My son and I recently traveled to Bacolod City, Philippines to visit our dear friend, Sarah Hebert. What a blessing that trip was! Well, I say that, but it was also such an eye opening experience!! I've known and heard of missionaries my entire life, but never have my eyes been open quite like they were those 10 days spent going though life with Sarah.
I just want to share a few little things to maybe make you more aware of life for her. now.
First of all, she has a nice apartment that is decorated "so Sarah" like. I fell in love with it instantly, mainly because it has her personality and spirit everywhere you look! One thing it doesn't have everywhere is "aircon" (airconditioning)! Lets just say, leaving behind a thermometer that read 29 to go somewhere that it read 90, this ole girl suffered a bit!
Her bedroom has air, so sleep was good at night, but much done outside of there, well, its the tropics. Its hot. Its humid. I shined. I perspired. No, lets be honest, I sweat.ed!! Did I ever hear Sarah complain? Of course not.
After spending about 36 hours in actually reaching her, the first thing I wanted to do was shower! aaahh! Hmm...yeah, her shower, well, my dripping faucet may have more pressure. I asked her, "how do you EVER get the shampoo out of that head of hair?" To which she replied with a chuckle, "oh it takes a while, but I'm use to it." That's our Sarah!
She took me around what is now "her city" using basic phrases of Ilonggo she has learned. The language part, folks, thats tough! Can you imagine trying to learn a whole new language?? I can't. I got frustrated trying to learn just a word or two because I wouldn't put the accent on the right letter and she'd have to repeat it like 10 times and we know she hates repeating herself. Needless to say, I didn't pick up many words.
"Her city" is filled with LOTS of people, lots of cars, bikes, trikes, motorbikes, jeepneys, walkers; basically name a way to get around and its out there on the streets...most of the time at the same time! on the same road! in the same block! :) Get the picture?
Now, let me share about Sarah and how she is doing. She has been there five months this week. I don't know if y'all can believe that, but I sure can...seems much longer to me. She is adjusting to her new normal, which is no where near her old normal. She has gone from being very active in two churches, to not really having a church to be active in. From being surrounded by family and a multitude of friends, to a city where she knows a handful of folks. From being filled by God and and being able to pour all of that out into the lives of others. From getting and giving hugs every day, and getting texts and phone calls from those she loves to those things being very few and far between. I don't tell you all of this to feel sorry for her, that is the VERY LAST thing she would want, but I do know she covets the prayers of His people. So I tell you that, so this morning, at lunch, at bedtime, coffee break, just sometime during your day, you may lift her up in prayer and perhaps send her a note of encouragement.
As we rode in a jeepney across from one another one day, I was watching her...not in a creeper/stalker kind of way, but in a way that God was trying to process so much in my mind about this amazing young lady. As I watched her pass pesos back and forth from driver to other passengers, speaking Ilonggo to them all, I was filled with such pride that yes! she was my friend! and God has awesome ways He's going to bring glory to His name through her!
Later, that same day, we went up to her apartment rooftop and watched the sunset. That was a bit surreal too. As I looked down on the street below in one direction, and to homes with dirt floors and tin roofs in the other direction God began speaking and I felt as if I were on holy ground. Not so much by my surroundings, but that He was speaking to my heart in the midst of it all. No, He did not call me to be a missionary. Honestly, I do not have the right spiritual gifts to be one, but He did call me to be who I am, where He has placed me. Also, it is my responsibility to support and encourage young ladies, like Sarah, in any way I can. That is what He has called me to do. I accept that calling on my life.
What has He called you to do? Maybe it is to surrender your life to missions? Perhaps ministry in some other field? Perhaps to be a teacher, a doctor, an accountant, a dental hygenist? Whatever it is, He will equip you in unique ways to bring glory to Him. Its up to us to do it. For now, my calling is to be the best wife and mother, first of all. Then to be a supportive pastor's wife (though never, ever the "typical" one). And now, He has opened my eyes to single, female missionares and ways I can look to make their lives a bit easier now and then and to daily lift them up to Him in prayer.
Thank you, Father, for using this precious friend to open my eyes!
