So much has happened this past week--great things; I'll try and wrap it up the best I can.
The majority of the week was spent working at the new
Josie's Angels house. Us girls got to do a lot of
detail painting throughout the house. Each room is a different color and we got to paint different scriptures in each room. We are really excited about the final outcome. The 24 girls movie in tonight (Sunday) and we will be over there shortly to help them settle in!
Chad has done a ton of
video stuff and made the awesome pictures that we got to hand out in Tent City. Brandon got sick at the beginning of the week and was out for a couple of days which was a real bummer but we have our leader back and we are thankful for that! Many of us have not been feeling 100% this week, so prayers for strength as we finish this last week would be cherished!
Tent City again was a very impactful thing this week. Friday we went back and handed out the pictures we had taken and that Chad edited with scripture. The people were SO excited to receive them. As we handed out each picture, we explained that we would like to give them this gift because of the gift we have been given through Jesus Christ.
The gospel was shared through each picture! On the pictures included contact information for a local pastor. We are praying that these pictures will be hung in their homes and that Christ would reign there.
As we were walking around and passing out pictures, my stomach was hurting because I did not have much of a breakfast. During this visit to Tent City, we were told that many Filipinos hair turns a bleached orangish color because of malnutrition. Knowing this, I noticed this day how many of their hairs have turned this color--I have actually been aware of this throughout the city now. This was just crushing to me, to us. The reality was that I was walking around with a stomach ache that I knew would last about an hour more because when we returned to our homebase lunch would be provided for us. The pain turned into a big knot in my stomach and a pain in my heart that has continued. Chad also made the comment today that he doesn't know how many more homes he can go into and videotape and walk away without doing more. (He has been given a few students of the school to "follow" as a part of the support video he is making.) So many needs here are just so great it's hard to grasp.
Chad also had a great conversation with a K.I.M. worker (a 19 year old guy) as we were outside the Josies Angel house painting a fence purple the other day. Our friend was telling us how he believes that America is such a better place because people aren't hungry. Brandon and Chad tried to explain to him that America is not really a better place--in fact, it can be worse off because people are too full and too rich that they don't have a "need" for anything or anyone, including Christ. Brandon brought up the verse where Jesus warns about the rich man being worse off. Our friend just could not grasp this idea because all he could think about is that most people in America are not hungry because most people in the Philippines are. He is a Christian and loves the Lord, but desires to be in America. We have heard this over and over here. It has been a hard thing to disuade people of. Yes there are great opportunities in America, but the people are not necessarily better off.
Saturday was our last full day with Meghan--so sad! We got to go to a beach with the ladies who work in the kitchen and the 6 of the 7 older orphans that we have spent time with! The beach that was suppose to take about 3 hours to get to turned in to a 5 hour trip! We got there about 1pm. Had a great time! It was absolutely beautiful! We used our experience from last year and made sure we all packed on the sunscreen!! Success!! No burns for the Burns!! :) lol We were also about to take a little boat to another island (just a 15 min boat ride) and that was neat. We left about 6pm, stopped for dinner and got home at midnight!! Long day, but fun!
Today and tomorrow we have more shifts at the nursery. I just love this time. These kids are just too precious. I got to bath and change the 3 one year olds this morning. Lord help me if I have triplets! Their sweet little voices calling us "tita" and "tito" (means like aunt or uncle that all kids call adults, even if they don't know you well) is just so sweet. We were exhausted at the end, but it was worth it!
We are off to see the girls settle in! This week we will be concentrated on them, and making sure they are adjusting well into their new home. Please pray for strength and focus for us! We love you all!!
Here are just a few of my favorite pictures that we passed out at Tent City. Chad made 50!!
Such a beautiful family!
