Rose Colored Glasses : March 2018

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.

Monday, March 5, 2018

I am sorry I haven't posted since December. It has a been a busy couple of months. But I want to give you an update. We have been going to different churches and seeing great things happen . Here are a couple of pictures. This little open air church is way up in the mountains and it is so beautiful there but this is the only way because of finances they could have a church. The sun was beautiful with an awesome breeze. No real humidity there so it was refreshing. I hope you enjoy the pictures. We took up Tootsie pops and chips for the children but the adults had never had a Tootsie Pop so they wanted one too. It was so much fun to watch as they got close to the chewy center. Here are a couple of pictures:

Aren't they just adorable. And it was as I said so beautiful up there and we had a wonderful time even though it took about 4 hours to get there.