TIA

These are my roommates and coworkers Leila and Amy. They are both great and have helped make transitioning to the Philippines so enjoyable!

Amy (on the right) recently introduced me to a phrase: TIA. It's usually accompanied by a shrug of the shoulders or a sigh, even occasionally a rolling of the eyes. Roughly translated, it means "This is Asia."

This simple phrase comes in very handy. I will demonstrate:

• My domestic flight is 1 1/2 hours late (and counting) and I have an international connection... TIA.
• My friend (a girl who works with the peace corps) paid 4$ for a haircut and was given a mullet... TIA.
• I found some amazing granola cereal with dried fruit in it and it only cost 3$ (about half of the normal price for cereal) but the day after I opened it the ants in my house considered it an open invitation. There were only about ten that I could see so I poured a bowl anyway and put the remaining cereal in the fridge to kill the rest of the ants so I could eat it later... TIA.
• "How old are you?" "How much money do you make?" "Who pays your salary?" "Where is your husband/boyfriend?" "Why are you single?" "Buy me a gift" and "You like to marry a Filipino?" are questions I hear daily, mostly from strangers, but only because those who are not strangers have already asked me these questions... TIA.
• Rice for breakfast lunch and dinner is doing a serious number on my digestive system... TIA.
• If you see something you like, might want in the future, or want more of in the future, you buy them all now because you will most likely never find the same ones again... TIA.
• Just when you think there is no possible way they can fit one more person on the jeepney (public transport) three more get on... TIA.

And then there are the wonderful things...

• "I really worry about you because you have no family here in Cebu so if you ever get lonely, please come stay with us"... TIA.
• Friends (girls mostly) grabbing your hand as you walk or stand next to them... TIA.
• All inclusive eating and sharing of meals and snacks and everything in between... TIA.
• Not being the only person to put on long sleeves when the temperature drops below 80 degrees... TIA.
• Fresh fruit everywhere... TIA.
• A love for word puns and laughing about absolutely everything, just because life is full of joy and friends and family... TIA.

This is Asia... and I love it!

Whys and Hows and Whats

Interacting and working with victims of crimes will, and should, cause one to reflect on the why’s and how’s and what’s of life, and of God. Why would God allow this to happen? How can God be good if he lets innocent people suffer? What can be done when most efforts seem to produce such small amounts of effectiveness in the grand scheme of oppression and problems surrounding us? God calls us to fight for justice, and the work here is doing exactly that, but it’s easy to start becoming offensive and bitter when the aftermath of suffering surrounds you daily.

I’m reading a book that addresses some of these issues entitled Out of the Whirlwind. The Author, Mark A. Tabb, doesn’t talk about victims of crimes or trafficking, he discusses tragedy in the life of a Christian, when there are no real answers to the Why questions surrounding them. The following excerpt struck me hard:

I know God is good, but must God always be good to me before I trust him? If so, I am in trouble because God cannot and will not always do that which appears from my limited human perspective to be loving and kind. At times his actions will seem harsh and painful. They must be if God is to act in ways that are truly good. George MacDonald describes this paradox in At the Back of the North Wind. The book tells the story of a boy named Diamond who develops a relationship with the North Wind, who represents God. The boy wants to go away with the beautiful North Wind because of the goodness she’s showered upon him. Diamond tells her:
“Well, I will go with you because you are beautiful and good, too.”
“Ah, but there’s another thing, Diamond: What if I should look ugly without being bad -- look ugly myself because I am making ugly things beautiful?—What then?”
“I don’t quite understand you, North Wind. You tell me what then.”
“Well, I will tell you. If you see me with my face all black, don’t be frightened. If you see me flapping wings like a bat’s, as big as the whole sky, don’t be frightened. If you hear me raging ten times worse than Mrs. Bill, the blacksmith’s wife—even if you see me looking into people’s windows like Mrs. Eve Dropper, the gardener’s wife—you must believe that I am doing my work. Nay, Diamond, if I change into a serpent or a tiger, you must not let go your hold of me, for my hand will never change in yours if you keep a good hold. If you keep a hold, you will know who I am all the time, even when you look at me and can’t see me the least like the North Wind. I may look something very awful. Do you understand?”

I’m not sure if I understand, Lord, and I know I don’t like it, but I’m willing to trust you anyway. And I pray that you will use me to help “make ugly things beautiful.”

Job Description

Many of you have asked me what I will be doing over the next year. I told you I would be working in aftercare, with a local short-term shelter for victims of sexual trafficking who have been rescued. I really didn't have any idea what that meant or what it would look like. But I was excited nontheless, and most people seemed satisfied with that answer so I left it at that.

I just had a meeting with my boss, and she has laid out three goals which will comprise the majority of my work here at International Justice Mission (IJM). I must say, I'm elated. Here's a basic rundown of those three goals:

1. Work with IJM and community social workers developing and implementing curriculum for therapeutic groups to be held with clients at local shelters. Group topics may include: Self-esteem, relationships, sexuality, depression, suicidal thoughts and destructive behavior, communication/conflict resolution, anger managment and aggression.

2. Learn about needs of local caregivers in shelters and find ways to strengthen and empower them to continuing doing the very hard work that they do.

3. Work specifically with "My Refuge House" a local short-term shelter with developing policy and procedures and protocols for operations in their new programming.

These three, rather broad goals (with a lot of room for creativity!) are going to be my life for the next year. I'm VERY excited about each of these three goals and cannot wait to begin!

Arrival

I arrived in Cebu, safe and sound! I had a minor snag with my return flight, but was able to resolve it in Seoul, South Korea during my layover (which is good, because customs would not have let me through if I didn't!). I got in around 12pm on Tuesday, July 14th and was able to go straight to bed (which is wonderful after you've been traveling for 2o hours!)



I woke up bright and early the next morning, around 6am and went out to explore this city that I have missed so much! I rode a jeepney (primary mode of tranporation-- originally they were old WW2 army jeeps that the USA left behind) and went the wrong way, but luckily, it took me to the baragay or area where the house I used to stay at was located, as well as the house of the missionaries I used to work with. So I went up to visit, but the missionaries are in the states for a few months. However, one of the kids I used to work with was there, working on the lawn so I was able to visit with him for a few minutes! When I left he was 12... now he is 17! It was great to see him though. The children's home where I used to live and work in located about 2 hours from the city, so I will be able to go visit this weekend.



I got back on the jeepney and went the way I had orginally intended, exploring some more of the city, and to my relief, it hasn't changed too much. There are a few new establishments, but the same boys still yell to get on the jeepneys, and there are still fried bananas and grilled fish on many street corners, and bakeries with the most delicious sugary treats you can imagine. There are still palm trees and terrible drivers and people covering their faces from the dust with hankies. And still the same sweet smiling faces ready to assist with anything you may need. It's so nice to be back!

Immeasurably more...

Someone just gave me an anonymous donation of $10,000!!!!!!!!! I have absolutely no idea who it could me from (which I suppose is the point of anonomity) But I hope that whoever it is can read this and hear me say "THANK YOU SO VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!!!"

This is obviously more than I need. Much more. But whatever I don't use, International Justice Mission can use. So Thank you to whoever donated it. And Thank you God, for being such an amazing provider!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Financial Miracles

I always said I would never raise money again. I hated feeling as if I was befriending people with ulterior motives. And I had seen some missionaries consumed with raising money and (from what I could tell) burning bridges because of it. I vowed to never do it again.

The theme of my life over the past five years has been "Trust." I don't know if trusting the Lord comes easier for some people, but it has never been easy for me. But God is so patient. And such a good teacher. Slowly, he's proved to me (o'er and o'er as the hymn says) that I can trust him, especially in the area of finances. So, when I was asked to come work with International Justice Mission, and told I would have to raise money, I vowed to do it with integrity and, to the best of my ability, make sure that no one ever felt as if giving to me was a prerequisite for friendship. And I had complete peace that God would provide.

I did a bunch of fundraisers, and sold all my things, and spoke at a couple of youth groups and churches, but up until 2 weeks ago, I had less than half of my funds raised. And I still wasn't worried about it! It was the most phenomenal thing! I even thought to myself "I should be worried right now" but I just couldn't muster up that emotion!

So, I'd met with Steve Roese, one of the pastors at Irving Bible Church (IBC) a few times about my trip. When I got back from training, he sent me to have lunch with Steven Harrell, another pastor on staff. Another week went by, and I saw Steve at IBC on Father's Day and went over to talk to him. Our dialogue went like this:

Me: Happy Father's Day
Steve: Thanks. Has Steven gotten back with you yet?
Me: No.
Steve: Well, we are going to support you.
Me: Great! Thanks!
Steve: How much money have you raised?
Me: Around $8,000.
Steve: And you need $15,000?
Me: Ya. (actually, I was supposed to raise around 17,000, but 15, 000 is more than enough to live on!)
Steve: Well, we are going to make up the difference.
Me: (blank stare) Are you serious?!

But the most amazing part of this exchange (at least in my opinion) is that when Steve told me that, I didn't feel relieved. I felt amazed and astounded and excited and thankful. But not relieved. Because there had not been any worry to relieve!

God can be trusted. I've proved him o'er and o'er.

Dates (of the numerical sort)

It's official! I bought my plane ticket today!

I'm in Dallas until June 28th at 8:00pm

I fly to Seattle to see family for two whole weeks!

On July 13th at 2:00 pm I will fly to Cebu, Philippines.

If anyone will intersect my path at any point and wants to meet up at any of those times shoot me an email! I'd love to see you :)

All Trained Up

I just finished a week of intense training in Washington D.C.  Now I'm hanging out with a good friend in Westchester, Pennsylvania (possibly the cutest town in the Northeast), and wanted to share some highlights from the past few weeks with everyone (in no particular order):

1. International Justice Mission is the most professional non-profit I have ever had the privilege to observe. I am so impressed with their integrity and research based work. It's no wonder they have such a strong reputation all over the world. 

2. More than once during training I heard a variation of the phrase "We depend on the Lord because we cannot make it without his help. We are often working with situations that are extreme and cannot be resolved without God's help." I'm so excited to work with an organization that believes prayer is essential. 

3. I have been praying a lot about leaving my wonderful community in Dallas and asked God for at least one person to be able to confide in and He answered!  I will be sharing an apartment with a legal intern for the first 1 1/2 months (she returns to the states on August 15th) and then in September, another intern will move out to Cebu and the two of us will live together. PLUS, this way, my rent and utilities will only be around 200$ a month!! Woohoo!! 

4. I bought my ticket for Seattle (where I will visit my family and fly out from). I leave Dallas Sunday, June 28th at 8:11pm. I'm still figuring out final dates for departure to Cebu, but it will (most likely) be within the first week in July.

5. As of right now, with monthly pledges and one time gifts I have $6000 raised. The number I am shooting for is $17,000. It usually takes at least 5 business days for IJM to process gifts, so if I haven't received your gift yet, that's why. I have received quite a few promises from people about monthly support, and I know it will come in. Thanks to everyone who has given!

6. I had a yard sale at Southwest Harvest Church in Duncanville, Texas and sold everything I own. The only things I have left are a box of books and some clothes. It was very surreal to watch all of my stuff go to new homes, but very freeing also! Plus... I raised over 775$ in sales and donations and was promised a 25$ a month pledge.  Thank you Duncanville and Southwest Harvest!!

7. My friend Lexi threw me a Filipino fund-raiser! We tried to make some Filipino dishes (and they tasted very little like the dishes I remember... we had to make a few alterations!) Around 13 people arrived and left me very generous donations totaling over $500.  Then Lexi called me a few days later to say someone left an anonymous donation of $400 extra dollars under her rug! 

8. I graduated with my Master's in Social work on May 15th! My mom, sister Maralee, and brother Kyle all came down to help me celebrate, and Sarah and Erin threw me the best graduation party ever! Complete with a Pinata and everything! It was amazing.... PLUS I was given $1300 in gifts and donations towards my trip. 

Encouraging Strangers

On Monday I was sitting in a coffee shop, working on my way-too-time-consuming-support letter. I was sitting near the line for coffee and a man I'd never met before saw me working and asked what I was doing. I replied that I was working on a support letter. He became excited and said "Oh are you a missionary??" I started to tell him a little about my trip back to the Philippines and when I stopped he asked me to look up his church website. His church (121CommunityChurch) had just finished reading the book of Amos in the Bible and afterward founded "The Amos Project." This project supports faith-based socially active initiatives, one of which happened to be International Justice Mission in Cambodia.

Now I was excited! I told him that's who I was going to work with International Justice Mission! He sat down, and I watched as tears streamed down his face while he told me about a scripture. He shared how there are always people around us, on the road to our ultimate goals, who need to be encouraged, and asked me to keep my eye out for them on this journey. It was a sweet moment and confirmed some things that I had been thinking about. As he left, he handed me a folded up bill. I thanked him and soon after had to go to work.

The bill was $100! It was the very first gift I received towards my trip. I can't help but thinking; I have no idea how on earth all the funds are going to come in for this trip, but I'm excited to see how it will happen!

I'm Off!!

Today, I officially accepted the position as an aftercare intern in Cebu. Training is in 6 weeks. Graduation is in 3 weeks. My "to do" list is a mile long...

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it :)