in the open air

i've never really done "missionary work" in the sense of "preaching the word," with regards to bible studies and going into neighborhoods and leading prayer services. sure, i've led bible studies in college, in high school, i have participated in numerous prayer services in those immediate communities, but i have never outwardly gotten on a jeepney/in a taxi, with music sheets in hand, bible in the bag, and heartfelt determination to lead the community in prayer.

sr. terezinha (people call her sr. theresa cause it's easier!) and i, have started to form a missionary outreach group, serving communities where they have expressed a need/desire to have prayer services/bible studies. for whatever reason, they are not able to make it to the nearest church (which is about 2 jeepney rides away, which equates to a lot of money for them and their family to attend), and so, we have been making it out to their communities. and them, as community leaders, they bring the people, and we bring, well, us. :)

it has been beautiful, in that, today, standing on the roof, having a prayer service, in the open air, the people were already assembled and waiting for our arrival, which was opposed to the last time, where we waited like 20 minutes. they were all set and ready to go this morning! it was beautiful! :) there was heartfelt desire to be there, and despite any language barriers, it didn't matter. it was just, such a good day, and it was so good to be there. sr. t has been inviting others to join our missionary outreach group, to really spread the love of God. we hear a lot about sin this, sin that, but how about the love? can we rest in that love? can we explore that love a little bit more? a little deeper maybe? what would that really feel like? we even ended with giving each other the sign of peace, by way of a hug. it is not a custom here to hug, you don't really see that around a lot - so this was a challenge for them, but by way of human nature, it is in us, and just as the Father hugged his Prodigal Son, so too, are we to hug one another. it was really nice. and beautfiul.

it has been very refreshing, and it is so good to work alongisde sr. t in these efforts. it is very inspirational, and i am looking forward to help lead these communities when she is travelling. i'm going to be leading the elementary kids in an activity this weekend too, since sr. t will be gone, and i'm excited for that also. they're so precious!

when going into these communities, i am already able to see the community involvement, see the community leaders, and see how it is that they will eventually be able to create their own structure as soon as our 2-3 years of mission, has finished here in the philippines. we don't change anything, we don't tell them what to do...we simply share, and be with them, and guide them, and empower. it's all about building up, and psalm 139, and recognizing that, in each and every person. it is, so good.