*the long-awaited philippines update*
i love missions.
someone asked us when we got back, "if you were called to do this for the rest of your life, would you be willing?" my answer was an immediate YES. he said he would come back in 3 months' time, when we have become acustomed to hk life again, to see if our minds would change by then. i knew mine wouldn't. i've felt a calling for missions from the very first time, and i have yet to change my mind. it's just a matter of time.... i just love, i mean love, going out there. i have to admit i would much rather go for longer than a few days. since last year, i've really felt a strong passion towards training and taking people who have never been on missions before. i know at this point in time, i'm still going to be in hong kong. and our church is growing in such a way that there are ample opportunities.... oh the opportunities!
anyway, this was supposed to be about the trip! so here goes...
as you saw from the photos, most of the people we ministered to were children. if there must be one highlight to pick, it would be the children for me. every time i look at the videos, or the photos, i'm so taken aback by the hunger in their eyes, but also the depth of resilience. even though verbal communication is often non-existent, there is something special about simply being in their presence. watching them play, sing (even when they don't know any of the words), dance around, even fighting with each other... maybe it's just knowing how much God loves these kids and is blessed that they are so filled with joy in His presence. it was particularly special to be able to go back to project nehemiah and see some of the same kids we met last year. i am so inspired by what harold, the man who started the orphanage, and his team is doing.
i have to admit i took more of an observer's role this time around. i was actually trying to see things through the eyes of some of the others on the team, to remember what it was like to be on a mission trip for the first time. it was strangely satisfying to see so many people just dive without reserve, just as i did that first time 3 years ago. some of the people on the team are people that i have personally ministered to, prayed with and for, and seen grow so much spiritually in hong kong. to see them now 'out in the field', pouring back what they have received, was... such a blessing.
it was also great to catch up with dustin, the ywam cebu dts coordinator. i had a good chat with him over breakfast one day about his vision for training up passionate missionaries and staying faithful to that call. it was good to just listen to someone who is living out the call that i feel...
i think that's enough from me for now. i promised derek i would go to bed early tonight, and seeing that it's still before midnight, i'm still good.... plus i have an early day tomorrow. 9:30am! oh dear!! :P
i love missions.
someone asked us when we got back, "if you were called to do this for the rest of your life, would you be willing?" my answer was an immediate YES. he said he would come back in 3 months' time, when we have become acustomed to hk life again, to see if our minds would change by then. i knew mine wouldn't. i've felt a calling for missions from the very first time, and i have yet to change my mind. it's just a matter of time.... i just love, i mean love, going out there. i have to admit i would much rather go for longer than a few days. since last year, i've really felt a strong passion towards training and taking people who have never been on missions before. i know at this point in time, i'm still going to be in hong kong. and our church is growing in such a way that there are ample opportunities.... oh the opportunities!
anyway, this was supposed to be about the trip! so here goes...
as you saw from the photos, most of the people we ministered to were children. if there must be one highlight to pick, it would be the children for me. every time i look at the videos, or the photos, i'm so taken aback by the hunger in their eyes, but also the depth of resilience. even though verbal communication is often non-existent, there is something special about simply being in their presence. watching them play, sing (even when they don't know any of the words), dance around, even fighting with each other... maybe it's just knowing how much God loves these kids and is blessed that they are so filled with joy in His presence. it was particularly special to be able to go back to project nehemiah and see some of the same kids we met last year. i am so inspired by what harold, the man who started the orphanage, and his team is doing.
i have to admit i took more of an observer's role this time around. i was actually trying to see things through the eyes of some of the others on the team, to remember what it was like to be on a mission trip for the first time. it was strangely satisfying to see so many people just dive without reserve, just as i did that first time 3 years ago. some of the people on the team are people that i have personally ministered to, prayed with and for, and seen grow so much spiritually in hong kong. to see them now 'out in the field', pouring back what they have received, was... such a blessing.
it was also great to catch up with dustin, the ywam cebu dts coordinator. i had a good chat with him over breakfast one day about his vision for training up passionate missionaries and staying faithful to that call. it was good to just listen to someone who is living out the call that i feel...
i think that's enough from me for now. i promised derek i would go to bed early tonight, and seeing that it's still before midnight, i'm still good.... plus i have an early day tomorrow. 9:30am! oh dear!! :P
posted by jana* at 10:25 PM
