When moving to another country, one can seem to get busy with building relationships, pursuing new opportunities and, well frankly, setting up a new life! It’s been too long since I’ve posted and a lot has happened! First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who has committed to partnering with me in our ministry over here! You’ve given enough for me to reach 80% of my funding, which means I’ve had my monthly income released to me! I wish I could portray to you what a huge stress reliever, and more importantly, a blessing this is. I feel like I can really pursue my purpose over here now 100%! And speaking of 100%, I still need to reach that goal! If you feel led to partner with me, just click the support tab. J
It seems, finally, I’m starting to really get to know people and build healthy relationships with the locals. One of which is my language teacher. Btw, if you’ve ever learned another language you can testify that it’s no walk in the park! I’ve been learning Tagalog for the past month and a half now. That’s the main language for the Philippines. My brain is overloaded with words! The main reason I’m learning the language is to connect. I’ve gotten to a point in my learning where I can listen to someone speak in their language and generally know what they are talking about. When that happens, I instantly feel more connected to them. It’s funny, every time I use what little Tagalog I know, the face of the person I talk to almost goes white, and they get giddy. Natalie and others in the ministry can testify that sometimes they get so flustered, they can’t even talk. I think the most mind-blowing fact about the Philippines is that everyone here is either bi-lingual or tri-lingual. Sometimes they even speak four languages. While Tagalog is the national language, the region we live in speaks Bisaya. So here, everyone is fluent in Bisaya, Tagalog and a pretty good bit of English. So if there is a good place to learn a new language, it’s here! For now, I’m mainly using English to connect with people. God has been with us as we continue to work toward getting a place for the kids to get off the street. The way God weaves everything together, even when we think it’s nothing, is astounding and reminds me how ‘in control’ He is. Recently, I met a photographer who does things all around the Philippines. I asked if he would be interested in shooting some pictures for an upcoming EP I’m releasing next year. (Stay tuned!) He happily agreed and we have cultivated a cool relationship through that! As it turns out, he is pretty well known and someone saw the pictures he shot through social media. At this point, I thought I was just getting pictures for the project I’m working on. About a month later, that same person saw me drinking coffee at Starbucks and asked if I would be interested in being an ambassador for a tourism event for the city we live in, and I accepted. Fast forward two more weeks to a meeting that was held to explain what one of the main end-goals for this event is… To get street kids off the streets and off of drugs. To give them a future. To give them real hope. Listen to this promise. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh 1:9 God is showing me that wherever I go, whatever I do, whomever I come in contact with, He’s there. He’s there in the big things and in the minuet. Perhaps, in the latter, we can learn more. We plan our ways but He establishes our steps. God wants to work through us. Whether we are a businessman, athlete, musician, missionary, teacher, student, pastor, receptionist or whatever else you can think of, He can weave His purposes into your life. Hold on to the promises He’s given you and watch how He works.
1 Comment
Pamela Jones
11/19/2014 08:35:52 am
You have Blessed My Heart in So Many Ways. I So Needed to read what you had to say, and it applied to my Life in every way. Love you so much😘
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AuthorForgiven.. Trying to live out my purpose the best I know how, and playing music along the way! EP coming soon! Archives
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