Last January I made a commitment to Youth With a Mission in a Discipleship Training School. YWAM is an international, interdenominational missions organization. The first 3 months of DTS was lecture phase where we have mentors of the faith help us to know Jesus Christ on a deeper level, so we may make him known. At the beginning of April, through miraculous provision of finances, I got the opportunity to go to the nation of the Philippines with a team of eleven people for ten weeks and make God known.
The Philippines is full of smiling faces, delicious fruit, and breathtaking landscapes. The first ministry, and one of the most memorable, was the Nehemiah Houses. An American man, by the name of Michael Casey, was met by an angel that told him his calling from God. Now he has made three safe houses for girls who were sexually abused. These girls are the most joyful, beautiful, and talented girls I have ever met. When I arrived, my heart was broken. I cried. They were the ones that were making God known to me, because apparently, I knew nothing of the depths of Gods restoration.
After that I went on my first boat ride to a small island called Talavera, to do kids ministry. On Talavera there are no cars, everyone walks everywhere. Everywhere you go there are about 30-50 kids following you at all times, giving it a lively and fun atmosphere. They would mock us when we would go for a run, they didn't understand why because its good to be fat in the Philippines. The kids would make miniature houses out of trash, play frisbee with blue starfish, use a dead shark as a baseball bat, and wear seaweed as a headdress. This place has an unreal impression on my memory. The stars were never brighter and there were swooping bats with 3 foot wingspans. It was such an amazing experience to see kids come alive for Jesus. There was so much energy, excitement and vision. I pray for that childlike love for life.
The next few weeks were spent doing various ministries at churches, youth groups, small groups, bible studies, prayer and worship meets, and just loving people. Never in my life did I think I'd be preaching the gospel in front of hundreds of people, especially since I was not even raised in a Christian home. We came to Baguio and there we were running a DTS, and we were teaching what we just learned from weeks before. I dread public speaking, typically stuttering and trembling as I talk. I taught for two and a half hours on the father heart of God and discipleship. As I prepared for the teachings, I was completely wrecked as I came to the revelation that no human breadth of knowledge can possibly perceive Gods glory. Gods depth of understanding of my each and every deep and intimate thought, that I had ever had, was nothing short of humbling. And only through His spirit could I talk, and He would speak. By trusting God and treading off the beaten path He guided my every step to something new and refreshing.
Our last two weeks were spent in Olongapo where we did bar ministry. We stayed at a safe house and went out every night, until sometimes 5 am, into brothels and made conversation with the girls about Jesus' love for them. Being near the ports, the majority of the customers and all of the bar owners are American and Australian Navy guys. We went to Angeles, which is like the Las Vegas of the Philippines, ranking top three in Asia for sex-trafficking. There was about a half mile strip of just brothels, each bar containing hundreds and hundreds of girls wearing numbers. It was a dark and heavy atmosphere; there were American faces in the booths and barstools; flashing lights yet dim eyes. I spoke to one of the bar owners, a retired ex navy guy, and I sat there and listened to his story. He was convinced that he was actually a good person. He began to pour out his heart, and with all sincerity and ingenuity, shared with me his good intentions. I was shocked, I could see why it's so important to realize that we are not fighting flesh but spiritual powers and principalities. Jesus rebukes favortism because it limits our authority in Christ to love unconditionally and drive out demons. In stories and movies, evil doers are portrayed as people who intend evil. But no, that is not how it is! To do evil, a human being must first believe that what he is doing is good. It is in the nature of the human being to seek justification for his actions. Were fighting demons, principalities, ideologies! Whatever you wish to call it. Ideologies gives evildoing its long sought justification and gives the evil doer its steadfastness and determination. That is the social theory which helps make his acts seem good instead of bad in his own eyes and others eyes, so that he wont hear reproaches and curses but will receive praise and honors. How else could thousands oppress millions?
My time in the Philippines was absolutely incredible. My team was the greatest and the most fun group of people I could have asked for. We were from all over the world and had little in common. Only God could have unified us. We had a unique bunch, but everyone had their own talents and skills that we excelled in. We grew through challenges and bonded in trials. I miss them so much, they will always be my family. I love the Philippines. I love the people, the culture, the food. However, now I am officially wrecked for the ordinary. I'm too awake.
No comments:
Post a Comment