by Lilibeth Say
Brothers and sisters! We serve a God who does extraordinary things through ordinary people. I was able to witness His invisible hands at work on the team’s behalf. Unexpected events have moved me in a direction that I’ve never seen before in previous trips (Mexico and China). I’ve witness that God is He who says He is.
- God is omniscient (an all-knowing God) – a girl with a congenital disease being carried by a family member was brought to be center where the distribution was taking place. A letter from one of the official and doctors were shown to us regarding her need for wheelchair (WC). I recall there was one specific customized WC which was part of the shipment that fits her needs. Her face beaming as she tries to propel her new WC and her response was “I can now go to school” in her dialect.
- God is the healer- Since I moved to LA from East Coast, there had been numerous times where I would be struggling with a skin condition called chronic eczema. I would experience flare up which tends to be aggravated for various reasons. During last year’s trip. I noticed that my eczema began to clear up. I am reminded that as I take care of His business, He takes care of mine, or what concerns me.
- God is our protector- In 2012; Manila was hit by a continuous rain called “habagat” monsoon rain which left the city flooded for days. The team left for the central region, Bohol the day before the city Manila got hit. The team travel to various centers in dry ground including traveling via ferry between the 2 cities (Bohol and Cebu). His favor is our shield.
- God of love-He provided a “gift of mobility” through the wheelchairs to the kids and young adults with disabilities. They can bring their kids to “sari-sari” store instead of leaving them at home. We met a local pastor who was introduced to us by one of the parent. The pastor has a heart for disability ministry. A couple of doctors joined our team last year to minister to the parents who has sacrificed their own health (such as buying medication) to help provide for their kids. The team was able to encourage the parents and to remind them that what they were doing is admirable. The team felt the sense of community among the locals.
- God intervened-We started transporting WCs using jeepney (local transportation) where passengers have to sit in close proximity with no rear doors. A courtesy call was made to the governor’s office which paved the way for us to transport WC and to transport team members as we travel through various centers.
- God is our provider. Giver of the gifts. God answers prayers in various ways. There was one year where I found out that the WCs were stuck in Manila. The team was scheduled to leave the Sunday in time for our distribution on Mon. A church friend provided a truck to transport WC from the storage to an airline cargo in time for our Mon. distribution. An unexpected provision came in the mail. I was in tears asking God, you would entrust me with these funds? I then started to help God in how the funds will be distributed. Perhaps to help pay for a missionary to join the team and for our next 2 shipments. Little did I know, when I was scheduled to pick up WCs in Dec. 2012, there were several donations of therapeutic equipment which was given to JAF. The correctional facility needed to clear their warehouse to give way for other shipment coming in. To my amazement, a 20 foot Ryder truck that my brother in law rented was filled with not just wheelchairs, walkers, and other equipment. There were even sufficient funds to help pay towards rehabilitation and repairing houses that were damaged during the recent earthquake in the central region of the Philippines.
The scripture passages which stood out as I look back. Vision from All Nations International.
Isaiah 58: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
As I conclude my journey with the Lord. Just like the boy who gives the loaves and the fishes. Give to God what you have. Watch Him move. He will open doors. It’s all about what God does as I respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. As I obey His prompting. A relationship has been built and until now, I do hear how lives have been touched and transformed. I didn’t know where God is going to take this ministry. One thing I know, He is all about touching people’s lives. May you find tonight’s sharing and apply it in your unique situation. I want to give Him the glory as I witness God’s character in this journey.
I would like to invite you to join me as we reach one more for Him. Here are few prayer points:
Mobilized short term mission members to join me along with few others from the Philippines in May 2015 (Laoag and Dagupan 12 hours/5 hours from Manila)-Go with a purpose! Go and make disciples! “Go as a learner” “Vision trip”
Pray for WC availability, shipment, and distribution.
Pray for the previous and future recipients- they would see God as the “Giver of the gift”.
The vision team from FEC was able to minister through songs and prayer at STAC in summer of 2014.
