Tonight, part of our mission team met to do a team sharing at Beulah. It was wonderful to see familiar faces again and greet everyone like old friends. Hearing people speak about different parts of the trip helped to put everything into perspective - acknowledging the challenges, celebrating the successes, and appreciating Godās providence through it all. I made little notes during the trip of moments that I didnāt want to forget, and Iāve been trying to process everything Iāve learned since I got back. Iām glad someone at church cautioned me about transitioning back to ānormal lifeā. Itās funny how quickly my memories of the Philippines have taken on that fuzzy, dream-like quality that you have of those defining moments in your life.Ā
Things I now appreciate at home:
drinkable tap water, toothbrushes, toilet paper, A/C, and the overall excessiveness of North American lifestyle
Things I loved about Kalinga:
The coffee! Riding on top of the Jeepneys on the way home every day was such a thrillā¦seriously, driving in a car at home now seems so restrictive. And safe. Poo on safety ;)
Also, the comment that struck me the most was what a (Canadian) midwife said about how her husband felt when he came to visit Canada. He always felt lonely and isolated, because no one is ever outside and people within a community donāt seem to spend time together. It is the opposite in the villages of the But-But tribe that we visited - everyone is outside and together and it really takes a village to raise the children.Ā
Things I learned about God:
His omniscience and His control. People have such a narrow-minded focus, but God truly sees all. Almost every day, our team faced challenges. The transformer overheated. The dental unit wasnāt working. We ran out of certain medications. We didnāt know if weād make it home as scheduled. Yet, looking back, I can see God up in heaven having a good chuckle at all our little worries and thinking, āwait til they see what I have planned.āĀ
Things I learned about myself:
That I love missions. I have said to a few people now that Iām glad to have the comforts of home, to see my family/friends, and to be familiar with my surroundings, but I could go back in a heartbeat if it werenāt for the commitments I have here. Now the challenge becomes putting that desire to serve to good use at home.
One always worry with short-term missions that a team ends up doing more harm than good. But I left knowing that God was there long before us, and that the local missionaries and villages will be there continuing His work when weāve become a distant memory. When I read these verses now, I will always be reminded of the Philippines.
A manās heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps [Proverbs 16:9]
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light [Matthew 11:28-30]
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