Justice and Grace (Update)

Hi!

We have finished out first week, and everything has been great!

This week we have . . .

• · Bagged cement and hauled it up to the 4th floor of a new building that is being built here

• · Have been getting to know the 7 “older kids” that live here. Their school got canceled on Friday because of the typhoon so we got to take them to the mall for some hang out time.

• · Got to watch a Buhay Sports basketball game! Brandon got to gear up but it ended up not being a good game for him to play in. On the way home we got caught in a typhoon!! We had to trek through knee deep water in the city amidst the crazy rain and wind! My flip flops kept falling off so my amazing and strong husband carried me through it! Quite an experience to say the least—and incredibly humbling as well.

• · Wet to a feeding in an area called Tent City. This was an area that got completely destroyed after a typhoon a couple years ago. The Red Cross came in and provided tents for about 500 families; these tents have now been turned in to houses. Two images will not leave my mind from this experience—(1) the sweet little boy, maybe 4, run up to the van as we drove up with his bowl in hand ready to get some hot food, shoeless and pulling his shorts up b/c they were too big, and full of smiles, (2) another sweet boy who was running away from the feeding station with his bowl empty b/c we ran out—he seemed fine, I don’t know maybe use to it, but I felt as though I could feel his true heart at that moment—completely crushing. This has probably been the most impactful thing for me so far. K.I.M (Kids International Ministries who we are with) does feedings there on Mondays and Fridays, and we are looking forward to returning. Some sweet girls invited a couple of us girls into their home and were so hospital, we look forward to following up with them next week.

  · Organized and repacked 1,500 boxes that were donated—full of clothes, food, medical supplies, etc. in the pouring rain!

  · Painted some rooms in a house that is being remodeled for Josie’s Angels. Josie has an incredible ministry—she has reached out to families in the local community and has “rescued” girls who have bad home lives. She has been blessed with a home to house them—25 of them! Through the blessings of supporters, these girls are provided safe living, food, clothing, and schooling. ($40 a month for anyone interested!!) It has been a blessing to us to be a part of preparing this home. Today, Nikki, Kelsey (an adopted teammate) got to return to the home and do some detailed painting. Nikki is painting an amazing mural in an entry way, and Kelsey and I got to work on some bibles verses that are being used as borders.

  · They guys are having a “sleep over” with the 3 boys here tonight (Saturday)—hopefully that is going well!

  · Tonight us girls—Nikki, Meghan, Kelsey, Julie, Jaine, and I (we have so enjoyed getting to know some other people who are serving here) got to go into the city for a girl’s night!

And many other things in-between, but I think that has been the main stuff! Our team time has been great and we have felt uplifted, humbled, and so thankful on a daily basis. God is working powerfully in each of us and in all different ways. We have been reminded of God’s justice and grace. It is hard to understand why so many people are unfortunate and lacking “things.” Here in the Philippines there is no real middle class. You either have money and live very comfortably or you live in some kind of shelter in areas called Squaters where you don’t own the small space you are inhabiting, so it can be taken from you at any time. We continue to struggle with understanding the living situation here and keeping in mind the real need. But, God is always just and faithful—this truth has different meaning now.

Chad thought of an amazing way to share the good news! Everyone around the community always wants their picture taken. So he thought that we should edit the photos of them with a bible verse on the picture and give it to them! Amazing! We have a pretty awesome team! You can be praying for that as we will be preparing those. We are going to do the same thing for many families in Tent City. Please lift this up in prayer!

We love and miss you all! Please keep praying for us!

Andrea, Brandon and the rest of Team Awesome!!

We're Here!

We're here, and our time has been amazing so far!

Our flight and everything was smooth--PTL--my least fav part!

We got into K.I.M (our homebase) about 11pm Monday night, and crashed. Nikki and Chad had a hard time sleeping, but I took a special sleeping pill that made me crash, lol.

Our first day was nice and relaxed. We were able to get use to our new home and the neighborhood that surrounds it. We took our time and walked throughout the streets, and saw many things that really began to strike our hearts for this nation and its people. Deep poverty is all around. We saw houses made of metal and cardboard, kids running around in the street--some peeing naked lol, but actually really not funny--many dogs and cats with diseases, but beautiful people. We took many pictures and got to interact with the people--all very friendly and sweet. We got back and our herts we in the same place--feeling very conflicted. It is our initial thoughts to want to provide and pray that God would provide for them in physical needs, and without a doubt are these needed, but the hope in Christ must precede those things, because how necessary to living they are, they are still temporary. We are thankful we got to witness this so soon in our trip because it has changed the way we have been praying.

Day 2, today, was great. There are about 150 kids from a British school in Manila that have been doing community service work for the past 2 days here. We joined them today in a construction project. KIM in building a new 4 story building that will be used for several different things. Our job today was to shovel cement into bags and then the bags were being hauled by hands to the 4th floor. It was great having so many kids--they came in rotations--to help, but man was it work! We were thankful for the time to work together so closely as a team. Also, we got to have some great conversations with the students we were working with.

Our main focus for the next couple weeks will be with the older (high school) kids that are n the homes here. We will have opportunities for bible studies and discipleship. There is a home for the older girls that is in the process of being completed. We will get to help paint that tomorrow and then help the girls move in and get settled within the next couple weeks.

We are thrilled to be here and so thankful!

Please be praying:

- For continued strength as we are still adjusting to time

-Intentionality as we are hanging out with the students

-That the gospel would be the center of all we do and say

Thank you! We love you!

Philippines Update!

Our team is fully funded!! Praise the Lord! We were all a bit apprehensive as we got started fundraising--not really sure where any of the funds were going to come from. As a team we really committed this process to prayer! God is always faithful, and we are thrilled! We are so thankful to the many of you who have donated and are supporting us! As we are preparing to leave, next Sunday, June 19th--Father's Day!--here are some things we'd love for you to pray for!

• That our hearts would long for the people of the Philippines to some to know our Lord and Savior.


• That this trip would not be about us, but about serving others and ultimately the Lord.


• Safe travels.

Some prayer requests from Operation World:

• a government that actively pursues justice and righteousness.


• the end of corruption and greed in polity.


• biblical truth.


• leadership development amongst Filippinos.


• the poor and those who minister to the poor.

Please help us in praying for these things!

We will continue to update you! Thank you!!

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

Romans 12:9-11

A Special Birthday!

Happy Birthday to a beautiful friend and most importantly sister who is SO loved and missed!!

I (we) cherish you so much!

I am so thankful for the way He has brought us closer the past couple years.

We are thankful for your beautiful heart that loves more than anyone I know

We've had so many laughs and cries! Each time has been so special!

We have also been so blessed by the many other friends that encourage and uplift us in the Lord!

You are one of my bestest! Can't wait for the next time we get to spend time together! We are thankful for where you are and where He has sent you! Your obedience and faithfulness is an encouragement!

Love you SASKIA our sister!

Hope you have a special day!!

Muah!!!