I heart Philippines

Wow its been awhile since I've posted on my blog. Oh I've missed you guys!!

So if you haven't figured out now, I'm actually not in India anymore.  Nope! I'm now in the Philippines.  "Say what Sara?!? When did this happen?" 

Haha... Well... it's now been about a week and half being here at the YWAM base here in Manila.

The Philippines is so beautiful.  The people,  the weather and the food. It's just all so amazing. I'm loving it here! The children are adorable. As we walk down the street kids come running up to us wanting to just talk and play with us.

Children waiting for their food. 

We do a lot of ministry at smoky Mountain. Which is a big slum with houses on top of a dump. The slums were also cleared to make housing for 30,000 people that make their living from picking through landfill's rubbish. 

We also been working with children and mothers who live there in their one room small apartment. During the day, twice a week we have been able to run a mothers bible study. We've been working with many children such as children services and feeding programs. 

"I'm loving every moment of being here!"

At the end of this week we are taking a 8 hour bus ride to San Fernando to continue our ministry.  This will be our last place before heading back to Australia.  Goodness gracious,  it's gone quickly!!!

On our days off we've been able to see the rest of Manila.  The city is beautiful with markets on every Sunday,  which most of you know markets are my absolute favourite.

Trying the food would have to be my favourite experience,  especially in a new country. I mean, who doesn't like magical flavours jumping all around in your mouth?? There food is so colourful here and even though it may look like the strangest thing I have ever seen, It always tastes delicious.

I'm so sad about leaving Manila as my heart has grown so much towards this place,  but I'm also excited to see how God is going to move in San Fernando.

Please keep my team in your prayers as we spend our last two weeks of outreach here in the Philippines.  Pray for protection,  health and that God will really use us to touch people's lives.

Remember God made you different to be a difference!

God bless!

Another India update

I can't believe how fast time has gone by.  We only have over a week until we leave India.  What!?!!

Last week we had corporate which is where we meet up with all the other teams that are here in Kolkata. It was really good hearing from the other teams about what God is doing in their region. After reporting back and worshiping our great God together....  We went out and did a bit of evangelising. 

We've been out doing a bit of evangelising around our region in Kolkata.  In train stations, at a uni and in little villages. We're just able to bless people,  give out bible tracks and pray for people, even though they don't always understand us. They still love how we come and 'try' to talk to them, but they especially love it when we perform a few songs. 

Last Friday we went to a rehab Centre where there were 58 men and women who struggle with many addictions including drug and alcohol.  We were able to share our testimonies and perform a few songs plus a drama. I was able to share my story and pray for many of the women who are finding it really hard. At the end we did am alter call and all 58 of the men and women gave their lives to the Lord. 

The Saturday after, we spent the day going to a girls and boys hostel.  We spent time at each hostel playing, talking and performing for the children. At the boys hostel there were two boys, on with a sore foot and the other with one with a broken foot/fever. God came through and totally healed them both.  Not long after they were running around the room.

It's been so great to see God work through the team. 

 

This week we went to a uni to help run one of their Christian meetings/gatherings they have. 

Every week we go to a girls home where we play with 6 young girls. It's really just a time of blessing these girls and just having fun with them. Showing them that they are valued and loved. 
There is also a boys home that we go to once a week. We also play games with them, sing songs and dance with them as they have so much energy.  

Every Sunday after noon is my favourite time of the day because thats when we run our youth seminar. Its a place where we share with them about a topic we had during lecture phase.  This week was on lordship.  We also have small groups which is my favourite part.  I love the group of girls I have.  Even though it's sometimes hard to understand each other, they are always smiling and laughing. They always have questions whether it's got to do with the topic or not.... But I live seeing the hearts that they have for God. Actually that's been one of the most amazing things here in India. Seeing how the children worship and pray.  It seriously challenges and encourages in my walk with God.

God is so good! It's been surreal seeing the heart that he has for the people in this city. Having the opportunity to bless people and love on them has been amazing.