Tita Life

The Philippines was filled with laughter, joy, growth, learning, struggles, and sooo many memories! I am so thankful for how the Lord used my team and I.  He taught me many things that I did not expect to learn on this trip and He stretched me in ways I never would have imagined.  

I lived at a house called the JAZ home with twenty nine incredible, hilarious, and beautiful girls, whose ages ranged from 10-18. Almost all of the girls have either been sexually or physically abused by their families.  They all have a story, and because I was there for almost three months, I got to hear many of their testimonies and backgrounds. Every time they shared a little something with me about their past I was heartbroken, humbled, and amazed; amazed because their lives have been completely changed by the Lord.  They always accredit everything they have now to the grace of God. They live lives of faith, not knowing what their future holds, but knowing that God’s plan is so much greater than their own.  These girls encouraged me probably more than they will ever know.

They called me Tita Christy, which translates to ‘aunt’, or Ate Christy, which is like big sister. I loved talking with them about their day at school, leading their Bible studies, cheering for them at their basketball games, helping them with their homework, and simply living with them.  They enjoyed making fun of me trying to speak Tagalog (their primary language) and watching me dance.  We had some great times that I will always treasure.  

We got to go to the beach with the girls 🙂

Love them!

Poverty in the Philippines is real, rampant, and far too common.  It was hard to understand the fact that, within a ten minute drive down the road, you would pass a community of large homes neighboring a village of little tiny shacks.  Because the girls went to school, our mornings were often spent going into these poor communities with huge containers of soup.  I loved doing this! The minute we drove into the community, all of the kids would come running with empty bowls, empty stomachs, and smiling faces. As others served the soup, I liked to walk around, play with kids, talk to moms, and pray with families.  I am thankful for how the Lord used us to give these communities hope and encouragement!

Saying goodbye to the Philippines was filled with tears, hugs, and more hugs. As I was leaving the JAZ home, I had my arms full of stuffed animals, notes, and pictures that some of the girls gave me to remember them.  It was literally a struggle to leave because they were physically holding me back and not letting me walk out the door! One of the girls told me not to cry because it would make me look ugly. Hahhaa I love those girls so much; I can’t believe my time with them is over!! I am thankful for the precious time I had with them and all the Lord did through the relationships we built with each other!

Thank you for your support.  Without it I would have never been able to love on the JAZ girls or feed and love on the impoverished communities of the Philippines!