Ducks and Motorcycles

I am usually a pretty uptight person when it comes to certain “safety” procedures (just ask Jason, he loves to make fun of me for it). I’m a stickler for seat belts; booster seats till age 8 or 80 pounds; not riding a motorcycle, but if you must, at least with a helmet; and not touching members of the fowl family since they are certain to carry all sorts of nasty diseases. So it’s like in the movie “Along came Polly”, where the obsessive compulsive always-neat guy meets the messy carefree girl, only it’s Along came the Philippines! Now, we pile in a van and throw the kids in the extra spots on the floor or piled on someone’s lap. Nathan rides on a motorcycle that belongs to one of the pastors on our team…without a helmet. And tonight, Nathan came home with a little yellow baby duckling. It was a gift from a couple at our slum site. It was probably a future meal and they insisted that he have it as a gift. So I overlook yet another broken safety net, and work on trusting God more. Trusting that He will protect us when we are driving, even though if you look out the window, you are tempted to think, we are going to die!! Trusting that He will look after Nathan when he isn’t wearing a helmet. Trusting that He will protect Nathan from getting sick from a bird. Most of all, trusting that God never stops caring for us or watching over us like little children. I am learning to put my trust in the unfailing God who created all things, including us and the birds. In the end, He probably does a better job protecting Nathan than I ever could.

About two weeks ago, Jason and I attended a baby dedication for two babies on our team. We were asked to be godparents to both of them, an honor and a privilege we shared with several others. John Kristoff Ezekiel is the six month old son of Pastor Johnrey and Ate Emily. Pastor Johnrey works with the youth at our church site and leads worship. They also have two girls, the oldest a 5 year old with cerebral palsy. Princess Anelise is the three month old daughter of Kuya Hermie and Ate MaryChris. They are volunteer leaders at our church site in Montalban. It was a wonderful occasion, full of joy and love. And yet I was given a glimpse of the pain of poverty. Ate Emily shared honest struggles she sometimes has knowing that her daughter can not get the therapies she needs that might help improve her quality of life. She shared the temptation she has sometimes to find a job overseas that would pay enough for her to not only afford those therapies, but also to send money to help the rest of her family in the province. Her family in the province only has enough food for one person to eat each day. In moments like those, I feel helpless, wanting so much to have a solution. About a week later, another pastor’s wife, Ate Josie, shared that her salary from the private school where she teaches long hours was withheld due to lack of funds. And this just before Christmas. Somehow, though, the struggles are given to God, and they place their trust in Him. If only I was that quick to depend on God in times of difficulty. And in the midst of these difficulties, there is found reason to rejoice. On this day, it was for two new lives that joined the families, and we were given the honor to share in that joy.

Pastor Johnrey, Ate Emily, John Kristoff, and Nissi with us