Processing...

Although these posts from the Philippines should have been written a year earlier, I still feel like processing these life events is not just a one time thing.  Looking back through pictures and reading through my journal is so good to reflect back.  Always learning and being reminded of God's work.

I was so encouraged by the Filipino people!  I feel like I learned so much from them.  They'd share their stories yet not having the victimized mentality.  Driving to and from mobile clinics there was so much laughter in the vehicle it was awesome!  Often the topic of 'What Yolanda taught us' came up...one was don't buy things of huge value, they may be gone tomorrow.  Another was don't go to bed angry with your family member...you may not see them in the morning.  Another was wear more then an old skimpy nightie to bed cause that's the only piece of clothing you may have in the morning...lol!

Church services were so encouraging!  The pastor spoke on Nehemiah and the rebuilding of walls - parrallels to Tacloban and Yolanda.  'You're not 6 feet in the ground, get up and help your neighbor out'.  He also spoke about the spiritual acts of rebuilding - 'If your spiritual walk was affected, discouraged, destroyed by Yolanda you need to seek God and rebuild it.  Yolanda took enough, it doesn't need to take your spiritual walk too'.  Every Sunday for worship we'd sing Chris Tomlin's song 'greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city'.  So fitting. 

In India at one of the church services the pastor spoke on stewardship.  He addressed 5 aspects of stewardship: your time, talents, treasures ($), temple (your body), and your testimony.  I never had really thought about being a steward of your testimony.  

Matthew 5:18-20 ' As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."  So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.'.

In the Philippines our director encouraged the team to give our testimonies at our morning group devotional time  I was so encouraged to hear others testimony's!  One of the Dr's asked me to give mine on our way to the hospital one morning, this verse rings true...

1 Peter 3:15 ' But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.'

These are a few of the things God taught me in the Philippines.  I'm so thankful to Him for the opportunity He gave me to work alongside this great team and be a part of His ministry there.