The Seven Puffs...Trying To Live By Faith: Our Filipino Thankgiving!

We get all kinds of reactions when we tell people we are going on a family missions trip. Some people think they are just for adults-what could children possibly do to help? Others have shared their concern for the kids safety. Still others have gone so far as tell me the children will just get in the way. All of these are personal opinions...not to be judged. For us, we felt that one of the huge opportunities we have living in Hong Kong, being part of the school community that we do, is to get involved in missions. It is something that Andy and I have always felt strongly about, not just for us, but for our kids...for us as a family. This past Thanksgiving we got to experience that blessing again, as a family.

We left for our third missions trip to Manila, Philippines in shifts. Abby, Sarah and I left Wednesday evening with nine others. Andy, the older three children and our helper traveled with two teachers after school on Thursday. Our family spent time with the KIM (Kids International Ministry) organization last spring and we were all eager to get back. We went with the same leader from our last trip, his two children, two friends from his church, two teachers from the school, and an American family and their helper who were our friends before we even moved to HK. Before leaving, my prayer was that we would be prepared for what we were going to experience, that we would glorify the Lord's name, and we would be changed. Since we had just been there 7 months ago, I knew better what to expect and I was eager to jump in!

The organization is located in the middle of a squatter village and it has had a huge impact in trying to break the cycle of poverty and despair in their community. They have had a large hand in starting a school that serves over 200 children, and is in the midst of building an early learning center for babies and toddlers. The also opened an orphanage about 200 yds from the missions center that has over 50 children, and a home for girls who were in at risk and abusive situations. Finally, they provide feedings to other squatter villages twice a day, seven days a week.

These are just the things that we were able to be involved in for a short time, and doesn't mention the medical clinic for women with at risk pregnancies or the other children's home in the southern part of the Philippines. We all went on at least two or three feedings, serving at least 100 people. These people are amazing and their joy is contagious. Yes, it is heartbreaking to see these mothers who are doing their best to care for their little ones, as they send their shoeless children for the food. But most often what was remembered was the gratitude.

One night, after dark, we decided to do some "street ministry" We visited a group of children who were being cared for by a few adults, who worked for another organization, giving them food and singing with them. They were children with no home, who would be sleeping on the streets. As our van pulled up, you would have thought we were rock stars, as they ran to our door. I was pulled off by a little girl who grabbed my hand and didn't let go for the next 30 minutes. She was a little younger than Abby, with short brown hair and a ponytail on top. She was also in pajamas...and even though it was dark, I could see her bright smile. She broke my heart...clinging to me like she had known me all her life. We started to play games with the kids, and she got together with a friend for a partner. We spent about an hour with this group of about 30 kids, singing songs and playing games. They laughed and danced and sang their hearts out. Before we left, we prayed for the couple of adults who were there serving them. Then we were gone. It was pointed out to us that the few adults on the other side of the road, sitting on the curb, were the pimps, ready to take advantage of when these children were left alone...that thought makes me sick.

Another night we (the women and older girls) got to go to the girls' home and have a spa night. We painted nails and braided hair and talked to these beautiful girls. One girl that I remembered from our previous trip shared that school was hard...then she proceeded to tell me the courses she was taking. I told her that I thought Calculus was hard too!!! These girls are so intelligent, and even though they have been hurt in the past, the Lord has pulled them out and placed them in a loving situation with doors open to opportunity. It was interesting to see the walls of distrust break down the longer we were there. First, most of the girls didn't want their nails painted...but they would paint our nails (I gladly accepted). Then they started to take us up on our offer, and then ask us to braid their hair...their thick beautiful hair. It was a wonderful night.

Finally, I spent a good bit of time at the children's home, specifically in the nursery. I was able to bring Sarah and Abby with me. They had a ball playing, and the kids were fascinated with them. They took to Abby because she was older...and they loved on Sarah since she was little and couldn't resist their hugs...too much! The home just received five new little ones...including twin 3 year old girls who were beautiful, but extremely hesitant. I wondered what they could be thinking...they were too young to understand that living with their mom wasn't safe...but it was their mom? And you could see the other kids checking them out. I was only too happy to play with some of the older adjusted children who had been there awhile so that these new little friends could begin making connections to the workers who would be there on a consistent basis. Of course, I also got to help with some little babies. One little 5 month old boy would not go to sleep, so I was only to eager to rock him. And then the next day I helped with another little peanut who was only a month old, but two months premature. None of my kiddos had ever been that small out of the womb. The whole miracle in this is that it did not cause me to want another baby of my own...praise the Lord!

My children were able to play with the older kids at the orphanage and they really stepped up at the feedings...passing out food, making kids laugh, giving out stickers and toys...they never ceased to amaze me. I never heard complaining from them and they already talk about going back. They did a great job of spreading hope and joy to these people who struggle daily for the simplest of things that we take for granted...food, water and shelter...not to mention a means to provide for one's family. Andy and I were so proud of them. This experience of doing missions as a family is priceless. It has spurred on more discussion and challenged us individually as well as a family...how can we show gratitude and where are we spending our resources of money, time and energy?

Finally, I would do a disservice if I didn't share what we learned about Tacloban and surrounding areas that were directly affected by the typhoon. KIMS has been inundated with donations and now the challenge is getting the means to take it to the affected areas. So they have been sending teams down to "ground zero" to serve and take supplies. When we talked to the head of KIMS, he had just gotten back from a short trip down there...and to say he was shaken to the core would be an understatement. He shared two specific stories that I cannot get out of my mind. One, he spoke to a father who had lost his daughter in the storm. He was hiding in a tree with her as the winds were raging. He was squeezing his little girl so tightly, that he actually suffocated her. He didn't even realize that he was killing her until it was too late. The devastation is real and overwhelming. Complete villages were just washed away. I don't know what the media is reporting in different parts of the world, but as usual, the farther away we get from this event, people are going to forget. The head of KIMS couldn't emphasize enough that this was such a dark place...not just complete devastation and loss..but just plain evil. He shared another story of his departure. While he was at the airport he witnessed a man trying to smuggle 10 little girls out of the country in order to sell them into sex trafficking. He had told the authorities that two of them were his daughters and the others were cousins and friends. As he continued to get questioned, they also questioned the girls and found out that they didn't know each other. He was immediately arrested. Unfortunately, he will be an exception to the rule. I don't pass these stories to depress you...simply to share the anarchy that is happening and that you would be motivated to pray.

So we walk away from another trip to Manila, changed. Sharing this experience as a family bonds us closer together and deepens our individual faith, as well. We seem to be blessed more than we have blessed others...being given the gift of perspective and the joy that comes from serving. I highly recommend serving with your children in any capacity...the "fruit of your labor" is beyond comprehension.