Greetings from the Philippines!
It was a long journey here but we made it here safe and sound. We departed from LAX on December 13th and flew twelve hours non-stop to Seoul, South Korea. After a quick refuel it was off to Bangkok for a long layover and then at long last, touchdown in Manila, Philippines. We’re staying outside of metro Manila in the sub-district of Tay Tay, Rizal. We settled in on Saturday and awoke the next morning to help run a church service. Members from our team shared testimonies from their lives, a brief message, and I got to lead the congregation in some musical worship. Sharing testimonies and messages in different churches and communities has been a fairly typical activity.
It was a long journey here but we made it here safe and sound. We departed from LAX on December 13th and flew twelve hours non-stop to Seoul, South Korea. After a quick refuel it was off to Bangkok for a long layover and then at long last, touchdown in Manila, Philippines. We’re staying outside of metro Manila in the sub-district of Tay Tay, Rizal. We settled in on Saturday and awoke the next morning to help run a church service. Members from our team shared testimonies from their lives, a brief message, and I got to lead the congregation in some musical worship. Sharing testimonies and messages in different churches and communities has been a fairly typical activity.
A few days after arriving we ventured off into the country
for the village of Santa Niño. We raised funds before leaving to purchase 1,100
lemon trees to plant in the mountains there. The trees bare a small lemon much
different from what we’re used to in the states, but their use is very common
in Pilipino cooking. It was a steep hike and hot weather but in our three days
there we were able to plant about 600 of the trees. One of the local pastors
said it will be a year before they harvest. When they do they’ll help provide
work for local farmers and the majority of the proceeds will help support
Destiny’s Promise orphanage in Tay Tay, Rival.
We’ve been working at the orphanage for the last few days and will be till the end of our time in the Philippines (We leave for Thailand January 3rd). There’s 26 kids here ranging from 1 to 13. Each day we’re assigned two or three kids to work with and tutor for a couple hours out of the day. It’s been amazing working with the kids. It can be a challenge to deal with all their energy and to keep everyone getting along, but it’s very rewarding. As a youngest child I’ve never had to look out for anyone or be much of a help, so I think this concentrated time spent with the kids is very valuable for me. I think kids must be part of the cure for selfishness. It really pulls you outside of yourself having a group of kids to look over. Many of them have been through sever abuse, neglect, and living on the streets. Despite these broken earthly families it’s comforting to know that they all share the same Heavenly Father. A Father who loves us perfectly as we are. A father who always chooses for our highest good and would never dream of leaving us. God is teaching me how to love and giving me a glimpse of His Father Heart. We can get so complicated in our thinking of God, but I think sometimes that more than anything He just wants to hold His children close, and let them know how much they’re loved. I hope He continues to move my heart for the things that move His.
Please continue to pray for good health, energy, a daily renewal and God’s love and strength and His supernatural guidance for each and every day.
We’ve been working at the orphanage for the last few days and will be till the end of our time in the Philippines (We leave for Thailand January 3rd). There’s 26 kids here ranging from 1 to 13. Each day we’re assigned two or three kids to work with and tutor for a couple hours out of the day. It’s been amazing working with the kids. It can be a challenge to deal with all their energy and to keep everyone getting along, but it’s very rewarding. As a youngest child I’ve never had to look out for anyone or be much of a help, so I think this concentrated time spent with the kids is very valuable for me. I think kids must be part of the cure for selfishness. It really pulls you outside of yourself having a group of kids to look over. Many of them have been through sever abuse, neglect, and living on the streets. Despite these broken earthly families it’s comforting to know that they all share the same Heavenly Father. A Father who loves us perfectly as we are. A father who always chooses for our highest good and would never dream of leaving us. God is teaching me how to love and giving me a glimpse of His Father Heart. We can get so complicated in our thinking of God, but I think sometimes that more than anything He just wants to hold His children close, and let them know how much they’re loved. I hope He continues to move my heart for the things that move His.
Please continue to pray for good health, energy, a daily renewal and God’s love and strength and His supernatural guidance for each and every day.
Excited to give y'all the next update!
- Trevor
Severe abuse . . . when Annabelle was in Africa, there was not one single girl she met who was not a victim of heinous sexual abuse. And she met little girls, 4 or 5. Heartbreaking. I'm late to the blog. So, working my way up.
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