It's been awhile

I started this blog last year when I was heading out on an adventure that God had for me in the Philippines. Since then I haven't written about any of my life experiences, although there have been many in the past year.

I'm going to try to use this blog again. I find that I need a way to work through things in my head and to express them as I am working them out. That is the benefit of writing things out. Unlike extraverts, I process internally. If you thought I was an extrovert...well, I'm actually an outgoing introvert. Since a traditional type of journal hasn't really worked for me, I'm going to try this. I find that often emails to friends turn into journals with thoughts and insights that were worked out as I was writing and should hold on to. So, once I start typing, things come to light.

The end of summer; the beginning of fall

It seems like the change in seasons from summer to fall lasts a whole month. When September starts, so does the feeling of autumn. We get back into our routines and schedules that define the transition. By the time the first official day of fall rolls around, on September 21 or 22, we are already entrenched in the fall season. But often we still get such great summer weather well into October. In summer it feels like fall has begun; in fall it feels like it's still summer. The lines are blurred. And so they are in our lives, too.

Looking Back

As I think back on my time at Hope for the Island, it seems sort of surreal. Like a dream. Towards the end of the month that I spent there the words came out of my mouth: "Lord, how could You bless me so much?" I really wanted to go to HIF to serve them and to bless them in some way. But I came away being the one who was blessed. My heart was touched very deeply and was filled to the brim.

I had the opportunity to help in an administrative task as well as be involved with kids and youth ministry and participate in a medical mission by praying for some of the people who had been helped. I loved reading stories and verses to the kids and teaching them songs. I taught the youth Discipleship class for 3 Wednesdays and taught them a couple of songs, too. I loved hearing those songs later being sung.

I was struck over and over again by the dichotomy of the beauty of the island and the poverty of it. As I looked out at the ocean, trees, beach and sky, I realized that I could never have my fill of the amazingly beautiful surroundings. I tried to take it all in, but I don’t think that is possible. And at the opposite end of the spectrum are the people who are struggling for their daily needs. It made me think of how much I have in Canada and really the responsibility that I have to steward what God has given me. People need their spiritual needs met, yes, but many also have physical needs that are not being met. I think Christians are also called to provide for those needs.

I am anticipating going back someday soon with my family. My brother and nephew spent 8 days at Hope for the Island in March and my sister-in-law and their other 3 kids are excited to go for their first time. I will travel back with them.

This experience is now part of who I am. It is a brick in my life. This place is in my heart and I am excited be involved in some small way and to see what God does on Siargao Island.

The Greatness of God

As I am looking out at the ocean, trees, beach and sky, I realize that I will never have my fill of my amazingly beautiful surroundings. I have tried to take it all in, but I don’t think that is possible. That is how great our God is! He is so much greater than anything I can comprehend. It is enough to know that “The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all he has made”. (Psalm 145:17) I can trust Him because in everything that He does, He is right in doing it; and in everything that He does, He does out of love.

On reflecting on my time at Hope for the Island, I ask God how He could bless me so much by my experience here! It is something that I am having difficulty putting into words, but I know that God knows my heart. He is great enough for that.

Sweet Farewell

This morning I was awakened at 5:30am by a serenade of beautiful voices from some of the girls who are in the Discipleship Class that I have led the last 3 weeks. I felt so blessed as they sang for me, including the 2 songs that I had taught them in the previous weeks – “Lord, I Want to be a Sacrifice” and “The Lord is Gracious and Compassionate”. Then we took pictures and had a special breakfast. What a start to my last day here.

Winding Down

A new hightlight in my day is my morning Bible reading with my new nine-year-old friend, Diwa. One day last week, Diwa and I started reading my Bible together, taking turns. After that, she comes calling for me almost every morning. We sit together and read God's word. She almost devours it! She has shown me some of her favourite verses, including one that I taught to the kids a couple of Saturdays ago. I was thrilled that she remembered it. Diwa doesn't have much, but I believe that she has God in her heart. Another special girl to me is Diwa's good friend Leah. I love to give these girls hugs, as it seems to mean so much to them. I wish they could come home with me. I pray that God will show me how I can continue to be a part of these girls' lives so that they will grow up healthy and be strong women who love the Lord.

For my last few nights here, I have moved to a cottage on the property. Giving my 2 roommates their room back, I changed locations on Wednesday. Looking out to the ocean from my window, I am struck by how much God has blessed me. My few nights in the cottage are like a little retreat for me. I have read 2 books and spent time praying, reading, journaling and reflecting. God has given me a new excitement for ministry at home and a continued desire to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Saturday is my last day here as I leave early Sunday morning to begin my journey home by motorcycle, boat, bus and plane to get to Cebu City where I will have an overnight an most of a day. I leave Cebu City Monday evening at 7:50pm and arrive home Monday evening at 8:15pm. Funny how that works with the time change. My layover in Hong Kong is much shorter so that will shorten the trip a bit. Also, my flight from Hong Kong is about 2 hours shorter than the other way.

This place and the people are in my heart and this experience is a part of me forever.

Adventures

Last night I attended one of the home fellowships in Alegria, which at home would take probably 5 or 10 minutes to drive to on our roads and with our cars. However, here it takes about a half hour. We realized before leaving that the headlights on our “vehicle” were not working. Not going was not an option, so the solution is to shine a flashlight through the windshield to light the road for us to find our way. This was an adventure in and of itself. Add to our creative mode of transportation the condition of the roads and the effort required to travel this short distance is quite high. But I was thankful to meet with the believers in this small town, and share my story about why I am in the Philippines. It was awesome to hear them singing praises to God in their language, Visaya (which I still can barely understand a few words of) and to read Scripture. It is now the intention of Hope for the Island to gradually hand over responsibility for their Home Fellowships to leaders in their own towns. This will lead to growth in the depth of their own faith and hopefully in numbers.

Tomorrow (Thursday) I am leaving for an overnight trip to another island for a medical mission. This is organized by the community doctor who often asks for assistance from Hope for the Island. This will be the same doctor who organized our previous trip a few weeks ago and I was able to have a good conversation with her about my faith and where she is at. I hope that we can continue where we left off. So, this will be another new experience for me. The medical mission I participated in a few weeks ago was relatively close to the town where we are and didn’t require an overnight stay. I don’t really know what to expect, but I know that God’s hand is on us. Your prayers for safety and expecially for my interactions with the doctor would be greatly appreciated.

My work in the library is progressing and I am sure I will be able to complete it before I leave. I am so glad to have had such a practical project to work on.

Love, Rita.