Rose Colored Glasses : January 2017

My Heart

I really don't know where to start on the this and the next bunch of pictures. The Lord brought us to the Philippines to live and be a part of the people. We are on an island that is 50% poverty, 80 % child and teen incest, sodomy and rape and 90% dedicated to idols at birth. We have been here 15 months now and I am just able to start posting about the children and teens and people here. We love them all and we are happy to be here. But our heart has hurt more than we ever imagined was possible. It is not the safest place to be because we are "white" and they tell me I am the only white woman they have seen. Would we trade living here for anything. No, we are right where we belong. I look at these pictures and I cry all over again. These children are so beautiful and so hurt. We hold them as they sob and cry because of what they have been through and we know we have to send them back to the same situation. We tell them about the Lord but it is hard because we speak a different language but we are learning their language. The Lord gave us a wonderful interpreter and a wonderful Maestra (language teacher). Both the interpreter and Maestra have stolen our hearts. They call us Mama and Daddy and we feel honored. Many have become so precious to us.

We have many people to thank, Patty & Loretta and others who send us clothes & soaps and necessities to take to the village people. The wonderful Intercessor's at LifeWay Church. The need here is so great that it gets overwhelming sometimes. We could not do this without the help So Thank you all.
This is an ongoing story so please follow with us as we walk through each day not knowing what the day will bring.

Saturday, January 21, 2017

The Recent Flood January 2017

This is the latest flood, the picture at the bottom is of Rey, our anok lalaki (adopted son and his family , we consider him and his family as our family ) he is trying to get to his balay (home) which is off the picture to the right you cannot see it. This is his 4th flood recently.The 2nd picture was early in the flood and they are trying to get to safe land. It got worse as the day and night went on. There have been many instances of children drowning and people dying in their cars when they were trying to get to safety and the flood waters overflow their cars and they cannot get out. These people are amazing! They just build and start life again. They lose all food and the water is contaminated with garbage and human waste because many, many do not have toilets and running water and things like in the U.S. We have grown to love these people and it breaks our hearts. The man who manages the apartment we are in was flooded and the people all around us. Churches flooded. One of our dear Pastor friends , his home and church were totally flooded as were many others and also business's and especially homes.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Mark at Jail

Mark was asked to speak at the jail, the response to his message was awesome. He told them that this was serious and not to respond and stand unless they were serious and as you can see they really want a better life and Mark told them what the key to it was.