Appreciating Life

Another short week done and gone with, can’t believe how fast time is flying by.  Even though Christmas is just right around the corner and I’m starting to miss my family more than anything, I’m still super excited to spend Christmas with all the kids here at Children’s Garden. Was just recently talking to my Mom about how I have been feeling about being away from home. For some reason it kind of just hit me all at once that I’ve been gone for almost 4 months. And even though Christmas time is going to be a time you miss your family. I think the reason I have been homesick is more then that.

Philippines has been incredible so far and believe me if it was up to me I would be here for the rest of the 5 months. I just think that the sadness that lies on this place is starting to hit me. The poverty, starvation, drugs, street kids, broken families. It was never like this in Nicaragua, yes it was similar in the sense of poverty, but there is something so much more obvious here. I know I’m probably not making any sense so ill give you some examples. We always knew there was drugs and prostitution in Nicaragua but we never truly witnessed it face to face like we do here. On Thursday nights we go to a Jollibee where we do worship and then later we go to the streets and feed the homeless people. Which consists of about 30-40 people on one street corner. And as we have been going there I met a young 3-year-old boy by the name of Jamon. Now I don’t want to go on and on about how fricken cute this kid it but, oh my goodness he would be on the next plane home with me if I could take him. Anyways we got done the feeding at about 9:30pm on which we then decided to go to a late night movie at the mall across the street. The movie was about 3 hours long so the time we got out of it, it was a little past 1am. And sure enough as we walk back down to the main highway there is Jamon. A little 3-year-old boy surrounded by young teenagers with his mom nowhere in sight. His mom has been a prostitute for quite some time, one of the reasons I was not totally shocked by the sight. Now if that wasn't horrible enough, the 4 young teenagers at the ages of 12-14 were standing around Jamon doing Rugby. If I haven’t explained Rugby yet, it is a drug that is closely similar to crack and heroine………………….Even after just typing that out I have nothing else to say. Like what more can I do to explain a moment like that in my life? Seeing a young adorable kid not even given a fighting chance. It’s only been one month and I can already tell you where that life leads. And I know God is all-powerful and all knowing but at some point we have to realize this is happening all around the world. This is why I’m down. This is why I’m not happy. This place has truly taken a toll on me and it’s slowing me down. The reason why its been so hard to be from home. Now with all of that said, its not going to stop me. It’s not going to send me home 5 months early, no. It strengthens me because I know I have to be more intentional then ever with my short 2 months here. I have to take every opportunity I get to bring happiness to everyone of those street kids. Every opportunity to show them there is a better life waiting for them.

I think this is why it is so important to go explore the world!! Because you will realize that the things I tell you are real and true.  And I know I sound like that same old preacher ranting on about how you can make a difference and how you should feel convicted about all the poverty and suffering in the world. But it’s true; until you get out here and see for yourself, you will truly never understand what everyone is talking about. What the people on your television screens are continuously harping about. Most of the time it’s not even about understanding the amount of suffering that is in this world. It is about understanding how much God can work through you to end that suffering.  That’s what I have found more comforting then anything, is that God didn’t let me get down about all the things I have experienced. But gain courage through knowing that I can play a positive role in everyone’s life I come in contact with. I sit here typing on my computer not to make any of you feel convicted about any of these tragedies. Just to encourage and let you guys know that there is so much more to what we do day to day back home. I did not set out on this mission to change the world, nor did I think I would ever make any substantial change. It was about changing myself, so that I may not live for myself anymore. I am not planning on becoming a full time missionary, not even thinking about doing a missions trip anytime in the near future. I am more fired up about coming home and appreciating every little thing God has blessed me with. And to help others realize just how fortunate they are. Because I got to tell you the tough mission work isn’t here, its easy being a missionary here. When people have nothing else and I mean literally nothing, all they have is God. People here understand and want God because without him there is no hope. That’s one thing I’m still trying to understand, how can I make a homeless man believe that he is loved by God, but not someone back home that has been provided with everything. That is truly the saddest thing, our generation has been given so much that we don’t even need God anymore. We have so much that we don't need the love from our Lord and Saviour.This is why my excitement for home is overflowing, because I am going to get to be the one to share my experiences. The experiences that changed my life and will hopefully begin to change others. Now I don't to sound prideful or judgmental because that is not my intention. I just have so much passion for this place and ministry that I want to share it with all of you. And I hope it touches your lives like it has touched mine. 

 I could rant on for another 6 pages about all of this but ill leave it at this. Love your life and appreciate everything you have, because I can promise you that you don’t have it that bad. Live unselfishly and spread the gifts God has given you.  You will never fully understand the effect you can have on people. Speak up and be proud of who you are and who you want to become. I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read my blogs I appreciate it so much. It has given me the courage and strength to continue on and share this incredible journey with all of you. Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Look forward to talking soon.
 
Peace Out!!!