Moving to memory...

You know how for a while after an experience, you'll use phrases like..."Well while I was in __________..." That's how it's been for the last couple weeks. I think it will be that way for a while. Please forgive me if I overuse my Philippines stories...I am trying to let things process and make a difference in my life. I hope some of the stories are encouraging to you also...





This was one of the hardest scenes for me to understand. This was the son of one of our staff members. He would spend hours at a time alone in the courtyard, rarely wearing clothes and hardly ever with supervision. The difference between our ever-constant child care in the states and the independence in the Philippines startled me. It's hard for me not to call it "neglect." Emily Bill and I had a saying for these kind of moments..."It's not wrong, it's just different." That was a hard one to swallow when it came to seeing these kids.



This girl was one of my best friends. In this picture, she had just gotten a letter and gift (the necklace) from her sponsor. she is sponsored by a girl her age in Germany. It was the most enrapturing thing to look at this girl's face when she opened that letter and read it out loud to us all. This changed my entire perspective of agencies like World Vision and Compassion Child. A child sponsorship program is so drastically different when you are with the kids. They love their sponsors...people they have never met...with such gratitude.



Emily Bill and I enjoyed being tourists when we went out of the village. Usually once a week, we tried to leave the village and go to a mall or a "normal" place where we could feel a little more at home. Starbucks, believe it or not, is very popular in the Philippines. They had at least 4 in one mall! We went there several times. This particular picture was right after Em and I went souvenir shopping (note the button on Em's shirt). She was a rich friend to have. After our many conversations, I remember always feeling so grateful that I had a sister to process situations with and get feedback. Thing I most appreciated about her: the way she prayed.



This video is of 3 of my favorite kids acting silly :) The funny thing is, though they were acting for the camera, this is almost how they were all the time. :) Adorable :)

That's all for now folks :)
Blessings.