It's that moment you hold a little girl to just love on her and pray for her. This little girl was the one who broke my heart here in the Philippines. She was 9 but looked about 3 due to being malnourished when she was really little, she looked as though she was having a hard time seeing and looked like she had been abused. Here in the Philippines abuse is easily found everywhere. But that was not her case, she was just really dirty from living on the streets and come to find out her mom has drops for her eyes but gets lazy on applying it. As I held her, I just simply prayed for her, loved her and soaked up the moment. I have decided since day one of missions that I can wash my body and my clothes anytime but I can't have the moment back after its gone so why not soak it up. After a crafts I saw her again, bright eyed and slightly joyful. My heart is melting, I just want to take her home, bathe her and get her dressed up! I can see her potential and I could give anything to do that for her. I wish I could do more, I wish I had that power but at least I know a God who does. I know He has an amazing plan for her beyond what she can imagine and that's comforting to me.
We got to go to a girls home one night called safe house for girls that have been rescued from sex trafficking and prostitution. The house they live in does some awesome stuff with them doing a 24/7 prayer week the week they get them and then helping them with court stuff (to stand against the traffickers or bar tender who prostitutes them) as well as a place to stay that is safe with a Christian environment.Charlotte (leader of missions home ministry) said some of them thought they were going to get a job babysitting and was taken that way and some put themselves in the situation to make money for their family. Observing the room seeing a girl 7 months pregnant to seeing a girl holding a 6 month old baby boy...was really crazy but such a blessing to see them safe and in no harm at all. These girls were so precious and showed so much freedom and joy in themselves. I feel as though alot was covered up when it came to what they were going thru emotionally, but that's the beauty in the storm, where we get to uncover a little to bring to light, to pray for and comfort. I got to pray for several and the Holy Spirit came out with one, where He used me as His vessel to share with her how much He really loved her and that she is safe with Him. I watched her eyes fill up with tears! I just love missions, I love ministry with The Lord and I absolutely love being in a place not of my own. This is what missions is to me, breaking others hearts for His so that they might get closer to Him.
The other day we did ministry under a bridge. This place is where I met Darwin and Unah. Darwin is a 1 week old baby born completely blue, pronounced dead but took a breath as they were about to cover Him up. I looked at his precious sleeping body warmly cuddled up in his mothers arms, his lips still blue and his body still recovering. His mom is mentally ill, someone close by told us they saw her kick the baby the night before. It hurts my heart. I just want to take him home, give him a clean, safe place to stay and a family who is loving always. Once again I wish I had that authority. Later I grabbed Meghan and we both went over to pray for Unah and the baby. We also got to give them food as well as others around them. It was very obvious she had no idea what she was doing, let alone know how to raise Darwin. It was the hardest thing to leave them. I could have taken him home in a heart beat.
Our last day of ministry was so special! Though our sound system failed to hold a charge and ended up dying. We had a long crafts time. During this time I noticed a little boy who was sitting by himself and looked really down. So I walked over and started to ask him what was wrong. He lives on the streets and told me he was so hungry his stomach hurt. Leaders over this ministry began to get him food, while I asked if he would like me to get him a crown. He wasn't ok with it at first but changed his mind. I made his crown and then asked if I could write "I am a crowned prince in His kingdom". At first he said no but then said yes. Seeing him walk around with a crown on his head was a gift! Not too long after, rain poured down. Running to a place that was covered so we could handout meals was so fun and the water fights that followed.
The last few days in The Philippines we spent it at a resort. It was absolutely gorgeous. Pool's galore, crystal blue ocean, palm tree's, beautiful landscape, soft beds, amazing food and fruit smoothies. I went swimming on the beach, but it went poorly due to sharp rocks. I have battle wounds on my knees and a cut on the bottom of my foot. The foot wound was the most painful. I think God used this to keep me from going ninety to nothing the whole time. The last day I went snorkeling on the beach. So many beautiful fish! I saw dory, Fin, nemo, marlin and whatever the starfish is called off of "finding nemo". It was just breath taking and such an amazing way to end an amazing time to just relax there.
The Cebu base threw us a going away party! So much fun and such a treasured moment with great people. They cooked an entire pig (literally) for us and so much more. This base was so hospitable to us and treated us like family. Ill miss them.
It is so weird to be at the end of this trip! I feel like it has been forever yet not long at all. I'm so sad it's over but as I fly back to Denver I'm so excited.
I'm excited to meet new DTS people currently running and see the other outreach teams I did lecture phase with.
One more week in Denver before I go home. I'm so excited!
I can't wait to see family, hear all about what's going on and tell stories (if I have any left-I share so much on here).
Last outreach post
Wildatheart
Katie Jones
