The past two months have been a life highlight. I have never felt so alive, so blessed, so full of hope and joy as I did working alongside the beautiful girls who had been rescues from the bars of Angeles City.
And now I know for certain, without a doubt, that light has the power to penetrate the darkest places.
Before arriving in the Philippines, I knew it was gonna be good. I knew I would get to see God work in incredible ways because I knew I was going to be a part of a ministry that had seen him on the move, rescuing His daughters.
I also knew I would hear first hand many stories of heartbreak beyond that which I could have ever imagined.
What I didn't know, was how greatly my life would be transformed and changed by what I saw. I didn't expect the deepening of my faith that came with being in desperate need to see God show up.
I didn't expect to be leaving with a heart so full , as well as a heart ready for action, refusing to remain silent, and ready to be a part of the solution to this generations brokenness.
Arriving in the Philippines and getting to know the girls who are living at the safe houses, was like getting a glimpse of what the word sisterhood meant. These girls and young women are FOR each other. They want more than anything to have lives of purity, fun, and Jesus.
We had the opportunity to participate in outreach several times, where we would worship and pray with our team, a mix of Americans ( and me...the token Canadian ) along with our Filipino sisters before hitting the streets and the bars sharing about the opportunity to come live at Wipe Every Tear and go to school.
One night as we worshiped, we had the best interruption ever...one of the girls that had been trying to make a decision about leaving her old life literally showed up partway through worship, joined us is singing songs of praise.
Holy moment.
Another girl who I met on a different stage in Angeles City literally gripped my hands and told me she had been praying for a way out so she could worship God, because it was all she wanted to do.
Divine intervention.
I expected darkness and sadness, and though that was there...bringing JOY was infinitely more powerful.
I remember one moment, coming into a bar, jumping on stage, and rocking out to T- Swift with the girls(my fave as all of ya know !).... and then looking around the bar a few moments later after we had left the stage, offering to buy many of them drinks...a requirement to be able to spend time with them. I saw that not only were there several girls surrounding me, but there was the entire bar was filled with teams chatting with other girls. There were no more left on the stage!
Overall, we saw around 30 girls come to Wipe Every Tear while we were there. Amazing.
During our Beauty for Ashes retreats, the girls poured into one another as they shared their hearts and their stories, some taking steps towards We saw them light up when they came to understand more of who they were as The bride of Christ, who He was as their Father, and their friend. healing for the very first time.
These past two months I didn't see trickles of goodness....I saw waterfalls of it.
And I am addicted. I am addicted to the mission.
I believe that God is calling me to be a protector of young girls.... for now and forever. He has given me hints of what this will look like, and as they emerge, I am so excited to share them with you.
For now, please continue to pray.
Pray for His beautiful daughters in Chiang Mai Thailand...that He will lead us to the specific ones that will be the first to live in the new safe house here. Pray for endurance for my team that we may finish this journey well.
And let me know how you are doing...how can I pray for you ?
What is God calling you to? In what ways has serving Him brought you joy ?
Love you all ...and I am so thankful for all of your support !