nearly done ... mixed emotions
Posted by Sara Stuart on Monday, August 18, 2014
Under: a new adventure ... philippines
I can't believe that I have less than 4 days left here in the Philippines. This has certainly been a journey and an adventure.
Friday (Aug 15)
We went on a community visit to the families who live along the rail road tracks near Karin's place. It was an eye opener that there was such living conditions so near to the nice apartment where we were staying. It was a very hot morning and I was feeling quite exhausted, so after the visit we went to a corner store to get a bit of air conditioning and a juice to get more energy. Afterwards we went to Ate Lorna's daughter, Aileen's, school. It was a lovely visit; we met the principal,. her teacher and got to visit in a special needs class. There were around 75 students that were in a rotation schedule to be in this class with various needs from being blind and deaf to having downs syndrome. This was Ate Lorna's first exposure to so many people with special needs in one place as they are often ostracized here and are kept hidden from the public most of their life. The kids were really sweet and one deaf girl gave each of us a rainbow loom bracelet she had made. After this we went to Ate Lorna's house for a short visit. It was a very small home and not very stable as it is on stilts to avoid being flooded by the river below in large rain storms and flooding. It was a good morning with many new experiences. The afternoon was spent resting at the apartment and getting ready for Night Life that night. Night Life was a crazy night!! When we got to the center, I was mobbed with children so much that I couldn't move. After we were all set up, the kids came in by 4 and showered then waited for everyone to be done so the rest of the night could start. After the showering was finished, they sat and listened to a Bible story taught by Jam and then enjoyed dinner and juice. It was tiring night but is was really nice to see the kids.
Saturday (Aug 16)
We spent Saturday doing completely touristy things. We went to a market called Green Hills, further away in Manila, to do some souvenir and gift shopping. We got there early as to beat the rush. Amanda came with us, and the 4 of us were done our shopping by noon. Karin was buying gifts for people and family for thank you's as well as Christmas, Amanda was buying thank you gifts for her supports, as were Janet and myself. We also splurged and bought a couple treats for ourselves. After this we went to a nice restaurant for lunch and the Ayala Museum. The museum was really cool and opened my eyes to the tumultuous history of the Philippines. They were a colony of nearly every superpower throughout history, and their heritage is marred with assassinations, wars and protests. It is amazing that out of all this conflict, can come a people group that are so friendly and inviting. Amanda came over for dinner after and we displayed our new treasures to each other, like all girls who love shopping do.
Sunday (Aug 17)
We went to a church called Jesus King of Kings Community Church (JKKCC) where many of the missionaries in partnership with ER from the retreat go. It was lovely to see them again, especially because I leave on Friday. I said my farewells and spent the rest of the day at Jizza's house. Karin and Janet were staying at a hotel that day and night because Janet's flight left at 7am the next morning. It was a nice relaxing time with Jizza and Amanda. I got to go to the children's home that Amanda has been working at for the last 10 months and meet the boys. These boys are from various situations which as neglect, abuse, abandoned or orphaned and living on the street. Two boys really made my heart melt; two brothers named Brian and Bernard, who were found under a bridge holding hands, orphaned and living on the streets. They are such sweet boys and give affection so quickly. They both reminded me so much of James that I just wanted to bring them home and see the 3 of them play together. After the visit, I went back to Jizza's house to spend the night there. It was a restful Sunday, as all Sunday's should be.
Monday (Aug 18)
Today I commuted to the team meeting with Jizza. I led the team devotion this morning, and it's focus was on remembering to be present in what God is doing now and not always looking ahead to what God might do in the future. This has been a struggle for me lately, and as many of the staff are soon encountering major life changes, I thought it would be appropriate to share my thoughts on it. They were all very encouraging and echoed that it is hard to stay in the present and not want to know what is the next step. Jizza was particularly encouraging, saying she had recently been in a time of waiting, but that God grew the fruit of patience in her and her faith grew as she continued to depend on Him for this patience. Then I went upstairs and did a few jobs for Karin as they discussed some things that did not pertain to me at all. After the meeting, Karin, John, Jam and myself went to Festival Mall for lunch (Wendy's!!!!). After, we helped Karin look at laptops to compare prices for a new one, as her's has completely died. Karin and I then bought some things the center needed and went back to re-arrange some things. Then we came home and have the rest of the evening off. Karin and I have been enjoying our time together and have had a wonderful heart to heart conversation today. It felt good to get it off my chest to her and hear her empathy and encouragement.
As my time draws to an end, I will be very sad to say goodbye to this place and these wonderful people, but I know that God is with them and has the best in store for each of them. God has used them in my life in many ways this summer and I would not be who I am today without any of them. My going away party will be so sad, and there will be tears. One comfort I have is that here in the Philippines they don't say "goodbye", they only say "see you later." That is a very comforting thought, as I truly believe that I will come back here another summer, and possibly longer, to continue to watch them do God's work here in Manila.
Friday (Aug 15)
We went on a community visit to the families who live along the rail road tracks near Karin's place. It was an eye opener that there was such living conditions so near to the nice apartment where we were staying. It was a very hot morning and I was feeling quite exhausted, so after the visit we went to a corner store to get a bit of air conditioning and a juice to get more energy. Afterwards we went to Ate Lorna's daughter, Aileen's, school. It was a lovely visit; we met the principal,. her teacher and got to visit in a special needs class. There were around 75 students that were in a rotation schedule to be in this class with various needs from being blind and deaf to having downs syndrome. This was Ate Lorna's first exposure to so many people with special needs in one place as they are often ostracized here and are kept hidden from the public most of their life. The kids were really sweet and one deaf girl gave each of us a rainbow loom bracelet she had made. After this we went to Ate Lorna's house for a short visit. It was a very small home and not very stable as it is on stilts to avoid being flooded by the river below in large rain storms and flooding. It was a good morning with many new experiences. The afternoon was spent resting at the apartment and getting ready for Night Life that night. Night Life was a crazy night!! When we got to the center, I was mobbed with children so much that I couldn't move. After we were all set up, the kids came in by 4 and showered then waited for everyone to be done so the rest of the night could start. After the showering was finished, they sat and listened to a Bible story taught by Jam and then enjoyed dinner and juice. It was tiring night but is was really nice to see the kids.
Saturday (Aug 16)
We spent Saturday doing completely touristy things. We went to a market called Green Hills, further away in Manila, to do some souvenir and gift shopping. We got there early as to beat the rush. Amanda came with us, and the 4 of us were done our shopping by noon. Karin was buying gifts for people and family for thank you's as well as Christmas, Amanda was buying thank you gifts for her supports, as were Janet and myself. We also splurged and bought a couple treats for ourselves. After this we went to a nice restaurant for lunch and the Ayala Museum. The museum was really cool and opened my eyes to the tumultuous history of the Philippines. They were a colony of nearly every superpower throughout history, and their heritage is marred with assassinations, wars and protests. It is amazing that out of all this conflict, can come a people group that are so friendly and inviting. Amanda came over for dinner after and we displayed our new treasures to each other, like all girls who love shopping do.
Sunday (Aug 17)
We went to a church called Jesus King of Kings Community Church (JKKCC) where many of the missionaries in partnership with ER from the retreat go. It was lovely to see them again, especially because I leave on Friday. I said my farewells and spent the rest of the day at Jizza's house. Karin and Janet were staying at a hotel that day and night because Janet's flight left at 7am the next morning. It was a nice relaxing time with Jizza and Amanda. I got to go to the children's home that Amanda has been working at for the last 10 months and meet the boys. These boys are from various situations which as neglect, abuse, abandoned or orphaned and living on the street. Two boys really made my heart melt; two brothers named Brian and Bernard, who were found under a bridge holding hands, orphaned and living on the streets. They are such sweet boys and give affection so quickly. They both reminded me so much of James that I just wanted to bring them home and see the 3 of them play together. After the visit, I went back to Jizza's house to spend the night there. It was a restful Sunday, as all Sunday's should be.
Monday (Aug 18)
Today I commuted to the team meeting with Jizza. I led the team devotion this morning, and it's focus was on remembering to be present in what God is doing now and not always looking ahead to what God might do in the future. This has been a struggle for me lately, and as many of the staff are soon encountering major life changes, I thought it would be appropriate to share my thoughts on it. They were all very encouraging and echoed that it is hard to stay in the present and not want to know what is the next step. Jizza was particularly encouraging, saying she had recently been in a time of waiting, but that God grew the fruit of patience in her and her faith grew as she continued to depend on Him for this patience. Then I went upstairs and did a few jobs for Karin as they discussed some things that did not pertain to me at all. After the meeting, Karin, John, Jam and myself went to Festival Mall for lunch (Wendy's!!!!). After, we helped Karin look at laptops to compare prices for a new one, as her's has completely died. Karin and I then bought some things the center needed and went back to re-arrange some things. Then we came home and have the rest of the evening off. Karin and I have been enjoying our time together and have had a wonderful heart to heart conversation today. It felt good to get it off my chest to her and hear her empathy and encouragement.
As my time draws to an end, I will be very sad to say goodbye to this place and these wonderful people, but I know that God is with them and has the best in store for each of them. God has used them in my life in many ways this summer and I would not be who I am today without any of them. My going away party will be so sad, and there will be tears. One comfort I have is that here in the Philippines they don't say "goodbye", they only say "see you later." That is a very comforting thought, as I truly believe that I will come back here another summer, and possibly longer, to continue to watch them do God's work here in Manila.
In : a new adventure ... philippines
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