Two Week Check In

Well, I've been back to Cebu for 2 whole weeks, and it feels like a lifetime. I've never been so busy in all of my life... and I've had some pretty busy chapters in life.

Most of what I'm doing is pretty boring to write about on a blog. But there are a few things that might be interesting to the general public, so I'll try to recap them in a way that won't cause you to fall asleep.

First, "My Refuge House" is in the process of buying our own property! We have been renting a facility since conception, but we were given a very generous donation to buy land and have begun the process! Buying anything in the Phils has it's challenges, for those of us who are used to American consumerism, however, buying a piece of property here, is, well, unlike anything I've ever done before, and stock full of TIA moments.

For instance, when we interviewed people about the property, they said there was water there, no problem for that. What they meant was "The property next door has a well we can use anytime we want." So, we will have to dig out own well. But at least it will be good water! (At least, that's what we've been told...)

Also, there are permits for everything. And ridiculously high taxes. And notaries. And fees. And documents. And more documents. And stamps. And approvals. It's no wonder there are so many squatters in the the Philippines... buying property is expensive and hard!

On the up side... the property is beautiful! It's just over 6000 sq meters on a hill with a view of the ocean. And the price they gave us was really good because the title had been mortgaged. I'm really excited to move to the facility there.

... After we build it. Although we have the money to buy the property, we don't have all the necessary funds to built the house(s) yet. The board in the US is working hard on a campaign to get the money raised, but we could use your prayers!

Home

Today, I counted the number of flights I’ve taken across the Pacific, and for as much history as I have with Asia, nine doesn’t seem like that many. I am currently flying, for the ninth time, over the Pacific Ocean, back to my air mattress in Cebu. It’ll be nice to be “home.”

Home is such an interesting word.

People always ask me where I’m “from.” It’s such a complicated question. I grew up in multiple places, and have lived in numerous places across the globe in my adult life. And now, my family is spread out across the U.S., all in places I’ve never called “home.”

Although I have strong emotional ties to all the places I’ve lived in, when I visit those places again it’s the people I go to see. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve visited places just for the sake of seeing the place I lived. But when there is no one to see, no one that I still love and cherish, once is enough. And sometimes once is too much.

When I plan trips to the United States, I go where I have loved ones. My family and friends are spread all across the USA, and I can only see so many of them. But I always want to see as many as possible. And no matter what I think of the actual city they live in, I will go back again and again if the relationship is worth it to me.

I’m on my way to begin my official term as Clinical Director of My Refuge House. That sounds really important, but actually I just want to make a home. A home where girls who have been marginalized, taken advantage of, and abused can find Refuge. A home that cultivates healing relationships. A home that girls will keep coming back to, because they’ve found hope and joy that didn’t exist before.

Home is an interesting word.

Home is a good word.