Sometimes we don’t feel like we don’t belong. I’ve been praying into that a lot the past month or so. As I prayed through all of my questions, all of the, “Why am I here?” questions since arriving in the Philippines. Last Wednesday I opened a letter from a friend, and it triggered so many answers to all of the prayers I’d been praying. It was wild. Much needed, and God knew in that moment I needed all of those words.
Among the words of the letter, at the end, was a quote from one of my favorite people, Jamie Tworkowski. It was one I’d forgotten about, in his book, If You Feel Too Much.
“We are surrounded by other people and each person is a living story and every single story has questions and pain of its own. Today seems like a good day to step into the stories around you and get lost in the things you’re thankful for.”
INCISION NUMBER ONE. I came to hear stories, to encourage people in their stories and tell them they’re loved by the Author of their stories. The Author who was intentional and kind enough to write these other characters into my story and me in theirs as well. I was sent here to tell these people that their pain matters, that their voices matter. That there is Hope and Help and Healing. That they are not alone.
I made the choice that day to start being more present, and more vulnerable to the team I’m here with. I took the mask off over a week ago and told them where I was at, that Doc was starting to perform surgery on me and that it was a hard place. They encouraged me and prayed over me. They are the nurses helping me to heal. Checking in on me to make sure I’m taking medicine (reading Truth) and encouraging me (and praying for me) on hard days.
The assurance that the Doc has given me that things will be okay is undeniable. The assurance that more surgery is coming, however, is also certain. But right now, He’s just getting started, and that’s okay. I know with every incision, something is getting taken out that needs to be removed, and that those things getting removed are only drawing me closer to full health (closer to God), in every way.
This week I was able to learn a lot from the Doc. That there is opportunity for growth and better health each and every day.
Ministry last week looked like going to feedings, being thankful that God brought me here to serve these villages on the island of Leyte in the Philippines among a team of five incredible women. It looked like seeing tons of joyful faces, eyes shining with huge smiles and laughter while we played games with kids. It looked like filling cracks between tiles in a room to be used for a kids’ ministry, AWANA. It looked like stepping out in faith, choosing joy, and being a light where I was sent. It looked like remembering why I was brought here.
Typhoon Yolanda hit this side of the island five years ago, this coming Saturday, November third. Many are still recovering from the destruction she brought with her. The team has spent a lot of time talking about that, but more than that, we’ve had a lot of conversations about the joy here on this island, in these villages. We’ve talked a lot of the joy these people have, despite the pain they’ve lived and seen and carried. They have hope. They are kind and loving and caring. You would never know that they’ve lived and seen and carried.
If you’ve supported me in any way, with prayer, finances, and/or encouragement: thank you. My story will forever be impacted not just by this month in the Philippines, but so far beyond. I will never forget all that God has taught me here on the island of Leyte, and it is only the beginning, the first leg of the Race.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
-continued vulnerability within Team XOXO.
-prayers for Tacolban and surrounding villages as the anniversary of Yolanda comes this weekend
-finishing month one strong. We will leave the Philippines for Thailand in about a week! It hardly seems time to leave.
-continued ministry even after leaving. With social media comes many more opportunities to keep in touch with the people we’re interacting with and sharing life with. Pray that these relationships continue and that God continues to use us to minister here even after leaving.
-debrief in Manila. On Friday, our team will leave Tacloban to join the rest of the squad in Manila. This will be a few days of resting, worshiping, and reflecting on what God did in and through us over the month in the Philippines.
-new beginnings in Thailand! We will be leaving the Philippines to go to our second month of the Race in Thailand next week. We don’t have our ministry locations just yet, but I will keep ya’ll posted on where we will be and what we will be doing!
-financial support. Thus far, we have hit all deadlines! THANK YOU to all who have helped and prayed for my financial support!!! I am about $6,000 from being fully funded! My next deadline is at the end of November, which is $13,000. I’m currently just over $1,000 away!! You guys are wild and love me so well. Thank you for all of your support!!!
XOXO,
Vicks
Thank you for this thoughtful update. You’re a brave young woman. I pray for you to continue to open up to your Team and trust God has put you with exactly the right people to support you through your growth and stretching, even when it’s painful. God bless and keep you, especially with these upcoming good-byes and next steps.
I love reading everyone’s blog. God is doing amazing thing through you. We are praying for safe travels and calm weather. I am sure this week will be filled with lots of mixed feelings, saying goodbye to your new friends but looking forward to the new adventures that await.