Today is the sixth day in Tacloban. From the kitchen table, I saw the sun rise and glisten in the ocean. It was breathless.
Since my arrival, I’ve struggled to find my purpose. The kids here have taught and served me so much more than I could ever do for them.
Am I really of any significance? After I leave, won’t I just be another person that came and left? Was the cost of the plane ticket worth it, or would it have been better to give the money to a child who is actually starving and needing education?
With the teachers’ encouragements and prayer, I started asking God, “Why?”
Tonight, God gave me the answer. Flitz, a ten-year-old boy that I met at the Lighthouse wrote me a letter saying, “…I’m so glad that you came to the Philippines.”
That moment, I realized that time with them was far more greater than any money could be. The Filipinos yearns and needs love and the human touch far more than money could ever do.
Mark 12:31 reminded me that loving others is the second greatest commandment that God gave. And there’s no doubt now that service trips are more significant than throwing money at people. Because exemplifying God’s love can only be done through humans, not materials.
-JiJi
Since my arrival, I’ve struggled to find my purpose. The kids here have taught and served me so much more than I could ever do for them.
Am I really of any significance? After I leave, won’t I just be another person that came and left? Was the cost of the plane ticket worth it, or would it have been better to give the money to a child who is actually starving and needing education?
With the teachers’ encouragements and prayer, I started asking God, “Why?”
Tonight, God gave me the answer. Flitz, a ten-year-old boy that I met at the Lighthouse wrote me a letter saying, “…I’m so glad that you came to the Philippines.”
That moment, I realized that time with them was far more greater than any money could be. The Filipinos yearns and needs love and the human touch far more than money could ever do.
Mark 12:31 reminded me that loving others is the second greatest commandment that God gave. And there’s no doubt now that service trips are more significant than throwing money at people. Because exemplifying God’s love can only be done through humans, not materials.
-JiJi