The Philippines.
This post is complete honesty coming from me.. A part of me just wanted to skip sharing the struggles and the hard times, but what's the point if I don't share the hard times too? God uses those for our own growth.
When we left the US, I was beyond excited. We got there, and upon learning of our new schedule, the excitement died down a little. I was trying to figure out how I was going to balance our new schedule of waking up at the crack of dawn, morning worship time, classes, homeschooling, chores and everything in between, combined with trying to stay in touch with those at home. It was an overwhelming first week. But I began to seek the Lord and told Him that I couldn't do it on my own. I couldn't handle the changes and the adjustments on my own, I needed His help. I no longer focused on how I was going to manage it all, but rather on just doing it all one step at a time and allowing the Lord to lead me. Had I not opened up my heart to allow God to work on me, I may have missed what all He wanted to do in me through the FDTS.
As we continued throughout the school, I still missed home a lot, mainly just my friends and family. Once again, I had to ask the Lord to renew my focus back on what we were doing in the Philippines. He did, and I began to love the Philippines. I wasn't always focusing on back home anyone, but rather on what God wanted to do and use me for while in the Philippines. I started focusing more on the relationships that could be built there with the people.
Outreach began.. And yes, I still had all of my struggles. But I just kept coming to love that country even more! By the time it was time to leave and go back to the US, I was not ready to go back. Yes, in a sense, I was ready to go back, as I did want to be home for Christmas. But other than that, I wasn't ready! I especially was not ready to leave the people and the relationships I had built there.
This was a complete 360 from our beginning weeks there, when I just missed home, & I missed our "normal life".. I am so thankful I allowed the Lord to work in me while we were there, so that I didn't miss everything that He wanted to do in my life while there.
You guys, the Philippines is a beautiful country. The people are so sweet and open. The hospitality of the people over there is a blessing, and the culture itself is just wonderful. So yeah, the Philippines and the Filipino people stole my heart. When and if the Lord wills for us to go back, I will be ready.
And we, in the Philippines, will be ready to welcome you back!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel, when I left the states I cried on the plan at first because I was scared leaving the country by myself for the first time. Six months later I was getting on the plane to fly home and again I cried because I knew I was leaving a special place behind. I would love to go back to that beautiful place again someday.
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