There is something so refreshing about 'back to the basics' moments in our lives. I have just experienced one such moment during my latest mission trip. Incidentally, the name of the organisation I worked with was the Institution for Foundational Learning (IFL).
IFL was founded some 20 years ago by an American Missionary Patricia Capwell. Initially she came to the Philippines for a short-term mission, but God redirected her and has faithfully provided for setting up a campus in Laguna, Philippines where about 150 people currently live. This includes over 100 orphans, around 50 staff as well as visiting missionaries and other short-term volunteers. IFL teaches people in agriculture, and helps run FAITH (Food Always In The Home) gardens. They have rice fields, fish farms, various animals for meat as well as growing their own fruits and vegetables. It also has a church and a school (from pre-school to high school). The IFL's English-based curriculum is being used in over 100 schools throughout the Philippines.
For the past 3 weeks, I had the privilege of leading a short-term mission team to the IFL. The team was made up of different nationalities and cultures—Australia, China, Georgia, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, all from Logos Hope. We were involved in various work such as gardening, painting, construction work as well as butchering animals for meat in the barnyard. It was an intense scene for some of us to see ducks running around with their heads chopped off, pumping out blood everywhere before finally dying. I came to appreciate all the hard work that goes into preparing meat that I have been taking for granted.
One rainy afternoon, I talked to one of the IFL workers while walking along the rice field. I was curious about the life of a Filipino lady who had a great work opportunity awaiting for her in Australia, but instead chose to work faithfully as a volunteer for IFL, raising orphans and abandoned children. I was shocked to hear about a baby girl whose parents wanted to sell for money. The IFL worker heard God saying 'take the baby' with justice. She firmly said yes to the baby but no to the payment. Another baby girl living in a shanty was in a critical condition from inhaling toxic smoke in a slum. Airborne diease was rampant in the area and both parents finally succumbed to tuberculosis. This time she heard God saying 'rescue the baby'. She took the baby to the hospital for an operation. After fervent prayer and medical care, the baby survived. Today she is raising these two girls as her own daughters at IFL, nurturing and loving them.
Her story really touched my heart. These two 'once-orphaned' girls are filled with exceeding joy that shines on their face. Every time I spent time with them, their joy humbled me and challenged me to re-think about what it really means to be joyful. The IFL worker's obedience to God was also inspiring. How many men and women in this world can truly obey God in that situation at the cost of a paid job overseas and a marriage? 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 58 teaches us "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because your labour in the Lord is not in vain."
My teammate Gary from Adelaide had the opportunity to preach at one of the Sunday services. He mentioned James chapter 1, verse 27 which says; "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." I suddenly realised what an incredible honour and privilege it was for me to be at the IFL. Despite our own perceived inadequacies, our collective God-given talents as a team was evident throughout the mission.
Gary also shares his story…
"Perhaps one of the hardest things for us as believers is to simply trust God and let Him work through us. I have often struggled to know whether I have really let the Lord have His way in me or simply exercised my own will in a situation. This has led to many instances where I have simply been unwilling to stand up and do the Lord's work.
During our time at IFL we were involved in a lot of practical activities and we also spent a lot of informal time with the youth and kids there. This was a wonderful blessing for all of us in the team and perhaps one of the most encouraging things was that the simple ministry of spending time with these people was fruitful. Sharing our testimonies, leading worship and praying with them; we felt we could have done so much more, yet through these times people grew by simply hearing and sharing.
One Saturday morning we were tasked with community outreach activities and Daniel, our team leader, was given some details. What was planned was not something I feel any comfort in doing, but the Lord has been working in my heart to cultivate a willing and humble spirit of service. Being challenged to act in faith I submitted to the Lord's desire and ceased to worry about what would happen. As is often the case with such things in the Philippines, the details changed. What we assumed would be outside evangelism in the community was in fact an indoor service with many believers, in a different community than we expected.
Suffice to say we were not at all prepared for this. This was a time where we as a team really felt the Lord worked through us in spite of our weakness and unpreparedness. We had virtually no time to prepare (we were already over an hour late for a meeting we hadn't known we were attending) so we prayed and started. Through song, drama, testimony, activities and the giving of a message we saw God speak to people in a strong and clear manner. As I gave the closing message and challenge, speaking from Hebrews chapter 12, verse 2 and sharing about the ministry of Logos Hope I asked those before me to trust the Lord to work righteousness in their lives. Although I had not prepared a message and I was not practised in giving evangelical challenges, I was humbled to see and know that God was at work in my life. Later, as we discussed what had taken place that morning, we all gave thanks to God, seeing His strength displayed in spite of our weaknesses. For me, it was both a simple pleasure and a great encouragment that God would humble us in such a gentle and fruitful way."
Daniel back again. Thanks Gary.
Daniel Jang's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/daniel-jang.html
Daniel Jang is a senior advisor with Ministry of Health New Zealand. He is an experienced writer, speaker and mentor to Press Service International (PSI) community. Daniel holds an MA in Applied Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute and GradDip in Theology from Laidlaw College.
Daniel Jang's previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/daniel-jang.html