More Great Experiences

Another wonderful, fulfilling week is down here in the Philippines!  I had a great session with my reader, Reyford, last Monday.  We were reading the lesson about the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to inform her of her miraculous pregnancy.  When we read about Gabriel telling Mary that the Holy Spirit would come to her, I promised to look up some verses regarding the Holy Spirit for Reyford.  Once we finished the lesson, I asked if he had any more questions.  He said, “I want to know more about Elizabeth and her husband.”  So I took out my Bible and read about Gabriel visiting Zechariah and then about the birth of John.  After that, Reyford wanted to know more about Gabriel, so I told him what I knew and looked up some more verses to read.  He returned on Thursday, and we read through all the verses I had found about the Holy Spirit.  I love seeing such a passion for learning about God’s Word within Reyford, and I cannot wait to discuss and share more with him. 

 On Monday evening, Brittiny led a devotional with two readers, Margie, Mommy Lou, Jen Jen (a helper at Wayne’s house), Kendra, and me.  Our conversations regarding the devotional Brittiny read began on the surface but soon delved into much depth.  At one moment, there was not a dry eye in the room.  Almost everyone shared a touching story about their lives.  I was especially moved and felt somewhat convicted by two very similar stories.  Both of the readers shared, with tears falling down their cheeks, about how they longed to go to college and study but that they could not afford it.  I felt like someone had thrown a bucket of cold water on me.  I used to complain about being in college when I could be working out in the world instead.  The girls’ stories made me realize that, while I am complaining about being in college, there are students who long to go to college, but cannot.  I also felt blessed because, although I cannot afford to go to college, there is a way for me, and opportunities for everyone, to pursue higher education in the United States.  This experience revealed to me some of the things I take for granted in my own life. 

We had our first get together on Friday night.  Our get togethers are like parties where we invite our readers and church members to have some fun and learn about American culture.  So we had a western-themed get together.  We had a lot of fun and did some ice-breaker games and learned how to line dance.  We gave our readers mustaches and taught them how to say "Yee-haw!"  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and our first get-together turned out great. 

Last week turned out great!  Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!