This last week has been a whirlwind. Girls from the Getaway are still making the brave decision to come to our safe houses to start college and high school. A third safe house has been miraculously provided for our new sisters. The dream continues as I see 29 (soon to be 33) beautiful girls gather each night for bonding, devotionals and fun. I am so thankful that the Filipino culture is tailor made for this kind of living. 15 girls in one house with constant interaction, laughing, singing, dancing, cooking, studying, drawing, listening to music and conversations. The tone in the house is harmonious. When anyone returns home they greet each and every person in the home with kisses and hugs. Each meal is home-made by the girls and everyone eats around the table together. I scarcely know anyone back home that does this anymore. Even with busy school schedules, the dentist, the optometrist and other obligations time is always made to gather.
As an American this kind of community is quite wonderful and peculiar to me! I have had about 10 total minutes of alone time since my arrival two months ago. My fellow mission team mates Rebekah and Chelsea have only been out of my sight to take showers. There is not one physical, emotional or spiritual thing we are able to hide from each other. The exposure can be exhausting for an introvert like myself. Recently I reached the end of my reserves and hit a wall of exhaustion. This lead me to pray at lunch with my team mates that God would extend grace to me for relationships while we continue with the logistics of having personal time. When we returned home this happened.
Dinner was over and I was sitting on the couch drawing in a new journal and resting. First my friend Jane asks can I draw with you Melissa? Then my friend Shanna says I just got new journal I want to draw. Then more girls. Then we are all drawing, coloring and talking about our dreams. Each drawing had something special to remind me of the goodness of our God. How true His simple word is that in our weakness He is strong. I don't need a god that is fancy with words, I just need a God that shows up. If I had met my requirements of having all of my energy reserves over flowing I would have never known that even in my emptiness there is still something to share. I never want to stop pouring love into my friends here. I'm amazed that I can continue that desire in total weakness and more successfully in total dependence.
Jeremiah 31:11-13 NIV
For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. [12] They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. [13] Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
