and have a few people share testimonies, and pray for the day before we all piled into Jeepneys and headed to our destinations. There, we brought out a guitar and worshiped until people started coming out. We ended up doing many different things in Gusa, such as going door to door and talking with people, doing small programs for the kids, handing out bags of food to those in need, helping fix houses and starting bible study groups, just to name a few.
My two favorite interactions started at the well in town. Both times, we were able to help someone carry water to their homes.
The first was an 85 year old woman. And she was absolutely amazing. I think she encouraged us more than we her. Funny how that can happen sometimes. She was a Christian lady, and had been for many years. She told us the story of her husband. He had died many years earlier (I want to say 40?) and as they were waiting for the coffin to arrive, a group of Christians came to the village. They heard about what had happened, and went to visit this woman. Then they prayed for her...and for him. And he woke up, got straight down on his knees and cried out to God, worshiping Him! For the next two years, he travelled around telling everyone he could about Jesus, and how He saves! Yup. You read that correctly. Jesus rose him from the dead to spread the gospel. I can't imagine what would have happened to the village at that time. All I can say is that my God is powerful, miraculous, and always at work!
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| Her family, and her sister's family |
The second woman is a mother of 4, age 25 and a sometimes absent husband. We ended up spending quite a few afternoons with her. It seems God was ready to change a few things in her life, and I was blessed to witness it. One day, as we were there, her mother came by. She stayed and chatted with us. We ended up talking about forgiveness, sharing our stories, and about the freedom that comes with it. They both ended up confessing to things in their life that had kept them from God, the mother in tears the whole time... which of course, brought us to tears. None of it was translated, but you could feel the Holy Spirit moving in her. Absolutely beautiful. The next day, we brought a bible with us to give to her, and were surprised by some news. She hadn't spoken to her mother in months, even though they live in the same village! That was the first time they had been together, and after we left, they had talked a long time, found forgiveness in one another as well, and now shared a new beginning with Jesus.
The next time we visited her, she had even more stories to share. For one, she couldn't put the bible down! She just wanted to read it! And you could see she had! Her husband had come home with money for food, which he doesn't do. Instead of singing lullaby's to her kids to put them to sleep she started singing hymns. Her husband finally asked her what had changed, and she was able to share about Jesus. He then wanted to talk with us too!
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| Preparing and handing out Food Packages |
Each week, we were also able to speak at 10 different churches. I was able to share at a small church the last week I was there. I spoke on obedience and disobedience to God, which had been on my heart for quite awhile.
We were also able to go to schools, youth groups and malls to share testimonies and the gospel.
Also, a HUGE thank you goes to our faithful translators! Wonderful friends. It was amazing watching them grow along side us, and share their lives and culture with us!
On a side note--at the end of my trip I made a friend at a hotel in Manila, who took me to the Mall of Asia to hang out! It's the biggest one in Asia! We talked for a few hours in the room about Faith, Family, Cultures, Life. One of those instant friends. Pretty cool, I must say....then she took me out for supper!
Such beautiful people. Beautiful hearts.
Working with Kids Klub-Salvation Army. Every Friday evening, 20-30 kids aged 7-12 would join us at the church. Most of the kids were unchurched and from broken families. It was a great opportunity to be a light is their lives. We would have crafts, bored games, wii, and large group games available for them to do as they liked, and after, would have a 'God Spot,' where one of us leaders led a devotional talk. It was a lot of fun getting to know them, laugh with them, and be able to answer and ask questions of them.
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