Our Philippines experience comes to a close today. It is a bittersweet moment, for I have truly seen the love of Christ in action and don’t want to forget the beauty of this work. Since the age of sixteen, I have dreamed of coming to the Philippines after reading my first missionary account of a nineteen year old girl who served here. One door opened after graduation only to be quickly shut. And now, this week, that dream was fulfilled and I got to witness firsthand the dreams of others being fulfilled.
I have witnessed extreme poverty, simple faith, joyful worship and abundant laughter.
I have seen children given hope, the love of Jesus, and the ability to grow, flourish, and make a difference in their nation.
I have seen solid national churches partner together with the work of Compassion to bring the hands of Christ to their communities.
I have seen numerous volunteers within the church who tirelessly serve (the majority of which are unpaid) to serve for the benefit of these children. They are passionate for the well-being of these children and willingly give numerous hours per week to their care.
I have seen empowered young people flourish through their youth and into their adulthood who want to love Jesus and in turn pass on the gift to other children. Four beautiful girls that graduated from the sponsorship program and currently students in the Leadership Development Program who are on fire for the Lord partner together to sponsor another and volunteer in the program. It is the gift that keeps on giving.
I have heard the power of the gospel in the life of Maan:
I have seen families come to Christ as their children are helped through Compassion. Mothers, fathers, siblings.
I have experienced impoverished family’s warmly welcome us into their homes and the sharing of their lives.
I have seen Jesus as I’ve entered the homes of Maan…
Myra…
Mary Rose…
and Florence and Rosa…
…all of which exhibited a glorious beauty, a peacefulness, a joy amidst their obvious poverty.
I have seen Jesus as I have prayed over these families and have received the blessing of these children’s prayers.
I have seen Jesus as I have danced, played games, sang, and worshiped alongside these precious people.
These children are not removed from their poverty situation, but rather given a fresh perspective. They are given the tools to be instruments for change and transformation within their community. Ultimately, it is all Jesus!
I am blessed that this child in my womb was able to come along and be blessed by so many hands.
There is no doubt in my heart that this is a good work. The eternal difference made by sending our resources on ahead to our eternal home by loving on little children. It’s beautiful. The transforming affect of the gospel is taking place through the ministry of Compassion and the power of Jesus’ love.
And to top it all off…I had a orangutan pet my belly as if she knew there was baby there in the most unique third world zoo experience. Yes, I will agree that dressing up a monkey is just not humane…but it was sure funny!
My life is changed. Why? Because I want to make a difference. I want my life to count for something. I want to be a blessing to the nations with my time, money, and resources. I don’t want to waste this precious life that I have been given. I have been entrusted with a gift – the ability to love and be loved. I want to live simply in order that I might give generously.
I will go home tomorrow and look forward to sharing with my own four year old daughter about the precious journey we are embarking on in sponsoring Angel. We will commit to praying for her, loving her, and cheering her own, Lord willing, throughout the duration of her experience in the sponsorship program. I pray for the complete 16 years of her time in the program! She will be our adopted daughter. She will be a part of our family. She will grow up with my daughter. My daughter will have a tangible way to pass on the gift of God’s grace to a child in need even when we are world’s apart.
I will go home tomorrow empowered with fresh vision to pursue our family mission of living simply in order to give generously. I want to add more children to our international family!
Compassion is just one way to make a difference. It does not have to be limited to this. But may we all take a step forward today in going forth in Jesus’ name to the nations.
Now that you know…what will you do?
As much as you’ve done to the least of these…you’ve done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40)
Live simply in order that others might simply live.
Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.
I’m going to bookmark your site for future reference. Keep writing great posts like this!
Thank you for all of your posts from the Philippines last week! (I am glad you are back safely and getting lots of rest! ) My husband and I will be praying and picking a little boy or girl this evening to sponsor/adopt! Blessings to you and your family!!!!! (and I love that picture of you and the monkey, such joy and laughter! God is so good, isn’t He!!!)
Dear Lindsay,
I haven’t written a comment before, but I’ve been following for awhile, and just checked in to see that you’ve made this brave trip to the Philippines at 30 weeks pregnant! I love it….I love that you choose to take risks and live life and serve and encourage others even when it would be much easier to stay at home. I hope and pray that you settle in from jet lag soon and get good rest before baby comes.
I wasn’t sure where to post this comment, but I was wondering if at some point you could address the issue of insomnia again? It has been an issue for me since my little boy, now 7 months old , was born…and I have to say, it is the most challenging thing I have been through in my life thus far. I seem to go in cycles…good sleep for awhile, then a ‘trigger’ of some sort (my son having a restless night, husband snoring, or, this time, we recently moved house plus the first two!) and then a bout of insomnia which can last a week or more. It feels terrible to feel like I am ‘just getting through’ the day, and it takes lots of prayer and self-control to stop myself from getting very negative and panicky about bedtime. I was encouraged to see that I’m not the only one who has experienced this (though I’m not glad that you’ve had to go through it!) and wondered if you could share any wisdom you have gained…what has helped you to get through?
Thanks so much for all you do to encourage us mommies. God bless you and give you strength for each day!!
Monica,
Thanks for your sweet encouragement. As to the insomnia issue, my heart goes out to you. I know how you feel. It came down to a fear issue for me as well and it was one that I had to completely surrender to the Lord. I feel like I was delivered from the fear when I came to place of saying “Lord, if you want this to be my thorn in the flesh, then so be it.” When I submitted myself to Him, He gradually began the healing process. I was certainly struggling with it this week though after returning from the Philippines and have a great battle getting back on schedule. Fear started creeping up again and I had to battle with the enemy. I also have found some helpful supplements that are safe during pregnancy and otherwise, including hops & valerian (nasty herbs but effective), liquid calcium/magnesium, and Vitanica Woman’s Sleep Blend. I also use ear plugs still so things like snoring won’t interrupt the sleep I do get. I pray the Lord blesses you with freedom and deep sleep. You are in my heart and prayers.
Hi Lindsay,
Thanks for your encouraging words. It was funny, a couple of days before I wrote that comment I had a conversation with my mom about how I never have to be afraid because of Jesus – and that that knowledge won’t necessarily ‘fix’ my sleep, but it will enable me to live confidently EVEN IF I struggle with insomnia for some time….or a long time….or always, if God in His wisdom allowed that. It is a surrender issue. While we can take practical steps (i.e. I just ordered what are supposed to be the most amazing earplugs in the world; we’ll see! :p) we can’t make ourselves sleep well. To put it in God’s hands is a very difficult but very necessary step that I’m slowly learning to do, even if I have to do it a dozen times a day, and the only way to have peace.
This week and a half I’ve had good sleep, yay! And waking up refreshed is such a joy and I’m grateful for it like never before….
Hope and pray that your jet lag is past and you are resting well before sweet baby #3 comes…God bless you and give you peace and rest, Love Monica
To Tsh, Lindsay, Kat and Stephanie…hi! just wanted to say I love your blogs, and I’m an avid, albeit silent, follower of your posts. So imagine to my surprise (and joy!) to find out that you were all coming here to my home as a Compassion Blogger! I followed all posts of your time here closely, and was moved and inspired to tears again and again. I love how God used angels from another country to bring a new meaning to the poverty that I see every. single. day. Too often citizens like myself are quick to be filled with pity at their plight, or helplessness, or even anger… but through the posts by the Compassion Bloggers now I am filled with hope and joy, rather than anger and pity. I am inspired and convicted to be a good steward of God’s blessings, and to have the desire to use these blessings to bless others
God bless you, your family, and the Compassion International family 
Thanks for going, for speaking on behalf of children around the globe. I love hearing about THEM through YOUR eyes. And I have no doubt that the little one you are growing will be blessed because of this trip . . .
Thanks, again.
I look around my home and everything I have used so far today is from Asia – refrigerator, coffee pot, washer, even the computer I type on at this very moment!
My question to you and your readers is this: if we want modern conveniences – laptops, cell phones, we cannot buy them American made and must purchase Made in Asia items.
When it comes to some items like clothing and cookware I know we have choices and if we pay top dollar we can get American made. However, when we make these purchases like computers, dish washer, cell phones, we know we buy them in countries that have “sweat-shop” conditions.
In one way I feel that our purchases somewhat help the people because at least we know they are working to get an income for food. On the other hand, we are encouraging their working conditions, yet if I want items like a computer, cell phone, etc, I don’t have any choice but to purchase Asia items?
What do you and your readers feel about whether our purchases help or hurt?
Tears rereading this morning. So thankful to get to know you and Aaron over the last week. So sad to say goodbye and go back to only knowing you through pixels on a screen.
Thank you for using your on-line voice to speak for Compassion’s children…and to my heart. Thank you.
-Shaun
CompassionBloggers.com
Thanks Shaun! It was an awesome trip and we are excited to continue to promote the work of Compassion!
What a beautiful summary. Love you lindsay. Dad
Beautiful precious pictures, Lyndsay. It has been 12 years since we left my homeland, the Philippines. I was not a Christian then. I am thrilled to see these pictures and to know of your ministry there. So glad you had an opportunity to serve Jesus Christ and so glad for my peoples to hear the Gospel and believe. Thank you for your ministry there. Sincerely, Chelo
Loved your post and the pic with thelittle hand on your sweet baby- priceless!! Thank you for your time and effort!
As another poster said, she had tears in her eyes. As do I know. I’m sitting here in remembrance of a woman’s conference I went to last June. I came home w/such a passion to go to the nations of the world. I sat in on a session where the speaker spoke on human trafficking. It broke my heart. The woman said she reached a girl.. (not sure of the age, but young..).. and the first thing out of her mouth was what took you so long? These girls go through soooo much in their lifetimes, and what are we doing? Sitting back, same old stuff. Day in and day out, while the world is waiting for US to get it together, so that we can help them!
Thank you, for flaming that fire, that was about to go out!
Lindsay – tears in my eyes. You are precious, and I thank God for how you use your skills as a writer to share your heart with so many. Thanks for going and serving and thanks for sharing!
Great post today, Lindsay. You hit it home.
Beautiful story! I’m sure seeing such poverty first hand changes everything!
Thank you for your words, thoughts and glimpes into the world of the Philippines. I will keep sponsoring, praying, advocating for Compassion and take time to listen to the Lord to see what journey he is calling me to take.
I’m so glad you had this opportunity to go. I love the photo of the young Philippino hand touching your belly – beautiful.
I don’t want this to sound too much like self-promotion, but our family has intentionally made Compassion our family ministry. In an effort to encourage other families to do the same, we have a blog where we share ideas and resources – ways families can engage in the sponsorship experience. Perhaps you will find it useful for your own family – especially your 4 year old daughter. My own daughters are 4 and 6, so most of what we do and write about is geared for younger ones.
Blessings to you as you return and prepare for the birth of your child!
Thank you for bring us these stories. You’ve fanned the fire that has been burning in my heart for the work of Compassion. so, what will I do? I will keep blogging about Compassion, keep reaching out to inspire sponsors to write. I will keep planting seeds and spreading the word. I will keep praying.
We pray for you as you return to the US.