Hello Dear Readers,
Anyone like history? Yes? Good. No? Humor me. Read on....
Once upon a time, I was a burnt out college graduate completely unready for medical school. As God had it, I went to the Philippines with my childhood bestfriend to relax, connect with hld friends and spend time with family. And as corny and cliche as it sounds, little did I know that my life would be changed.
I was invited to different churches, work with different people and even to teach a little. An opportunity came for me to work with children in a town called Bayambang and honestly, my life went in a new direction from there. The children literally stole my heart while I wasn't looking. In one day I must have met and played with over 30 children and yet I was unable to communicate with them because I knew very little Tagalog (Philippines language). I was astonished to see how they loved regardless of language barriers. My heart melted as they smiled and affectionately called me Ate (older sister).
But looking at the children and looking at the surrounding town, one could tell all was not well. Most of the children were underweight. Picking up an 8 year old Filipino child felt like I was picking up a 5 year old American child. The mouths and tongues of many of the children were crusted with white, a telltale sign of thrush. And then slowly the stories came out. Some children suffered physical abuse at the hands of alcoholic fathers. Others suffered sexual abuse at the hands of family members. Children scrounge for the tops of soda cans to sell for less than a penny. Other children's parents left them to work in other provinces; some of the parents came back for them and some of them didn't. But when I was with the children, never once did they cry in front of me. They only wanted to laugh and play. I marveled, 'How could they smile under such circumstances?' And honestly, I still don't know the answer.
I left the Philippines. But I left my heart there. I was determined that I wouldn't forget what I had witnessed. I didn't want to go back to how things were before. And truthfully, anyone who saw what we saw could never go look at the life the same way. I came back to the States wondering how could I help make the children's lives better and God answered me.
That fall I walked into Ebenezer Mission Church. A few months later, under the guidance of my Dad, I brought up the idea of adopting a church in the Philippines. I knew my family and I could not undertake such a burden alone. Who better to help than a church dedicated to missions? A few months later after many twists and turns and lots of prayers, Ebenezer Mission Church decided on adopting a church in Dagupan City-my family's hometown. And two years after I walked through EMC International's doors, short term missionaries flew to the Philippines and we began working with our first EMC Philippine church: EMC Dagupan.
Today our ministry in the Philippines has grown to five churches; EMC Dagupan, EMC Calasiao, EMC Tumbor, EMC Namolan and EMC Mangaldan with mission points in the towns of Anulid and Umbatel. We not only have children's ministry, but we have youth and adult ministries. This ministry grew far beyond my wildest imaginations. I am grateful and honored that God allowed someone like me to have a small part in this ministry. And I am honored to work with people like Pastor Jae and the members of EMC International who have nothing but love for the Filipino people.
Ebenezer means "Thus far the Lord has helped us". Our church, Ebenezer Mission Church firmly believes and understands that it is only by God's providence that we are where we are now and it is only through Him that we will move forward to better and greater things.
"Thus far the Lord has helped us" (1Sam 7:12)
In the coming days I hope to give you a glimpse into our EMC Philippines ministry and perhaps you might be moved to help out in anyway you can.
All the glory to God for "thus far, the Lord has helped us"
-Melissa M
EMC International: Philippines coordinator.
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