in February we celebrated women in missions, and now we’re giving it up for our guys. We’ve poured over blogs from men on the field along with those of the thankful ladies serving beside them. They’re stories of fun and freedom, challenge and compassion, honor and humility. And the lasting impression we’re left with is a man who looks like Jesus.
Darragh King of World Race Gap Year expected to give his year serving and teaching others. When Darragh is encouraged by women in The Philippines, he starts to realize that he can still be taught, in any situation.
God has been teaching me a lot these days, as he always does. Lately I have been learning about the part of a student, and a teacher. I believe that God is our ultimate teacher, like a head honcho of sorts. But my thoughts lately lie in that of my position on this trip, as a teacher to others.
I have realized that it’s not always the right mindset to have. I may be this snazzy kid with white skin and chacos, but that doesn’t mean I have all the knowledge and right words.
We need to be willing to teach and be taught, in any situation.
Everyday, I walk two miles from my apartment to the Kids International Base. It is a good time to listen to music and be at peace. When the headphones are not in, as you walk past this small cluster of shacks made of old wood, metal scrap and plastic, more often then not you will hear the voice of a young girl yell out in a Filipino accent, “You’re so beautiful!” It doesn’t matter who you are, how your day is, or where you are going. She will be there, and she will yell.
It makes you laugh and smile, but for the past two months, I have done nothing more then continue to walk with a bit more joy.
This past week a teammate and I decided it was time to change that.
On a Monday afternoon we broke out our amazing baking skills and made some of the finest brownies known to man. We walked the routine walk, heard the sweet little girl yell, but changed our path and headed up toward the houses.
We expected to impact these people and teach them about ourselves, and our faith.
We gave them our peace offering of heavenly brownies, and offered seats next to two young women holding their babies in return. After getting to know these two women and their children, I was impacted. I was blown away by the faith of these two women.
I had come in with the mindset of being the teacher, of being the Christian.
When in reality these two women were here to teach me a thing or two about faith, and what it truly means to trust in God. By January 31st, these women and the 20+ others that live in this small community will be homeless. The city is planning on building a new elementary school on the plot of land they call home. With nowhere to go, one could imagine the chaos this family would be in. But it is quite the opposite; they continue life, trusting in the God who provides everything we need.
There are no words to describe the impact these people have made on me.
There is much to learn from other people around the world, will you go? Click here to apply!
Photos via Darragh King
