Snapshots

    

Adventures (big and small)

The last week and a half has been filled with so many adventures here in Manila.

-I've now met real life Aussies!

-The team canoed up the river where Apocalypse Now was filmed.

-We held a worship service for over a hundred children in a church with no chairs and the most beautiful stained glass windows I have ever seen.

-I've begun to realize how small the world really is.

- I've been referred to a Taylor Swift by Filipino children on multiple occasions.

-I've blown bubbles with children whose families make their living by digging through an abandoned trash dump.

-We've worshiped with people from so many different nations.

-I've had my heart stolen by street children who call me aunt in Tagalog. Tita! Tita!

-I've spent every night reflecting on a balcony porch swing.

-I've eaten little dried fish. Face, eyes, and all.

-I've realized that I'm more comfortable being called Teacher Kelsey than Miss Scott.

-We've held babies from the children's home. They have the most beautiful eyelashes I have ever seen and some of the saddest stories I have ever heard.

-We've been stunned by the diverse beauty of the Philippines. We've only been in and around Manila but we've seen everything from shacks made from bits and pieces of corrugated tin to skyscrapers to rolling mountains.

-I've ridden a bamboo raft under a waterfall... one of the craziest moments of my life.

-I've taught children who are so excited to even have the opportunity to go to school and receive an education.

-I've had the opportunity to help with feedings and been heartbroken at the knowledge that the meal that we are providing might be the only nutritious meal that these children will receive all week.

-I've seen people from all over the world become the hands and feet of Jesus. God is moving here in this place.

Song of the Post: Say Something- Great Big World

Philippines: Three Days In

I've only been here for around three days, but I can already feel the change in me and can see it in those around me. Walls (that were never very high to begin with) are coming down amongst those on the team and we are beginning to rejoice in each other's strengths and weaknesses. I keep thinking to myself, I like these people.
The Filipino people are beautiful. They are more warm and open than anyone I have ever met. Time here also moves differently. It flows instead of being split and it meanders and curls around what ever is scheduled.
The longer I am here, the more I realize that I needed this. God knew what he was doing in sending me here. I can breathe here and I can concentrate on loving the people around me. It is hard to put into words.
We don't have very good wifi here (which is honestly a blessing) so I probably will not update as much as I thought I might.  Right now I am going to focus on being present here in this place.

Song of the Post: Promise - Ben Howard

A New Beginning

2013 is coming to an end! This year has been one of growth and change. Lots and lots of growth and change. As we start a new year, I am encouraged by the knowledge that each day I wake up is new. Every day I will make mistakes, miss the mark, and generally just be human. Every day I will be picked up, made clean and whole, and loved.

2014 will start in a very exciting way.  I and 24 other Education students from Taylor University will have the opportunity to study abroad in the Philippines during the month of January. We leave on the third and for many of us, this will be our first time overseas.We will be observing and teaching at Cuatro Christian School, an English speaking school that serves the impoverished students in the Cuatro community of Manila. The whole team will also spend time mentoring children in the New Faith Children’s Home, volunteering at a home for girls that were involved in the sex-trafficking industry, and presenting worship services in schools and churches. I am so blessed to be a part of this team and am beyond excited for the adventure ahead!

Please pray that we have a safe trip, that we are unified as a team, and that the Lord's will be at work within us. I don't know how often we will have internet access but I will try and update here as often as possible.

"What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole." -1 Peter 1:3-5 (The Message)

Song of the post: After the Storm- Mumford and Sons