Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
It started with 48 hours of traveling, 4 airplanes, 4 countries, a 14 hour time difference, 3 cups of coffee, and only 4 hours of sleep. By the time I actually landed in the Philippines I had narrowly escaped a panic attack and was ready to be out of the air and confined space. We drove from the Manila airport to our home for the night not knowing where we would actually be staying for the next six weeks. We had a nice dinner at a really nice mission’s base, a shower, bunk bed for the night, and many other nice amenities.
We quickly found out that our team would not be staying there so I was seriously lacking excitement unlike the team that discovered that particular mission’s base would be their home for the next 6 weeks. Before I went to bed I was told that I would be working with street kids and that I would need my sleeping mat. Other than that I had absolutely no idea what was going on. In the morning my brand new team of 7 (including me) loaded up before lunch time to head to our ministry site. I was so nervous to find out where I would be laying my head for the next 6 weeks.
After a short drive we pulled up to a small greenish building with a logo on the front that read Children’s Garden of the Philippines. We unloaded our packs and stepped inside to a dimly lit hallway with light blue walls. We saw the kitchen which was nothing more than a dining room table, refrigerator, gas stove top, and some mostly bare shelves. Our ministry contact Sharon showed us to our room which had only a small bookshelf and plenty of floor space for our sleeping pads. It was by no means aesthetically appealing. Let’s just say it did not help settle the nerves I had on the car ride over. I just wanted to go to sleep because I knew I would have a long church service the next morning.
In the morning we woke up and had a pink colored soup for breakfast and left for church at 8:30. I was not exactly looking forward to the church service because I was expecting it to be long and hot. We got there and were greeted by many members of the church including the pastor. We sat down along with our 20 new Filipino brothers and settled in for the unknown. Once the music started though I knew this church was nothing like what I was expecting. It was wonderful from the start. The band was talented, the people were so real, and there was no legalism. They talked of God’s grace and of His love. They got on their hands and knees and prayed for the president of the Philippines. I was in shock in the best way possible and was so excited to call this church my home for the next 6 weeks. After that we headed back to Children’s Garden for lunch and then a bible study for people in the community.
The next day I got to talk with our contact more about Children’s Garden and what it was all about. She explained that it was a home for street boys and that they worked to put them back in school and give them a good future. More than that it was a place where the boys were encouraged to grow in their relationship with Christ, to minister to others, and to dream of a bright future. She also told me story after story of how God provided for Children’s Garden when they didn’t know how they would feed the 20 boys the next meal. It was unbelievable. God has provided and will continue to provide for this place because they get on their hands and knees, pray, and trust in the Lord daily.
After a few more days of interacting with the boys, seeing the respect they have for others, the fun they have together singing and dancing, and watching them praise the Lord when we worshiped together my thoughts changed…
Instead of acting like a princess because I had to sleep on the floor with the possibility of mice running across me while I slept I realized where I was and what I was doing. I was living in a house with 20 Filipino brothers and although they did not have a lot in most people’s eyes they had more than many people I know. Despite their circumstances they have hope, joy, genuine love, and hearts of gold that are visible by their actions. What they lack in material goods they make up for in character times a thousand. Every single day that I spend here I fall more in love with the ministry at Children’s Garden and more in love with my new Filipino family. From ministering to street kids and prostitutes outside of the local grocery store, to sharing our stories at a women’s prison I love it here.
The best part is that the boys, who were former kids on the street, come with us to minister to street kids, and who could reach those kids better? They’ve walked the streets, begged for money, got high on rugby (an inhalant that gets you high for sometimes two days), and now have found hope and a better life with Christ & Children’s Garden. God is at work in the Philippines, at Children’s Garden, and with these awesome boys. I am so thankful and honored to be a part of it.
We quickly found out that our team would not be staying there so I was seriously lacking excitement unlike the team that discovered that particular mission’s base would be their home for the next 6 weeks. Before I went to bed I was told that I would be working with street kids and that I would need my sleeping mat. Other than that I had absolutely no idea what was going on. In the morning my brand new team of 7 (including me) loaded up before lunch time to head to our ministry site. I was so nervous to find out where I would be laying my head for the next 6 weeks.
After a short drive we pulled up to a small greenish building with a logo on the front that read Children’s Garden of the Philippines. We unloaded our packs and stepped inside to a dimly lit hallway with light blue walls. We saw the kitchen which was nothing more than a dining room table, refrigerator, gas stove top, and some mostly bare shelves. Our ministry contact Sharon showed us to our room which had only a small bookshelf and plenty of floor space for our sleeping pads. It was by no means aesthetically appealing. Let’s just say it did not help settle the nerves I had on the car ride over. I just wanted to go to sleep because I knew I would have a long church service the next morning.
In the morning we woke up and had a pink colored soup for breakfast and left for church at 8:30. I was not exactly looking forward to the church service because I was expecting it to be long and hot. We got there and were greeted by many members of the church including the pastor. We sat down along with our 20 new Filipino brothers and settled in for the unknown. Once the music started though I knew this church was nothing like what I was expecting. It was wonderful from the start. The band was talented, the people were so real, and there was no legalism. They talked of God’s grace and of His love. They got on their hands and knees and prayed for the president of the Philippines. I was in shock in the best way possible and was so excited to call this church my home for the next 6 weeks. After that we headed back to Children’s Garden for lunch and then a bible study for people in the community.
The next day I got to talk with our contact more about Children’s Garden and what it was all about. She explained that it was a home for street boys and that they worked to put them back in school and give them a good future. More than that it was a place where the boys were encouraged to grow in their relationship with Christ, to minister to others, and to dream of a bright future. She also told me story after story of how God provided for Children’s Garden when they didn’t know how they would feed the 20 boys the next meal. It was unbelievable. God has provided and will continue to provide for this place because they get on their hands and knees, pray, and trust in the Lord daily.
After a few more days of interacting with the boys, seeing the respect they have for others, the fun they have together singing and dancing, and watching them praise the Lord when we worshiped together my thoughts changed…
Instead of acting like a princess because I had to sleep on the floor with the possibility of mice running across me while I slept I realized where I was and what I was doing. I was living in a house with 20 Filipino brothers and although they did not have a lot in most people’s eyes they had more than many people I know. Despite their circumstances they have hope, joy, genuine love, and hearts of gold that are visible by their actions. What they lack in material goods they make up for in character times a thousand. Every single day that I spend here I fall more in love with the ministry at Children’s Garden and more in love with my new Filipino family. From ministering to street kids and prostitutes outside of the local grocery store, to sharing our stories at a women’s prison I love it here.
The best part is that the boys, who were former kids on the street, come with us to minister to street kids, and who could reach those kids better? They’ve walked the streets, begged for money, got high on rugby (an inhalant that gets you high for sometimes two days), and now have found hope and a better life with Christ & Children’s Garden. God is at work in the Philippines, at Children’s Garden, and with these awesome boys. I am so thankful and honored to be a part of it.
WOW Lexi! What an amazing story. Thanks so much for sharing it. Wht an adventure God has you on. Stay strong and we are praying for you. Love and miss you!
I am so in awe of you and how you are allowing Him to shape and create new dimensions in your life on such a grand scale! Your willingness to fully embrace the experiences He places in your path leaves me speechless…and you know for me that is pretty amazing!
Lexi, I love reading this because I can tell how much JOY you have in this new ministry. Despite the things that could pull you down, I love how the Lord has pointed you towards the blessings you have in front of you. So good. Can’t wait to read more.
P.S. You are an AMAZING writer…keep writing